The T5 Q&a Thread

[Jon]

Do you know what gauge wire to go with for hooking up a DIY setup. On the feeds from the ballast to a 54w bulb I would think you can get away with 22AWG solid core. Although I've heard a lot that use 18AWG, but I think the current should be low enough to go with the smaller. Any thoughts? Thanks,

Jon........

 

[Jeff cousteau]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13155495#post13155495 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
What you have listed should work. I am not a fan of the fiji purple. I would rather have the UVL 75/25 but I think the pro color will do more to bring out the pink and purple colors in the tank

Thanks a bunch Grim, I'm amazed at the time you've put into this thread. I want to thank you for your advise. Your the reason I came to RC after a fellow reefer told me you were the man...*L*

 

[jamesbuf]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13155457#post13155457 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Pro Color is a little too much for a 4 lamp combo unless you want to go for a very subdued look, I actinic, Pro Color and two Blue Pluses.

For a more bright look

Fron
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Super Actinic
UVL Aquasun
ATI Blue Plus (Or for a more white look ATI Aquablue) [/QUOTE


You say the Pro Color would be "too much". Not sure what you mean by this. You mean not enough??

It would be subdued, but how do you think the colors would "pop". I kind of equate the Blue Pluses at being like the 14K MH bulbs I use on my own tank, and then you're customizing the look a little with the other bulbs.

I was toying with the idea of two blue pluses, one GE 6500, and one procolor. How do you think this would turn out?? Maybe not blue enough. Maybe a 10K UV lighting Aquasun instead of the GE bulb. Man this stuff is so confusing now that we have sooooo many choices in bulbs.

 

[jamesbuf]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13155655#post13155655 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Jeff cousteau
Thanks a bunch Grim, I'm amazed at the time you've put into this thread. I want to thank you for your advise. Your the reason I came to RC after a fellow reefer told me you were the man...*L*

Yeah, seriously. We are very lucky to have someone with your expertise and willing to offer up so much of their time. I'd buy you a beer if I could!!!

 

[Patis46]

Hey I have a 48inch 6 bulb T5-HO.The tank is a standard 55G
I plan om making it a mostly shroom tank with 3 or 4 fish ,70ish lbs LR. What would you suggest?
And BTW Another thank you for all the help you have given on this thread.
Pat

 

[Aquactinics]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13155573#post13155573 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Jon
Do you know what gauge wire to go with for hooking up a DIY setup. On the feeds from the ballast to a 54w bulb I would think you can get away with 22AWG solid core. Although I've heard a lot that use 18AWG, but I think the current should be low enough to go with the smaller. Any thoughts? Thanks,

Jon........

Jon,

Do not use anything less then 18AWG solid core.

Tom
Aquactinics

 

[jamesbuf]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13155949#post13155949 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jamesbuf

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13155457#post13155457 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Pro Color is a little too much for a 4 lamp combo unless you want to go for a very subdued look, I actinic, Pro Color and two Blue Pluses.

For a more bright look

Fron
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Super Actinic
UVL Aquasun
ATI Blue Plus (Or for a more white look ATI Aquablue) [/QUOTE


You say the Pro Color would be "too much". Not sure what you mean by this. You mean not enough??

It would be subdued, but how do you think the colors would "pop". I kind of equate the Blue Pluses at being like the 14K MH bulbs I use on my own tank, and then you're customizing the look a little with the other bulbs.

I was toying with the idea of two blue pluses, one GE 6500, and one procolor. How do you think this would turn out?? Maybe not blue enough. Maybe a 10K UV lighting Aquasun instead of the GE bulb. Man this stuff is so confusing now that we have sooooo many choices in bulbs.

So I went ahead and ordered two Blue plus, one Pro Color, one UV Superactinic, and one UV AquaSun. I'll switch between the Aquasun and the ProColor and see which offers the look I want. Its always good to have an extra bulb laying around anyways.

Wondering with the two Blue plus and one Superactinic, whether I should've ordered a GE 6500 bulb to try out as well. Hmmmmm, I'm sure it hasn't shipped yet.........


Thanks again Grim.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13155573#post13155573 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Jon
Do you know what gauge wire to go with for hooking up a DIY setup. On the feeds from the ballast to a 54w bulb I would think you can get away with 22AWG solid core. Although I've heard a lot that use 18AWG, but I think the current should be low enough to go with the smaller. Any thoughts? Thanks,

Jon........

18 gauge. You have to deal with start up voltage and the larger wire has less resistance so the ballast wont have to work as hard.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13155949#post13155949 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jamesbuf

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13155457#post13155457 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Pro Color is a little too much for a 4 lamp combo unless you want to go for a very subdued look, I actinic, Pro Color and two Blue Pluses.

For a more bright look

Fron
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Super Actinic
UVL Aquasun
ATI Blue Plus (Or for a more white look ATI Aquablue) [/QUOTE


You say the Pro Color would be "too much". Not sure what you mean by this. You mean not enough??

It would be subdued, but how do you think the colors would "pop". I kind of equate the Blue Pluses at being like the 14K MH bulbs I use on my own tank, and then you're customizing the look a little with the other bulbs.

I was toying with the idea of two blue pluses, one GE 6500, and one procolor. How do you think this would turn out?? Maybe not blue enough. Maybe a 10K UV lighting Aquasun instead of the GE bulb. Man this stuff is so confusing now that we have sooooo many choices in bulbs.

The pro color has a lot of red spectrum. With only 3 other lamps you almost have to go with blue and actinic to keep the tank from looking pink.

