The T5 Q&a Thread

[wongkwp]

Grim, I'm using a 6x39W Tek light over my 58G tank (36x18x21) with the following bulb combination. The bulbs are due for replacement, I would like to try a new bulbs combo. What would be a suitable combination for sps? I've never tried any other bulbs like UVL.

Front
Actinic Plus
Aquablue Plus
KZ Fiji Purple
KZ Coral Light
Aquablue Plus
Actinica Plus

 

[jennmac415]

I think your current combo sounds like it would be good... it seems everyone always wants to see/try the KZ bulbs... do you have a pic of your tank using this combo...

 

[d_icemand]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12446523#post12446523 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by wongkwp
Grim, I'm using a 6x39W Tek light over my 58G tank (36x18x21) with the following bulb combination. The bulbs are due for replacement, I would like to try a new bulbs combo. What would be a suitable combination for sps? I've never tried any other bulbs like UVL.

Front
Actinic Plus
Aquablue Plus
KZ Fiji Purple
KZ Coral Light
Aquablue Plus
Actinica Plus

how do you like that combination? I have the same hood assembly as you do and cant figure out what to use. I think I will try this.

Aqua Science DUO
Aqua Science Blue 22K
ATI pro color
KZ Fiji purple
Aqua Science Blue 22K
Aqua Science special 15K

a fellow reefer recommended it---what do you think grim and everyone?

 

[wongkwp]

Here's a picture of my tank before it crashed last December. I've not use UVL or AquaScience bulbs before. Just thinking to try it out since I'm replacing all of them. I'm thinking about the following combination:

Front
ATI Blueplus
UVL Aquablue
KZ Fiji Purple
ATI Super Actinic
UVL Aquablue
ATI Blueplus
Rear

 

[ooja3k]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12452180#post12452180 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by wongkwp
Here's a picture of my tank before it crashed last December. I've not use UVL or AquaScience bulbs before. Just thinking to try it out since I'm replacing all of them. I'm thinking about the following combination:

Front
ATI Blueplus
UVL Aquablue
KZ Fiji Purple
ATI Super Actinic
UVL Aquablue
ATI Blueplus
Rear

Beautiful tank!

How did it crash?

 

[Arati]

my tank is a 36 gal bowfront with a current sundial 30" x 4 fixture

It came with 2 10k and 2 true atinics bulb. I have slow growth and poor color. I like to keep mostly sps. I would choose color over growth.

What is the best bulb choice for me?

Thanks,
Chris

 

[jennmac415]

VERY, VERY nice tank, Peter... sorry to hear about your crash... how did it happen? I like the color of your tank with the bulbs you had on it...

 

[wongkwp]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12453185#post12453185 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jennmac415
VERY, VERY nice tank, Peter... sorry to hear about your crash... how did it happen? I like the color of your tank with the bulbs you had on it...

Thanks. I was away out of the country for a month, came back from my trip and found that my tank has crashed.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12445051#post12445051 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by reefer4sho
i think this is the righ place? i've got issues! lol my tank dims are 23.5 x 24.5 x 16 and was wondering what would be the best setup for the price. i was thinking of doing a retro of some sort maybe 4 x 24 front to back inside the canopy i made for my 20" sunpod or do you guys/ gals think that would like funny? i've seen a fixture that has 20" and has two bulbs so i could run 3 of those fixtures left to right as they each have 2 bulbs but they are single reflectors for two bulbs..
any info would be great!

thanks,

You might be able to go side to side if you have 23.5 inches of space inside the canopy. If you use the twist lock endcaps they are only half inch thick at best. The lamps are 22.5 inches so you might be able to pull that off. Get your measurements and check with reefgeek, they can get you the finished deminsions.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12445251#post12445251 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ooja3k
Alright Grim.

Aquactinics is coming out with new reflectors for their T-5 system. Their current reflectors are 95% reflective "Micro IV" aluminum. Their new reflectors are 98% reflectivity "Micro Silver" reflectors.

My guess is that this will increase the light output of this fixture. I am planning on upgrading the 95% reflective reflectors for the new 98% reflective reflectors in my Tx5 fixture.

Do you know how much of an increase in light output (PAR) will be seen?? Is the increase going to be 3%?? That seems too easy, but who know...


I would just like to hear your opinion on this. These new reflectors will now not only leave the tek fixture in the dust in terms of PAR, but inch it closer to the Powermodule.

