The T5 Q&a Thread

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13707080#post13707080 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by scoobyalty
Grim......I need some lighting help! I currently have a 125g that is 22" deep with 2-250MH 10,000 XM and 4-55w PC Actintic and definetely need to do an upgrade.....I just purchased a 220g that is 72"x24"x30" and would like to keep a mixed tank with clams as I currently have. I need some direction as to if I should keep the MH lighting and add some T5 to it or if I would be able to go all T5 lighting. I really like the idea of it running much cooler with the T5 setup being that I had some heat issues this summer. The LFS told me I could go with 8 48" T5's but I really want to get it right the first time. I have read through just about this whole thread and found a few posts that were similar but some input to my personal needs would be awesome.

With the Clams on the sand I might be a little concerned about T5's on a 30" tall tank.

8 60" T5 lamps with Reefgeek Brand reflectors and Ice Cap ballasts would be my weapon of choice.

However, Running 8 48" lamps on one end and using a halide the light the last 2 feet at the other end for a clam lagoon could look sweet too. You could probably get away with 6 T5's if you kept the high light stuff on top of the rock or below the halide.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13707295#post13707295 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Giga
I have a tank thats 25"x21"x16" and corals being about 14" at the deepest. Is a 4x24" enought on advance ballast's for sps?

Plenty

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Re: im an idiot

Re: im an idiot

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13707354#post13707354 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rtparty
I can't believe I missed that! What an idiot!

Does the ATI put out more light with 6 bulbs then the 7 from the Aquactinics?

ABout the same I would guess, both are nice fixtures in their own right.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13707603#post13707603 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Mark426
Mr. Grim,

I know this has been asked before, couldnt find it...sorry in advance.
I have been thinking about adding a Crocea clam. I am running an Aquactinics TX5 with:

frt-
Aquablue Special
Blue+
Pro Color
Fiji Purple
Blue+

The place where the clam could go is 14" below the fixture and located in the front of the tank. IYO, do you think a Crocea will do fine with the light available or should I not risk it. Didnt ask in the clam forum, they are not up on T5 (yet)

Thanks again,
Mark

As long as the clam in beneath the lights you should be fine.If it is off to the front of them it might not get enough.

 

[FranktheTankTx]

Hi Grim -

What's a good 12k or 14k T5 bulb & actinic choice? I have a 24" Nova Extreme 2x24w w/ Current 10k & 460nm bulbs. I want a bluer look with the ability to "pop" the colors on some zoo's & ric's. It will be sitting on top of a 15g tank.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13708988#post13708988 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by glenns
Hey Grim,

If I wanted to keep SPS and Clams, how many 48" T5HO's would I need on a 48x36x27 (200gal) tank with a 5" DSB? Which bulbs would you use and how would you arrange them?

Thanks,
Glenn

Your gonna want the Ice Cap VHO overdriven T5 system Reefgeek sells. I would do 10 lamps

Front

ATI Blue Plus
GE 6500K
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Aquasun
UVL Super Actinic on IC 420 ballast for dusk/dawn
ATI Blue Plus
GE 6500K Daylight
ATI Blue Plus on IC 430 ballast for dusk/dawn
UVL Aquasun
ATI Blue Plus

I'd do like 3 Blue Plus and a Daylight on one of the 660 ballasts for a late morning late afternoon look and the others for the midday

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13709336#post13709336 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by plateboy3293
Hey Grim
I think you missed me but did not forget.

I'd go with 20K halides and use the other lamps to add actinic and red spectrum. Should look nice.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13709628#post13709628 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by cubsFAN
I got 3 ATI blue plus, 1 ATI blue special, 1 ATI Pro Color and a GE 6500K to replace the bulbs in my NEP. What order should I put them in? Thanks

Front
BP
GE
BP
PColor
BP
BS

 

[luvreefs23]

Hey Grim, I have a 180 im making all sps and have a 72 aquatinics constellation fixture to light the tank. I read in this thread that there would be limits on where i could place the sps, on a 72x24x24 about how far down would u say i would be able to get away with placing sps with my fixture? Hope i didnt make a mistake going with the t5's.

Thanks
Dennis

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13710040#post13710040 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by IPT
Grim - thanks for the link on your red-house. Your contribution to this community is huge, thank you! I have a question, three actually.

Striving for the best growth/coloration of a SPS and clam tank. I see a lot of people are using just B+'s and AB bulbs.

ATI has a AB special (12K) and AB (14K). Is there a big difference between these bulbs?

