The T5 Q&a Thread

[renisel]

I have used halides since I started in the hobby, but have decided to try out T5's since I was temporarily tankless and am now setting up two new tanks. They are both 40 breeders; one will be SPS and the other will be LPS/softies. The SPS tank has a 6-bulb Tek fixture, and the LPS/softie tank will have a canopy with the T5's retrofitted, using Aquactinics reflectors. I just wanted to make sure that the bulb combinations I've chosen will suit my needs. They are:

SPS:
(all Giesemann bulbs)
Front
pure actinic
aquablue+
midday
aquablue+
midday
pure actinic

LPS/softie:
Front
UVL super actinic
Current daylight
Current daylight
UVL super actinic

Thanks.

 

[ento-reefer]

Bulb choice

Bulb choice

I just ordered a 6x54w ATI pm for my 95 gal wave tank. I am looking for a 14kish look and I plan to include a pro color because I like the way it brings out the reds.

I ordered these bulbs:

ATI blue + x3
ATI blue special x2
ATI pro color x1

Is this a good selection? I am wondering if I should swap out one of the blue + for an actinic? What would be the best order to place the bulbs? I plan on keeping mostly SPS with a few LPS and zoas in the lower light areas.

Thanks for any suggestions.

 

[brian2kgt]

I've been searching through these threads but haven't found many combos for 5 x 80w. There seems to be less bulb options in the 60". This tank will be a 125g with mostly LPS and softies. I think I would probably like to stay away from too blue of a look. I was thinking about this, any other suggestions?

Front
ATI Blue Plus
ATI True Actinic
Giesemann 6000k Midday
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue

 

[Mark426]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13750639#post13750639 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by noboddi
I am considering T5 for my 55 gallon (36x18x20). I have never used them before, having used MH and PC so far. One thing I have heard is that the reflector makes all the difference with T5. The two systems I am considering are the Aquatinics and the Tek Light.

What I don't understand is the Aquatinix is 5x39w, and a bit more expensive, and the Tek light is 6x39w. Are the reflectors in the Aquatinics that much better? How quiet are they (my tank is in my living room)? What bulb configurations should I look at?

I have the Aquactinics TX5 over my tank. The fans are very quiet. Its in my living room and I dont mind the sound. I can hear them but just barely.

Mark

p.s. I love the Aquactinics fixture. The only other one I even considered was the ATI. IMO...the Aquactinics TX5 is 100 times better than the TEK.

 

[quincy2008]

I do not like 6500 bulbs. My experience has been they produce nuisance algae. When I switched to 10K bulbs the problem went away. They are fine in refugiums.

 

[Aqua Keepers]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13749251#post13749251 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Todd March
Fauna Marine has just announced new T5 fixtures that will be dimmable (non dimmable models too) and able to run/controlled by the Profilux controllers. Like the Powermodules they will offer 4, 6, 8 and 10 lamp models, and feature active cooling.

More information HERE

I think the Reefgeek ones will have their own controller that's supposed to have some crazy lighting options.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13754959#post13754959 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Lukan
Hi Grim Reefer,

Thank you for you recommendation on 6 bulb configuration to bring out the reds, oranges, pinks, blues, yellows and greens strictly on a florida ricordia tank.


Front
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Super Actinic
ATI Pro Color
ATI Blue Plus
GE 6500K Daylight
ATI Blue Plus

What would you recommend on a 4 bulb and 8 bulb configuration.
Just trying to cover all my options.

Thank you again.

Blue Plus
Aquasun
Blue Plus
Aquablue

for an 8 lamp mix add a Blue Plus and Aquabl;ue to the 6 lamp mix

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13755135#post13755135 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by renisel
I have used halides since I started in the hobby, but have decided to try out T5's since I was temporarily tankless and am now setting up two new tanks. They are both 40 breeders; one will be SPS and the other will be LPS/softies. The SPS tank has a 6-bulb Tek fixture, and the LPS/softie tank will have a canopy with the T5's retrofitted, using Aquactinics reflectors. I just wanted to make sure that the bulb combinations I've chosen will suit my needs. They are:

SPS:
(all Giesemann bulbs)
Front
pure actinic
aquablue+
midday
aquablue+
midday
pure actinic

LPS/softie:
Front
UVL super actinic
Current daylight
Current daylight
UVL super actinic

Thanks.

In the SPS mix replace the Pure Actinics with Actinic Plus and on Aquablue with a Pure Actinic

For the softies use 1 Aquablue in place of one of the daylights.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Re: Bulb choice

Re: Bulb choice

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13755301#post13755301 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ento-reefer
I just ordered a 6x54w ATI pm for my 95 gal wave tank. I am looking for a 14kish look and I plan to include a pro color because I like the way it brings out the reds.

I ordered these bulbs:

ATI blue + x3
ATI blue special x2
ATI pro color x1

Is this a good selection? I am wondering if I should swap out one of the blue + for an actinic? What would be the best order to place the bulbs? I plan on keeping mostly SPS with a few LPS and zoas in the lower light areas.

Thanks for any suggestions.

I would try that mix of lamps.

Front
Blue Plus
Aquablue
Pro Color
Blue Plus
Aquablue
Blue Plus

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13755313#post13755313 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by brian2kgt
I've been searching through these threads but haven't found many combos for 5 x 80w. There seems to be less bulb options in the 60". This tank will be a 125g with mostly LPS and softies. I think I would probably like to stay away from too blue of a look. I was thinking about this, any other suggestions?

