The T5 Q&a Thread

[gdm42001]

For a mixed reef the Solar Flare is overkill. Constellation would be great, 8 lamp tek would work.

Hi Grim,
Thanks for your reply, we all appreciate your input here.
I have been rethinking the Mixed Reef, and believe what I want is mostly SPS and a few Clams. Not to mention, if I go for one more lighting upgrade, my wife will have me walking the plank. (I think she may already be poisoning my food) What do you think of the following combination?

Aquactinics Solar Flare 48" Complete $854.95

1 UV Lighting 54W Super Actinic T5 $19.95
1 ATI T5 54 Watt 48" 12000K Aquablue Special $21.95
3 Giesemann Aqua Blue+ 48" 54 watt $66.00
1 UV Lighting 54W 10000K AquaSun T5 $19.95


Sub-Total: $982.80

 

[robojet]

Grim... thanks for your help... I posted in August, which you replied... and I'm just now ready to order my new 'awesome' bulbs.

I said I like things a little blue, you had recommended for my main display tank (24"L x ~13"W (main portion of tank) x 18"D):
Front
ATI Blue Plus or Giesemann Actinic Plus
UVK Super Actinic
UVL Aquasun
ATI Blue Plus
GE 6500K daylight
ATI Blue Plus

I've heard alot of folks referring to getting the color to 'pop', etc. I'm wondering if I will undermine that effect by going too blue...? If so, maybe I don't want as much blue as I think. So, I guess I'm asking, with the above bulb configuration, am I going to get that color 'pop' that everyone talks about? Or maybe I should go a little less blue? If so, what changes would I make to achieve that?

THANKS!

 

[jennmac415]

I always thought a little more blue was what helped the corals "pop"... maybe I am wrong. I like it on the blue side also.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13538795#post13538795 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by gdm42001
Hi Grim,
Thanks for your reply, we all appreciate your input here.
I have been rethinking the Mixed Reef, and believe what I want is mostly SPS and a few Clams. Not to mention, if I go for one more lighting upgrade, my wife will have me walking the plank. (I think she may already be poisoning my food) What do you think of the following combination?

Aquactinics Solar Flare 48" Complete $854.95

1 UV Lighting 54W Super Actinic T5 $19.95
1 ATI T5 54 Watt 48" 12000K Aquablue Special $21.95
3 Giesemann Aqua Blue+ 48" 54 watt $66.00
1 UV Lighting 54W 10000K AquaSun T5 $19.95


Sub-Total: $982.80

Instead of the Gmann Aquablue Plus use ATI Blue Plus or Gmann Actinic Plus. At least two of the 3 anyway.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13539460#post13539460 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by robojet
Grim... thanks for your help... I posted in August, which you replied... and I'm just now ready to order my new 'awesome' bulbs.

I said I like things a little blue, you had recommended for my main display tank (24"L x ~13"W (main portion of tank) x 18"D):
Front
ATI Blue Plus or Giesemann Actinic Plus
UVK Super Actinic
UVL Aquasun
ATI Blue Plus
GE 6500K daylight
ATI Blue Plus

I've heard alot of folks referring to getting the color to 'pop', etc. I'm wondering if I will undermine that effect by going too blue...? If so, maybe I don't want as much blue as I think. So, I guess I'm asking, with the above bulb configuration, am I going to get that color 'pop' that everyone talks about? Or maybe I should go a little less blue? If so, what changes would I make to achieve that?

THANKS!

The blue lamps is what creates the pop. That will not be as blue as you think/

 

[robojet]

Got it! THANKS!

 

[ricwilli]

Hi Grim

I have two fixtures, a Tek 6x39 watt bulb fixture and a 72" Constallation fixture. The Tek will be over a 40 breeder tank and will be a SPS frag tank. The constallaion will be over a 72x24x29 215 gallon tank. This will be a mixed tank with 2-4 inches of DSB. I would like to keep Acans and Zoos on the sand bed. Can you recommed T5 bulbs for these two fixture? I do not want my tank looking to yellowish or too blue. Thanks

 

[Mykel Obvious]

Hey Grim,
Change of plans yet again :lol: I'm doing a 120 gallon (48"x24"x24" with 6" DSB)... this will be a "temporary" upgrade (for the next year or so) and I will be using an 8x54w Icecap retro from ReefGeek in the canopy (ugly tank, no choice right now)

FRONT:
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue/G'mann Aquablue (depending on backorder status)
UVL Super Actinic
UVL Aquasun
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Pro Color
ATI Aquablue/G'mann Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus

My question is should I go with the VHO version or will the HO version be fine for an SPS heavy mixed reef... all LPS on sand bed, but I would like to be able to keep clams if I decide to go that way

Also, any other bulbs I should order for color options? I'm looking for blueish (14K?) with good pop and I want my red/pink LPS and SPS to have nice color... a few bulb options for playing with the look in that range would be nice

Thanks again for your tireless work on helping make our corals both more beautiful and happier!!

