The T5 Q&a Thread

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13036155#post13036155 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Canadian
Hey Grim,

I just swapped my 24" Giesemann Eco Plus pendant (was using a 150W HQI Giesemann 13,000K and 2x24W T5 Giesemann Actinic+) for a 24" Tek light because I can't hang a pendant at the new place I'm moving in to. Anyway, I'm hoping that the "individual-like" reflectors in the Tek will still give me enough light for my SPS dominated tank. My tank is 24x17x17 (the actual display area of my custom AIO).

Given that the 24" Tek only has room for 4 lamps, at this point I've gone with (not in this order):
2x Aqua Science Duo
1x Giesemann Actinic+
1x Giesemann AquaBlue+

The only manufacturers of T5 lamps I have readily available are Giesemann, Aqua Science, and UVL. What 4 lamp combination would you suggest for the best compromise between good SPS growth and color?

Swap one DUO for a UVL Aquasun and see what you get.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13036187#post13036187 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Everyones Hero
Makes sense.

I don't doubt you at all, but I'm curious as to where you get your information from. Do you work for a company or have you done a lot of research/experimentation?

It's just amazing to me to come across someone that is essentially an encyclopedia of information on a given subject.

I gotta lot of free time on my hands

I do experiment and do a lot of reading.

 

[pancho]

Thanks again Grim! My T5's should be here this week. I'll post pics as soon as I get them installed.

 

[Jon]

How about shielding for a DIY setup? I don't think it required, but is it recommended and why. My understanding is the UV is very low and someone may only want it for salt spray. Also if you do use it what is the recommended material? I know a lot of stuff cuts PAR. Thanks,

Jon.......

 

[superstein61]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13036202#post13036202 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
I'd yank 2 10K's and replace them with a Aquablue and Super Actinic. At 6 months pull the rest of the lamps and add 3 Blue Plus and a UVL Aquasun. A year after that change all the lamps. I think you can sneak 18 months out of the Aquablue and Actinic, at least get close

Thanks Grim

 

[Mik_101]

I am in consideration of witchin to t5 on my 46 g sps tank. A bit about the system it 46g with a sump with about 15 g of water. I am using the zeovit system witch has given me extrodanery results. The main reason that I would like to switch to t5 from metal halides is because 1-less heat, 2-IME nicer colors and 3-the look of the fixturs is more sleek looking than DIY halides hood with 2 t5. I have a few questions about t5's.

1-for my tank system how many bulbs should I go with 4,6,8?
2-will my growth plumit or go up?
3-advantages and disitvantages of t5's?
4-how long should they be on daily?
5-will I lose color?
6-do all the bulbs go on and off at the same time?
7-witch is the best fixture.
8-witch bulbs to use/configuration?(aquablue...)

the ones I am considering are the following few.

http://www.jlaquatics.com/phpstore/s...ID=sl-t5tl3606

http://oceanaquatics.com/store/produ...eme-Pro-36"/

(if it comes in 36")http://oceanaquatics.com/store/produ...-48"-8-lamp/

(if 4 is sufficent)http://oceanaquatics.com/store/produ...36"---4x39w/

Thanks,
Miki

 

[scunfcu]

I am looking for T5 combo for mix SPS/LPS/Softy tank. I have decided to stay with mix reef consisting of SPS/LPS/Softies, instead of just a sps ( previous posting ).

Want 20,000k look to pop colors for a 5 bulb combination on my TX5 with these corals on ocean blue background.

- Pink and yellow Open Brain
- Green tips Hammer
- Purple tips Frogspawn
- Pink, purple and neon green Birdsnest
- Purple Bonsai
- Blue Xenia, Very pretty in metalic Blue
- Blue Stag
- Aqua Delight Sps

What combo do you recommend for color popping and PAR. Thanks much.

 

[urville]

Grim,

Hey dude!

So I was going to pick up some 12k reeflux bulbs for this new lighting fixture, it's a aquacintics MH/T5.

Since those 12k;s are pretty purple I am wondering if i will be missing that blue. I dont need it to be a growth center. I figure If I want things to grow super fast I can buy some retros for a frag table and run iwasaki 6500k's with supplements. I also do not want it to be a crawl of growth either.

It's my understanding the 12k's will give plenty of blue but not great par. So i thought I could use the T5's to add some extra pop and maybe some PAR too.

