The T5 Q&a Thread

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13679808#post13679808 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by CFranklin25
for a 4 bulb fixture, I am looking to run 2 ATI blue plus on the outside with any combination of these in the middle:

aqua blue special
procolor
Aquasun
super actinic

Can grim or anyone else please suggest what would be best...keeping mainly LPS with some SPS

also, what is the deal with fiji purple...are people not recommending them anymore?

I'd do the Aquasun and Super Actinic

I've never been impressed by the fiji lamp but some others like them.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13689897#post13689897 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jabber49
grim im going to T5 from MH...i have a nova extreme 8 bulb fixture...what bulbs can you recommend for a zoa/acan tank...i have no SPS....i like a bluer hue to my tank

i was thinking:

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


would an ati procolor do anything for my zoos and acans

Might sneak a pro color in instead of a Aquablue if you have reds but other than that the mix looks good.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13690195#post13690195 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rtparty
Mine was forgotten too!:lol:

I know that Grim is busy so I wasn't terribly upset.

I NEVER FORGET

(But I do Miss, just not in your case )

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&postid=13676597#post13676597

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13690489#post13690489 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ryanvan
I am going to install a 6 bulb retro with Aquactinics reflectors over my 72 gallon Bow-front tank. I am going to keep mainly sps corals. Should I overdrive all six bulbs or just four. What bulbs should I use.

I'd overdrive the center 4 lamps

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

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13693723#post13693723 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by yeldarbj
Grim,

How do the Aquactinics reflectors (for retros) compare to IceCap and Tek? The Aquactinics are only 2" wide compared to 2 1/2 for IceCap - would that help or hurt it in comparison?

Thanks

Barely better than the Ice Cap, Destroys the tek

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13693925#post13693925 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jbrinker
I am about to change from real old-school (40W) t12's on my "low light" reef tank to T5. Currently I have (2) ATI actinic 03 and (2) GE 6500K with (1) that I can't remember (looks sorta purple compared to the others). One of the 6500's is dying, so effectively I have only (4) bulbs peak.

Currently I have enough to switch to T5's, but will probably start with just 2 or 3 bulbs. I keep only low light stuff like mushrooms etc.

I'd like to plan on up to (6) (I have three dual ballasts) bulbs eventually. But I'd like to start with 2, and work my way up.

What combo would give me a nice bluish white with both on, and the option of "dawn and dusk" actinic like I do now?

Then what would be the order to add bulbs (say one at a time per every couple weeks) to maintain a nice blue pop, with a nice whitish glow to things like my sand?

Thanks !!

Jeff

2 Blue Pluses, 1 Actinic and 1 Daylight would be good for 4 lamps. Run a blue Plus and actinic as dusk/dawn. When you add more lamps do a blue Plus and ATI Aquablue

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Did I miss anyone?

 

[Rickyrooz1]

Grim, I am currently running two 250w Phoenix 14K DE MH's and a 54w ATI Blue Plus and a 54w UVL Super Actinic for supplementation. Are the two actinics listed above going to give me the most PAR for an actinic combo or is there a better combo? I don't want to have two blue plus or two super actinics, I like having one of each if that helps. THANKS!

 

[plateboy3293]

I have a 120 gallon tank 30in top to bottom. My current light setup is 2 175 watt mh, 48 watts 50/50 atnics and 6500 k, 1 24 watt true atnic, and 1 24 watt 10000k. Will the nova extreme pro with 6 x 54 watts be a better choice to keep mushrooms, zoas, and softies than my current setup or can I stay with it?

 

[Bud's Reef]

Grim

Last year for my 120G mostly LPS and softies you recommended that I go with:

Front

ATI Blue Plus
UVL Super Actinic
UVL Aquasun
UVL Super Actinic
UVL 75/25
ATI Blue Plus

I've been happy with that combination and am ready to order new bulbs but was thinking about switching to an 8 Bulb Tek Fixture. If I do that what bulbs should I add and what if any should I change from the original configuration. Thanks for your help!

 

[Bud's Reef]

Grim

I also have a 6 Bulb Nova Extreme Pro over my 30G breeder frag tank. I'm not happy with the Current bulbs so what recommendation would you have for this configuration? Thanks again for the help!

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13700208#post13700208 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Rickyrooz1
Grim, I am currently running two 250w Phoenix 14K DE MH's and a 54w ATI Blue Plus and a 54w UVL Super Actinic for supplementation. Are the two actinics listed above going to give me the most PAR for an actinic combo or is there a better combo? I don't want to have two blue plus or two super actinics, I like having one of each if that helps. THANKS!

If you are worried about PAR you should be looking at a better halide reflector or changing to a higher PAR lamp. The Blue/actinic combo is best for looks.

