The T5 Q&a Thread

[wharfrat48]

Looking for some lighting for my 29g fuge. Drs F&S have the Nova extreme 2 x 24w T5 (not pro) for about 60$. I know these do not have individual reflectors-- so my question is whether it would still be a good lamp for this application. Comes with a 10000K and either a actinic or a "freshwater bulb" whatever that is. I have not been able to find a PC hood for that price and the Nova extreme hood looks relatively small--- I dont have all that much room above my fuge. If not, any other suggestions? How about a NO fluorescent?

Thanks

 

[eyeguy]

I'm setting up a tank 24wx60lx30d with two 250W XM 10K DE in Lumenarc Stealth reflectors and on IC ballasts. I'm certain I will need some actinic supplementation ot get my corals to pop and am planning on adding some t5's. I have an old IceCap 660 I plan to use for the ballast. My question is which bulb would you recommend and what configuration. Have considered two 60 inch bulbs, one in front and one in back, vs four 24 inch bulbs with one on each side of each lumenarc reflector and oriented front to back. Grim I would especially like to know your thoughts and any others as well.

Thanks!

 

[SanFranTodd]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11908621#post11908621 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SanFranTodd
Are these the correct ones? Ready to order!

The Blue Plus is out of stock for "several weeks" - what's the recommended substitute?


The Actinic Plus by Giesemann?

 

[cfarrow2]

Ok Grim, how does this sound? 4 bulb 216 watt:
2 super actinic 420 nm
1 Reef White 10,000k
1 Reef Blue 10,000k

sound OK?

 

[cfarrow2]

Oh yeah, I have some softies (mushroom, zoos) and some GSP. Want to add some torch/frogspawn maybe lps down the road. It's a standard 55 gal. Will the above bulbs work well?

 

[fishgutz]

I have a 180 with 3x80 watt blue+ and 3x80 watt aquablue special. My growth and colors are pretty good, but I noticed that when I shine a flashlight on my monti cap at night the new white growth appears pink. It sure would be nice to see that pink all the time, and I'm worried now my colors could be better. Is there a better bulb combo I could be using that would allow me to see more color? Thanks.

 

[EvilE]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11914307#post11914307 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SanFranTodd
The Blue Plus is out of stock for "several weeks" - what's the recommended substitute?


The Actinic Plus by Giesemann?

Yes the closest thing to the ATI Blue+ is the Giesemann Actinic Plus . They are similar, but not identical.

 

[jefnalyssa]

Grim,

Thanks for your time. I plan on buying a 48 in retro . I understand the Very high output gives offf 85 watts. The retros either say VHO or HO Is there something lower? All I ever see are those 2 choices. Is it safe to say the HO are normal or is there something lower?


TIA,
Jeff

 

[SanFranTodd]

what's the ideal distance to mount a 48" T5 retrofit from the water surface?

 

[cfarrow2]

bump

 

[asonitez]

i have a 8X t5 setup from current with one of grims bulb configs... Should my Fixture Sit on the rim of my 90 Gallon Tank? OR should I use the Legs? I don't have any cooling issues at all. Personally I'd like to not use the legs so that my canopy top will fit.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

The actinic output causes certain corals to fluoresce. When all the lights are on you can't see the fluorescence nearly as well. As I remember this is a fairly new lighting set up? If so let it run at least a month before deciding if you want to make a lamp change.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11910595#post11910595 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by snaza
i have 6 bulbs and one of my acros looks brown. bulb config is

blue plus
ocean pro
blue plus
fiji purple
blue plus
aqua blue

when i run my dusk/dawn which is just the 2 middle bulbs (blue plus and fiji purple) the same acro looks a lot more green. why? is my bulb config ok for a 75g. the acro is up pretty high. ice cap slr

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11913101#post11913101 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by wharfrat48
Looking for some lighting for my 29g fuge. Drs F&S have the Nova extreme 2 x 24w T5 (not pro) for about 60$. I know these do not have individual reflectors-- so my question is whether it would still be a good lamp for this application. Comes with a 10000K and either a actinic or a "freshwater bulb" whatever that is. I have not been able to find a PC hood for that price and the Nova extreme hood looks relatively small--- I dont have all that much room above my fuge. If not, any other suggestions? How about a NO fluorescent?

Thanks

That would be a fine fuge light

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11913688#post11913688 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by eyeguy
I'm setting up a tank 24wx60lx30d with two 250W XM 10K DE in Lumenarc Stealth reflectors and on IC ballasts. I'm certain I will need some actinic supplementation ot get my corals to pop and am planning on adding some t5's. I have an old IceCap 660 I plan to use for the ballast. My question is which bulb would you recommend and what configuration. Have considered two 60 inch bulbs, one in front and one in back, vs four 24 inch bulbs with one on each side of each lumenarc reflector and oriented front to back. Grim I would especially like to know your thoughts and any others as well.

Thanks!

Go with 2 ATI Blue Plus lamps. The XM halides have a pretty good amount of actinic in the specrum so adding the blue will give you the best bang.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11914307#post11914307 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SanFranTodd
The Blue Plus is out of stock for "several weeks" - what's the recommended substitute?


The Actinic Plus by Giesemann?

Yes

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11914490#post11914490 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by cfarrow2
Ok Grim, how does this sound? 4 bulb 216 watt:
2 super actinic 420 nm
1 Reef White 10,000k
1 Reef Blue 10,000k

sound OK?

Do 1 actinic and 1 Blue Plus or Actinic Plus, you dont really need 2 actinics

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11915276#post11915276 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by fishgutz
I have a 180 with 3x80 watt blue+ and 3x80 watt aquablue special. My growth and colors are pretty good, but I noticed that when I shine a flashlight on my monti cap at night the new white growth appears pink. It sure would be nice to see that pink all the time, and I'm worried now my colors could be better. Is there a better bulb combo I could be using that would allow me to see more color? Thanks.

Pull an aquablue and add an ATI Pro Color. If there is pink to be brought out that will do it.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11916426#post11916426 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jefnalyssa
Grim,

Thanks for your time. I plan on buying a 48 in retro . I understand the Very high output gives offf 85 watts. The retros either say VHO or HO Is there something lower? All I ever see are those 2 choices. Is it safe to say the HO are normal or is there something lower?


TIA,
Jeff

HO's are the ones we deal with. VHO's are simply overdriven HO's. There are NO's but those aren't usable over most reefs that are over a foot tall.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11916632#post11916632 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SanFranTodd
what's the ideal distance to mount a 48" T5 retrofit from the water surface?

4 inches is about ideal. Just make sure they are high enough to avoid salt spray

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11919078#post11919078 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by asonitez
i have a 8X t5 setup from current with one of grims bulb configs... Should my Fixture Sit on the rim of my 90 Gallon Tank? OR should I use the Legs? I don't have any cooling issues at all. Personally I'd like to not use the legs so that my canopy top will fit.

If you are going to use it in a canopy make sure the canopy is well vented and I would strongly suggest a fan blowing fresh air into the canopy to make sure there is no humidity build up in the fixture. If it has a splash shield the fixture can sit right on the tank.