The T5 Q&a Thread

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12998071#post12998071 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kpk
Hey all what is a good 60"-72" fixture for a 30" deep tank? I was looking at getting the Giesemann 8*80 from Aquarium Specialty, but they went up $500 overnight...

Thanks,
Kyle

Aquactinics Constellation. They use 14 39 watt lamps to cover the 72".

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Re: Ice Cap v Aquactinics 39W SLR's?

Re: Ice Cap v Aquactinics 39W SLR's?

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12997854#post12997854 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ukroylisa
I posted this elsewhere but no answers.
My impression is that Aquactinics give a SLIGHT improvement in PAR, but are more expensive than IC. But IC are wider, so I can fit in one more lamp with Aquactinics. Has anybody compared the durability, stain resistance etc of the two? Thoughts anyone. Experience of the two?
Roy

The Aquactinics is slightly better. As far as staining the Aquactinics are way too new for anyone to say how they will do.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12999465#post12999465 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by nietzsche
Grim,

what would be the best brand of bulbs to use for an SPS tank to make the colors pop and keep the blue look of the tank without losing a lot of PAR (is that asking too much lol)? ATI or Geisman? its a 6x54w T5HO fixture on a 75g tank

thanks

Do 3 ATI Blue Plus or Giesemann Actinic Plus, 1 UVL Super Actinic, 1 UVL Aquasun and 1 either Giesemann or ATI Aquablue.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13002032#post13002032 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Shouse94
Hey Grim,
Sorry but I have another follow-up question to my last post.
You originally said this lamp combo would be fine:
Front

Blue +
Aquablue
GE 3k
Blue +

I'm a little concerned this wont give me that nice 14k blue tint I'm looking for. My old setup that I thought was too yellow was:
Blue +
GE 6k
Aquablue
Actinic

I thought about going this route:
Blue +
Sun Pro
Aquablue
Blue+

I think this could be nice too but 1. I'm sacrificing on PAR (55g SPS Reef) and 2. I can get GE bulbs for free so would like to use them if I can. Any thoughts on the matter knowing i can get free GE bulbs? Worth trying to make it work? Do you have any pics of your tank when you were running 3k bulbs? thanks

Blue Plus
GE 6500K Daylight
Aquablue
Blue Plus

The Aquablue has almost as much PAR as the GE and Aquasun so you arent losing anything

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13002932#post13002932 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Mark426
I have about got my light where I want it. HOWEVER... I need help finding just one more lamp. The best way to describe what I want is... the ATI Blue Plus is too blue and the ATI Aquablue Special is too white. Is there something in between?

KZ new version Koral Light is noticably more blue than a Aquablue.

 

[jerome736]

Hey Grim,

I upgraded from my old 40 Breeder to a new custom tank (36"x24"x18"). I'm reusing my old Icecap 4x39w retro setup that you recommended for me:

Front
ATI Blueplus
ATI True Actinic
UVL Aquasun
ATI Blueplus

I was wondering whether you would recommend I go to a 6 bulb or 8bulb setup in this case? These all need to be retro'ed into a canopy. Also, what bulbs in what order? Thanks!

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13004382#post13004382 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jerome736
Hey Grim,

I upgraded from my old 40 Breeder to a new custom tank (36"x24"x18"). I'm reusing my old Icecap 4x39w retro setup that you recommended for me:

Front
ATI Blueplus
ATI True Actinic
UVL Aquasun
ATI Blueplus

I was wondering whether you would recommend I go to a 6 bulb or 8bulb setup in this case? These all need to be retro'ed into a canopy. Also, what bulbs in what order? Thanks!

Id do 6 lamps. Add an Aquablue and Blue Plus to the rear of the order

 

[jerome736]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13004394#post13004394 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Id do 6 lamps. Add an Aquablue and Blue Plus to the rear of the order

Awesome, thanks for the quick reply! What are you doing up so late :eek1:

 

[sbcaes]

also grim if i were to swap out the aquasun with the GE6500k bulb in this:
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Super Actinic
UVL Aquasun= ge 6500
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue

what would happen to the par of the fixture? and color as well? im guessing bringing back to to more of a 14k coloration with better par? and how much better par ya think? thanks

Maybe you could just write a guide to bulb configs for tx5s and send it to me? so i can post it in the aquactincs forums? and keep bumping it?

 

[kpk]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13004199#post13004199 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Aquactinics Constellation. They use 14 39 watt lamps to cover the 72".

Would you consider that plenty of light for a sps/clam tank? I like the look, but hate the 14 bulbs. Is there any advantage to that over say the 8x80? Which would be more sufficient?

Thanks!

Oh what bulbs?

 

[lukinrats]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13004175#post13004175 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Interesting. I will be anxious to see how that does.

I am sure you already thought of this but just in case get a PAR vs. Lux reading, we can see how close that formula works. If you have multiple circuits in the fixture try it with different lamps running so you can see if different spectrums of light really do throw the formula off and how much.

