The T5 Q&a Thread

[MG21]

Grim,

Could you tell me please which would be better for my 102x36x30 FOWLR, just a a few softies or LPS. The aquactinics Solar flare 48 inch x2 or the 48 inch constellation x2. Thank you very much!! Bulb combos too. Thanks!!!

 

[SunnyX]

Hey Grim,

so I moved the blue+ bulbs in the Constellation fixture to 3 and 5 like you said. Just wanted to see what you thought of this placement:

Front

Blue+
Aquablue
Blue+
Aquablue
Blue+
Aquablue
Aquablue

The fixture will be hanging over the tank but more towrds the back of the tank so I was thinking maybe I should place the Aquablue's in the 2 front slots to make up for the fixtures placement.

It would then look like this:

Front

Aquablue
Aquablue
Blue+
Aquablue
Blue+
Aquablue
Blue+

What do you think?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12943540#post12943540 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by gig
Hey Grim, got a follow-up, I spent a few hours this weekend adding in the new T5's with my old VHO setup and it's all working great, but now I'm sure I have 1 too many 10K's as the color is not perfect, but not bad, which I will probably swap out a VHO 10K for a VHO Actinic in 6 mo. once they need replacing.

My current setup as of this weekend

current

front
VHO Actinic
T5 Aquasun (10K)
VHO Actinic
T5 Actnic
VHO 10K
VHO 10K - (this one needs to be Actinic)

So my LFS stocks only UVL for his 72" VHO's, which is fine. If you had a clean slate, with the slots below, what would be the ideal for good color and growth?

??

Also, what's the best desired height from the tank or water? Do you measure from the bottom of the bulb to the water surface or to the tank lip?

Thanks again for all your advice!

front
VHO - Actinic
T5 - Aquasun
VHO -Actinic
T5 - Blue Plus
VHO - Sun
VHO - Actinic

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12945679#post12945679 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by knockout
Hey guys, I was set to buy the Aquactinics unit and then I found an 8 bulb Tek for a good price, I was hoping to run the unit on 6 bulbs but found out that can only run it on either 4 or 8 bulb config... will 8 lamps give too much light to my 75g mixed reef, the last thing I want to do is kill the livestock due to light shock,

if ok, what bulb config will be good to get the most color pop on the corals... thanks in advance.

Kelvin.

Just load it up with lower PAR lamps

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

Should make your corals look like a shroom trip

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12947110#post12947110 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by MG21
Grim,

Could you tell me please which would be better for my 102x36x30 FOWLR, just a a few softies or LPS. The aquactinics Solar flare 48 inch x2 or the 48 inch constellation x2. Thank you very much!! Bulb combos too. Thanks!!!

2 of the constellations for sure.

Front
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Aquasun
UVL Super Actinic
UVL 75/25
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue
UVL Super Actinic

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12947110#post12947110 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by MG21
Grim,

Could you tell me please which would be better for my 102x36x30 FOWLR, just a a few softies or LPS. The aquactinics Solar flare 48 inch x2 or the 48 inch constellation x2. Thank you very much!! Bulb combos too. Thanks!!!

2 of the constellations for sure.

Front
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Aquasun
UVL Super Actinic
UVL 75/25
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue
UVL Super Actinic

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12948395#post12948395 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SunnyX
Hey Grim,

so I moved the blue+ bulbs in the Constellation fixture to 3 and 5 like you said. Just wanted to see what you thought of this placement:

Front

Blue+
Aquablue
Blue+
Aquablue
Blue+
Aquablue
Aquablue

The fixture will be hanging over the tank but more towrds the back of the tank so I was thinking maybe I should place the Aquablue's in the 2 front slots to make up for the fixtures placement.

It would then look like this:

Front

Aquablue
Aquablue
Blue+
Aquablue
Blue+
Aquablue
Blue+

What do you think?

Yeah, bottom one.

 

[MG21]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12948523#post12948523 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
2 of the constellations for sure.

Front
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Aquasun
UVL Super Actinic
UVL 75/25
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue
UVL Super Actinic

Cool, thanks so much for your help!!

 

[46bfinGA]

Hey Grim What lamps would you Recommend for my 600 gallon tank(96" x 48"x 30")? Im planning on buying either two 8 lamp 48" Tek lights or 2- ATI 10x54 Powermodule lights. I allready have 5 new ATI Aqua Blues and 5 ATI Blue + lamps laying around. I was thinking of buying some ATI Pro Color, KZ Fiji Purple, and some UV Aquasun's. Anything else I'm missing?

Any solid reason's to spend the extra cash on the ATI Powermodule Fixtures? I realize the fans and the better reflectors but will the Tek's not get the job done? BTW The tank will be a Mixed reef.

While I'm at it, what order would you put the lamps in the fixtures to give me a good 14k look to the tank, but still have good growth.

