The T5 Q&a Thread

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13461174#post13461174 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jnb
Is the UVL 39W 10000K AquaSun T5 HO Fluorescent which is very pink/red considerably better for the corals than a ATI aquablue? My tank is a bit red/pink than I like but don't want to compromise happy coral (orange monti and lps mostly)

thanks

The Aquablue is close in PAR so you can try it with no problem as long as you like the look

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13461606#post13461606 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jc9394
Hi Grim, I'm going to replace my Maristar with 14K phoenix and 2 pure actinic with TX5. I have clams on the sand bed and SPS upper half of the tank. Is this a good combo? Looking for lotsa of PAR and the look I got now.

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

SHould look good

 

[jimnrose]

Grim, the Ice Cap ballast description says the units are' fully dimmable'. I contacted them and was told it applies to the VHO lamps only, which produce 3 times the light than the HO's and recommends them for reef tanks. I noticed the VHO lamps have internal reflectors rather than the ext4ernal high reflectivity units.
Also are the VHO's a larger diameter. I'm guessing the T5's are superior being that's the perferred technology on this thread.
I'm testing your patience. Thanks, Jim

 

[layer3switchguy]

Folks,

Given the amount of feedback I got here and on a few of the other forums, I've decided to revert back to my T5 fixture and cancel my Solaris LED order...

So, it's back to my tried and true Aquatinics 6 bulb T5 fixture... The bulbs are over-driven via IceCap. I figured I'd take a moment to revisit my bulb config, and ask for some feedback from the group.

Here is my current setup front-to-back...

AquaBlue Special
AquaBlue Plus
AquaBlue Special
Pro Color
AquaBlue Plus
AquaBlue Special

I also have the following bulbs on hand I can mix and match with...

AquaBlue Plus
AquaSun
UVI Actinic
UVI 75/25

Any suggestions on the best 6 bulb combo for great color and good growth is appreciated. I'm open to any ideas!

Thanks,
L3

 

[spleen93]

Here are some of Grim's recommendations for 6 bulb units in the past

Front:
ATI Blue Plus
UVL 75/25
UVL Super Actinic
UVL 75/25
ATI Blue plus
ATI Blue Plus

or

Front:
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue
UVL Aquasun
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus

or

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

or
Front:
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Aquasun
ATI Blue Plus
GE 6500K Daylight
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue

The 3rd choice is probably the classic. The Aquasun can be replaced with a Pro Color but it does make the tank more reddish. Depends on whether you like the look or not.

BTW, I think you made the right choice. I moved from a Solaris H unit to my current 6 bulb Powermodule and I LOVE my light and so glad to be rid of the Solaris.

 

[jnb]

very useful data gathering - would you by chance have one for a 4 bulb?

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13463113#post13463113 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by spleen93
Here are some of Grim's recommendations for 6 bulb units in the past

Front:
ATI Blue Plus
UVL 75/25
UVL Super Actinic
UVL 75/25
ATI Blue plus
ATI Blue Plus

or

Front:
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue
UVL Aquasun
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus

or

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

or
Front:
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Aquasun
ATI Blue Plus
GE 6500K Daylight
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue

The 3rd choice is probably the classic. The Aquasun can be replaced with a Pro Color but it does make the tank more reddish. Depends on whether you like the look or not.

BTW, I think you made the right choice. I moved from a Solaris H unit to my current 6 bulb Powermodule and I LOVE my light and so glad to be rid of the Solaris.

 

[layer3switchguy]

Thanks Spleen93!!

 

[ekrunch]

The 44" Tank Challenge!

The 44" Tank Challenge!

I just bought a 60 x 44 x 24 acrylic tank and I really want to go back to T5. I've considered doing a pair of 4' Aquatinics fixtures or going straight retro with 14 x 4' bulbs. Anyone else done a tank this wide with T5? Any recommendations for bulb combinations? I've also been happy with ATI/UVL combos on past tanks and am leaning that way, but i've got a lot more room to play with now so i'm wondering if I should branch out a little more with bulb selection.

Any thoughts?

