The T5 Q&a Thread

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12322966#post12322966 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by elinder
Grim,

I just got my NEP fixture and I'm getting the better bulbs. What would be the best config. for 36" 6x39w. front to back
I'm running a 58 gallon with mostly softies and a couple lps.

thanks

Front

Blue Plus
Aquasun
UVL Super Actinic
current 10K
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12323461#post12323461 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SeanT
Hey Grim,
Did you test all these fixtures?

And if the ATI is rated a 10 what rating would you give to the rest?

Thanks,
Sean

Yep, tested all those plus the ATI Sun Power

Where the ATI is built overkill making it the undisputed quality leader performance wise I'd put it even with the constellation. For raw output the Solar Flare is number 1. Aquactinic is getting ready to switch the material in the reflector to Miro silver. Once that happens I suspect their fixtures are going to be the ones to beat. The ATI already uses the Miro Silver but their reflectors are not as big as the Aquactinics.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12323787#post12323787 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ksanmamaril
Hey Grim,

Those readings you got with the par meter, were they read directly under the bulbs? Or were they read a few inches below the surface level? I'm interested how much par sps actually need to thrive and how deep they can be placed below they start browning. Thanks in advance.

PAR readings on the fixtures were taken about 17" below the surface with the fixture a couple inches above.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12324826#post12324826 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by shoprat001
Thanks Grim, due to your help, perseverance and osmosis this is what I've determined for my 72" Constellation.
Front
Blue plus
Aqua blue
blue plus
Fiji purple
Blue plus
Aqua sun
Blue plus

Norm

SHould look 14K ish with a little extra blue.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12325027#post12325027 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by beba
Grim, isn't too blue?

Not as Blue as you might think. The Aquablue is pretty much white, the Aquasun is a little pink/orange tinted. Pretty much a 14K look. I run a Pro Color (red) 75/25 (white with purplish timt) Super Actinic and 4 blue Plus and it doesn't come close to what a 20K looks like.

 

[SeanT]

Seems like Aquatinics are about to release the new fixtures with Miro IV Hammertone.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1324548

 

[randyorr]

Grim,

I built an oak hood for my 3 x IceCap 660 T5HO setup. I am doing 12 x 39 watt. How would you suggest I cool these bulbs. I have not made any cuts in the hood yet for fans. Thanks!

 

[randyorr]

Also, I am wondering what a good configuration would be for a bright white crisp look to make my fish glow? I have no corals, just FOWLR.

 

[mkzimms]

wondering about a 40Breeder (16" High) with two nova extreme T5HO 39x4. Its a total of 312 watts. Whats the best i can keep under there. also need bulb suggestions for a semi-blue/purple look and give my corals a nice glow, i dont like the white washed out look.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12327790#post12327790 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by drama07
Okay grim i guess i'll stick with the T5HO's. Another question, I currently have 2x24W icecap t5ho and was wondering if I should sell them or keep them to light up my 36x24x18?

The setup is retro but the ballast is workhorse 3 so I can't light up 2x39W 36" bulbs with it. So would 24" bulbs light up my tank effectively?

You could use it for a couple actinics

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12330879#post12330879 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by randyorr
Grim,

I built an oak hood for my 3 x IceCap 660 T5HO setup. I am doing 12 x 39 watt. How would you suggest I cool these bulbs. I have not made any cuts in the hood yet for fans. Thanks!

I'd set up 3 fans, one at each end blowing in from the back and a third in the center so the air is blowing near the ends of the lamps at the endcaps. Id either vent the top or add vents in the back at the top. Take advantage of the convection effect. I'd do the larger 4" fan at the center.

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

Wont look as blue as you might think.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12331296#post12331296 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mkzimms
wondering about a 40Breeder (16" High) with two nova extreme T5HO 39x4. Its a total of 312 watts. Whats the best i can keep under there. also need bulb suggestions for a semi-blue/purple look and give my corals a nice glow, i dont like the white washed out look.

Be fine.

Front

Blue Plus
UVL 75/25
Aquasun
UVL Super Actinic
Blue Plus
ATI Pro Color
Blue Plus
UVL 75/25

sHOULD BE FINE FOR MOST CRITTERS PROPERLY PLACED

 

[drama07]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12332442#post12332442 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
You could use it for a couple actinics

You don't think it'd be better to get 36" bulbs in place of 24"? I'm worried that for the money I bought it for, it wouldn't be worth it. But then again if I try selling it I might just get about 50-75% of the money back.

Thanks

 

[TropTrea]

Thge big thing to keep in mind is personal taste. What John might think is too blue Sue might think it is not blue enough. That is why I look first at getting the right PAR then after that tuning the color to the individuals eye.

Now when your working with 4 to 8 bulbs at $20+ each making poor choices can quickly build up the cost. I have at least a half dozen bulbs sitting that did not work into a color balance that pleased my eyes.

Dennis

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12330198#post12330198 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Not as Blue as you might think. The Aquablue is pretty much white, the Aquasun is a little pink/orange tinted. Pretty much a 14K look. I run a Pro Color (red) 75/25 (white with purplish timt) Super Actinic and 4 blue Plus and it doesn't come close to what a 20K looks like.

 

[beba]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12333058#post12333058 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by TropTrea
Thge big thing to keep in mind is personal taste. What John might think is too blue Sue might think it is not blue enough. That is why I look first at getting the right PAR then after that tuning the color to the individuals eye.

Now when your working with 4 to 8 bulbs at $20+ each making poor choices can quickly build up the cost. I have at least a half dozen bulbs sitting that did not work into a color balance that pleased my eyes.

Dennis

what bulbs are you using?

 

[TropTrea]

2 420 nm atinics
2 450 nm atinics
2 14000K 75/25
1 10000K
1 6000K

I just got rid of a 3,000K that was giving a little to much yellow and replaced it with the 6000K. I'm thinking about replacing on of my 450 nm atinics with a 20000K to up reduce some of blue in the AM, PM part of the cycle.

Dennis

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12333226#post12333226 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by beba
what bulbs are you using?

 

[jddaniel]

I am maintaining a 110g custom acrylic tank (60x18x24)with 4x54w T-5's on Triad's offset over the 5ft tank. Currently there are the following bulbs over the tank.
1-URI Super Actinic (front)
1-URI Actinic White
2-ATI aquablue+'s (back)

The tank is still being stocked, but will house beginner corals for the most part. So far there are Mushrooms, Anthelia, Frogspawn, misc zoo's and paly's and an open brain coral which are all doing well. I will be adding a couple diff leather frags from my tank in the near future and other than a few Ricordea I don't think much else will be added species wise.
Is there a different bulb combo that is recommended, it seems this combo is missing a little something? I am not going for a 20k look, but would like to show off the colors as well.

 

[SaltyK]

Grim,

I finally picked out my tank and it is 60L X 24W X 21H. I decided not to go with sps. But i would like to do clams, lps, softies and maybe some rics. Would an 8 bulb 48" unit work for me? And what bulbs and placement should i go with?

 

[caribngg]

vvv

 

[caribngg]

Hi Grim,
I notice that youe are the holy grail of t5's, and I come te seek your wisdom.
I have 6 36" coralife t5 lamps over a 75 gal dims, 48x18x18.
Slimpaq ballasts, 4 10000 and two460 actinic. After reading the thread i realize i have the cheap stuff.
Can I run The 54w ati's off of this ballast? and if not, what would you suggest for a retro system. I have 48" in my custom hood to play with.
I also would like to keep some softies and lps what bulb combo would yopu suggest. to include a dusk/dawn cycle?

Thanks a mill for the help


Geoff