The T5 Q&a Thread

[The Grim Reefer]

Nice fragger!

Fixture about 4" above the water at a minimum, probably max of 8".

It's a frag tank so growth and pigmentation is all you care about I assume. No need for a actinic in that case, just daylights and blues

Do 1 UVL Aquasun 1 Gmann Midday and 2 Actinic Plus. That will give you good spectrum with a lot of PAR and blue light for coloring things up.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13499904#post13499904 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by dobbs
Good morning Grim,

I'm in the process of setting up a SPS dominant frag tank. This tank will be in the same room as my main display tank. My display is lit by an AI LED fixture.

The frag tank is 48w x 18d x 12h. I'm planning on ordering the TEK 4x54 fixture today or tomorrow. I have my choice of the following bulbs for an additional $50.00.

UV lighting 12000K Actinic White
UV lighting Super Actinic (actinic blue)
UV lighting 75.25 14k
UV lighting AQUASUN
Giesemann Powerchrome Actinic Plus
Giesemann Powerchrome AquaBlue+
Giesemann Powerchrome Pure Actinic
Giesemann Powerchrome Midday

I've had a couple suggestions....
giesemann aquablue plus, uvl actinic, uvl actinic white, uvl actinic
Giesemann aquablue plus, Giesemann Actinic Plus, Giesemann aquablue plus, Giesemann Actinic Plus,

Your thoughts and recommendations would be appreciated.

BTW - what is your recommendation for the fixture height...from the water?

TIA,
Dave

 

[gbsteve]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13499971#post13499971 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
You could try it, be a lt of blue. You could try a UVL Aquasun instead of the pro color if that doesn't work. Another option would be using two UVL 75/25's. Either will boost the red a little.

Thanks Grim. I don't mind the blue, more interested in the par if I switched to the blue. Would the 5 ATI blue+ and one pro color be enough to keep the acans happy?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Be fine. The Blue Plus only has about 10% less output than the Aquablue

 

[hifters1]

Hey Grim,

I have an aga150 72 x 18 x 29 with canopy. I currently have 2 36" pcs(coralife 50/50 bulbs) in the canopy. I was thinking I could add 4x80w retro from Reef Geek. Which one would you recommend and also what bulb combination? Or should I consider a different alternative. Ultimately the tank will be a mixed reef.

Thanks
hifters1

 

[The Grim Reefer]

the 4x80 would work.

Front
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue
GE 6500K Daylight
ATI Blue Plus

 

[SteveNMegz]

Hey, awesome thread!!!

WE have a 65G (48x16x20) and we have the aquatinics solar flare over it about 7" from the water surface, we have to get some new bulbs soon and would love some advice!
right now we have aquascience bulbs, should we try something else or stick to them? what would you do? and do you think the solar flare units hight over our tank is ok?

Thanks!!!

 

[kpk]

Hey Grim quick question. I finally got my 72" constellation.

I have been running it on x10 modules controlled by an ac3. It's really weird, but I can plug all of the lights in etc. and after it runs and the x10 turns off it flips the breaker to the tank. At this point I have a 20 amp GFCI breaker on the tank circuit. Why would it flip the breaker every time it turns off and not when it comes on, when I plug it in, flip the on/off switches etc. Only when it runs awhile and is turned off by the x10?

I have tried it on a different circuit and it works fine. The only think that makes me think it could be the fixture is that it's the only one that flips the breaker. Ther other two switches on the fixture don't flip the breaker. Could I just be barely over the limit on that breaker with the middle switch if it controls 3 rows? What can I do?!?!?!?

Thanks a lot,
Kyle

 

[kpk]

OK I just tried it with all the x10's off and all of the switches will flip the breaker if it's the last one. Does this sound like an overload on the breaker? Also how could it flip the breaker if the x10 is off? Does it still have current running through it?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13502626#post13502626 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SteveNMegz
Hey, awesome thread!!!

WE have a 65G (48x16x20) and we have the aquatinics solar flare over it about 7" from the water surface, we have to get some new bulbs soon and would love some advice!
right now we have aquascience bulbs, should we try something else or stick to them? what would you do? and do you think the solar flare units hight over our tank is ok?

Thanks!!!

Height over the tank is fine. If you like the look you get with the AS lamps stick with them.

Browse the thread for other mixes for 6 lamp units or click on the red house and look at some of the combinations listed there.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13505011#post13505011 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kpk
OK I just tried it with all the x10's off and all of the switches will flip the breaker if it's the last one. Does this sound like an overload on the breaker? Also how could it flip the breaker if the x10 is off? Does it still have current running through it?

Sounds to me like that ballast is bad. If you only turn that switch on and then off with the other two switches off it trips the breaker right? Take note of which lamps that ballast controls and call Tom at Aquactinics. If the ballast is causing a surge back up the ground when it's turned off that could explain the GFCI tripping.

 

[wayne in norway]

Grim - super info , thanks for all the work.

I am torn between the ATI Sunpower, and the FM Ultra solaris for a 6*39W fixture. Aesthetics not an issue, will hang in tank room. The FM is a bit pricier buying from the lfs over buying the ATI from an etailer. Is there a clear winner here? It looks like it's good either way to me?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13505658#post13505658 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by wayne in norway
Grim - super info , thanks for all the work.

