The T5 Q&a Thread

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13720830#post13720830 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Harry_Fish
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

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

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13722176#post13722176 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by atlfishes
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?

You could try a UVL 75/25 instead of the actinic/ Other than that I wouldn't change anything

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13722360#post13722360 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kube
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:

SHould be fine. The ballasts are OK, Reflectors are OK, whats not to work.

 

[Stray32]

Grim,

Won't let me quote for some reason. You recommended:

4 ATI Blue Plus
1 UVL Aquasun
1 GE 6500K

In what order should these be in my fixture? Thanks again

 

[Harry_Fish]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13724939#post13724939 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
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

Seems like a lot of blue.

I tried one 3500k and one current atinic and it actually had a nice color mix.

Hmmmmmmm.....


I wish I could seee them in real life.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13725564#post13725564 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Stray32
Grim,

Won't let me quote for some reason. You recommended:

4 ATI Blue Plus
1 UVL Aquasun
1 GE 6500K

In what order should these be in my fixture? Thanks again

BP
AS
BP
GE
BP
BP

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13725641#post13725641 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Harry_Fish
Seems like a lot of blue.

I tried one 3500k and one current atinic and it actually had a nice color mix.

Hmmmmmmm.....


I wish I could seee them in real life.

If you want less blue then use a Aquablue in place of one of the blue pluses

 

[Melonbob]

I just ordered a new sfiligoi 8x80W stealth. I get my choice of bulbs, and the reatailer is suggesting this combo

>>>> 2 x Aquascience Blue
>>>> 2 x Aquacience Duo
>>>> 2 x ATI Blue Plus
>>>> 2 x ATI Special 12K

I would like a crisp white/blue light, I found a post on here for where the bulb combo was all ati aquablue special and blue+ and really liked the look. My question is, what kind of look is the above combo going to give, and is there a better suggestion? Thanks

 

[Melonbob]

I just ordered a new sfiligoi 8x80W stealth. I get my choice of bulbs, and the reatailer is suggesting this combo

>>>> 2 x Aquascience Blue
>>>> 2 x Aquacience Duo
>>>> 2 x ATI Blue Plus
>>>> 2 x ATI Special 12K

I would like a crisp white/blue light, I found a post on here for where the bulb combo was all ati aquablue special and blue+ and really liked the look. My question is, what kind of look is the above combo going to give, and is there a better suggestion? Thanks

 

[Melonbob]

I just ordered a new sfiligoi 8x80W stealth. I get my choice of bulbs, and the reatailer is suggesting this combo

>>>> 2 x Aquascience Blue
>>>> 2 x Aquacience Duo
>>>> 2 x ATI Blue Plus
>>>> 2 x ATI Special 12K

I would like a crisp white/blue light, I found a post on here for where the bulb combo was all ati aquablue special and blue+ and really liked the look. My question is, what kind of look is the above combo going to give, and is there a better suggestion? Thanks

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13726166#post13726166 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Melonbob
I just ordered a new sfiligoi 8x80W stealth. I get my choice of bulbs, and the reatailer is suggesting this combo

>>>> 2 x Aquascience Blue
>>>> 2 x Aquacience Duo
>>>> 2 x ATI Blue Plus
>>>> 2 x ATI Special 12K

I would like a crisp white/blue light, I found a post on here for where the bulb combo was all ati aquablue special and blue+ and really liked the look. My question is, what kind of look is the above combo going to give, and is there a better suggestion? Thanks

I wouldn't mess with the AS Blue use Blue Pluses instead. Other than that the mix looks ok except I might remove a DUO and use an ATI Actinic instead

 

[danielson1506]

I'm trying to cut costs with electric bill and was wondering, if this scenario was possible.

2X 5 rows of 39w t5 Icecap relectors over a 180g 6x2x2

I want to keep softies, lps, and only 2-3 sps up high on rocks directly under the rows of lights.

Im trying to cut down energy use and was wondering if I could get away with running only one row of pure actinic for dawn and dusk and 4 rows of high par lamps for the day. I would turn on the pure actinic for a couple of hours then turn it off, turn on 4 rows of t5 for 6 hours for the photoperiod and then turn back on the pure actinic.

I was wondering what 4 lamp combo would be best to mimic reeflux 12k look. Maybe a tad bluer.

Would sunlight supply reflectors increase spread or is it the same with icecap reflectors?

Thx

 

[Melonbob]

so......

4 ati blue+
1 as duo
2 ati special 12k
1 ati actinic

Is one actinic bulb enough in an 8 bulb config? Thanks for the help!