 

[ukroylisa]

Which aquablue

Which aquablue

Grim
Which aquablue? Geissman or UVL 75/25 aquablue?
Roy


Need advice for T5 setup (Posted accidentally outside this thread)
Dear Grim,
I have a custom acrylic tank bought used, with DIY lighting hood. Tank 36" wide, 18" front to back and 28" from water level to top of DSB (What a pain). Due to bracing, open water area is 23" x 12". I am upgrading the lighting from 5 ODNO T8 GE daylights OD x2 on GE ultramax ballasts, and I VHO actinic. I want maximum PAR and a slight blue look with good coloration of corals. We plan to expand from mainly corralimorphs and rock anemones to zoa's, SPS, leathers and possibly a clam or two. I will be using 34" Aquactinic relectors to get maximum number of bulbs in the space available. Would you suggest we stick with 6 39W lamps or go for the 8 I can fit in, and OD'd or not? My LFS sells UVL and Geissman, and I bought 4 Sfiligoi super actinic 03 when they were on offer recently online. What would be your suggestions for a six and 8 bulb set-up, and would it be to my advantage to go for the ATI bulbs from reef geek.? Thanks in advance.
Roy

Interests: Reef/Fish
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Go with 6 lamps and overdrive the middle 4

Front
Actinic
Aquablue
UVL Aquasun
Actinic Plus
Aquablue
Actinic Plus

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Re: Which aquablue

Re: Which aquablue

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13701741#post13701741 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ukroylisa
Grim
Which aquablue? Geissman or UVL 75/25 aquablue?
Roy


Need advice for T5 setup (Posted accidentally outside this thread)
Dear Grim,
I have a custom acrylic tank bought used, with DIY lighting hood. Tank 36" wide, 18" front to back and 28" from water level to top of DSB (What a pain). Due to bracing, open water area is 23" x 12". I am upgrading the lighting from 5 ODNO T8 GE daylights OD x2 on GE ultramax ballasts, and I VHO actinic. I want maximum PAR and a slight blue look with good coloration of corals. We plan to expand from mainly corralimorphs and rock anemones to zoa's, SPS, leathers and possibly a clam or two. I will be using 34" Aquactinic relectors to get maximum number of bulbs in the space available. Would you suggest we stick with 6 39W lamps or go for the 8 I can fit in, and OD'd or not? My LFS sells UVL and Geissman, and I bought 4 Sfiligoi super actinic 03 when they were on offer recently online. What would be your suggestions for a six and 8 bulb set-up, and would it be to my advantage to go for the ATI bulbs from reef geek.? Thanks in advance.
Roy

Interests: Reef/Fish
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Go with 6 lamps and overdrive the middle 4

Front
Actinic
Aquablue
UVL Aquasun
Actinic Plus
Aquablue
Actinic Plus

Giesemann

 

[ryanvan]

grim. you recommended this six lamp combo ati blueplus, ge 6500k daylight, ati blue plus, uvl aquasun, ati aquablue and ati blue plus. The only lamps available locally to me in vancouver canada are uvl and giesemann bulbs. could you recommend me bulbs with these manufactures.

thanks

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Use Actinic Plus instead of Blue Plus, the Gmann Aquablue is about the same as the ATI and use Giesemann Midday instead of the GE.

 

[Cosmo^Kramer]

Hi Grim,I'm thinking about getting a Finnex 30 gallon with the 4X24W T5 + 9X1W MOONS light.The tank dimensions are 24” x 18” x 17” (Height).Would this light be ok for SPS? I've been reading the thread and checked out your website,I think it will work but wanted to ask to be sure,thank you in advance

 

[Travisxrs05]

Hey grim, I did a little bit of changes to the fixture i was getting after the combo u gave me. You told me to get 2 Blue Plus 1 Aquablue and a UVL Aquasun for a blue hue. Im now getting a nova extreme, with the lunar lights and the dusk/dawn settings. Im looking into have the colors pop but i really want to use the dusk/dawn feature and have a slight blue hue still but really want to show florescent colors. Tank is a 29 gallon with a 24" fixture. Mostly looking into being able to keep just about any kind of corals, i dont want to be limited by the lighting.

Thanks for all that you do grim

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13703598#post13703598 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Cosmo^Kramer
Hi Grim,I'm thinking about getting a Finnex 30 gallon with the 4X24W T5 + 9X1W MOONS light.The tank dimensions are 24” x 18” x 17” (Height).Would this light be ok for SPS? I've been reading the thread and checked out your website,I think it will work but wanted to ask to be sure,thank you in advance

Use good lamps and keep the higher light critters up on the rock a ways and you should be fine.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13704216#post13704216 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Travisxrs05
Hey grim, I did a little bit of changes to the fixture i was getting after the combo u gave me. You told me to get 2 Blue Plus 1 Aquablue and a UVL Aquasun for a blue hue. Im now getting a nova extreme, with the lunar lights and the dusk/dawn settings. Im looking into have the colors pop but i really want to use the dusk/dawn feature and have a slight blue hue still but really want to show florescent colors. Tank is a 29 gallon with a 24" fixture. Mostly looking into being able to keep just about any kind of corals, i dont want to be limited by the lighting.

Thanks for all that you do grim

Use 2 Blue Plus 1 UVL Super Actinic and UVL 75/25. SHould still have enough PAR and make your corals glow.