Front
ATI Blue Plus
ATI True Actinic
Giesemann 6000k Midday
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue

That should get you what you want

 

[noboddi]

Two quick questions. My 55 is an acrylic tank, if I were to go with the Aquactinics, do I need the spacer to lif the fixture off the tank?

Second question, I will be keeping a softie mix. I am thinking my bulb selection should be:

Aqua Blue
Actinic
Daylight
Actinic
Aqua Blue

And I did see that post on Cherry Corals. I am more interested in the Aquactinics upgrade that will mix LED with T5 to produce shimmer and add moonlights. In either case, I am afraid that will be beyond my budget

 

[fareforce]

I have a nova extremepro 6 bulb fixture w/ individual reflectors, and like about a 14k look. My tank is mainly SPS, and some zoas, and I would really like the colors to pop. My only delema is I live in Alaska so DrFosters is the only place that ships up here with reasonable charges. What would you recomend from them, or do you recomend just bitting the bullet and going with a different company? My tank is a 4' 110g so it is a 29" deep tank, but has a 6" sandbed.

 

[ento-reefer]

Re: Re: Bulb choice

Re: Re: Bulb choice

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13756484#post13756484 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
I would try that mix of lamps.

Front
Blue Plus
Aquablue
Pro Color
Blue Plus
Aquablue
Blue Plus

Thanks a bunch Grim. I have read through about half of this thread and all I can say is WOW!:eek1:

I think this is one of the most informative threads I have taken the time to read. Thanks for all of time you put into answering everyones questions.

 

[renisel]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13756447#post13756447 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
In the SPS mix replace the Pure Actinics with Actinic Plus and on Aquablue with a Pure Actinic

For the softies use 1 Aquablue in place of one of the daylights.

Thanks. Just out of curiosity, what is the purpose of replacing the pure actinics with actinic+? Will it just give better color or do they provide significantly more PAR?

 

[hpglow]

Hey grim I just wanted to give you an update. As you may or may not remember you suggested that I supplement my T5s with some HO LEDs to produce shimmer for my wife to be happy. I went ahead with that plan. I must say that they do in-fact produce some good shimmer, even better than the 150 HQI that I had there before. My light setup is True Actinic, AB Special, 12x Cree Q5 bin emitters, Blue+, True Actinic. I will be adding two more lamps after my corals get acclimated I don't want any mushrooms melting. I will also be taking one of the actinics out after the acclimation period. Anyway here are some pics of the tank.

The original 400w PC / 150W MH setup.

Two T5s comming on in the morning.

The same two lamps with the LEDs running. This is the setup I run most of the day.

And finally four T5s running with the LEDs.

 

[noboddi]

I did a lot of reading and went with the Tek fixture. Given that I have 2 Geisemann bulbs, my bulb setup will be:

ATI Blue Plus
UVL Super Actinic
Geisemann Midday
Geisemann Aquablue Plus
UVL 72.25
ATI Blue Plus

I can swap out the Geisemanns for a Aquasun and another Blue Plus at some point. Does this sound right?

 

[TomRep]

Hey Grim, have a question for you. i'm running a NEP on a 50 breeder. going to be sps/zoa dominated. just got the fixture and swapped out three of the bulbs for: AquaSun, Super Actinic, Actinic white. i'm looking at replacing the other three bulbs and was considering: KZ Figi Purple, ATI Blue plus, and a KZ next generation. my question is, depending on how I place the bulbs, what kind of color would I get out of this combo? i'm looking at placing the order for the last three bulbs tomorrow, but i'm afraid the tank will be too pink looking. thanks a bunch!
tom

 

[Gooli]

hey grim, quick question...looking to do a very basic reef with softies only..it's a 90g standard sized tank - 48"x18"x24"

i want to have the absolute minimal T5 setup to avoid high evaporation and heat issues - i was thinking 2x36" HO T5 SLS retro with a glass cover on the tank to cut back evap...what do u think? would u recommend something different?

thanks!

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13756611#post13756611 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by noboddi
Two quick questions. My 55 is an acrylic tank, if I were to go with the Aquactinics, do I need the spacer to lif the fixture off the tank?

Second question, I will be keeping a softie mix. I am thinking my bulb selection should be:

Aqua Blue
Actinic
Daylight
Actinic
Aqua Blue

And I did see that post on Cherry Corals. I am more interested in the Aquactinics upgrade that will mix LED with T5 to produce shimmer and add moonlights. In either case, I am afraid that will be beyond my budget

The fixture can sit right on the tank. I would use 2 Blue Lamp in the mix. Either ATI Blue Plus or Giesemann Actinic Plus. Put a blue in the first and 4th positions.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13756834#post13756834 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by fareforce
I have a nova extremepro 6 bulb fixture w/ individual reflectors, and like about a 14k look. My tank is mainly SPS, and some zoas, and I would really like the colors to pop. My only delema is I live in Alaska so DrFosters is the only place that ships up here with reasonable charges. What would you recomend from them, or do you recomend just bitting the bullet and going with a different company? My tank is a 4' 110g so it is a 29" deep tank, but has a 6" sandbed.

If you have mainly SPS I recommend a different fixture. A Nova Pro isn't enough light for a tank that tall unless the stonies are all on top of the rocks.