The reeflux's made the tank look great and I've never had corraline growth like that before. But the fixture came with 14k phoenix bulbs and giesemann T5's I think 420's and blues and I noticed a fluroescencse (murdered that word), that wasnt there before. So obviously it could be even better. I see TOTM's with amazing cartoon color from T5's lol, even in the reds and yellows.

I was looking into KZ fijis and ATI blue pluses, but it's ahrd to determine if they will increase par or not... I'd really like things to look good no matter what color they are. Primarily we'll have sps, the majority will be sps, but we have some softs too.

I appreciate your throw down of the info! If you want I can owe you a beer or something next time im in denver which is often.

 

[Hades]

T5 on my 55 Gallon

T5 on my 55 Gallon

Hi Grim, I am planning on purchasing a 55 gallon aquarium and I am trying to plan what would be the best light for me. I know I want to go with T5's so I don't have to buy a chiller for a MH system. I am confused as to what wattage T5 system I should purchase in order to maximize growth for SPS, LPS, and any other coral. Should I try to go with a light producing around 550 watts giving me about 10 watts per gallon - I have seen systems that are 48'' with 8 lamps by 54 watt system and 48'' with 12 lamps by 54 watt system, or am I doing overkill on a 55 gallon system because the PAR with say a 48'' 6 lamp by 54 watt system would be fine at the height I plan to cultivate SPS anyway which would be the upper half of the tank. Thanks for your help.

 

[ozzy31]

hey grim how are ya?
ive had metal halides for 3 years now 20k's n im tierd of the heat n elec bill im looking at t-5s. i have a 100gal tank w mixed reef many lpses one clam one acro one pink pocilipora. clam on bottom other two on topcan i use the tx5 or will i need a 6 or 7 bulb fixture and what bulbs do i use.

any help would be apreciated
thanks

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13038210#post13038210 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Jon
How about shielding for a DIY setup? I don't think it required, but is it recommended and why. My understanding is the UV is very low and someone may only want it for salt spray. Also if you do use it what is the recommended material? I know a lot of stuff cuts PAR. Thanks,

Jon.......

Regular old acrylic doesn't cut much light. In my opinion UV is not an issue with fluorescent lamps.

 

[martinphillip03]

delete

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13039226#post13039226 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Mik_101
I am in consideration of witchin to t5 on my 46 g sps tank. A bit about the system it 46g with a sump with about 15 g of water. I am using the zeovit system witch has given me extrodanery results. The main reason that I would like to switch to t5 from metal halides is because 1-less heat, 2-IME nicer colors and 3-the look of the fixturs is more sleek looking than DIY halides hood with 2 t5. I have a few questions about t5's.

1-for my tank system how many bulbs should I go with 4,6,8?
2-will my growth plumit or go up?
3-advantages and disitvantages of t5's?
4-how long should they be on daily?
5-will I lose color?
6-do all the bulbs go on and off at the same time?
7-witch is the best fixture.
8-witch bulbs to use/configuration?(aquablue...)

the ones I am considering are the following few.

http://www.jlaquatics.com/phpstore/s...ID=sl-t5tl3606

http://oceanaquatics.com/store/produ...eme-Pro-36"/

(if it comes in 36")http://oceanaquatics.com/store/produ...-48"-8-lamp/

(if 4 is sufficent)http://oceanaquatics.com/store/produ...36"---4x39w/

Thanks,
Miki

All but your lamp link was bad

4 lamps should be fine. Stick with Tek, ATI or Aquactinic fixtures. Nova Extreme Pro would work too, 6 lamps but thats OK.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13039295#post13039295 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by scunfcu
I am looking for T5 combo for mix SPS/LPS/Softy tank. I have decided to stay with mix reef consisting of SPS/LPS/Softies, instead of just a sps ( previous posting ).

Want 20,000k look to pop colors for a 5 bulb combination on my TX5 with these corals on ocean blue background.

- Pink and yellow Open Brain
- Green tips Hammer
- Purple tips Frogspawn
- Pink, purple and neon green Birdsnest
- Purple Bonsai
- Blue Xenia, Very pretty in metalic Blue
- Blue Stag
- Aqua Delight Sps

What combo do you recommend for color popping and PAR. Thanks much.

Front
Blue Plus
Blue Plus or UVL 75/25 for a little brighter look.
UVL Aquasun
Blue Plus
Blue Plus

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13039522#post13039522 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by urville
Grim,

Hey dude!