Thanks,
Ed

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13463020#post13463020 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jimnrose
Grim, the Ice Cap ballast description says the units are' fully dimmable'. I contacted them and was told it applies to the VHO lamps only, which produce 3 times the light than the HO's and recommends them for reef tanks. I noticed the VHO lamps have internal reflectors rather than the ext4ernal high reflectivity units.
Also are the VHO's a larger diameter. I'm guessing the T5's are superior being that's the perferred technology on this thread.
I'm testing your patience. Thanks, Jim

T5's put more light into the tank than VHO's easily. I honestly can't think of seeing pictures of an SPS tank with VHO lamps but I am sure there are some.

There are dimmable T5 ballasts out there but I don't know off the top of my head who makes them. The controller is the main issue.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Re: The 44" Tank Challenge!

Re: The 44" Tank Challenge!

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13463543#post13463543 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ekrunch
I just bought a 60 x 44 x 24 acrylic tank and I really want to go back to T5. I've considered doing a pair of 4' Aquatinics fixtures or going straight retro with 14 x 4' bulbs. Anyone else done a tank this wide with T5? Any recommendations for bulb combinations? I've also been happy with ATI/UVL combos on past tanks and am leaning that way, but i've got a lot more room to play with now so i'm wondering if I should branch out a little more with bulb selection.

Any thoughts?

Thanks,
Ed

Depending on what you want to raise I would be looking at a minimum of 12 lamps. Unless you are looking at straight SPS I would probably look at 2 Aquactinics Constellations. which would be 14 lamps.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

4 lamp 14K look

Front
Blue
Actinic (Can substitute UVL 75/25 for SPS tank on this or any other mixes listed)
Sun/Daylight
Blue (or Aquablue for a whiter look)

4 lamp 20K look

Blue
Actinic
Aquablue (or blue for stronger blue look)
Blue

5 lamp 14K

Blue
Actinic
Sun/Daylight
Blue
Aquablue

5 lamp 20K look

Blue
Actinic
Aquablue
Blue
Blue, Actinic, UVL 75/25, Aquablue (going from a more to less intense blue)

6 lamp 10K

Blue
Actinic
Sun/Daylight
Aquablue
Sun/Daylight, Aquablue
Blue


6 lamp 14K

Blue
Actinic
Sun/Daylight
Blue
Sun/Daylight, Aquablue
Blue

6 lamp 20K look

Blue
Actinic
Aquablue
Blue
Blue, UVL 75/25, Aquablue (going from more to less intense blue)
Blue


7 lamp SPS Mushroom Melter 10K look

Blue
Aquasun
UVL 75/25
Blue
Aquasun
Aquablue
Blue

7 lamp 14K look

Blue
Daylight/sun or ATI Pro Color
Actinic
UVL 75/25
Blue
Aquablue or Sun/Daylight
Blue

7 lamp 15K More noticable blue

Blue
Actinic
Blue
Aquablue or UVL 75/25
Actinic
Aquablue or Blue
Blue

7 lamp 15K more blue with added red spectrum

Blue
Pro Color
Actinic
Blue
Blue
UVL 75/25
Blue

8 lamp 10K

Blue
Aquasun
Actinic
Blue
Aquasun
UVL 75/25
Aquablue
Blue

8 lamp 14K

Blue
Actinic
Daylight/sun
Blue
Daylight/sun
Blue
Aquablue
Blue


8 lamp 20K

Blue
Actinic
UVL 75/25
Blue
Aquablue
Blue
Actinic
Blue

8 lamp “What did you put in my drink man?” Special
Looks like 20K with heavy actinics. Glows

Blue
UVL Super Actinic
Blue
Pro Color
UVL Super Actinic
Blue
UVL 75/25
Blue

 

[jnb]

da*n you are indeed helpful - I swear beween people like Randy and you and others I feel like trying to set up a thank your fund
Thank you again

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13463875#post13463875 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
4 lamp 14K look ....

]

 

[snaza]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13462373#post13462373 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Pull the middle fans.

Performance wise I suspect they are going to be about equal. The Sunpower is more boxy looking but is a finished unit. Not sure about price differences but as far as I know you can only get them in the 220v market.

