Bud's Reef
New member
I have a 20L dedicated to Bubble-tip Anenomes with a 4 bulb Nova Extreme over it. What bulb configuration would be best for this tank?
The T5 Q&a Thread
- Thread starter JohnL
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wbhardeman
New member
For some reason I though this thread was closed. Anyways here is my questions.
Grim,
I got a 75G and would like to grow anything.
Current livestock:
2 true clowns
2 green chromis
1 cleaner shrimp
Various hermits and snails.
Next purchase:
BTA or LTA
What I will eventually get:
Corals that flow with the current of the water
I just got a TEK 48" 6 light setup from a friend (manf. Jan 08) with the following bulbs:
UVL 75/25, UVL Aquasun, ATI Blue Special, ATI Aquablue x 3
So I just wanted to know should I just continue with this setup or try something else.
Which direction should I put them from front to back?
Also is a 12 on - 12 off ok? I have 3 timers (coralife lcd timers with 2 day, 2 night, 4 always on sockets).
Thanks for the advice.
Also..How do you clean the light reflectors?
Grim,
I got a 75G and would like to grow anything.
Current livestock:
2 true clowns
2 green chromis
1 cleaner shrimp
Various hermits and snails.
Next purchase:
BTA or LTA
What I will eventually get:
Corals that flow with the current of the water
I just got a TEK 48" 6 light setup from a friend (manf. Jan 08) with the following bulbs:
UVL 75/25, UVL Aquasun, ATI Blue Special, ATI Aquablue x 3
So I just wanted to know should I just continue with this setup or try something else.
Which direction should I put them from front to back?
Also is a 12 on - 12 off ok? I have 3 timers (coralife lcd timers with 2 day, 2 night, 4 always on sockets).
Thanks for the advice.
Also..How do you clean the light reflectors?
Last edited:
Stray32
New member
Grim,
I suppose I outta jump aboard and ask the expert. I want to replace the bulbs in my 48 inch Nova Extreme fixtures, 1- 4x54 watt fixture, and 1 - 2x54 watt fixture, both on my 75 gallon tank. I want to try a few SPS corals, but have mostly zoas and LPS. I want maximum output for the SPS and the best color I can get out of the zoas. So if I were to buy 6 new bulbs, which would you recommend?
Thanks a lot!
I suppose I outta jump aboard and ask the expert. I want to replace the bulbs in my 48 inch Nova Extreme fixtures, 1- 4x54 watt fixture, and 1 - 2x54 watt fixture, both on my 75 gallon tank. I want to try a few SPS corals, but have mostly zoas and LPS. I want maximum output for the SPS and the best color I can get out of the zoas. So if I were to buy 6 new bulbs, which would you recommend?
Thanks a lot!
scoobyalty
New member
When you say I could probably be able to get away with 6 T5's do you mean to go with 6 of the 60"? How would I go about getting Reefgeek Brand reflectors? I would prefer to either keep the MH and supplement with T5 or T12 or go all T5 (which is my preference if I can do it). I will have a 5"-6" sandbed and have no problem keeping the clams I do have higher up. I am trying to keep somewhat of a budget, if its possible haha, and reefgeek.com has a 6x80w setup for a reasonable price but they are with Tek 2 reflectors.....will those reflectors work or would I be better off trying to find all seperate parts to to put together a package? Also what bulbs would you recommend with a 6 bulb setup? Thank you again
grim i remove my mh's and ready for full t5. what do you think about this 8*54 watt t5 bulb configuration?
(i can reach only ati bulbs. any idea for less kelvin / daylight or requirement instead of Aquablue special?)
Front
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Actinic
ATI Aquablue special
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue special (instead of already 10k daylight)
ATI Pro color (already have)
ATI Actinic (already have)
ATI Blue Plus (already have)
thanks..
(i can reach only ati bulbs. any idea for less kelvin / daylight or requirement instead of Aquablue special?)
Front
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Actinic
ATI Aquablue special
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue special (instead of already 10k daylight)
ATI Pro color (already have)
ATI Actinic (already have)
ATI Blue Plus (already have)
thanks..
Grim, first off THANKS for the awesome thread!
I am making a change in my current lighting, and I wonder what you think of this...
I currently have 4 bulbs overdriven on an IC660, with either IC or Tek 2 reflectors, I also have a single true actinic bulb on a Workhorse 5 ballast that is used for color only.
My bulbs are currently 2 Geismann Aquablue +, 1 Actinic Plus, and 1 True Actinic on the Icecap.
