The T5 Q&a Thread

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Hey Grim need your opinion on a set of T5's for a 55 TRUVU. I think I can only fit a 4 bulb option so was thinking of doing a 4x54w Icecap retrofit kit using an IC660 ballast. I plan on doing an SPS dominant tank, is this too much light? In terms of bulb combinations, I was thinking of doing the following:

back
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue
UVL Aquasun
ATI Blue Plus
front

Would you recommend the KZ Fiji Purple or the UVL 75/25 in place of the aquasun?
 
was wondering... do i still need reflectors if my diy hood is made out of stainless steel? (this is very shiny and mirror like already)
 
Grim, I've been amazed you have been able to stick with this thread for all this time. I'll give you my story and would love your advice.

I've got a 110 (60x18x24) mixed reef. It is mostly leathers, shrooms, zoas, rics, SPS and some LPS (birdsnests, monti caps and digi). My LPS additions have been in the past 3 months and they are growing well so I'm thinking I may try some more.

I have a 5x80 T5 with 2 Icecap 660s and individual Sunlight Supply reflectors. Two bulbs come on first and stay on for 11 hours. Three bulbs come on 2 hours after the first two and go off one hour before the 2 bulbs (total 8 hours).

My current set up is:

Front
Giesemann 80W 11000K Aquablue Plus
Giesemann 80W Pure Actinic 03

Giesemann 80W 11000K Aquablue Plus
Giesemann 80W Pure Actinic 03
Giesemann 80W 11000K Aquablue Plus

Its time for new bulbs so I'm seeking advice. I've been thinking about going a little more blue by swaping out one of the Aquablues for an Actinic Plus. Any thoughts? Would you go a completely different direction?
 
Grim,

I have the following bulbs over my frag tank and like the color:

ATI Blue Plus
UVL Super Actinic
UVL Aquasun
ATI Aquablue

I'd like to switch my display tank to T5, and I want to create a similar color with only three bulbs. What three bulbs can I use to come close to the color produced by these four bulbs? Each bulb is on it's own ballast.

Thanks for all your lighting help!

Jon
 
Hey Grim,

I suggest making a guideline for bulb combos. Suggested guideline for 4 bulb combo, 5 bulb combo, 6, all the way till whatever.

Then bulbs can interchange from the SUGGESTED COMBOS depending on the person.

This will save you a lot of time as it seems the same questions are being asked. :)
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12455714#post12455714 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 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
Click to expand...

Front
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Super Actinic
Ushio 10K
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Blue Plus

That mix plays into each lamps strength, 10K halide have the best PAR and will give you a good wide based spectrum and the Blue T5's has awsom blue, add the actinic T5 and you get a nice look. You could do all Blue Plus T5's if you want a more blue look. The actinic really just enhanced green fluorescing corals over what just blue plus
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12459015#post12459015 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by norcal99
Hey Grim need your opinion on a set of T5's for a 55 TRUVU. I think I can only fit a 4 bulb option so was thinking of doing a 4x54w Icecap retrofit kit using an IC660 ballast. I plan on doing an SPS dominant tank, is this too much light? In terms of bulb combinations, I was thinking of doing the following:

back
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue
UVL Aquasun
ATI Blue Plus
front

Would you recommend the KZ Fiji Purple or the UVL 75/25 in place of the aquasun?
Click to expand...

I like what you have. Maybe the fiji purple in place of the Aquablue but not the Aquasun
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12459652#post12459652 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by pong
was wondering... do i still need reflectors if my diy hood is made out of stainless steel? (this is very shiny and mirror like already)
Click to expand...

Yes, the material in the reflectors is more reflective and you need the shape to create the paraballic effect that pushes so much light.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12460219#post12460219 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bbrook
Grim, I've been amazed you have been able to stick with this thread for all this time. I'll give you my story and would love your advice.

I've got a 110 (60x18x24) mixed reef. It is mostly leathers, shrooms, zoas, rics, SPS and some LPS (birdsnests, monti caps and digi). My LPS additions have been in the past 3 months and they are growing well so I'm thinking I may try some more.