The 2 Blue Pluses and GE with the Pro Color might be worth a try. Just try to get us some pictures.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13156096#post13156096 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Patis46
Hey I have a 48inch 6 bulb T5-HO.The tank is a standard 55G
I plan om making it a mostly shroom tank with 3 or 4 fish ,70ish lbs LR. What would you suggest?
And BTW Another thank you for all the help you have given on this thread.
Pat

For shrooms Hmmmmm Try this

Blue Plus
SUper Actinic
ATI Pro Color
Blue Plus
UVL Super Actinic
Blue Plus

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13156592#post13156592 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jamesbuf
So I went ahead and ordered two Blue plus, one Pro Color, one UV Superactinic, and one UV AquaSun. I'll switch between the Aquasun and the ProColor and see which offers the look I want. Its always good to have an extra bulb laying around anyways.

Wondering with the two Blue plus and one Superactinic, whether I should've ordered a GE 6500 bulb to try out as well. Hmmmmm, I'm sure it hasn't shipped yet.........


Thanks again Grim.

More lamps to play with is always a good thing

 

[LexSkizzle]

Grim
What would be the best combination of bulbs for an Aquatinics TX5 to give me great growth and make all colors of my zoas and pop on my 75g? I like the blue look, but do not want to sacrifice growth in the process. Thanks!

 

[Altpers0na]

Im six months into my 6x54 t5 HO setup.. its a NEP W/ reflectorS on my 75aga

i have been using the stock bulbs.. but its time to change em out...

my light pref tends to lean towards more white than blue...

over all im looking for a 10 - 12 K appearance...

i have a hodgepodge of stuff in the tank... abit of everything..

so, im looking for a 6 bulb mix,

ty for any suggestions..

 

[DanW]

Sir Grim, master of the T5

Can you give me a suggestion on a bulb combination? Here are my stats:
60”x18”x24”
SPS dominated tank
Currently I have 5 Tek II retro 80w T5s overdriven by two IC 660s

My current bulb configuration is:
Front
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue Special
ATI True Actinic
ATI Aquablue Spcial
ATI Blue Plus

Although crisp it’s a touch too blue. I had a GE 6,500K daylight in the ATI True Actinic position but it was way too yellow for me.

TIA

 

[Labman48076]

Grim planing on upgrading my bulbs in the next week I have a 200 gallon reef tank 72l24w26tal going for sps and lps Aquatincs fixture last time I talked to you I got the fallowing recommendation

2 x 39W 12000K ATI Aquablue Special T5HO
2 x 24W UVL Super Actinic 420nm
2 x 39W UVL Aquasun 10,000k
6 x 39W ATI Blue Plus T5HO
2 x 39W 6500K GE Starcoat Daylight T5 HO 36inch

so wondering if I should stay with this setup I am going for growth and color pop been reading the interesting stuff on the Aqua science bulbs. as always many many thanks and much respect

 

[Nap]

Hey grim, just wanted to say thanks and offer up another question.

About six months ago I decided to get a 48" Aquactinics Constellation on a 120 (4x2x2) and I am getting great colors out of my sps (better than my old mh set up ever got). In this same period most of my zoanthids and palys are shrinking and shying away from the light. Additionally, many of my chalice corals have bleached.

What kind of output does the constellation put out? My acros look amazing and are colored better than ever but many of my moderate light corals are not able to handle it. My photo period is 9.5 hours and my bulbs are as follows:
4-blue plus
1-75/25
1-Aquasun
1-Aqua blue
I have moved many of my lower light corals to shaded areas but they still shrivel and shrink. I posted this on the aquatinics forum and Tom said he wasn't sure what to do other than reduce the photo period to about 8 hours, any suggestions from the T5 master?
Thanks

-Ian

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13160177#post13160177 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by LexSkizzle
Grim
What would be the best combination of bulbs for an Aquatinics TX5 to give me great growth and make all colors of my zoas and pop on my 75g? I like the blue look, but do not want to sacrifice growth in the process. Thanks!

Front
Blue Plus
UVL Super Actinic
UVL Aquasun
Blue Plus
Aquablue

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13161081#post13161081 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Altpers0na
Im six months into my 6x54 t5 HO setup.. its a NEP W/ reflectorS on my 75aga

i have been using the stock bulbs.. but its time to change em out...

my light pref tends to lean towards more white than blue...

over all im looking for a 10 - 12 K appearance...

i have a hodgepodge of stuff in the tank... abit of everything..

so, im looking for a 6 bulb mix,

ty for any suggestions..

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

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13161345#post13161345 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by DanW
Sir Grim, master of the T5

Can you give me a suggestion on a bulb combination? Here are my stats:
60”x18”x24”
SPS dominated tank
Currently I have 5 Tek II retro 80w T5s overdriven by two IC 660s

My current bulb configuration is:
Front
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue Special
ATI True Actinic
ATI Aquablue Spcial
ATI Blue Plus

Although crisp it’s a touch too blue. I had a GE 6,500K daylight in the ATI True Actinic position but it was way too yellow for me.

TIA

Drop the GE in where one of the Aquablues is and see what you think.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13161708#post13161708 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Labman48076
Grim planing on upgrading my bulbs in the next week I have a 200 gallon reef tank 72l24w26tal going for sps and lps Aquatincs fixture last time I talked to you I got the fallowing recommendation

2 x 39W 12000K ATI Aquablue Special T5HO
2 x 24W UVL Super Actinic 420nm
2 x 39W UVL Aquasun 10,000k
6 x 39W ATI Blue Plus T5HO
2 x 39W 6500K GE Starcoat Daylight T5 HO 36inch

so wondering if I should stay with this setup I am going for growth and color pop been reading the interesting stuff on the Aqua science bulbs. as always many many thanks and much respect

You could try the Aquascience special lamp in place of the GE for a slightly more blue look or the GE for slightly more blue but I don't really see anything wrong with what you have now unless you have specific concerns or changes you would like to have.