My guse would be about 6%, I have some reflectors here from a different company to test that are both so I will know in a few days.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12446221#post12446221 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by reefgeek31
i just have a quick question for the t5 gods. I have 8 39watt powered by 2 work horse 7 ballast and would like a bulb suggestion? I like a blue look to my tank but would really like to get everything stunning. Oh ya this is for a sps tank! Thanks ahead of time for your time for such a common question!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks again Abe

Front

Blue Plus
Super Actinic
Aquasun
Blue Plus
Aquasun
Blue Plus
UVL 75/25
Blue Plus

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12446376#post12446376 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by xhappyx
wow i'm glad i didn't just go out and buy those bulbs then i definatly would have been disapointed

would this be a better setup then. if not what would u suggest? and would i still get good growth rates?

ati aqua blue special
ati blue plus
ati blue plus
kz fiji purple or kz fiji purple
kz fiji purple
ati blue plus
ati blue plus
ati aqua blue special

i haven't heard much about the kz fiji purple would they be ok ?
thanks

Try this
Blue Plus
Aquablue
Blue Plus
Fiji Purple
Blue Plus
Aquablue
Fiji Purple
Blue Plus

Same lamps different order

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12446523#post12446523 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by wongkwp
Grim, I'm using a 6x39W Tek light over my 58G tank (36x18x21) with the following bulb combination. The bulbs are due for replacement, I would like to try a new bulbs combo. What would be a suitable combination for sps? I've never tried any other bulbs like UVL.

Front
Actinic Plus
Aquablue Plus
KZ Fiji Purple
KZ Coral Light
Aquablue Plus
Actinica Plus

Is that your current lamp order or one you want to try.

If so swap the Koral light for a UVL Aquasun. The Koral Light is almost the same as the Aquablue.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12451799#post12451799 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by d_icemand
how do you like that combination? I have the same hood assembly as you do and cant figure out what to use. I think I will try this.

Aqua Science DUO
Aqua Science Blue 22K
ATI pro color
KZ Fiji purple
Aqua Science Blue 22K
Aqua Science special 15K

a fellow reefer recommended it---what do you think grim and everyone?

Don't know, let us know. I would grab an extra DUO lamp just in case. Good to have a spare and that is the best compromise replacement for either a blue or white lamp. Plus it lets you play with different combinations.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12452232#post12452232 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Arati
my tank is a 36 gal bowfront with a current sundial 30" x 4 fixture

It came with 2 10k and 2 true atinics bulb. I have slow growth and poor color. I like to keep mostly sps. I would choose color over growth.

What is the best bulb choice for me?

Thanks,
Chris

ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue
UVL Aquasun
ATI Blue Plus

SHould get you a nice boost in growth and color.

 

[jimsflies]

As far as actinics...which provides the best (closest to VHO actinic) or are these about the same? Rank them if you would. Although I am not overly concerned about par how do they stack up?

ATI actinic
Sfiligoi Super actinic
Korallen Zucht - Coral Light Fiji Purple

All things being equal, the ATI would be the handiest to purchase since I have a dealer fairly close to me. And I plan to run an ATI Pro Color, so I could get my bulbs all from one place.

 

[wongkwp]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12454077#post12454077 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Is that your current lamp order or one you want to try.

If so swap the Koral light for a UVL Aquasun. The Koral Light is almost the same as the Aquablue.

Grim,

That's my current combination. What do you think of this new bulbs combo? Should I swap out the Super Actinic with a Aquasun?

Front
ATI Blueplus
UVL Aquablue
KZ Fiji Purple
UVL Super Actinic
UVL Aquablue
ATI Blueplus
Rear

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12454120#post12454120 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jimsflies
As far as actinics...which provides the best (closest to VHO actinic) or are these about the same? Rank them if you would. Although I am not overly concerned about par how do they stack up?

ATI actinic
Sfiligoi Super actinic
Korallen Zucht - Coral Light Fiji Purple

All things being equal, the ATI would be the handiest to purchase since I have a dealer fairly close to me. And I plan to run an ATI Pro Color, so I could get my bulbs all from one place.

ATI and Sfiligoi and both nice and abot equal. The other 2 are not actinic.

 

[BigAl2007]

Wow! I don't know how you do it Grim. I mean how/when do you actually work?

Either way I'm impressed to say the least!

I (of course) have a question..

I'm running a "Mixed Reef" 90g tank. Fairly new tank (Dec 07) but not new lights (eBay). I only have Zoas, and other "easy" corals right now but see some monti's and others in my near future. I bought the fixture "used" and I think I need to start replacing bulbs. It's a Current Outer Orbit Pro 48" four 54W T-5 bulbs (420/460 nm) (two 150 watt 10000°K HQI metal halide bulb) The MH's can go a bit longer but I'll need to replace ALL bulbs in the next month or so.

What arrangement & brand of bulbs would you suggest for this fixture? I personally LIKE the "Blue" look but don't want to inhibit future coral growth by not considering the lower end of the spectrum.

Also, if you don't mind can you give your input for which 150W MH/DE bulbs when I replace those? Thinking of something in the 12k-15k range if I can find qualit....

Right now all bulbs are the stock Current bulbs from the factory but the T5's are getting very dark/Black on the ends.

Thanks for your help and input. Just when you have time.

Sincerely,
Allen from NC

 

[d_icemand]

http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merc...duct_Code=SL-531005&Category_Code=Giesemannt5

Is this what people are talking about when we say Actinic Plus? Who also makes the Actinic Plus besides Geismann?