I have a 5x80 T5 with 2 Icecap 660s and individual Sunlight Supply reflectors. Two bulbs come on first and stay on for 11 hours. Three bulbs come on 2 hours after the first two and go off one hour before the 2 bulbs (total 8 hours).

My current set up is:

Front
Giesemann 80W 11000K Aquablue Plus
Giesemann 80W Pure Actinic 03

Giesemann 80W 11000K Aquablue Plus
Giesemann 80W Pure Actinic 03
Giesemann 80W 11000K Aquablue Plus

Its time for new bulbs so I'm seeking advice. I've been thinking about going a little more blue by swaping out one of the Aquablues for an Actinic Plus. Any thoughts? Would you go a completely different direction?
Click to expand...

Front
Actinic Plus
Pure Actinic
Midday
Aquablue
Actinic Plus

SHould be a wash in terms of PAR but nicer color.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12460354#post12460354 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Jon Lazar
Grim,

I have the following bulbs over my frag tank and like the color:

ATI Blue Plus
UVL Super Actinic
UVL Aquasun
ATI Aquablue

I'd like to switch my display tank to T5, and I want to create a similar color with only three bulbs. What three bulbs can I use to come close to the color produced by these four bulbs? Each bulb is on it's own ballast.

Thanks for all your lighting help!

Jon
Click to expand...

Closest you can get

Blue Plus
Aquasun
Blue Plus
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12461223#post12461223 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ronald7410
Hey Grim,

I suggest making a guideline for bulb combos. Suggested guideline for 4 bulb combo, 5 bulb combo, 6, all the way till whatever.

Then bulbs can interchange from the SUGGESTED COMBOS depending on the person.

This will save you a lot of time as it seems the same questions are being asked. :)
Click to expand...

It's been done. Unfortunatly not on this site, yet.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12417909#post12417909 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
With no fan blowing a tek light no kidding had half the output of the ATI. If you use a fan the tek picks up a little better than 20%.
After that the effectivness of the cooling, ballasts and reflector material and design come into play.
Click to expand...

thank you grim.

you are the bomb. sometimes when you see a company's claim you begin to wonder if what they state is actually true. do you have the results showing the tek vs ati test? right now i'm using 6 bulb tek on a 90 but considering an ati fixture instead but might move to a 120 gallon so i'd get the 8 or 10 bulb unit. so i'm in limbo until i decide if i'm going to a standard 120 gallon.
 
Just have the numbers, 152 for the Tek and 302 for the ATI. Aquactinics came in around 190.

For a 120 the 8 lamp ATI or Aquactinics constellation
 
sorry, i should have mention that my goal is to keep sps in the tank. right now the tank is doing pretty good, colors are acceptable but looking to really put the punch into the tank.
hey grim if you can give me 5 1/4% i'm willing to lend you some $ LOL
 
Grim
i noticed that my actinic bulb did not seem to be lighting correctly i replaced it last night but for the few weeks i have had some burnt tips could this have contibuted to it ( i was also having some low alk issues)
 
ATI Aquablue Special & Blue+ only tank

ATI Aquablue Special & Blue+ only tank

Grim,

I'm amazed at some tanks lit only by ATI AB specials and Blue-plus bulbs. They have amazing coloration. I'm looking to give it a try, too. I have a 180g SPS-dominant tank. Running (2) ATI 8x39 fixtures. My current bulbs are as you recommended:

Front

Blue Plus
Super Actinic
UVL Aquasun
Aquablue
GE 3000K
UVL Super Actinic
Aquablue
Blue Plus

What would I lose and gain by moving over to the above combination?

Here are some examples of the tanks in question.

07_t5_vgl_haupt.jpg

13.jpg

1.jpg

2.jpg

15.jpg

14.jpg

6.jpg
 
Hi,

Decided to redo my T5 hood today and added another bulb. The reflector Im using has been sitting my garage for 2 years unused. its an Aquaz spider reflector. Anyway the plastic protection coating has gone brittle and i cant get it off. when i try to peel it off it just flakes off.

Anyone got any good ideas on how to get it off?

thanks

Aaron
 
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