The T5 Q&a Thread

[Brandan]

I currently have 2-175HQIs and 2-110VHOs on my 100gal SPS Reef (48x24x20H). I am looking for either a retro kit to go into my existing canopy, or get a fixuture and get rid of the canopy all together. However, I like the canopy because it keeps unwanted light from shinning into the room in the mornings/evenings. Almost all of my corals are within 10" of the waters surface (most have grown all the way to the surface). I was thinking 6 bulbs with individual reflectors, but I am wondering it 8 will be needed. Anyone have any input on how many I should run? Also, if you recommend a fixture, which one?

 

[jennmac415]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13368862#post13368862 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Blue Plus
UVL 75/25
Aquablue
Aquasun
Blue Plus
Aquablue
B;ue Plus

Be pretty good PAR still.

How would I run the dusk/dawn?

 

[April540]

Grim, First of all,I have to say, you must be the most patient human alive...OMG I have tried to read as many of these splits as I possibly can and I have a splitting headache LOL I can't imagine we leave you with much time for your self. I hope you do grab some personal time off...I hope you know how special you are . And how much you are appreciated here.

My question to all of you is this..I have been reading and reading on lighting for my 180, And the more I read the more confused I get. The NEP 72 in. has 12 39 watt bulbs. which means 468 watts.. the Current fixtures with the MH are over 1000. Is 468 watts of light a sufficient amount of light to have a little of everything?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13372390#post13372390 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ataller
Could I sit the tek right on the tank like the fixture now is, or would I have to buy the hanging brackets?

Thanks for the super quick response! I posted only a minute ago.

The tek needs to be a few inches above the tank because you don't want to use the splash shield on one, they get too hot

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13372530#post13372530 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jshepherd
Grim,

In a post a few months ago you recomended Aqua sun, Blue plus and aqua blue.

I cant even find the post anymore but just did order
2x ATI aqua blue
4x UVL Aquasun
6x ATI blue plus

This is on a 150g 26" deep tank FOWLR with the 72" nova extreme pro.

My question is can you tell me what order they go again?

remit $29.95 to:

TGR
Aurora Colorado for question re ask


I kill me
:rollface: :lol: :rollface:

Front

Blue Plus
Aquasun
Blue Plus
Aquasun
Blue Plus
Aquablue

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13372682#post13372682 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Brandan
I currently have 2-175HQIs and 2-110VHOs on my 100gal SPS Reef (48x24x20H). I am looking for either a retro kit to go into my existing canopy, or get a fixuture and get rid of the canopy all together. However, I like the canopy because it keeps unwanted light from shinning into the room in the mornings/evenings. Almost all of my corals are within 10" of the waters surface (most have grown all the way to the surface). I was thinking 6 bulbs with individual reflectors, but I am wondering it 8 will be needed. Anyone have any input on how many I should run? Also, if you recommend a fixture, which one?

Aquactinic Constellation would be a good fixture but if you like the canopy use a retrofit.

I'd keep the VHO actinics and do a 6 lamp retro.

VHO Actinic
Blue Plus
UVL Aquasun
Aquablue
GE 6500K daylight
Blue Plus
Aquablue
VHO Actinic

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13372693#post13372693 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jennmac415
How would I run the dusk/dawn?

Opps
Front
Blue Plus
Aquablue
75/25
Aquasun
Blue Plus
Aquablue
Blue Plus

The blue plus and 75/25 should look good but you may have to swap their positions.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13374354#post13374354 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by April540
Grim, First of all,I have to say, you must be the most patient human alive...OMG I have tried to read as many of these splits as I possibly can and I have a splitting headache LOL I can't imagine we leave you with much time for your self. I hope you do grab some personal time off...I hope you know how special you are . And how much you are appreciated here.

My question to all of you is this..I have been reading and reading on lighting for my 180, And the more I read the more confused I get. The NEP 72 in. has 12 39 watt bulbs. which means 468 watts.. the Current fixtures with the MH are over 1000. Is 468 watts of light a sufficient amount of light to have a little of everything?

You would have to be very careful what you put in the lower half of the tank with a NEP. The Aquactinics constellation is more money but worth every cent if you want to be able to have anything more than lower light softies at the bottom.

 

[Gravesj1s]

Grim Reefer-
I could have swore someone asked this already but I cant find where it was.
My question , how does the Giessman t-5 compare to the ati or tx5 aquatinics .
If anyone else knows feel free to save grim a post.
thanx-graves

 

[SSpiro]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13356758#post13356758 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SSpiro
The Grim - Question for you.

Picked up a 125g, 6ft tank with a canopy. I'd like to do retro and install T5's. I'm thinking about 10 36" lamps, 2 rows of 5. Individual reflectors, and icecap 660's.

1. How many ballasts would I need to power these?

2. What do you think of the setup? I'd like to keep a mixed reef. SPS, LPS, some softies, a carpet, and even perhaps a clam or 3.

3. Would love a color recommendation. I like a very sharp, very vivid crisp bluish white. Would also like to offer a sunrise/sunlight scenario with the actinics as well..

Thanks in advance!

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13358862#post13358862 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
For what you want to raise go with 6 80 watt T5's, they are 60" long so that would allow you to keep softies happy at the end of the tank and SPS, Clams and Anemone under the lamps. You need to use the Reefgeek bran 60" reflector to fit 6 lamps in that canopy. Don't use the Tek, they are too wide. you could only fit 5 of them. You will need 2 660 Ice Cap ballasts. You need to get the reflectors from Aquarium Specialty, Reefgeek can't sell them to the public.

