The T5 Q&a Thread

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12357397#post12357397 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Amoore311
I've got a Tek5 6x54 Watt Fixture of my 90 Gallon AGA.

This will be a mainly LPS Tank w/ a clam or 2. The bulbs I have currently very old, and the Names of all of the bulbs have been worn off so I don't know which to order as replacements.

Here's how the tank looks now, I would like to keep a similar look w/o sacrificing growth/coloring for my corals and clams.

I know pictures are typically useless, but I figured I would post it up in case it happens to help:

Front
Blue Plus
Super Actinic
UVL Aquasun
Blue Plus
Aquablue
Blue Plus

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12362020#post12362020 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by fareforce
Grim,

I hope you can help. I have heard this is the thread to post in to get your help!

In my T5 fixture which of the following do you think would look the best, and provide the best growth/par/whatever you want to call it? I have heard that Giesemann are some of the best bulbs to use (but I could be wrong). Here are the combinations that I came up with for bulb order (back to front). Which one should I go with?:


-= Option #1 =-
Giesemann POWERCHROME Pure Actinic 420nm
Giesemann POWERCHROME Aquablue Plus + 15k
Giesemann PowerChrome midday
Giesemann PowerChrome midday
Giesemann POWERCHROME Aquablue Plus + 15k
Giesemann POWERCHROME Pure Actinic 420nm


-= Option #2 =-
Giesemann POWERCHROME Pure Actinic 420nm
Giesemann POWERCHROME Aquablue Plus + 22k
Giesemann PowerChrome midday
Giesemann POWERCHROME Aquablue Plus + 15k
Giesemann PowerChrome midday
Giesemann POWERCHROME Pure Actinic 420nm

-= Option #3 =-
Giesemann POWERCHROME Aquablue Plus + 22k
Giesemann POWERCHROME Aquablue Plus + 15k
Giesemann PowerChrome midday
Giesemann POWERCHROME Pure Actinic 420nm
Giesemann PowerChrome midday
Giesemann POWERCHROME Aquablue Plus + 22k

-= Option #4 =-
Something completely different. If so what?

I prefer UV Lighting and ATI lamps

If your stuck with Giesemann go with this

Front
Actinic Plus
Pure Actinic
Midday
Actinic Plus
Aquablue
Actinic Plus

 

[fareforce]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12362312#post12362312 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
I prefer UV Lighting and ATI lamps

If your stuck with Giesemann go with this

Front
Actinic Plus
Pure Actinic
Midday
Actinic Plus
Aquablue
Actinic Plus

Not stuck with anything. Havn't ordered them yet.. I take it ATI and UVL has better color. and output? If it is better to go with them I am assuming this order?

-= Front =-
Blue Plus
Super Actinic
UVL Aquasun
Blue Plus
Aquablue
Blue Plus

Is there any special k value for the blue plus bulbs?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12362160#post12362160 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Jabbajaw
Grim, you deserve a medal for your time and patience. I went through about 40 pages and was looking for what you would recommend for a 125 gallon (standard 72" long). It's a Perfecto with only a center brace. It will be going in my basement wall and probably hanging from the floor joists. What light setup would you use? 8X80? I will have LPS, SPS and clams. Thanks in advance!

You are only going to fit 6 lamps in there and it will be tight cause of the reflectors.

Front
Blue Plus
ATI Actinic
Giesemann Midday or GE daylight
Blue Plus
Aquablue
Blue Plus

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12362348#post12362348 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by fareforce
Not stuck with anything. Havn't ordered them yet.. I take it ATI and UVL has better color. and output? If it is better to go with them I am assuming this order?

-= Front =-
Blue Plus
Super Actinic
UVL Aquasun
Blue Plus
Aquablue
Blue Plus

Is there any special k value for the blue plus bulbs?

Blue Plus is listed as 22000K. They are blue with some actinic.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12358222#post12358222 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by pong
was wondering...

in my place, i couldnt find the 22000k 460nm blue,
would it be ok or is too much to replace it with the
actinic 420nm? or would it have some adverse effects?

regarding growth...

which light would promote coral growth?
11000k or actinics?

i dont know where i read this but there was someone
who said that actinics should not be counted when
computing for the light requirement of corals...
any comments?

from reading, the 6500 promotes growth of macro...
right?

thanks

6500K promotes growth period.

420nm is a violet light which is called actinic. They do supply needed spectrum for growth just not a lot. They don't take the place of blue which will look good and provide a lot of PAR for growth.

 

[fareforce]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12362374#post12362374 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Blue Plus is listed as 22000K. They are blue with some actinic.

Where are you guys ordering the bulbs from? I was going to order them through PremiumAquaitcs, but for ATI and UVL these are the only ones they have:

UV Lighting 48" 54w T5 14K Lamp
UV Lighting 48" 54w T5 AquaSun Lamp
UV Lighting 48" 54w T5 Actinic WHITE Lamp
UV Lighting 48" 54w T5 Super Blue Actinic Lamp

ATI 54W 12000K Aquablue Special T5 HO Fluorescent
ATI 54W Pro Color T5 HO Fluorescent


I checked Drfostersmith too, and they only have the AquaSun 10000°K for ATI or UVL's.

