The T5 Q&a Thread

[The Grim Reefer]

Re: What T5 Bulbs with Reflux 150W 12K MH ?

Re: What T5 Bulbs with Reflux 150W 12K MH ?

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12120425#post12120425 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by pammy
I'm getting close to needing to replace my bulbs. I have an Elos Planet Light Fixture with a DE 150W MH and four 24W T5s. Tank is 19.5" deep X 19.5" back to front and 31.5" long. I've been running with an Elos 10K 150W MH bulb, with two UVL Super Actinic and two ATI Blue Plus T5's. I've been considering switching from the Elos 10k to a Reflux 12K MH. Should I go with different T5's than what I have now? When my T5's only are lit right now, it's a bit too blue for my taste. The corals look great, but the fish are washed out. When the MH and T5's are lit, the fish look great, but the coral aren't as nice looking. Color of the tank is much better with the MH and T5's lit together, but I don't know what to get for T5's if I switch to the Reflux 12K MH. I like a hint of blue, without it being overly blue.

Thanks!
Pam

Swap out a Super actinic for a 75/25 UVL lamp.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12120574#post12120574 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Reeferhead
Grim,

Can you give me some recommendations on some attractive looking all-in-one fixtures? Maybe something in the lower price range and something in the higher price range. This wil be for a rimless tank measuring 90x48x24 mostly SPS and LPS. I will likely incorporate a couple HQI or LED spotlights as well.

Thanks,
Nick

There is no low cost alternative. I would use 2 72" 3x250 watt halide/T5 fixtures. If this is a rimless tank you don't want a half dozen fixtures hanging over it.

I'd probably Llook at Giesemann, Sunlight supply maristar and Aquamedics in that order

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12121899#post12121899 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by teetimefun
Hey Grim
Just finished reading about 80 pages of this thread amazing work. I have a standard 30 gl with tons of SPS and clams. I've narrowed down my choices on my Tx5 fixture

ATI Blue Plus
UVL Super Actinic
UVL Aquasun
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue

ATI Blue Plus
UVL 75/25
ATI Blueplus
UVL Aquasun
ATI Blueplus

Procolor
Auqablue Special
Blueplus
Aquablue Special
Procolor

I want a little more blue than white and add some red for color pop. I want to know your thoughts on what the above combos would look like thanks.

I'd do 2. It will give you a smidge of red. The Pro Color might be a little much in 5 lamp fixtures.

 

[SSpiro]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12126578#post12126578 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SSpiro
What do you guys think about T5 on a 10 gallon?

Specifically, this fixture:
http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_Aquar...usa_nova_extreme_t5_high_output_ho_lunar.html

Bump

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12125939#post12125939 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by serum153
How high should a icecap 4x54vho retro be mounted inside the canopy on a 75 gallon tank?

Try to keep them 4" or higher

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12126578#post12126578 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SSpiro
What do you guys think about T5 on a 10 gallon?

Specifically, this fixture:
http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_Aquar...usa_nova_extreme_t5_high_output_ho_lunar.html

I take them in order, don't get impatient.

That fixture will be fine.

 

[SSpiro]

Heh... My bad. No worries. Thanks!

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12126789#post12126789 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by postal33610
Hey Grim,

I was told that you are the man to come to for T-5 advice.
A 75g used setup that I bought has 4 PC's with an Icecap 660. I plan to upgrade these to 4 T-5's with SLR's.
What would be the best bulb setup to use in this situation?
I currently have mushrooms, zoas, and some softies that I inherited from a friend. I would like to add some LPS and maybe a clam or SPS up high if the lights can pull it off.

Any suggestions?

Thanks.

Front
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Super Actinic
UVL Aquasun
ATI Blue Plus

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12127917#post12127917 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by TwistedTiger
Wondering about the Coralvue T5 ballasts and reflectors. They make the Lumenarc and Lumenbright MH reflectors which are very high quality seems like their T5 reflectors would be good as well. I've also had very good luck with their electronic MH ballasts. Any reviews on their T5 equipment?