Damn I feel like a drill sargent barking out orders to a recruit Sorry, just want to get as much info as we can out of this.

Don't worry Grim!!! What I was hoping is that I can get your number, or give you mine, so that I can get as much data as possible... I am sort of renting this Par meter for 1-2 weeks, so I want to be sure to do things right!!

Answer me this please... What might be the best way to get the sensor into different spots of the tank... I don't have any sort of acrylic handle... I was thinking of tie strapping it to my algae scrubber... It has changable heads on it, and I could just take the cleaner part of it off, and use the handle... The only problem is it may cast shadows over the sensor... Do you have any suggestions for something I could pick up at Wally World or Lowe's?

PAR meter should be here today!!!!

PS... Sorry about the triple post... Don't know what happened there...possibly my backwoods dsl service

Later,
Nathan

 

[lukinrats]

Anyone looking for T5 lighting

Anyone looking for T5 lighting

Hey guys, I saw the Nova Extreme Pro on sale at petsolutions... The 36" and 48" are nicely priced, but look at the 72"!!! $150 off normal price!!!

 

[kpk]

Is the nova extreme worth a dang? Does it have individual reflectors?

 

[lukinrats]

I believe that people are liking it from what I have read... Yes, individual reflectors... Everything I have read says that it is far better than the original Nova Extreme T5HO

 

[46bfinGA]

Hey Grim, Thanks for the Help with the T5's. I ended up with two 8 lamp Tek lights. I was too impatient to wait for the 10 lamp ATI's. I am still pleased with the Tek's and so is my checking account.

I went with this lamp order:

......Front of tank......

1. ATI Aquablue
2. Sfiligoi Pure Actinic
3. KZ Fiji Purple
4. UVL Aquasun
5. ATI Pro Color
6. UVL Aquasun
7. ATI Blue +
8. ATI Aqua Blue

....Back of Tank...


What do you think about the lamp order? I have some ATI Aqua Blues, Blue +, and the Sfiligoi Pure Actinic lamps left over to mix in if I feel there is something missing or needs to be swapped out.

 

[mario8402]

Hey Grim,
I'm sure you get tired of anwering questions on here hehe..
I followed your recommendation last time of a 4 bulb T5 setup (front to back - actinic+, aquablue, aquablue, actinic+) on an icecap 660 and have seen some good growth in my 72gal bowfront from the few sps that I have but have seen some of my softies suffer.
Most shrooms that is exposed to direct light are bleached and shriveled and all rock that is exposed to direct light is white and wont grow coraline..

I am considering downgrading to 2 ballasts that will drive the bulbs at 54 watts.. I was considering workhorse ballasts because thats the ones I hear most about.. do you have any recommendations? what are the differences betweek workhorse 5 and workhorse 7 ballats? Is this downgrade a bad move? Any advice greatly appreciated!
Thanks
-mario

 

[Wetline]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13007503#post13007503 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mario8402

I am considering downgrading to 2 ballasts that will drive the bulbs at 54 watts.. I was considering workhorse ballasts because thats the ones I hear most about.. do you have any recommendations? what are the differences betweek workhorse 5 and workhorse 7 ballats? Is this downgrade a bad move? Any advice greatly appreciated!
Thanks
-mario

I don't know how much of an improvement downgrading ballasts will improve your softies. I'd try switching out one or two of your higher PAR bulbs with something less intense first. I have a 4 bulb set-up on a 90g. It uses two Triad ballasts (TEK retro) that are normally powering the T5's. With this set-up I've had bleaching issues with a couple SPS frags and a large closed brain. I think it's just a mixed bag with what corals like the intensity of some bulbs and which do not.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13004546#post13004546 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sbcaes
also grim if i were to swap out the aquasun with the GE6500k bulb in this:
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Super Actinic
UVL Aquasun= ge 6500
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue

what would happen to the par of the fixture? and color as well? im guessing bringing back to to more of a 14k coloration with better par? and how much better par ya think? thanks

Maybe you could just write a guide to bulb configs for tx5s and send it to me? so i can post it in the aquactincs forums? and keep bumping it?

Going with the GE instead of the Aquasun willlower the PAR just a little and decrease red spectrum slightly. Won't kame a huge color change.

 

[kpk]

Hey Grim what do you think about the nova extreme pro? Is the constellation a lot better?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13004886#post13004886 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kpk
Would you consider that plenty of light for a sps/clam tank? I like the look, but hate the 14 bulbs. Is there any advantage to that over say the 8x80? Which would be more sufficient?

Thanks!

Oh what bulbs?

If you do a DSB Clams on the sand should be OK.

Advantages of the 14x39 watt fixture are selection of lamps is far superior. The Aquactinics has individual reflectors so the output will be better. Also doesn't appear the Giesemann has cooling which also kills output.

For lamps

Front
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Aquasun
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Aquasun
ATI Blue Plus

Not really a low PAR lamp in the mix. Should look 14Kish.