The T5 Q&a Thread

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11802077#post11802077 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by anin
Thanks Grim, so you recommended this:

blue Plus
ATI Actinic
ATI Pro Color
Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue
Blue Plus

how would this differ
blue Plus
ATI Actinic
ATI Pro Color
Blue Plus
75/25
Blue Plus

Thanks

Be a little less PAR little more blue.

 

[Chopstix]

I should mention I am not stocking any SPS

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11802876#post11802876 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Chopstix
I missed this thread and posted a question in a new one... I don't have any mix~n~match experience with T5's ... Running the 48" Nova Extreme Pro with stock bulbs. The tank is definitely bright! 18" tall tank and fixture on stock legs.

I was wondering what might be a good bulb combination for this? I have an LFS not too far from here that I know they stock Gieseman bulbs .... so they may have others too. any suggestions for a better look?

Get a Aquablue and replace a 10K with it, if you have a 6 lamp unit replace another 10K with a Super Actinic. I find the 50/50 mix of current lamps a little green to my eye. The Aquablue will get it a little closer to pure white and the super actinic should tilt it blue and add some pop.

 

[Chopstix]

Thanx tonz for the reply ...

 

[MikeD]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11802818#post11802818 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Before you do anything with the halides try 2 blue Plus and 2 Actinic T5's. If that isn't blue enough I would try the Phoenix 14K halides, great lamp.

I have phoenix in pendants now and it just seems like it washes out the color a bit. It's not this crisp blue white color. So I thought it may either be the halide or the combo of T5s over the tank. The Elos spectra seemed whitish yellow without a lot of blue in it. Not sure if the Reeflux is better 12k.

The other bulbs I was considering was a radium 20k or a Giesemann 14k.

As for T5's... the actinic and blue plus is a nice combo and I love the way it looks for dusk mode. But I thought it may just be 1 bulb that's making those colors pop a lot in the above picture... I just don't have enough exp with the bulbs though. Is it a pro color? A KZ bulb - I know they have a new 14k bulb too) just not sure. What's your take on this?

Mike

 

[viodea]

I'm looking for a 48" T5 lighting. I'm thinking ATI 6x54W Powermodule, Constellation, or Tek light 8x54W.
I don't want to hang the light off my ceiling. Does ATI come with mounting to set on top of the tank? Is it a good idea to just set it on top of my tank? Does it come with splash guard?

Grim, I remember you post PAR reading for ATI and Tek. ATI is almost twice the reading as Tek. Do you have a reading for Constellation compare agains ATI & Tek?

thanks

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11804386#post11804386 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by MikeD
I have phoenix in pendants now and it just seems like it washes out the color a bit. It's not this crisp blue white color. So I thought it may either be the halide or the combo of T5s over the tank. The Elos spectra seemed whitish yellow without a lot of blue in it. Not sure if the Reeflux is better 12k.

The other bulbs I was considering was a radium 20k or a Giesemann 14k.

As for T5's... the actinic and blue plus is a nice combo and I love the way it looks for dusk mode. But I thought it may just be 1 bulb that's making those colors pop a lot in the above picture... I just don't have enough exp with the bulbs though. Is it a pro color? A KZ bulb - I know they have a new 14k bulb too) just not sure. What's your take on this?

Mike

The Pro Color is a reddish ATI lamp. The KZ Coral Light is the same as a ATI Aquablue. If you still have those yellowish Elos halides throw them in the the blue/actinic T5's.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11804452#post11804452 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by viodea
I'm looking for a 48" T5 lighting. I'm thinking ATI 6x54W Powermodule, Constellation, or Tek light 8x54W.
I don't want to hang the light off my ceiling. Does ATI come with mounting to set on top of the tank? Is it a good idea to just set it on top of my tank? Does it come with splash guard?

Grim, I remember you post PAR reading for ATI and Tek. ATI is almost twice the reading as Tek. Do you have a reading for Constellation compare agains ATI & Tek?

thanks

ATI or Aquactinics either one could be set right on the tank. I think Aquactinics has legs available. As far as I know the ATI is hang or sit only. Both have splash shields.