What I am going to do is make a fixture out of Aluminum sheet, and add a 6th bulb. I am going to add active cooling to the fixture using the IceCap fan, similar to what the ATI powermodule does.
Now that I have all that out there, my question is, would a 6 bulb normally driven 54W (using 3 Workhorse 5 ballasts) fixture approximate a 4 bulb overdriven? I plan on using the same 5 bulbs I have now, and adding UVL 75/25 as the 6th (with an IceCap reflector). This would give me a total of 3 "white" and 3 "blue".
Once again, thanks a TON for your input.
I am making a change in my current lighting, and I wonder what you think of this...
I currently have 4 bulbs overdriven on an IC660, with either IC or Tek 2 reflectors, I also have a single true actinic bulb on a Workhorse 5 ballast that is used for color only.
My bulbs are currently 2 Geismann Aquablue +, 1 Actinic Plus, and 1 True Actinic on the Icecap.
What I am going to do is make a fixture out of Aluminum sheet, and add a 6th bulb. I am going to add active cooling to the fixture using the IceCap fan, similar to what the ATI powermodule does.
Now that I have all that out there, my question is, would a 6 bulb normally driven 54W (using 3 Workhorse 5 ballasts) fixture approximate a 4 bulb overdriven? I plan on using the same 5 bulbs I have now, and adding UVL 75/25 as the 6th (with an IceCap reflector). This would give me a total of 3 "white" and 3 "blue".
Once again, thanks a TON for your input.
Harry_Fish
In Memoriam
Great thread (wow talk about information!)
I have a Current Nova extreme Pro (6 t-5 bulbs) with Sylvania Dimmable ballast installed
I put a 3500k bulb (westinghouse f54t5/835/ho) in as a
tempoary fix for one of the original bulbs that has gone bad.
And while I know it is the wrong spectrum I do like that
it really brings out the yellow and orange colors.
(I realize this is also in the range that algae likes.)
I have the lights setup so they all ramp up in intensity together.
Then at end of the day the Three 10K's and One Actinic dim down to off leaving the other two Actinic bulbs on for 2 hours more
before they finally dim down to off.
I also add in a bit of red for the final sunset effect for the last hour.
It makes for a nice effect.
I'd like to replace all the bulbs (considering they are the original bulbs).
I am looking for a combination that will bring up the complete spectrum and hopefully make all the colors stand out while still giving a good amount of light (plus ones that hold up to dimming).
Thank you for your help!
I have a Current Nova extreme Pro (6 t-5 bulbs) with Sylvania Dimmable ballast installed
I put a 3500k bulb (westinghouse f54t5/835/ho) in as a
tempoary fix for one of the original bulbs that has gone bad.
And while I know it is the wrong spectrum I do like that
it really brings out the yellow and orange colors.
(I realize this is also in the range that algae likes.)
I have the lights setup so they all ramp up in intensity together.
Then at end of the day the Three 10K's and One Actinic dim down to off leaving the other two Actinic bulbs on for 2 hours more
before they finally dim down to off.
I also add in a bit of red for the final sunset effect for the last hour.
It makes for a nice effect.
I'd like to replace all the bulbs (considering they are the original bulbs).
I am looking for a combination that will bring up the complete spectrum and hopefully make all the colors stand out while still giving a good amount of light (plus ones that hold up to dimming).
Thank you for your help!
Harry_Fish
In Memoriam
Here is the combo I am thinking of:
Three - UVL AquaSun (par 345 as per Grim Reefers PAR measurements)
One - Giesemann Powerchrome Pure Actinic (par 157 as per Grim Reefers PAR measurements)
Two - Giesemann Powerchrome Actinic+ (par 264 as per Grim Reefers PAR measurements)
I may swap out one of the AquaSun with a 3500k bulb to bring up the yellow and orange ranges.
Any thoughts?
Thank you
Three - UVL AquaSun (par 345 as per Grim Reefers PAR measurements)
One - Giesemann Powerchrome Pure Actinic (par 157 as per Grim Reefers PAR measurements)
Two - Giesemann Powerchrome Actinic+ (par 264 as per Grim Reefers PAR measurements)
I may swap out one of the AquaSun with a 3500k bulb to bring up the yellow and orange ranges.
Any thoughts?
Thank you
atlfishes
Member
Time to replace my bulbs. 4 x 54w over a standard 90 gallon. I currently have
2 - blue plus
1- aquasun
1 - super actinic
That still seems to be a common recommendation. I keep a mixed reef, sps on the upper half and lfs, zoas on the bottom. I don't want to sacrifice coral growth, but I have some flame wrasses that look a little dull unless they are under the aquasun. If I were going to experiment with a different bulb, where I don't lose any beneficial light what would you recommend.