So I was going to pick up some 12k reeflux bulbs for this new lighting fixture, it's a aquacintics MH/T5.

Since those 12k;s are pretty purple I am wondering if i will be missing that blue. I dont need it to be a growth center. I figure If I want things to grow super fast I can buy some retros for a frag table and run iwasaki 6500k's with supplements. I also do not want it to be a crawl of growth either.

It's my understanding the 12k's will give plenty of blue but not great par. So i thought I could use the T5's to add some extra pop and maybe some PAR too.

The reeflux's made the tank look great and I've never had corraline growth like that before. But the fixture came with 14k phoenix bulbs and giesemann T5's I think 420's and blues and I noticed a fluroescencse (murdered that word), that wasnt there before. So obviously it could be even better. I see TOTM's with amazing cartoon color from T5's lol, even in the reds and yellows.

I was looking into KZ fijis and ATI blue pluses, but it's ahrd to determine if they will increase par or not... I'd really like things to look good no matter what color they are. Primarily we'll have sps, the majority will be sps, but we have some softs too.

I appreciate your throw down of the info! If you want I can owe you a beer or something next time im in denver which is often.

The Actinic/Blue Plus combo is pretty good. See what it looks like with the new refluxes. You want actinics T5's for sure because the Reeflux doesn't have much. The Blue Plus T5 has a pretty good amount of PAR so thats good as well. If you think you have too much Blue try sneaking in a UVL 75/25.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Re: T5 on my 55 Gallon

Re: T5 on my 55 Gallon

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13039617#post13039617 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Hades
Hi Grim, I am planning on purchasing a 55 gallon aquarium and I am trying to plan what would be the best light for me. I know I want to go with T5's so I don't have to buy a chiller for a MH system. I am confused as to what wattage T5 system I should purchase in order to maximize growth for SPS, LPS, and any other coral. Should I try to go with a light producing around 550 watts giving me about 10 watts per gallon - I have seen systems that are 48'' with 8 lamps by 54 watt system and 48'' with 12 lamps by 54 watt system, or am I doing overkill on a 55 gallon system because the PAR with say a 48'' 6 lamp by 54 watt system would be fine at the height I plan to cultivate SPS anyway which would be the upper half of the tank. Thanks for your help.

Something like the Aquactinics TX5 would give you plenty of light for that tank. Forget about the watts per gallon thing, it's about useless.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13040126#post13040126 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ozzy31
hey grim how are ya?
ive had metal halides for 3 years now 20k's n im tierd of the heat n elec bill im looking at t-5s. i have a 100gal tank w mixed reef many lpses one clam one acro one pink pocilipora. clam on bottom other two on topcan i use the tx5 or will i need a 6 or 7 bulb fixture and what bulbs do i use.

any help would be apreciated
thanks

I'd probably do the 7 lamp Constellation or 6 lamp ATI.

For lamps do 3 Blue Plus, 1 UVL 75/25 1 Aquablue and 1 UVL Aquasun If you do the Constellation get a UVL Super Actinic for the 7th lamp.

 

[scunfcu]

Thanks Grim, I was surprise that you did not mention ATI Aquablue Special into the combo?

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13040398#post13040398 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Front
Blue Plus
Blue Plus or UVL 75/25 for a little brighter look.
UVL Aquasun
Blue Plus
Blue Plus

 

[scunfcu]

Sorry, here is my previous question.

Originally posted by scunfcu
I am looking for T5 combo for mix SPS/LPS/Softy tank. I have decided to stay with mix reef consisting of SPS/LPS/Softies, instead of just a sps ( previous posting ).

Want 20,000k look to pop colors for a 5 bulb combination on my TX5 with these corals on ocean blue background.

- Pink and yellow Open Brain
- Green tips Hammer
- Purple tips Frogspawn
- Pink, purple and neon green Birdsnest
- Purple Bonsai
- Blue Xenia, Very pretty in metalic Blue
- Blue Stag
- Aqua Delight Sps

What combo do you recommend for color popping and PAR. Thanks much.



Front
Blue Plus
Blue Plus or UVL 75/25 for a little brighter look.
UVL Aquasun
Blue Plus
Blue Plus

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13040566#post13040566 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by scunfcu
Thanks Grim, I was surprise that you did not mention ATI Aquablue Special into the combo?

Reason being the Aquablue really doesn't do much to bring out yellow colors. The aquasun will add in a little red and some yellow so pink and yelow colors will show up.