The T5 Q&a Thread

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13525449#post13525449 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by chicken
Hi, I am looking to replace my existing T5 bulbs and looking for a recommendation. My tank is a 220g mixed reef. It has 2x250w Hamilton 14k MH bulbs that are the main bulbs. I have two 80w T5 bulbs for some extra color running on an icecap 660. I have not used them though for almost 2 years though and the bulbs need to be replaced. I am looking for a recommendation on what type bulbs I should use for the best color combination. Thanks!

Do 1 ATI Blue Plus and 1 ATI Actinic

 

[chicken]

Thanks Grim. I think thats what I had before except the bulbs are so crusty I cannot tell anymore. Thanks

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13527088#post13527088 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ganjero
Do all t5s sizes have the same penetration? If I have a 30" tall tank, would it be the same penetration at one specific point right below the bulb if I install a 39w bulb vs an 80w?
Thanks

Normally driven T5's increase in intensity as the lamps get longer BUT when overdriving using the Ice Cap ballast the opposite is true, the shorter lamps get brighter.

 

[chicken]

Grim, I also need to replace the lights on my fuge. I was using 54w GE 6500k bulbs. Is that still the best bulbs to use for growing out macro?

Thanks!

 

[steveoutlaw]

Grim,
I got the solar flare and put it over my 120g and it's too white for me. Which bulbs do I want if I'm going for a 20K blue look?

thanks for the help!!

 

[Montezuma]

Just wanted to say thanks to Grim. After all the advice from this post, and him. I ordered the Solar Flare, and Grims bulb recommendations. Here is what it looks like. I am so pleased. Thanks all that helped with Advice.

 

[2OceanLovers]

Hey Grim, I have an Aquatinics Tx5 fixture and am needing to change the bulbs out. I am looking for about a 20k look with a lot of par for sps growth. I am at a loss as to what bulbs to choose. Thanks for the help.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13527674#post13527674 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by chicken
Grim, I also need to replace the lights on my fuge. I was using 54w GE 6500k bulbs. Is that still the best bulbs to use for growing out macro?

Thanks!

Probably

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13530722#post13530722 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by steveoutlaw
Grim,
I got the solar flare and put it over my 120g and it's too white for me. Which bulbs do I want if I'm going for a 20K blue look?

thanks for the help!!

Aquablue
Blue Plus
GE daylight
Blue Plus
Super Actinic
Blue Plus

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13531248#post13531248 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Montezuma
Just wanted to say thanks to Grim. After all the advice from this post, and him. I ordered the Solar Flare, and Grims bulb recommendations. Here is what it looks like. I am so pleased. Thanks all that helped with Advice.

Good God thats a lotta rock!

That is going to look tes' cool once you get the coral in it.

I tried to do that with my tank but the rock I got was too big to pull it off.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13531463#post13531463 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 2OceanLovers
Hey Grim, I have an Aquatinics Tx5 fixture and am needing to change the bulbs out. I am looking for about a 20k look with a lot of par for sps growth. I am at a loss as to what bulbs to choose. Thanks for the help.

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

 

[Aqua Keepers]

Montezuma, your tank looks great!!! Gotta build thread?

 

[easygoer2]

Grim Reefer thanks for helping everyone with there bulb selection. Now Its time for me to finish the update on my lighting and could use some help. I've got a Deep Sea 180 tank that is 60x30 x25. I already have two lumatek 250 watt ballast, with ushio 10K bulbs. Without getting into the real high end fixtures, what would you recomend for the fixture and bulbs to use? I've even thought about using two 4 bulbs fixtures if that might work better. I will be keeping clams and sps corals in this tank.


Thanks easygoer2

 

[Todd March]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13531248#post13531248 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Montezuma
Just wanted to say thanks to Grim. After all the advice from this post, and him. I ordered the Solar Flare, and Grims bulb recommendations. Here is what it looks like. I am so pleased. Thanks all that helped with Advice.

That's a reef tank, right? For a moment I though it might be a pic of a vampire's day time lair, lol...

 

[Montezuma]

Yeah the 2 rocks in front are a little big. i have them in there cycling. I plan to cut them down a bit.

 

[darkcirca]

Grim,

I wanted your opinion on this, as you were the one that recommended the bulbs to use.

We just placed an order with ReefGeek but it turns out the one is back ordered:
ATI 12000K Aquablue Special

They recommended a replacement:
Giesemann 11000K Aquablue Plus

This was our "original" list:
2 x Blue Plus - ATI
1 x 10,000K AquaSun - UV Lighting
1 x 12,000K Actinic White - UV Lighting
1 x 75/25 14,000K AquaBlue - UV Lighting

And your proposed change (F to B):
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Aquasun
UVL Aquablue 75/25
ATI Blue Plus


Should we just wait out the backorder, or any recommendations? I believe we were aiming for 'less blue'.

 

[LuisC]

I want to light up a 120G Oceanic Tech tank. Will 2 Ice Cap 660 ballast with reflectors in the canopy ber the best bet? Also does anyone know if the hellolights reflectors are as good as the icecap ones?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13531929#post13531929 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by easygoer2
Grim Reefer thanks for helping everyone with there bulb selection. Now Its time for me to finish the update on my lighting and could use some help. I've got a Deep Sea 180 tank that is 60x30 x25. I already have two lumatek 250 watt ballast, with ushio 10K bulbs. Without getting into the real high end fixtures, what would you recomend for the fixture and bulbs to use? I've even thought about using two 4 bulbs fixtures if that might work better. I will be keeping clams and sps corals in this tank.


Thanks easygoer2

Not sure you have room for anyhing other than the nova fixtures.

Front
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue
UVL Auper Actinic
UVL 75/25

Halide
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue
UVL Super Actinic
ATI Aquablue or Fiji Purple

I am assuming the fixtures are wired with the first and third lamps on one ballast so that would be the dusk/dawn pair for each fixture.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13535967#post13535967 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by darkcirca
Grim,

I wanted your opinion on this, as you were the one that recommended the bulbs to use.

We just placed an order with ReefGeek but it turns out the one is back ordered:
ATI 12000K Aquablue Special

They recommended a replacement:
Giesemann 11000K Aquablue Plus

This was our "original" list:
2 x Blue Plus - ATI
1 x 10,000K AquaSun - UV Lighting
1 x 12,000K Actinic White - UV Lighting
1 x 75/25 14,000K AquaBlue - UV Lighting

And your proposed change (F to B):
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Aquasun
UVL Aquablue 75/25
ATI Blue Plus


Should we just wait out the backorder, or any recommendations? I believe we were aiming for 'less blue'.

Go with the Gmann Aquablue. They are close. The Aquablues are a nearly white light so the look wont be as blue as you might thing based on the lamp names.

 

[DheereCrossing]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13532038#post13532038 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Montezuma
Yeah the 2 rocks in front are a little big. i have them in there cycling. I plan to cut them down a bit.

Unless that rock is to close to the glass to get a scraper in there I would leave it. It looks fantastic as is.