I own a retro from reefgeek and I kept the wires long. Is there a disadvantage to doing this and shorter is better?
2 - blue plus
1- aquasun
1 - super actinic
That still seems to be a common recommendation. I keep a mixed reef, sps on the upper half and lfs, zoas on the bottom. I don't want to sacrifice coral growth, but I have some flame wrasses that look a little dull unless they are under the aquasun. If I were going to experiment with a different bulb, where I don't lose any beneficial light what would you recommend.
I own a retro from reefgeek and I kept the wires long. Is there a disadvantage to doing this and shorter is better?
Well, I was directed here to ask the man here , after reading the last 14 pages of info, thats a lot to swallow. So here is my question.
I have a 4x54 Nova Extreme. Probaly not worth a lot, wish I would have built my canopy a long time ago, it gives my many more options.
I was going to gut it and use the ballasts and add 4 Tek II reflectors and ice cap end caps. Also add a nice fan to keep everything real cool.
Whats your opinion don't be to harsh on me.
No corals at the moment, would like to house an anemone, and maybe some soft corals down the road
:bum:
I have a 4x54 Nova Extreme. Probaly not worth a lot, wish I would have built my canopy a long time ago, it gives my many more options.
I was going to gut it and use the ballasts and add 4 Tek II reflectors and ice cap end caps. Also add a nice fan to keep everything real cool.
Whats your opinion don't be to harsh on me.
No corals at the moment, would like to house an anemone, and maybe some soft corals down the road
:bum:
Harry_Fish
In Memoriam
What you only read the last 14 pages.... 
Yes, it is a bit of info overload.
I had the Nova extreeme and now have the Pro version.
The ballast are just "standard" ballast so it may actually be
better to just sell the light as a complete fixture or keep it
for a spare, put on a second tank, etc.
I think you would do far better just building a new with all new parts.
I went with Dimmable ballast since my controller handles them,
while nice and a bit ofa "cool factor" they are a bit expensive.
If you want to keep an anemone I would suggest bumping up to six t-5's.
(I'm asuming you are using something like 55, 75, 90 gal tank, and not something very shallow)
I have a Green bubble tip anemone, and various softies,
they all seem happy under the six t-5's.
Good Luck!
Yes, it is a bit of info overload.
I had the Nova extreeme and now have the Pro version.
The ballast are just "standard" ballast so it may actually be
better to just sell the light as a complete fixture or keep it
for a spare, put on a second tank, etc.
I think you would do far better just building a new with all new parts.
I went with Dimmable ballast since my controller handles them,
while nice and a bit ofa "cool factor" they are a bit expensive.
If you want to keep an anemone I would suggest bumping up to six t-5's.
(I'm asuming you are using something like 55, 75, 90 gal tank, and not something very shallow)
I have a Green bubble tip anemone, and various softies,
they all seem happy under the six t-5's.
Good Luck!
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
Be OK for softies and a few LPS up on the rocks. I wouldn't try serious SPS or clams with it.
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
2 Blue Pluses, 1 UVL Aquasun and a ATI Aquablue for a more 14K look or UVL Super Actinic for a more blue look.
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
CHanging the 75/25 for a Super Actinic might bring out a little more color in an anemone.
Place the lamps so you get either the actinic and a blue in the dusk/dawn pair or 2 blues if you stick with the 75/25
Just space out the remaining lamps so the Aquasun in in the middle like 3rd slot and the Aquablue in the 5th slot.
12 hour cycle is fine. I use windex to clean reflectors.
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
4 ATI Blue Plus, 1 UVL Aquasun and 1 GE 6500K
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
If you want to go all T5's then a 8 lamp Ice Cap VHO T5 retro is the way to go, stronger output and better lamp selection. 6 lamps would work if you had a halide to provide the intensity for the clams
Front
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Super Avtinic
UVL Aquasun
ATI Blue Plus
GE 6500K
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquable
ATI Blue Plus
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
That combo should be fine but I would try to install the pro color so its a little more towards the front. Don't know of any 10K solutions in a ATI amp
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
You wont have as much intensity as an overdriven system, especially using WH ballasts.
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
You would be better off going with ATI lamps,
3 ATI Blue Plus (Higher PAR than the Aquasuns per PAR testing by Sanjay Joshi using high end equipment)
1 UVL Super Actinic
1 UVL Aquasun
1 ATI Pro Color
The ATI Pro color has a deep red spectrum that would look good combined with actinic and blue for the end of day effect you are looking for
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