Ive found a little more info on the sunpower. they are not made from aluminium like the PMs. the only have 1 fan instead of 3 for the 6 bulbs version. they are almost half the price

cheers

 

[ekrunch]

Re: Re: The 44" Tank Challenge!

Re: Re: The 44" Tank Challenge!

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13463843#post13463843 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Depending on what you want to raise I would be looking at a minimum of 12 lamps. Unless you are looking at straight SPS I would probably look at 2 Aquactinics Constellations. which would be 14 lamps.

100% SPS and probably a maxima clam or two. How about a 14 bulb retro? I've got 7 2x54w OSRAM/Sylvania Dimmable ballasts available if they're worth using.

Thanks,
Ed

 

[jnb]

for whatever it is worth the fans on the ATI produce a well thought out flow cooling the proper ends to get the most par - and the speed is adjustible - there is a small fan for each bank of 2 bulbs

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13464171#post13464171 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by snaza
Ive found a little more info on the sunpower. they are not made from aluminium like the PMs. the only have 1 fan instead of 3 for the 6 bulbs version. they are almost half the price

cheers

 

[spleen93]

Grim - thanks for that list! (saved for future reference)

 

[crazzy]

Your lil' red house a Treasure Trove !!!

Your lil' red house a Treasure Trove !!!

:thumbsup:
Grim, after following your answers all this time, I missed the fact that your little RedHouse has wealth of info on the T 5's.
Thanx for all your input on this thread!

 

[Aqua Keepers]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13463875#post13463875 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
4 lamp 14K look

Front
Blue
Actinic (Can substitute UVL 75/25 for SPS tank on this or any other mixes listed)
Sun/Daylight
Blue (or Aquablue for a whiter look)

4 lamp 20K look

Blue
Actinic
Aquablue (or blue for stronger blue look)
Blue

5 lamp 14K

Blue
Actinic
Sun/Daylight
Blue
Aquablue

5 lamp 20K look

Blue
Actinic
Aquablue
Blue
Blue, Actinic, UVL 75/25, Aquablue (going from a more to less intense blue)

6 lamp 10K

Blue
Actinic
Sun/Daylight
Aquablue
Sun/Daylight, Aquablue
Blue


6 lamp 14K

Blue
Actinic
Sun/Daylight
Blue
Sun/Daylight, Aquablue
Blue

6 lamp 20K look

Blue
Actinic
Aquablue
Blue
Blue, UVL 75/25, Aquablue (going from more to less intense blue)
Blue


7 lamp SPS Mushroom Melter 10K look

Blue
Aquasun
UVL 75/25
Blue
Aquasun
Aquablue
Blue

7 lamp 14K look

Blue
Daylight/sun or ATI Pro Color
Actinic
UVL 75/25
Blue
Aquablue or Sun/Daylight
Blue

7 lamp 15K More noticable blue

Blue
Actinic
Blue
Aquablue or UVL 75/25
Actinic
Aquablue or Blue
Blue

7 lamp 15K more blue with added red spectrum

Blue
Pro Color
Actinic
Blue
Blue
UVL 75/25
Blue

8 lamp 10K

Blue
Aquasun
Actinic
Blue
Aquasun
UVL 75/25
Aquablue
Blue

8 lamp 14K

Blue
Actinic
Daylight/sun
Blue
Daylight/sun
Blue
Aquablue
Blue


8 lamp 20K

Blue
Actinic
UVL 75/25
Blue
Aquablue
Blue
Actinic
Blue

8 lamp “What did you put in my drink man?” Special
Looks like 20K with heavy actinics. Glows

Blue
UVL Super Actinic
Blue
Pro Color
UVL Super Actinic
Blue
UVL 75/25
Blue

This should be stickied

 

[flyingphish]

indeed. well done grim. thanks for your time.

i'll have that drink now.

 

[flyingphish]

im buzzed...

ati blue+
ati blue+
uvl super actinic
ati aquablue special
kz fiji purple
ati blue+
gmann actinic
ati blue+