 

[snaza]

Thanks grim i found the place that sells the aquactinic reflectors. they want $150 for postage to austrlaia though )-;

On one of my tank im using AQUAZ reflectors so my question is what should i get for my 48x20x20. i have 7 bulb retro now

1. keep the aquaz reflectors
2 icecap SLR for $25 each
3. aquactinics $40 each
4. get an ATI

is there much difference between the IC and aquactinics refelctors? are they worth almost double the price?

one more question sorry. other option would be to get a 6 bulbs AIT sunpower or powermodule when im in the UK. what is the diffence, except the price?

this will have you laugh i can get a 8x54w powermodule imported to australia for $2000US

should be able to pick one up in the uk for under $1000

thanks

 

[snaza]

Oh SH*T i forgot somthing. on my retro im running 5 inch fans from the back of the hood down the endcaps. the end of the lamps are still VERY VERY hot. how strong do the fans need to be blowing?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

The ATI's are well worth the money.

For lamps try this

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

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12948584#post12948584 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 46bfinGA
Hey Grim What lamps would you Recommend for my 600 gallon tank(96" x 48"x 30")? Im planning on buying either two 8 lamp 48" Tek lights or 2- ATI 10x54 Powermodule lights. I allready have 5 new ATI Aqua Blues and 5 ATI Blue + lamps laying around. I was thinking of buying some ATI Pro Color, KZ Fiji Purple, and some UV Aquasun's. Anything else I'm missing?

Any solid reason's to spend the extra cash on the ATI Powermodule Fixtures? I realize the fans and the better reflectors but will the Tek's not get the job done? BTW The tank will be a Mixed reef.

While I'm at it, what order would you put the lamps in the fixtures to give me a good 14k look to the tank, but still have good growth.

 

[shackscs]

Grim:

I have these in my 72" 12 bulb Nova Extreme Pro per your recommendation for a 14k look:

Blue Plus
Aquasun
Super Actinic
UVL 75/25
Blue Plus
Aquablue

I am now looking to get a 20K look. Is this possible with HO-T5s and if so, what bulb combination would you suggest?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12948618#post12948618 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by snaza
Thanks grim i found the place that sells the aquactinic reflectors. they want $150 for postage to austrlaia though )-;

On one of my tank im using AQUAZ reflectors so my question is what should i get for my 48x20x20. i have 7 bulb retro now

1. keep the aquaz reflectors
2 icecap SLR for $25 each
3. aquactinics $40 each
4. get an ATI

is there much difference between the IC and aquactinics refelctors? are they worth almost double the price?

one more question sorry. other option would be to get a 6 bulbs AIT sunpower or powermodule when im in the UK. what is the diffence, except the price?

this will have you laugh i can get a 8x54w powermodule imported to australia for $2000US

should be able to pick one up in the uk for under $1000

thanks

The Ice Cap are nearly as good as the Aquactinics.

Geting the sunpower would also be a good move. But I think just getting Ice Cap reflectors for your current setup is the best move.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12948660#post12948660 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by snaza
Oh SH*T i forgot somthing. on my retro im running 5 inch fans from the back of the hood down the endcaps. the end of the lamps are still VERY VERY hot. how strong do the fans need to be blowing?

The lamp ends will run anout 105 degrees when things are running right. The fans don't really have to push much air to keep the temp in range.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12949334#post12949334 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by shackscs
Grim:

I have these in my 72" 12 bulb Nova Extreme Pro per your recommendation for a 14k look:

Blue Plus
Aquasun
Super Actinic
UVL 75/25
Blue Plus
Aquablue

I am now looking to get a 20K look. Is this possible with HO-T5s and if so, what bulb combination would you suggest?

Make 2 more rows of Blue Plus lamps. You will have to play around with different combinations to see which of the Aquasun, 75/25/aquablue you want to pull to get the look you want.

 

[snaza]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12949972#post12949972 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
The lamp ends will run anout 105 degrees when things are running right. The fans don't really have to push much air to keep the temp in range.

I reckon mine run at double that temp. burns my finger to touch. I'm just using 5inch computer case fans blowing in from the back. the back lamps are a lot cooler than the front lamps. Should i put some fans on the front of the hood too, blowing on the front lamps endcaps? i'll go pick up 7 IC SLR's too.

thanks

 

[jlemieux123]

what is a good quite fan to use?

 

[jlemieux123]

is this enough lighting?

is this enough lighting?

Hello,
I am finally making the investment and take out my very old 200w VHO + 200w power compacts lighting and I am putting in eight T5 bulbs each 54 watts with individual high grade reflectors. my tank is 18" deep for top of water to top of sand bed. I was wondering if this enough light for spas and stoney coral?

also, I was wondering if i could create a (shimmering look) and I was told by someone that I can accomplish this by adding a strip of white LEDs is this true?

 

[46bfinGA]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12949082#post12949082 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
The ATI's are well worth the money.

For lamps try this

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

You would skip the Fiji Purple and the Pro color lamps all together? What effect would they make if I slipped them in like this.....

Front

ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue
UVL Aquasun
UVL Super Actinic
ATI Pro Color
UVL Aquasun
ATI Blue Plus
KZ Fiji Purple
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue

The only thing I dont like about the ATI Powermodules is only two lamps are switched seperately then the other 8. It doesn't make much sense to me? Any reason you can thing of why they did not seperate them 4 and 6. With only two coming on first it seems like to don't have much Actinic for Dawn/Dusk lighting.