Grim - With 60" lamps, that'll leave 6" of unlit space on each side. How does this look to anyone viewing the tank? Do they look dark are they just not as bright? I know its a stupid question, but I don't think I've ever seen a tank where the lamps don't reach end to end?

Also any color recommendation? This will be my first SPS tank, so I want to make sure I'm setup for growth AND appearance? Want colors to pop.

Lastly - I don't see anything reefgeek on aquariumspecialty.com's website. Any other stores?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13375845#post13375845 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Gravesj1s
Grim Reefer-
I could have swore someone asked this already but I cant find where it was.
My question , how does the Giessman t-5 compare to the ati or tx5 aquatinics .
If anyone else knows feel free to save grim a post.
thanx-graves

Last I heard the Gmann T5 fixtures weren't too good. No reflectors or cooling

 

[Brandan]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13375225#post13375225 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Aquactinic Constellation would be a good fixture but if you like the canopy use a retrofit.

I'd keep the VHO actinics and do a 6 lamp retro.

VHO Actinic
Blue Plus
UVL Aquasun
Aquablue
GE 6500K daylight
Blue Plus
Aquablue
VHO Actinic

Why do you recommend keeping the VHOs, they are using double the power as t-5s?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13375875#post13375875 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SSpiro
Grim - With 60" lamps, that'll leave 6" of unlit space on each side. How does this look to anyone viewing the tank? Do they look dark are they just not as bright? I know its a stupid question, but I don't think I've ever seen a tank where the lamps don't reach end to end?

Also any color recommendation? This will be my first SPS tank, so I want to make sure I'm setup for growth AND appearance? Want colors to pop.

Lastly - I don't see anything reefgeek on aquariumspecialty.com's website. Any other stores?

You will have to call aquarium specialty, they haven't added them yet but I did e-mail them and the owner said they are going to carry them.

A 125 with 60" lamps looks about like this

Front
ATI Blue Plus
GE 6500K
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Pro Color
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13376131#post13376131 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Brandan
Why do you recommend keeping the VHOs, they are using double the power as t-5s?

The VHO Actinics look better than the T5's. Not that the T5 actinics look bad. If you want to ditch the VHO's go with this mix

front
Blue Plus
UVL Super Actinic
UVL Aquasun
Aquablue
GE 6500K daylight
Blue Plus

 

[KRASHPD]

Hey Grim,

I saw you recommend this setup on another 10 bulb set and wanted to make sure this would look the best on a 48" 10 X 54w powermodule as well before I order them. I like the 14k Phoenix bulb look with a decent amount of blue. Tank is an Elos 160XL that is 32" wide so I need a larger T5 setup. The bulbs you recommended before are:

Front
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aqualue
UVL Super Actinic
GE 6500K Daylight OD
ATI Pro Color
ATI Blue Plus
GE 6500K Daylight OD
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus

Would that be the setup you would recommend for the Powermodule as well?

Thanks!

J

 

[vlepouce]

4 ft 120

4 ft 120

Hi Grim,

Have a few questions. I just ordered a Sfiligoi 12 x 54 for my tank with it wired to turn on the bulbs in this grouping:

Front
1 Ballast A
2 Ballast B
3 Ballast C
4 Ballast A
5 Ballast C
6 Ballast B
7 Ballast B
8 Ballast C
9 Ballast A
10 Ballast C
11 Ballast B
12 Ballast A

What bulbs in what order in order to give me a Dawn/Dusk Morning/Evening and Midday lighting scheme?

Looking to do SPS and Clams on the sand. Want to maximize color and growth.

Thanks for all of the help.

Vic

 

[SSpiro]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13376148#post13376148 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
You will have to call aquarium specialty, they haven't added them yet but I did e-mail them and the owner said they are going to carry them.

A 125 with 60" lamps looks about like this

Front
ATI Blue Plus
GE 6500K
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Pro Color
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue

Have to be honest; not overly excited about the look.

What if I were to stagger them, so there weren't any dark spots? Would that give me problems?

 

[Brandan]

SSpiro, This is what my 55gal looked like with 36" bulbs, there were staggered.

 

[BullDZR]

He Grim,

I am getting ready to start my 20L nano and was planning on using T5's The tank is 30"X12"X12"

I keep mostly LPS.

Would you recommend 4 or 6 bulbs, and what bulbs would you recommend in what order. I would like to keep the color look somewhere between 14K and 20K

Thanks for you help!!! You really should be paid for what you do here on the boards.

Wayne

 

[gone_postal]

Grim - first off thanks for your amazing help!!

I have a standard 55g w/ a 4x54W t5 fixture. It came w/ no name cheapo bulbs - 2 actinic, 2 10k daylights. Bulbs 1 & 3 are on one switch, bulbs 2 & 4 are on the other. I'm only running zoas, polyps, open brain at the moment, but would like to try an SPS or clam down the road if possible. The tank looks good w/ just actinics - colors pop, but noticeably blue. Once the daylights come on though, it is completely ugly - everything looks dull, no color, etc. They completely wash out the actinics. So, what do you suggest? I pulled these two from previous recommendations earlier in this thread, but not sure if they'll work for me.

Blue +
Super Actinic
10k AquaSun
Blue +

or

Blue +
75/25
AquaSun
Blue+

Will the first be a lot bluer than the second? How will PAR compare between the two for what I'd like to keep? Thanks again.