Never messed with Coralvue stuff. Not sure if they make lumenarcs, heard good things about the lumen brights. As far as I know they don't advertize the use of the good materials in the T5 reflectors so I wouldn't make any assumptions about how good they are.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12127932#post12127932 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by neyugn0w01
Replacing my T5 bulbs so I order 2 of the new KZ new generation coral light and 1 Fiji Purple. Going to be running front to back:
ATI blue plus
KZ Fiji Purple
ATI Aquablue
ATI blue plus
KZ Coral light
ATI Aquablue

Take a look at the coral light and aquablues and see if you can tell a difference. There was none I could see on the previous ones.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12128243#post12128243 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by gsxunv04
hello Grim, thaNKS for all the time you have put into this thread and i have gained a lot of valuable information as i am sure many others have. my question is this...

i have a 48" long X 18" wide X 19" deep tank and currently have a 260w power compact hood. i am wanting to upgrade to t5s(as opposed to MH) so i can house an anemone, sps, and clams. do you think if i get 6 X 54w tek II retro's (3 kits of 2 bulbs each) it will be sufficient lighting for the anemone, clam, and sps? also would you advise me to try and gut the powercompacts to use for actinic supplementation and use the t5's as daylight bulbs? or should i just use the 6 t5's(if so what bulb combo)

thanks in advance Grim. You are a great help!

Use the 6x54 watt Ice Cap HO retrofit from Reefgeek. The Tek II reflectors are over 3" wide despite what you might read to the contrary. 6 wont fit over your tank.

For lamps

Front
ATI Blue Plus
UVL 75/25
UVL Aquasun
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus

 

[StupidusMaximus]

Thanks a ton Grim

 

[StupidusMaximus]

I do have another question. I know if it uses electricity it creates heat, but will 16 36" t5 on icecaps transfer heat to the water as much 3 250w halides. Also do i lose par if I put a piece of glass between lights and tank.

 

[gsxunv04]

thanks for the timely response grim, i know your a busy guy. so you would recomend that i stick with just the 6 t5's and not with the powercompacts. this will be sufficient for high light requiring specimens(anemones and clams)? is the price difference worth it to get the ice caps,$449 with bulbs. but what bulbs can i choose from(can i specify i want the UVLs and ATIs you listed)? the tek II would be $315 plus $128 in bulbs, so a $6 difference roughly.

 

[Reeferhead]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12128821#post12128821 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
There is no low cost alternative. I would use 2 72" 3x250 watt halide/T5 fixtures. If this is a rimless tank you don't want a half dozen fixtures hanging over it.

I'd probably Llook at Giesemann, Sunlight supply maristar and Aquamedics in that order

This tank will be penninsula style, three side viewable.

I'd like to go with primarily T-5s. If I use MHs it will be in the form of 2-3 angled HQI spots only as accents for that Japanese look and sunrise and sunsets

What about the Aquatinics Constellation 72" fixture? Would two of them this give me enough light? 14 bulbs over 4 ft. Or would three 4ft Solar Fares be better, two length wise and one width wise to cap off the end.

Are there any other 72" T-5 fixtures out there?

 

[vanillagorila]

grim, would 7" above my tank be a good height to hang my solar flare, its 24" deep. or should I lower it. I don't have any clams or high light critters down low.

 

[gsxunv04]

i would go 4-5", but thats just what i hear

 

[ecrumpler]

I'm stuck trying to decide between the 36" Nova Extreme Pro and the 36" Tek Light: 4-39W T5 High-Output Fixture. Basically it's 6 bulbs vs 4 taking the reflectors and bulb choice into consideration. I'm about to pull the trigger on the tek light. This will be for a 40g breeder, 16" tall, that I'm planning on keeping a variety of shrooms, zoas, Lps, along with some hardy sps and a few clams. It seems to me the 4 bulb tek would allow me to place the fisture further back leaving some space in front for lower light corals and having great par under the bulbs for sps. Anyone have any suggestions? I've been pondering this for a week and it's killing me

 

[Chris2500DK]

Sorry if this has come up before (it's a huuuuge thread to look through).

I'm trying to decide between ATI aquablue special and Gliesemann Powerchrome aquablue+.

Which is the better bulb? Do both trigger the flourescent colours in corals?

I have 4 T5 blubs over my tank and I'd really like to do without a dedicated arctinic bulb to increase my total PAR. I was thinking 3 of these bulbs and a single 10000K or maybe even 6500K.

 

[pammy]

Re: Re: What T5 Bulbs with Reflux 150W 12K MH ?

Re: Re: What T5 Bulbs with Reflux 150W 12K MH ?

Thanks so much!!!

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12128686#post12128686 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Swap out a Super actinic for a 75/25 UVL lamp.