I am torn between the ATI Sunpower, and the FM Ultra solaris for a 6*39W fixture. Aesthetics not an issue, will hang in tank room. The FM is a bit pricier buying from the lfs over buying the ATI from an etailer. Is there a clear winner here? It looks like it's good either way to me?

Sunpower without a doubt

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1117651&highlight=wars

Keep in mind the readings taken were with the fixtures right on the tank. The Sunpower had the acrylic splash shield so it could have permanently ran at that height with no issues. The Fauna Marin must be mounted higher, at least 4" above the tank to insure the reflectors get no salt spray on them. The salt spray ruined the reflectors in very short order.

 

[wayne in norway]

Thank you very much - I need to use 'search' more. Sfiligoi is another option for me but it is somewhat pricier and I am leaning (falling) for the Sunpower. Plus the tube choice is better for the ATI. Thank you again.

 

[intenseimage]

I am currently running a 48" Nova Extreme Pro over a 75g tank. I have a few small SPS pieces about mid way up the tank with zoos and acans towards the bottom. The stock lights are a bit too white for my taste and I would love to get some more pop from the colors.

A local reefer recommended that I swap one of the stock 10k and one of the 460 nm's out for 2 420 nm bulbs. This combo would leave me with 2 10k's, 2 460's, and 2 420's.

My LFS stocks UVL bulbs but was wondering if I should get the ATI instead?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13506480#post13506480 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by intenseimage
I am currently running a 48" Nova Extreme Pro over a 75g tank. I have a few small SPS pieces about mid way up the tank with zoos and acans towards the bottom. The stock lights are a bit too white for my taste and I would love to get some more pop from the colors.

A local reefer recommended that I swap one of the stock 10k and one of the 460 nm's out for 2 420 nm bulbs. This combo would leave me with 2 10k's, 2 460's, and 2 420's.

My LFS stocks UVL bulbs but was wondering if I should get the ATI instead?

At this point I wouldn't use current lamps but I hear they are doing a redesign so that could change. You could change a 10K and 460 out for a UVL Super Actinic and ATI Aquablue.

If its in the budget I would just replace all the lamps

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

 

[intenseimage]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13506692#post13506692 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
At this point I wouldn't use current lamps but I hear they are doing a redesign so that could change. You could change a 10K and 460 out for a UVL Super Actinic and ATI Aquablue.

If its in the budget I would just replace all the lamps

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

Yes, I do plan on swapping all bulbs out but that is not in the budget right now.

When I do, the Blue Plus would be the replacement for the stock 460nm, the Aqua Blue would be a replacement for 2 of the stock 10k's (but its a slightly more blue 12k look), the Super Actinic would replace a stock 460 and the last stock 10k would be replaced by a Aquasun 10k?

How much of an impact would it make if I went with

Blue Plus
AquaSun
Super Actinic
Blue Plus
AquaSun

And had another Super Actinic in the mix with more AquaSuns as opposed to the Aquablue's?

 

[allykahn]

Grim,

I have a 72" open-back canopy with two 4" Icecap fans on each end blowing towards the front of the canopy. In the last few months, two bulbs have blown (t5s). Should I have the fans blow lengthwise over the bulbs?

The funny thing is that I have 5-80w T5 bulbs and 1 VHO (2 Blue + on a 430; Aguablue, GE and Pro color on 660, workhorse for the VHO), and only the 660 blows the bulbs. I have to remove the canopy to find out what is going on as I am now only running blue lights.

Are there any particular bulbs in 80W that I can use other than the usual for LPS/softies/Zoas? The T5s put out a lot of light, maybe too much for the zoas.

Thanks for your help.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13507163#post13507163 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by intenseimage
Yes, I do plan on swapping all bulbs out but that is not in the budget right now.

When I do, the Blue Plus would be the replacement for the stock 460nm, the Aqua Blue would be a replacement for 2 of the stock 10k's (but its a slightly more blue 12k look), the Super Actinic would replace a stock 460 and the last stock 10k would be replaced by a Aquasun 10k?

How much of an impact would it make if I went with

Blue Plus
AquaSun
Super Actinic
Blue Plus
AquaSun

And had another Super Actinic in the mix with more AquaSuns as opposed to the Aquablue's?

The Aquasun doesnt have a whole lot more output than the Aquablue but the Super Actinic has a whole lot less than the Blue Plus. You should still be OK with that mix though, growth will just be a little slower.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13507916#post13507916 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by allykahn
Grim,

I have a 72" open-back canopy with two 4" Icecap fans on each end blowing towards the front of the canopy. In the last few months, two bulbs have blown (t5s). Should I have the fans blow lengthwise over the bulbs?

The funny thing is that I have 5-80w T5 bulbs and 1 VHO (2 Blue + on a 430; Aguablue, GE and Pro color on 660, workhorse for the VHO), and only the 660 blows the bulbs. I have to remove the canopy to find out what is going on as I am now only running blue lights.

Are there any particular bulbs in 80W that I can use other than the usual for LPS/softies/Zoas? The T5s put out a lot of light, maybe too much for the zoas.

Thanks for your help.

The way you have the fans should be fine as long as they are pushing air past the lamp ends, How old are the lamps when they blow?

 

[allykahn]

One was about 8 months. I think the last one was less than that.

Any opinions on the bulbs?

Thanks