The Constellation is a little below what a Powermodule will be. Only had a 39 watt ATI to compare so I can't say what the 48" version would do.

 

[MikeD]

Powermodule is hang only. I just got mine for my coral only / nano tank.

Grim,
So you think it's best to stick with the Elos 10K Spectras with just the BluePlus and Super actinics? And not mess with the halides and or throw in a fiji purple maybe?

Mike

 

[viodea]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11804610#post11804610 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
ATI or Aquactinics either one could be set right on the tank. I think Aquactinics has legs available. As far as I know the ATI is hang or sit only. Both have splash shields.

The Constellation is a little below what a Powermodule will be. Only had a 39 watt ATI to compare so I can't say what the 48" version would do.

Were you comparing 39W ATI with 6 bulbs against 54W Constellation with 7 bulbs?

Does the ATI have some kind of mounting to keep it from moving or worst, falling into the tank?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11804646#post11804646 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by MikeD
Powermodule is hang only. I just got mine for my coral only / nano tank.

Grim,
So you think it's best to stick with the Elos 10K Spectras with just the BluePlus and Super actinics? And not mess with the halides and or throw in a fiji purple maybe?

Mike

I'd try it and see what you think. You could try doing the 14K halide with 2 Blue Plus, on actinic and 1 Pro Color and see if the added red gives you what your looking for. It will for sure bring out pink and purple colors.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11804658#post11804658 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by viodea
Were you comparing 39W ATI with 6 bulbs against 54W Constellation with 7 bulbs?

Does the ATI have some kind of mounting to keep it from moving or worst, falling into the tank?

The ati is either hung or just set right on the tank. I supose you could make something to keep it from falling in the drink.

Going from 4 lamps to 7 wouldn't change the peak PAR all that much. Going from a 39 watt to 54 watt lamp would probably be a bigger change. Just going based on the better reflector performance of the Tek. My guess is the cooling is about equal, both use the same ballasts.

 

[snaza]

Regardless of colour would 10k or 20k be better for SPS? or is it more about PAR than K rating?

thanks

 

[The Grim Reefer]

PAR for the most part but you also want the right spectrum. A blue/green lamp providing 400 PAR is going to give you somewhat better growth than a green/yellow lamp with the same amount of PAR, thats the theory anyway. It's best to give them a broad spectrum just to cover your bets.

 

[jerome736]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11802787#post11802787 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
If you are keeping a mixed reef a 4 lamp retro will be fine

Front
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Actinic
UVL Aquasun
ATI Blue Plus

Do you have any recommendations in terms of manu/brand of retro kits?

 

[Scuba_Steve]

I just ordered the 2 blue plus with 6 Icecap reflectors. I also got a Ge 6.5k, and 2 Sfiligoi super actinics because they were on clearance. This way I should have a lot to experiment with. Of the bulbs I now have, what would be the best combo to start with. BTW the two Uri super actinic & two Uri 50/50 bulbs are about 4 months old.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

jerome736

Ice Cap HO retro from reefgeek. He uses standard HO T5 ballasts in those kits.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11806199#post11806199 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Scuba_Steve
I just ordered the 2 blue plus with 6 Icecap reflectors. I also got a Ge 6.5k, and 2 Sfiligoi super actinics because they were on clearance. This way I should have a lot to experiment with. Of the bulbs I now have, what would be the best combo to start with. BTW the two Uri super actinic & two Uri 50/50 bulbs are about 4 months old.

Blue Plus
Sfigioli actinic
GE
50/50
Super Actinic
Blue Plus

 

[timespinner]

Hi Grim, I have a 110-gallon 60" L, 24" T, 18" W SPS-dominated tank and am considering T5s. I'm considering a 6x54 icecap slr retrofit overdriven setup. Is this the best setup, and what bulbs and bulb order would you recommend? Thanks!

 

[Scuba_Steve]

You rock grim! I appreciate it!