The T5 Q&a Thread

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13133498#post13133498 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by knockout
Hey people, just purchased an used Aquactinics TX5,

Your thoughts on the existing bulb config:

all Giesemann

Pure Actinic
Actinic +
AquaBlue +
Actinic +
Mid Day

My objective is great color with some decent growth, is there anything I should change?

Maybe pay with the positions but the mix is good.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13133901#post13133901 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by MrSpiffy
While I'm thinking of it...

If my bulbs are roughly 6" off of the surface, how should I acclimate my tank to the new lighting..? I have 6 x 24W, but only run 4 bulbs right now. (Just set it up yesterday, anyway...) And previously, I had 2 x 175W MH's. I know that I asked this previously, but I mounted the lights higher up than I had initially planned. Maybe it'll change the acclimation period..? Grim..? Any suggestions?

Thanks!

I think you can start adding in the other two lamps if it's been a few days. Once those lamps burn in and with the second Aquasun I think you will find the looks will be less blue than it looks now.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13135147#post13135147 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Primetime33
Would a 4 lamp TEK fixture be enough to cover a 24x24x12 frag tank? I am scared the width 12" deminsion would not be enough front to back.

The fixture..
http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5...t_Fixture_w!_Bulbs_(Black)_by_Sunlight_Supply

Wouldn't be. Depending on what you are trying to raise you could add in one of the nova 2 lamp fixtures to help fill the gap. That Tek will only give you full lighting over about 12" is all.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13137055#post13137055 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by wiso reef
ok Grim you say a Super Actinic UVL have 2 Super Actinics one 03 and one just Super Actinic wish one is beter? and my set up is for 5x54w how is mush 20k looks with a 6x54w set up thanks!

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

I like the Super Actinic best but the ATI Actinic 03 is nice.

 

[Ed Reef]

Grim,

I'm joining the T-5 Club and was wondering what t-5 combi you would suggest?? My tank is L:200cm x W:80cm x H: 70cm and the fixture I'm ordering is 2 unit of ATI Power Module T5 Dimmable 880mm 10 X 39W

Currently thinking of going with the below combination (front to back)

Option 1 (front to back)
ATI Blue Plus+
ATI Aquablue Special
Giesemann Pure Actinic
ATI Pro Color
ATI Aquablue Special
ATI Blue+
KZ Fiji Purple
Giesemann Pure Actinic
ATI Aquablue Special
ATI Blue+

I'm planning to keep mainly SPS but at the same time like a tint of blue (14K look) but able to provide growth

Thanks

 

[Mark426]

Any have or seen the PAR readings on the UV Lighting 75/25 T5 lamp. Or...compare it to something else? Thanks in advance.

Mark

 

[A.VOID]

Grim:

Tek-Light 4 bulb over a 55 gallon

I have the current bulb configuration and I want to lean towards best growth, but still get popping color. Anything different you would recommend?

Blueplus
Aquablue Plus
Midday
Aquasun


I also wondered at what distance from the water does the intensity really start to drop? >3" over 4"?

Thanks!

 

[ddetar00]

Finally all swapped... BUT...

Finally all swapped... BUT...

Originally posted by The Grim Reefer
Pull one white for a UVL Super Actinic and pull another one and add a UVL Aquasun. That will help until your financial advisor puts away the whip.

Then do this

Front
Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue
UVL Super Actinic
UVL Aquasun
ATI Blue Plus
GE 6500K Daylight
ATI Blue Plus
UVL 75/25

Grim...
I was at the Mercy of LFS (not really local.. about 180 miles away) on the UVL bulbs. They had not intended on carrying the 75/25 and only had 50/50. so I purchased what they had to offer. As for the ATI I ourchased from reefgeek as well as the GE.

So all bulbs have now been replaced, I have put all the ATI on one channel and the UVL and GE on the other, all of the Blues come on @ 9:00 AM followed by the "Daylight" colors @ 10:00.. then going off at 7:00 and 8:00...

Next oportunity should the 50/50 be replaced with the 75/25 (seeing as they now have them) and is the timing of the photoperiod okay, recomended, not necessary???

THanks again for your expertise.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13138219#post13138219 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Ed Reef
Grim,

I'm joining the T-5 Club and was wondering what t-5 combi you would suggest?? My tank is L:200cm x W:80cm x H: 70cm and the fixture I'm ordering is 2 unit of ATI Power Module T5 Dimmable 880mm 10 X 39W

Currently thinking of going with the below combination (front to back)

Option 1 (front to back)
ATI Blue Plus+
ATI Aquablue Special
Giesemann Pure Actinic
ATI Pro Color
ATI Aquablue Special
ATI Blue+
KZ Fiji Purple
Giesemann Pure Actinic
ATI Aquablue Special
ATI Blue+

I'm planning to keep mainly SPS but at the same time like a tint of blue (14K look) but able to provide growth

Thanks

Instead of the aquablue in the center I would try a Giesemann Midday

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13138415#post13138415 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Mark426
Any have or seen the PAR readings on the UV Lighting 75/25 T5 lamp. Or...compare it to something else? Thanks in advance.