 

[rtparty]

Grim,

On the FW planted that I am replacing the bulbs on I was thinking of going with

2 Aquablue
1 Aquasun
1 GE 6500K

What do you think? Am I better to replace one AB with another Aquasun?

Thanks

 

[saltwater4life1]

Hey Grim,
I think this is what you told me before to do on my 55gal mixed reef. I couldn't find the post though...
Thanks!,
~Nick
http://www.reefgeek.com/product/54W_Blue_Plus_T5_HO_Fluorescent_by_ATI
http://www.reefgeek.com/product/54W_Super_Actinic_T5_HO_Fluorescent_by_UV_Lighting
http://www.reefgeek.com/product/54W_12000K_Aquablue_Special_T5_HO_Fluorescent_by_ATI
http://www.reefgeek.com/product/54W_10000K_AquaSun_T5_HO_Fluorescent_by_UV_Lighting

 

[faded1004]

hi, need some help in frag tank lights...

going to run 4 x t5's with icecap 660. 2 for fuge(ge 6.5k) and 2 for frag area( this is what i need some help with)...

was thinking about running 2 x UVL 50.50 mix bulbs, frags will be 2" under water and lights will be 4" above water. it should be enough to keep even some high light frgs right?

what do you suggest? too much? too little? go both 10k instead?

thanks for the help...

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13726362#post13726362 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by danielson1506
I'm trying to cut costs with electric bill and was wondering, if this scenario was possible.

2X 5 rows of 39w t5 Icecap relectors over a 180g 6x2x2

I want to keep softies, lps, and only 2-3 sps up high on rocks directly under the rows of lights.

Im trying to cut down energy use and was wondering if I could get away with running only one row of pure actinic for dawn and dusk and 4 rows of high par lamps for the day. I would turn on the pure actinic for a couple of hours then turn it off, turn on 4 rows of t5 for 6 hours for the photoperiod and then turn back on the pure actinic.

I was wondering what 4 lamp combo would be best to mimic reeflux 12k look. Maybe a tad bluer.

Would sunlight supply reflectors increase spread or is it the same with icecap reflectors?

Thx

Reefgeek has 80 watt T5 retros which are 5 foot long lamps. If you are willing to keep Shrooms and zoos the last 8 inches or so at each end of the tank it would work out fine.

Greg could throw you together a 5 lamp system but you would be looking at 2 on one ballast and 3 on the other.

I would do this

Front
ATI Blue Plus
ATI or Giesemann Actinic
GE 6500K Daylight or Giesemann Midday
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue

Run the Actinic and the blue plus in the 4th slot as your dusk/dawn but run them all day. It's a better deal than just an actinic because you'll get enough light that the corals will open up for you.

That system will draw about 500 watts.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13727028#post13727028 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Melonbob
so......

4 ati blue+
1 as duo
2 ati special 12k
1 ati actinic

Is one actinic bulb enough in an 8 bulb config? Thanks for the help!

Yes, the actinics don't make a huge difference in most corals.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13729261#post13729261 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by saltwater4life1
Hey Grim,
I think this is what you told me before to do on my 55gal mixed reef. I couldn't find the post though...
Thanks!,
~Nick
http://www.reefgeek.com/product/54W_Blue_Plus_T5_HO_Fluorescent_by_ATI
http://www.reefgeek.com/product/54W_Super_Actinic_T5_HO_Fluorescent_by_UV_Lighting
http://www.reefgeek.com/product/54W_12000K_Aquablue_Special_T5_HO_Fluorescent_by_ATI
http://www.reefgeek.com/product/54W_10000K_AquaSun_T5_HO_Fluorescent_by_UV_Lighting

Is there a question in there?

Place the lamps like this

Front
Blue Plus
Super Actinic
Aquasun
Aquablue

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13729881#post13729881 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by faded1004
hi, need some help in frag tank lights...

going to run 4 x t5's with icecap 660. 2 for fuge(ge 6.5k) and 2 for frag area( this is what i need some help with)...

was thinking about running 2 x UVL 50.50 mix bulbs, frags will be 2" under water and lights will be 4" above water. it should be enough to keep even some high light frgs right?

what do you suggest? too much? too little? go both 10k instead?

thanks for the help...

You need the frag a lot further away from the lamps than that.

I'd keep the frags at least 6" under the water and you better not be talking softies or LPS either.

I would do 1 UVL Aquasun and 1 ATI Blue Plus

Keep your lower light stuff place so they aren't directly under the lamps.