What is best when mixing with ATI B+'s in a 5 bulb system for looks and growth? (I have decided to ditch the actinic).

Do you still like an Aquasun in the mix?

ATI Only has one Aquablue, they just get the names twisted by the vendors sometimes.

I do like the Aquasun in the mix to add some red and yellow spectrum

I would do 3 Blue Plus 1 Aquablue and 1 Aquasun. Turns out the blue plus has more PAR than a Aquasun when measured with a high end PAR meter.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13710809#post13710809 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by skibum1681
I've got a 40g tall tank (36"x12x"20" tall). I've got a 24" single bulb fixture with a 10,000k bulb sitting on the eggcrate on top of my tank.

I want to upgrade to a 2x36" T-5 retro kit. I dont want to spend a lot of money on this tank cuz i want to put my money to my 75g build.

There is a retro kit at aquacave for less than $150 with bulbs (36" tek 2 by sunlight supply)

1. Is there a better kit for the money?
2. What bulbs? I'm thinking a 10,000k and an actinic?

Be fine. I would add 1 ATI Blue Plus or Gisemann Actinic Plus and a Actinic, The Bklue Plus or actinic plus lamps both have very high PAR so you good good growth and killer looks.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13712465#post13712465 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by hndakd
Hey Grimm,
You helped me out before when I first went with T5s. Your help here is not measurable. I need to replace the bulbs on my TEK 6 bulb. Tank is 90 gallon 48/18/24 (maybe 22) I have a mixed reef with a couple of SPS on the top. I like the look of my bulbs now but I cant read what they are...... Im lookin for maybe a little more blue I know that 3 of them are blue plus, I think the others are UVL 75/25, some actinic, and a GE 10000k but im not sure.

Appreciate the insight

go with 4 Blue Plus, the 75/25 and a GE 6500K. With all lights on I doubt you'll miss the actinic

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13712465#post13712465 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by hndakd
Hey Grimm,
You helped me out before when I first went with T5s. Your help here is not measurable. I need to replace the bulbs on my TEK 6 bulb. Tank is 90 gallon 48/18/24 (maybe 22) I have a mixed reef with a couple of SPS on the top. I like the look of my bulbs now but I cant read what they are...... Im lookin for maybe a little more blue I know that 3 of them are blue plus, I think the others are UVL 75/25, some actinic, and a GE 10000k but im not sure.

Appreciate the insight

go with 4 Blue Plus, the 75/25 and a GE 6500K. With all lights on I doubt you'll miss the actinic

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13713178#post13713178 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jedheuer
Hi Grimm,

I am running 8 x 39 T5 HO on my 40 g ( 36"x15"x16"). I am looking for a bulb combination that will provide high PAR for my clams and SPS, as well as good growth. Also I like my corals to fluoresce somewhat but not necessarily look like a black light poster. Also I like a less blue tint than most people (tending more toward natural sunlight look). Also if I can mix in a few 6500 bulbs to offset cost, they are a bit cheaper than the others, that might be good??

Let me know what bulb combo would best suit these requirements, please.

This is an awesome thread and has the best t5 info on the net, so keep up the good work.

thanks in advance!

Try 3 Blue Plus, 1 UVL 75/25 and 2 GE 6500K daylight

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13714722#post13714722 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by FranktheTankTx
Hi Grim -

What's a good 12k or 14k T5 bulb & actinic choice? I have a 24" Nova Extreme 2x24w w/ Current 10k & 460nm bulbs. I want a bluer look with the ability to "pop" the colors on some zoo's & ric's. It will be sitting on top of a 15g tank.

ATI Blue Plus and Aquablue

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13714769#post13714769 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by luvreefs23
Hey Grim, I have a 180 im making all sps and have a 72 aquatinics constellation fixture to light the tank. I read in this thread that there would be limits on where i could place the sps, on a 72x24x24 about how far down would u say i would be able to get away with placing sps with my fixture? Hope i didnt make a mistake going with the t5's.

Thanks
Dennis

I would keep the higher light stuff up at the top but you should be good all the way down for the less light demanding SPS

 

[skibum1681]

Thanks Grim!

 

[hndakd]

Thank you grimm
im assuming that i should keep the bulbs in the same order
blue
uvl
blue
6500
blue
blue

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13716730#post13716730 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by hndakd
Thank you grimm
im assuming that i should keep the bulbs in the same order
blue
uvl
blue
6500
blue
blue

That will work

 

[usfpaul82]

Can I get some opinions on the 36" nova extreme pro 6x39? I am considering this fixture for my new 65 build? Any thoughts?