Mark

It had a little less than a blue Plus.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13138680#post13138680 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by A.VOID
Grim:

Tek-Light 4 bulb over a 55 gallon

I have the current bulb configuration and I want to lean towards best growth, but still get popping color. Anything different you would recommend?

Blueplus
Aquablue Plus
Midday
Aquasun


I also wondered at what distance from the water does the intensity really start to drop? >3" over 4"?

Thanks!

Try this

Blue Plus
Super Actinic
Aquasun
Aquablue

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Re: Finally all swapped... BUT...

Re: Finally all swapped... BUT...

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13138883#post13138883 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ddetar00
Originally posted by The Grim Reefer
Pull one white for a UVL Super Actinic and pull another one and add a UVL Aquasun. That will help until your financial advisor puts away the whip.

Then do this

Front
Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue
UVL Super Actinic
UVL Aquasun
ATI Blue Plus
GE 6500K Daylight
ATI Blue Plus
UVL 75/25

The timing is fine. I would just use the 50/50 but swap its position with the blue plus next to it. The 75/25 is just more actinic and a more neutral color. In the middle of a mix the difference will be so subtle that it isn't worth the price of a new lamp.

Grim...
I was at the Mercy of LFS (not really local.. about 180 miles away) on the UVL bulbs. They had not intended on carrying the 75/25 and only had 50/50. so I purchased what they had to offer. As for the ATI I ourchased from reefgeek as well as the GE.

So all bulbs have now been replaced, I have put all the ATI on one channel and the UVL and GE on the other, all of the Blues come on @ 9:00 AM followed by the "Daylight" colors @ 10:00.. then going off at 7:00 and 8:00...

Next oportunity should the 50/50 be replaced with the 75/25 (seeing as they now have them) and is the timing of the photoperiod okay, recomended, not necessary???

THanks again for your expertise.

 

[A.VOID]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13139180#post13139180 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Try this

Blue Plus
Super Actinic
Aquasun
Aquablue

Thanks Grim, how about my question on distance from the water?

How far until you really lose intensity? I don't have an acrylic shield, but no real splashing at the surface.

 

[slant77]

Just seing what changes you guys would make as Im do to change out bulbs in my ati 6x54 fixture. This is what is in there now
Blue plus
Super Actinic
Aqua sun
6500k
Blue plus
Aqua blue special
The tank is 90 gl mostly sps so what change would you make.

 

[loweryster]

A.VOID looks like a nice combo. Grim what do you think about using this same combo in conjunction with a Giesemann 14.5k DE. I'm only running the DE 4hours out of the day.

 

[schwenkl]

In a build your own T5 canopy hood, what is the optimum temperature T5's should be running at? Trying to configure how much air to move....

Thanks.

 

[Jon]

My understanding is that they are designed for a optimal temp of 95*F at the cold spot, which for most bulbs is at the very end that has the vendors label on it.

Jon.........

 

[ReefingBuddha]

Hello all.

I've been considering T5's for a while now and would like some advice for my setup. I'm currently in the UK were the 60" fixtures are pretty common place but I intent to have my next tank in Florida. It is going to be a 60"x60"x30" cubesque tank. I was looking into the ATI powermodules and know that they only make 48" fixtures.

In your opinions would two 10x48" fixtures be sufficient to light my tank front to back, side to side?

Thank in you in advance for your help.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13139501#post13139501 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by A.VOID
Thanks Grim, how about my question on distance from the water?

How far until you really lose intensity? I don't have an acrylic shield, but no real splashing at the surface.

With no shield you have to keep the lights 4" at least away from the water.

The light decay is going to be close to linear. If an object in the tank is 20" away from the lights and you raise them 5" you lose about 25% of the intensity.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13140714#post13140714 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by slant77
Just seing what changes you guys would make as Im do to change out bulbs in my ati 6x54 fixture. This is what is in there now
Blue plus
Super Actinic
Aqua sun
6500k
Blue plus
Aqua blue special
The tank is 90 gl mostly sps so what change would you make.

Unless you want a more blue look what you have is fine. I might be tempted to add another blue plus in place of either the aquablue or GE.