 

[chark]

Hey Grim,

Do you know anything about Sfiligoi Stealth 10x54w T5 Pendant. How does it compare to the ATI Powermodule?
Thanks for the help.
Cecil

 

[Justin74]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12362454#post12362454 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by fareforce
Where are you guys ordering the bulbs from? I was going to order them through PremiumAquaitcs, but for ATI and UVL these are the only ones they have:

UV Lighting 48" 54w T5 14K Lamp
UV Lighting 48" 54w T5 AquaSun Lamp
UV Lighting 48" 54w T5 Actinic WHITE Lamp
UV Lighting 48" 54w T5 Super Blue Actinic Lamp

ATI 54W 12000K Aquablue Special T5 HO Fluorescent
ATI 54W Pro Color T5 HO Fluorescent


I checked Drfostersmith too, and they only have the AquaSun 10000°K for ATI or UVL's.

Their there:
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3733+16768&pcatid=16768

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3733+13821+16769&pcatid=16769

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3733+16887&pcatid=16887

I just ordered some super actinic before I posted

-Justin

 

[fareforce]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12362845#post12362845 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Justin74
They have both aquasun and superactinic:
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3733+16768&pcatid=16768

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3733+16887&pcatid=16887

I just ordered some super actinic before I posted

-Justin

Are those the right brands?

 

[Justin74]

Their UVL T5's.

-Justin

 

[fareforce]

sweet.. thanks!

 

[spleen93]

Thanks snaza and Grim! Didn't realize that the PAR difference was that huge. Thought that the Procolor would add a huge boost to reds but really, not much difference I'm seeing in the color of the tank between the Procolor and the Aquasun. Guess it's back to the Aquasun.

 

[beba]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12362454#post12362454 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by fareforce
Where are you guys ordering the bulbs from? I was going to order them through PremiumAquaitcs, but for ATI and UVL these are the only ones they have:

UV Lighting 48" 54w T5 14K Lamp
UV Lighting 48" 54w T5 AquaSun Lamp
UV Lighting 48" 54w T5 Actinic WHITE Lamp
UV Lighting 48" 54w T5 Super Blue Actinic Lamp

ATI 54W 12000K Aquablue Special T5 HO Fluorescent
ATI 54W Pro Color T5 HO Fluorescent


I checked Drfostersmith too, and they only have the AquaSun 10000°K for ATI or UVL's.

And the ATI's from reefgeek.com

 

[Jabbajaw]

If that's the case (480watts) what would you recommend instead? I don't think that wattage is enough for sps or clams is it?

quote:Originally posted by Jabbajaw
Grim, you deserve a medal for your time and patience. I went through about 40 pages and was looking for what you would recommend for a 125 gallon (standard 72" long). It's a Perfecto with only a center brace. It will be going in my basement wall and probably hanging from the floor joists. What light setup would you use? 8X80? I will have LPS, SPS and clams. Thanks in advance!



You are only going to fit 6 lamps in there and it will be tight cause of the reflectors.

Front
Blue Plus
ATI Actinic
Giesemann Midday or GE daylight
Blue Plus
Aquablue
Blue Plus

 

[fareforce]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12363969#post12363969 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by beba
And the ATI's from reefgeek.com

Thats what I was afraid of. Reefgeek wants a ton to ship bulbs to Alaska. I might end up having to use Giesemann bulbs so I can order them from PA.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12362454#post12362454 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by fareforce
Where are you guys ordering the bulbs from? I was going to order them through PremiumAquaitcs, but for ATI and UVL these are the only ones they have:

UV Lighting 48" 54w T5 14K Lamp
UV Lighting 48" 54w T5 AquaSun Lamp
UV Lighting 48" 54w T5 Actinic WHITE Lamp
UV Lighting 48" 54w T5 Super Blue Actinic Lamp

ATI 54W 12000K Aquablue Special T5 HO Fluorescent
ATI 54W Pro Color T5 HO Fluorescent


I checked Drfostersmith too, and they only have the AquaSun 10000°K for ATI or UVL's.

reefgeek.com

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12362468#post12362468 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by chark
Hey Grim,

Do you know anything about Sfiligoi Stealth 10x54w T5 Pendant. How does it compare to the ATI Powermodule?
Thanks for the help.
Cecil

Dunno, based of one guys experience with their halide fixture I am not impressed with their customer service.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12364168#post12364168 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Jabbajaw
If that's the case (480watts) what would you recommend instead? I don't think that wattage is enough for sps or clams is it?

quote:Originally posted by Jabbajaw
Grim, you deserve a medal for your time and patience. I went through about 40 pages and was looking for what you would recommend for a 125 gallon (standard 72" long). It's a Perfecto with only a center brace. It will be going in my basement wall and probably hanging from the floor joists. What light setup would you use? 8X80? I will have LPS, SPS and clams. Thanks in advance!



You are only going to fit 6 lamps in there and it will be tight cause of the reflectors.

Front
Blue Plus
ATI Actinic
Giesemann Midday or GE daylight
Blue Plus
Aquablue
Blue Plus

Keep Croceas or Maximas up on the rocks a little and you'll be fine.

 

[shag26272]

75 gallon 4 foot long tank, plan on getting the ICEcap 660 vho 4x54 and the 2 bulb HO , im about to start building the canopy, how high should the lights be? also if they need to be pretty close to the surface and the hood is to be short should I just hinge the entire top of the hood?