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13540670#post13540670 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ricwilli
Hi Grim

I have two fixtures, a Tek 6x39 watt bulb fixture and a 72" Constallation fixture. The Tek will be over a 40 breeder tank and will be a SPS frag tank. The constallaion will be over a 72x24x29 215 gallon tank. This will be a mixed tank with 2-4 inches of DSB. I would like to keep Acans and Zoos on the sand bed. Can you recommed T5 bulbs for these two fixture? I do not want my tank looking to yellowish or too blue. Thanks

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



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

 

[layer3switchguy]

Hi Grim and everyone:

Curious what you think of this light combo for my SolarFlare:

Front -to- back

Blue Plus (ATI)
Actinic (ATI)
Fiji Purple (KZ)
Coral Light (KZ)
Actinic (ATI)
Blue Plus (ATI)

Tank is mostly SPS (48x24x24) with about 1" sandbed. Would this be a good combo to keep most SPS corals at both high/mid and lower levels? Also, can I get decent growth and color with this combo?

Would love any feedback if I'm on the right track.

Cheers,
L3

 

[robojet]

THANKS GRIM... pushing the order button.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13541135#post13541135 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by layer3switchguy
Hi Grim and everyone:

Curious what you think of this light combo for my SolarFlare:

Front -to- back

Blue Plus (ATI)
Actinic (ATI)
Fiji Purple (KZ)
Coral Light (KZ)
Actinic (ATI)
Blue Plus (ATI)

Tank is mostly SPS (48x24x24) with about 1" sandbed. Would this be a good combo to keep most SPS corals at both high/mid and lower levels? Also, can I get decent growth and color with this combo?

Would love any feedback if I'm on the right track.

Cheers,
L3

I would do this

Front
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Super Actinic
Fiji Purple
Blue Plus
GE 6500K Daylight or Gmann Midday
Blue Plus


You only need one actinic and the GE will give you better color rendering as far as green and yellow colors.

 

[silverwolf72]

I don't know which way to go
Currently I run 4x54W
UVL supper actinic
UVL Aqua Sun
ATI Blue +
ATI aquablue special

I like the way it looks when the Aquasun and the aquablue come on(more natural colors but no real pop in colors)
and I like the bluer look when just the blue+ and super are on( a little to blue but no other color except what Pops) but when all 4 are on every thing looks washed out.
You think a 50/50 of blue+ and aquablue would work or would that still be really blue
This is with all light on

 

[jfl14609]

Hey grim I have come up with a cool idea for my 180 and wanted to see what you think. in the middle I am going to have my 400 watt pfo hqi pendant witha 14k bulb I was thinking of using a total of 8 3 foot t-5s (4 on each side) ovedriven on ice caps. along with 8 460 nm leds. whats your thoughts? also what bulbs would you think would work best for the t-5s? I am trying to keep it close to the 14 k look I had on my 90 that you recommended me 5 bulbs for
thanks

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13542368#post13542368 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by silverwolf72
I don't know which way to go
Currently I run 4x54W
UVL supper actinic
UVL Aqua Sun
ATI Blue +
ATI aquablue special

I like the way it looks when the Aquasun and the aquablue come on(more natural colors but no real pop in colors)
and I like the bluer look when just the blue+ and super are on( a little to blue but no other color except what Pops) but when all 4 are on every thing looks washed out.
You think a 50/50 of blue+ and aquablue would work or would that still be really blue
This is with all light on

The 50/50 mix will pop some colors but yellow and pink colors kinda suck. You could try swapping out the Aquablue for a second blue plus and see what you think, or maybe even the super actinic.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13542514#post13542514 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jfl14609
Hey grim I have come up with a cool idea for my 180 and wanted to see what you think. in the middle I am going to have my 400 watt pfo hqi pendant witha 14k bulb I was thinking of using a total of 8 3 foot t-5s (4 on each side) ovedriven on ice caps. along with 8 460 nm leds. whats your thoughts? also what bulbs would you think would work best for the t-5s? I am trying to keep it close to the 14 k look I had on my 90 that you recommended me 5 bulbs for
thanks

As long as you aren't trying to keep a lot of high light critters under the T5's you would be fine. FOR SPS and Clams I would do 6 T5's on each side.

