The T5 Q&a Thread

[bpkenn]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13403953#post13403953 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Less blue but the aquablue has 60% actinic phosphores so it still fluoresces corals good.

Gave the Geisemann aquablue + a whirl...definitely like the ati blue plus better. Thanks for all the help Grim; my tank looks great!

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13404130#post13404130 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Kimmer322
Fantastic!! Hate to sound as uniformed as I am but how about the fixture itself. Perhaps suggest a manufacturer.

Thanks Grim!!

Five foot tank........ You might be better off getting the Aquactinics TX5 for that tank because it has a splash shield so you can sit it right on the cross braces on the tank (assuming it has 2)

In that case do this

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

 

[mojo~]

Ok I thought I would share here is tank with 2 blue +

Here it is with them all on
thid pick is a

little older.

 

[mojo~]

Running
b+
75/25
uvl super actinic
aquasun
aquablue sp
b+

 

[mojo~]

Here is blue+and super actinc

and here is all

 

[SLOreefer]

Hey grim, I just set up a 15 gallon with the dims of 24x12x12 and have 4x24w hot5's with icecap reflectors and universal ballasts. I havent wired it up yet and was concerned about the amount of lighting. Will this be too much for a mixed reef?
If not could you recommend a bulb config that would work well for most corals? Mostly lps but a few sps and zoas will be in the tank as well. thanks in advance!

 

[snaza]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13399314#post13399314 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jennmac415
OMG that is amazing!! Is that really what that combo looks like with that many aquablues??? don't they have more of a bright white look to them? If that pic is true then thats what I am doing!!! do you think that the fiji purple really helps pop the colors like that?

Softies and LPS grow like crazy. SPS do grow but not super fast.
Yes the FIJI brings out all the pinks/reds. the ballast which runs the fiji blew yesterday so my tank looks dull with out it. ill get a new one on the weekend

 

[snaza]

Anyone have any PAR or LUX readings of their tanks at water level. I just tested the LUX at my Waterlevel (lights are 4inches above) and i only got about 27000. doesnt sound very much. i have 7 bulb DIY with IC SLR, osram ballasts and ATI bulbs.

 

[almees]

Grim, I am setting up a 125 gallon tank 72x22x18 inch and was planning on running 6 60 inch T5 with icecap ballast and Tek II reflectors. I was wondering what type bulbs should I be using for the light. I would like to be able to do clams, sps, anything really. Im currently planning on ordering my lighting soon. any recomendations would be apreciated.

thank You

 

[jennmac415]

mojo I can't see the pics... that is the combo I am thinbking about going with and adding one more blue plus since I have 7 rows... so can you repost them?

 

[grubbie]

Hey Grim,

Cool name. I have a Current Sundial fixture (4 - 24w stock bulbs)on a 20g high tank. I have Mushrooms, Zoas and Polyps. I'd like to get some leather/soft corals also. What bulbs would you suggest?

 

[PC4CAB]

Grim,

Hello from a newbie! The gang over at the SPS forum told me to post my question here. Hoping you can help!

I'm looking for some advice on lamp selection for a 6 bulb T5 fixture. I was thinking along the lines of a 14K color temp, but really what I'm looking for is the ideal combination of eye popping color and good growth. The tank has a few SPS corals currently (Monti's and an Acro) and will be SPS dominate.

The tank is a 120g (48x24x24).

Thanks in advance for any guidance.

 

[holdyourlight]

HI Grim,
I am ordering a 24" Tek Light with 4 lamps for my 28 gallon bow and have these lights as my options:

AquaBlue +
Actinic +
Pure Actinic
Midday 6k
Daylight 6.5k(GE)
Super Actinic 420nm
Actinic White 12k
AquaSun 10k
75.25 14k 460nm

Could you please recommend a configuration that would get me the best color and growth combo assuming i am looking for something that looks like a halide in the higher Kelvin range and prefer my actinic looking much more blue than purple

also i saw someone earlier say that they have a 6 lamp 24" Sunshine Supply Tek, i have never heard of those, do they exist??

thank you!

 

[SLOreefer]

Grim, I finally found a post on here that was the same situation as me....please disregard my post above, I dont want you to have to waste your time telling me what to do as you are providing a great service for all! I truly appreciate it!

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13406487#post13406487 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mojo46825
Running
b+
75/25
uvl super actinic
aquasun
aquablue sp
b+

Good job Mojo

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13406616#post13406616 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SLOreefer
Hey grim, I just set up a 15 gallon with the dims of 24x12x12 and have 4x24w hot5's with icecap reflectors and universal ballasts. I havent wired it up yet and was concerned about the amount of lighting. Will this be too much for a mixed reef?
If not could you recommend a bulb config that would work well for most corals? Mostly lps but a few sps and zoas will be in the tank as well. thanks in advance!

Try this
UVL Super Actinic
UVL 75/25
GE 6500K
UVL Super Actinic

Should work.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13407981#post13407981 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by almees
Grim, I am setting up a 125 gallon tank 72x22x18 inch and was planning on running 6 60 inch T5 with icecap ballast and Tek II reflectors. I was wondering what type bulbs should I be using for the light. I would like to be able to do clams, sps, anything really. Im currently planning on ordering my lighting soon. any recomendations would be apreciated.

thank You

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

You probably arent going to fit 6 Tek II reflectors in that canopy, they are 3 1/4" wide. Aquarium specialty sells reefgeek brand reflectors that are only 2 1/2" wide. I don't think they are on the website yet so you'll have to call them

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13408224#post13408224 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by grubbie
Hey Grim,

Cool name. I have a Current Sundial fixture (4 - 24w stock bulbs)on a 20g high tank. I have Mushrooms, Zoas and Polyps. I'd like to get some leather/soft corals also. What bulbs would you suggest?

Front
Blue Plus
UVL Super Actinic
GE 6500K
Blue Plus

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13409579#post13409579 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by PC4CAB
Grim,

Hello from a newbie! The gang over at the SPS forum told me to post my question here. Hoping you can help!

I'm looking for some advice on lamp selection for a 6 bulb T5 fixture. I was thinking along the lines of a 14K color temp, but really what I'm looking for is the ideal combination of eye popping color and good growth. The tank has a few SPS corals currently (Monti's and an Acro) and will be SPS dominate.

The tank is a 120g (48x24x24).

Thanks in advance for any guidance.

I'd do 8 lamps on a tank that size. If you are using 6 I hope you are using good equipment

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

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13410424#post13410424 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by holdyourlight
HI Grim,
I am ordering a 24" Tek Light with 4 lamps for my 28 gallon bow and have these lights as my options:

AquaBlue +
Actinic +
Pure Actinic
Midday 6k
Daylight 6.5k(GE)
Super Actinic 420nm
Actinic White 12k
AquaSun 10k
75.25 14k 460nm

Could you please recommend a configuration that would get me the best color and growth combo assuming i am looking for something that looks like a halide in the higher Kelvin range and prefer my actinic looking much more blue than purple

also i saw someone earlier say that they have a 6 lamp 24" Sunshine Supply Tek, i have never heard of those, do they exist??

thank you!

Actinic Plus
75/25
Aquablue
Actinic Plus