The T5 Q&a Thread

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<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12463883#post12463883 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by snaza
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

what we do at work when the plastic doesn't want to easily come off of the metal roofing pans we leave it sit in the sun for about an hour and the plastic will soften up enough to peel it off.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12454074#post12454074 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Try this
Blue Plus
Aquablue
Blue Plus
Fiji Purple
Blue Plus
Aquablue
Fiji Purple
Blue Plus

Same lamps different order
thanks i will try that combo.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12463106#post12463106 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by brianbigoats
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)

If the actinic was somehow dumping excessive UV it could cause a problem but so could low alk
 
Re: ATI Aquablue Special & Blue+ only tank

Re: ATI Aquablue Special & Blue+ only tank

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12463802#post12463802 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tbone28
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?


You could try it. Lighting is pretty subjective. When I did the blue Aquablue mix I got crazy good growth but the colors didn't look as good. Orange looked more red which is OK but Yellow and pink didn't look right. You could try going with 3 Blue, 3 Aquablue and like a UVL 75/25 and see what you get too. The 75/25 is interesting, kinda a weaker version of the Aquablue with more actinic and sorta lavender purplish looking tint looking tint to it. Might be just the ticket for bringing back some of the hues lost with all that blue.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12463883#post12463883 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by snaza
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

Oh are you gonna have fun. Soaking the reflector in water will help a little.
 
Are the Ice Cap Single Lamp Reflectors any good?

I have read this entire thread, but TBH I don't want to read it all again. :D

Also, what is the optimum height that the bulbs should be above the water line, I believe I remember 4-6" but I am unsure?

Thank you so much,
Sean
 
Thanks Grim for sharing your knowledge

Just a follow up
After taking in all this awesome information in this thread and the recommendations from Grim I put a 8 bulb over a 120 on a mixed reef

its been 6 weeks or so and my coral has never grew as fast as it is and the colors are incredible and popping. So going from mh's and pc's to T5 was what my critters needed. I also have 2 clams as well.

I am running

Front
ATI Blue Plus
Blue Plus
UVL Super Actinic
ATI Pro Color
Blue Plus
UVL Aquasun
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus

a couple picts that look more blue than in reality

IMG_1542_800.jpg


IMG_1765.jpg
 
Hi Grim,

I have a constelation with

Blue Plus
Blue Plus
Fiji Purple
Aqua blue
Blue Plus
Aqua blue
Blue Plus

I though with 4 blue bulbs it would look very blue but it actually look VERY white. i would perfer i more blue look. would changed a white bulb to another blue make much difference. i dont have any spare blues to try at the moment. I want to keep my sps happy so dont want to take out more and more white bulbs. any advice?

Thank

AAron

p.s im having fun with my reflectors and the plastic film. might try acetone
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12466775#post12466775 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SeanT
Are the Ice Cap Single Lamp Reflectors any good?

I have read this entire thread, but TBH I don't want to read it all again. :D

Also, what is the optimum height that the bulbs should be above the water line, I believe I remember 4-6" but I am unsure?

Thank you so much,
Sean

Currently Ice Cap has the best reflector out there. I suspect the new Aquactinics is going to beat it by a little at least. 4 to 6 inches is good for the lamps.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12466875#post12466875 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by PCIALF
Thanks Grim for sharing your knowledge

Just a follow up
After taking in all this awesome information in this thread and the recommendations from Grim I put a 8 bulb over a 120 on a mixed reef

its been 6 weeks or so and my coral has never grew as fast as it is and the colors are incredible and popping. So going from mh's and pc's to T5 was what my critters needed. I also have 2 clams as well.

I am running

Front
ATI Blue Plus
Blue Plus
UVL Super Actinic
ATI Pro Color
Blue Plus
UVL Aquasun
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus

a couple picts that look more blue than in reality

IMG_1542_800.jpg


IMG_1765.jpg

Nice tank
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12466902#post12466902 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by snaza
Hi Grim,

I have a constelation with

Blue Plus
Blue Plus
Fiji Purple
Aqua blue
Blue Plus
Aqua blue
Blue Plus

I though with 4 blue bulbs it would look very blue but it actually look VERY white. i would perfer i more blue look. would changed a white bulb to another blue make much difference. i dont have any spare blues to try at the moment. I want to keep my sps happy so dont want to take out more and more white bulbs. any advice?

Thank

AAron

p.s im having fun with my reflectors and the plastic film. might try acetone

Pull the Fiji Purple and add Blue Plus there and see how it looks. From there you can try replacing the Aquablues with the Fiji Purple.
 
was wondering...

in terms of K ratings, what are these bulbs
equal to?

(the size of my tank is close to his specs... and
poster says growth and coloration is great so
i might as well do this)

Front
ATI Blue Plus
Blue Plus
UVL Super Actinic
ATI Pro Color
Blue Plus
UVL Aquasun
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus

btw, all i have seen out here are helios light bulbs...
and there is one that they call ATM... i dunno if its
a typo or what...

and internet purchase is out of the list of options

(btw, how much distance is best between bulbs?
im doing a diy hood)

thanks so much!
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12468006#post12468006 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by pong
was wondering...

in terms of K ratings, what are these bulbs
equal to?

(the size of my tank is close to his specs... and
poster says growth and coloration is great so
i might as well do this)

Front
ATI Blue Plus
Blue Plus
UVL Super Actinic
ATI Pro Color
Blue Plus
UVL Aquasun
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus

btw, all i have seen out here are helios light bulbs...
and there is one that they call ATM... i dunno if its
a typo or what...

and internet purchase is out of the list of options

(btw, how much distance is best between bulbs?
im doing a diy hood)

thanks so much!

It isnt really accurate to express Fluorescent lamps in terms of K. The aquablue is around 14000, Blue Plus 50,000K Pro-Color 2500K Aquasun 5500K Actinic ? 75000K

2 1/2" between the lamps is good
 
is there a site which shows the coloration of the bulbs mentioned? i tried searching via google and i couldnt find
a site that shows each bulb and what the color will look
like?

also, i there a site that can show approximate
color output given a set of lights that you want to put...
 
Hey Grim,
I am using 3 400w MH Radium 2 Vho Super Actinic and I have 4 39w T5s for some extra pop. What bulb would you recomend if you were using this setup over a 6X2X2 tank?
I was thinking either ATI power color or the Fiji purple.
What do you think would give me more pop over a sps tank.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12468306#post12468306 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by pong
is there a site which shows the coloration of the bulbs mentioned? i tried searching via google and i couldnt find
a site that shows each bulb and what the color will look
like?

also, i there a site that can show approximate
color output given a set of lights that you want to put...

Unfortunately, since everybody's color perception is slightly different and because cameras also affect color balance (white balance/tint/color temperature), photos tend not to be very accurate in showing YOU what the colors are going to look like. There's no substitute in actually seeing the bulbs lit yourself. The AquaSun looked different in reality than I had expected it to look like based on the spectral output and photos I had seen.
 
Hey Grim or anyone that can help,
I am setting up an Oceanic 58 gallon tank 36"LX18"WX21"H and am going to use the Aquactinics TX5 T5 fixture. My question is will this light be enough to support a mixed reef with clams and SPS? What bulbs should I use? Any help would be appreciated.
Thanx, Jason
 
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