The T5 Q&a Thread

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13141515#post13141515 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by thirschmann
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.

SHould be fine. I use 48" lamps over a 60" tank, a little darker at the edges but not bad.

 

[Ed Reef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13139142#post13139142 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Instead of the aquablue in the center I would try a Giesemann Midday

Thanks Grim, great suggestion as usual.

Just curious, any reason for the Giesemann Midday in the middle instead of Aquablue?? Reason I'm asking is cause here I can only get Giesemann Pure Actinic and don't feel like importing in just one type of tube if truly it makes not much of a different??

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13142440#post13142440 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Ed Reef
Thanks Grim, great suggestion as usual. Just curious, any reason for the Giesemann Midday in the middle instead of Aquablue??

Adds a little yellow spectrum. You already have lots of blue. Aquasun is more red. The GE daylight or any 6500K lamp would do the same.

 

[donald_202]

hey grim can you help me out. . i have a 180g 72x24x24. right now and i only got
54 12000k actinic whte 50/50 t5 ho fluorescent and
54 12000k aquable special t5 ho fluorescent.

i want to add more t5's but dont know what bulb to choice. i will be having mix reefs. the lighting that i have right doesnt really show the color of the corals. what you think ?

 

[MrSpiffy]

Thanks for the advice, Grim. I'll give acclimation a shot and see how it goes. I'll definitely have to take comparison pics as the lamps burn in. I'm curious as to how they'll look.

 

[Ed Reef]

Thanks Grim

 

[wiso reef]

Hello Grim thanks for your help!! i make a test with just 3 bulbs frome my set up of 6 54w it was 1 aqua blue , 1 blue plus and 1 blue plus at the end, looks nice and no pale sps skin but dim wath can you sujest to me with the other 3 bulbs i think a 20k looks is to blue but a 14k is mush beter for me .

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13142573#post13142573 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by donald_202
hey grim can you help me out. . i have a 180g 72x24x24. right now and i only got
54 12000k actinic whte 50/50 t5 ho fluorescent and
54 12000k aquable special t5 ho fluorescent.

i want to add more t5's but dont know what bulb to choice. i will be having mix reefs. the lighting that i have right doesnt really show the color of the corals. what you think ?

You need some Blue Plus or Actinic Plus lamps in there. A Aquasun would be good too.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13143773#post13143773 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by wiso reef
Hello Grim thanks for your help!! i make a test with just 3 bulbs frome my set up of 6 54w it was 1 aqua blue , 1 blue plus and 1 blue plus at the end, looks nice and no pale sps skin but dim wath can you sujest to me with the other 3 bulbs i think a 20k looks is to blue but a 14k is mush beter for me .

Do a Pro Color and 2 more Blue Pluses. Maybe 1 Blue Plus and 1 Aquablue but those with the procolor should make everything pop nice.

 

[Jon]

In a DIY setup, what kind of separation do you recommend between the bulbs and an acrylic shield. Thanks,

Jon........

 

[Everyones Hero]

Anyone ever use the bulb shields that go on Flo lights? I know they make them for T8s. It's an alternative to having a full shield over all of the lights.

Would those work on T5 lights or do T5s get hotter than regular Flo lights?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13144058#post13144058 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Jon
In a DIY setup, what kind of separation do you recommend between the bulbs and an acrylic shield. Thanks,

Jon........

I'd keep them a inch or so away

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13144148#post13144148 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Everyones Hero
Anyone ever use the bulb shields that go on Flo lights? I know they make them for T8s. It's an alternative to having a full shield over all of the lights.

Would those work on T5 lights or do T5s get hotter than regular Flo lights?

Bad idea. Messes with output and spectrum

 

[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

Grim, last questions >>>

This was a Tek 4 bulb over a 55 >>>

Is Aquablue + and Aquablue the same color?

Light to substrate is ~ 23". Any chance for SPS & clams?

Thanks for your time!

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13145563#post13145563 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by A.VOID
Grim, last questions >>>

This was a Tek 4 bulb over a 55 >>>

Is Aquablue + and Aquablue the same color?

Light to substrate is ~ 23". Any chance for SPS & clams?

Thanks for your time!

The ATI and Giesemann Aquablues are similar, the Giesemann is slightly more blue. If you want Crocea or Maxima clams leave them up on the rocks a little. SPS in the upper half of the tank should be fine.

 

[wahoo_drew@yahoo.com]

First off Grim you are the T5 expert for sure.

Ive been a member for awhile I was into tanks a few years ago, got out due to enlistment in the Coast Guard, now Im getting into it again.

Im currently setting up a 29gal bowfront(24Lx15Wx18D). Now its time to buy a light. Im planning on keeping medium light corals. I dont have any must haves yet.

After reading Ive settled on a Tek T5 4x24w light. Ive only heard good things about them. But as you know they dont come with bulbs. Can you recommend a blub combo that will look good and also help grow some medium light corals fast? I plan on using lots of frags.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Front
UVL Super Actinic
ATI Aquablue
UVL Aquasun
ATI Blue Plus

 

[porthios]

planning lighting for a new tank and considering going straight t5. the tank will be 8' long and 30" high but i'm still waffling on the width.

what fixture arrangements would you advise for 36", 40" and 48" widths? i want to be able to keep anything (planning mixed reef) but i don't mind darker edges, corners, etc.. it will have a 2"ish ssb.

i'm hoping to avoid diy at this point but i realize it may turn out to be the best idea.

thanks in advance grim!

 

[superstein61]

Grim - does using eggcrate over the top of the tank cause any appreciable deterioration in light to worry about?

Have my Nova Extreme Pro set up with the bulbs you suggested and its looking great. Right now the tank is open top. Alas, my wife is bugging me about putting eggcrate on the top. Is it worth arguing with her about the reduced effectiveness of the lights if I do that or should I cave in - lol

 

[Jay-sun]

Hey Grim or anyone that can help,
I am looking for bulb suggestions for a 24" 8 bulb ATI fixture. It is going over a 24"X24"X16"H cube. Will be a mixed reef and will have clams. I like to stay with a blue look in the coloring but want to make sure I have enough light for my clams.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanx, Jason