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

 

[johnanddawn]

alright after tons of reading in this thread - thanks for all the wisdom/experience grim and others

for my future tank - 36x36x24
this is what i'm thinking

10 x 36" Lamp retro fixture with icecap reflectors on the T5's
the numbers represent the ballast they will run on

back to front
(1) VHO UVL Actinic
(2) ATI Blue +
(3) UVL Aquasun
(1) VHO UVL actinic
(2) ATI Blue +
(2) UVL Actinic white
(1) VHO UVL actinic
(3) UVL Aquasun
(2) ATI Blue +
(1) VHO UVL Actinic
1 = icecap 660 ballast 12 hours
2 = icecap 660 ballast 8 hours
3 = standard ballast 4 hours

I may decide to trade out two of the VHO for T5 actinics or blues but concerned about wiring VHO/T5 on same ballast
thinking 20K radium look with plenty of PAR - what do you think?any changes???

 

[Mark426]

Grim,

I want to thank you with helping me/us with the 1000’s of T5 questions, quite a labor of love. I would have wasted many $$ trying to get the right look with my fixture without your help.

The only thing I am confused about is the use of Actinic lamps along with ATI Blue+. I experimented with a pair of Blue+ and Actinic lamps and by turning on/off the Actinic, I could tell absolutely no difference in the way my corals looked (fluoresced). As a matter of fact, the Actinic seemed to only wash out my colors slightly with no increase in the so called pop. For my use, it seems just a waste of available PAR. I have some highly fluorescent corals in my tank.

I would really appreciate if you or someone else could try this experiment and see if Actinic used in combo with Blue+ (or other manf equivalent) makes any difference in the way YOUR corals look or is it just my eye/tank/corals.

Thanks,
Mark

edit: Used UVL Actinic lamp

 

[gdm42001]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13540387#post13540387 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Instead of the Gmann Aquablue Plus use ATI Blue Plus or Gmann Actinic Plus. At least two of the 3 anyway.

Thanks again,
Order Placed
Waiting for the big brown truck :dance:

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13542696#post13542696 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by johnanddawn
alright after tons of reading in this thread - thanks for all the wisdom/experience grim and others

for my future tank - 36x36x24
this is what i'm thinking

10 x 36" Lamp retro fixture with icecap reflectors on the T5's
the numbers represent the ballast they will run on

back to front
(1) VHO UVL Actinic
(2) ATI Blue +
(3) UVL Aquasun
(1) VHO UVL actinic
(2) ATI Blue +
(2) UVL Actinic white
(1) VHO UVL actinic
(3) UVL Aquasun
(2) ATI Blue +
(1) VHO UVL Actinic
1 = icecap 660 ballast 12 hours
2 = icecap 660 ballast 8 hours
3 = standard ballast 4 hours

I may decide to trade out two of the VHO for T5 actinics or blues but concerned about wiring VHO/T5 on same ballast
thinking 20K radium look with plenty of PAR - what do you think?any changes???

That would probably be OK but if it were me I would run the high PAR lamps (Aquasuns) on the Ice Cap ballast. You can run VHO and T5's on the same ballast. I would also use a Aquablue instead of the UVL Actinic White. The AW is a pinkish color light. With the 2 Aquasuns you are getting enough red spectrum.


FRONT

(2) ATI Blue Plus
(3) ATI Aquablue
(1) VHO UVL actinic
(3) UVL Aquasun
(2) ATI Blue Plus
(2) ATI Aquablue
(3) UVL Aquasun
(1) VHO UVL Actinic
(3) ATI Aquablue
(2) ATI Blue Plus

1 = PFO or Workhorse ballast 12 hours
2 = icecap 660 ballast 10 hours
3 = Icecap 660 ballast 6 hours

That will give you two VHO Actinics for Dusk/dawn
2 VHO Actinics and 3 Blue Plus and 1 Aquablue for early morning/late afternoon and add in 2 Aquasuns and 2 aquablues for midday.