The T5 Q&a Thread

[gindobuck]

who hates the pro color and why
who loves the pro color and why?

 

[gindobuck]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13786598#post13786598 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jennmac415
please show pics when you get those bulbs running...that is plenty of par,... blue plus has now been shown to have higher par than the aquasun...and the aquablue is also a high par bulb..

i will definately get some pictures. my friend just got 3 blue plus and 3 12k

the corals look so much sharper
i compared the before and after like this:
it was like watching regular comcast cable tv vrs watching comcast HDTV

thats the best way i can describe it

 

[A.VOID]

Grim:

Just swapped my Tek 4 bulb for a TX5. I was at 4" off the top before, but that looks a little high. What do you think about dropping it with the splash shield?

Can I now place SPS anywhere in a 55? How about 75, 90, 120 (future tank considerations)

Current bulbs:

F
Fiji Purple
Super Act
Aquasun
Blue+
AquaBlue+
B

Any recommendations on ordering of bulbs?

 

[emoore]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13786778#post13786778 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by gindobuck
i will definately get some pictures. my friend just got 3 blue plus and 3 12k

the corals look so much sharper
i compared the before and after like this:
it was like watching regular comcast cable tv vrs watching comcast HDTV

thats the best way i can describe it

Are you saying you like the 3 Blue Plus and 3 12k or that with the pro color the tank looks much better?

 

[GAW]

I am in need for supplimentaton to my MH 250w 13k Giesemann ( megachrome-- Marine). The MH light is not much diifferent than a Uho 10k-- white with a yellow cast on the bare rock
I have an old 660 Icecap laying around so I plan on using it. The tank in uestion is 36Lx 18W x 21H.
I want a bit of a blue hue, but mainly a pop for the coral ( SPS & LPS). I'm thinking of :
1 ATI Blue Plus-- 22"
1 ATI Pure Actinic 22"
1 ATI Blue Plus 34"
1 ATI Pure actinic 34"

I understand the Icecap will overdrive the bulbs?--- is this too much just for supplimentation or should I cut back a bulb or two?

BTW the combinaton of 22" and 34" is for the 22" in front to fit in side the top door in the canopy and be able to swing up with the door

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13781949#post13781949 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Todd March
So, how much bluer is the KZ NG 14K than the Coral Light/Aquablue? Is it just slightly bluer, up to 20% more blue, or is much bluer, more like 40% or more...

I couldn't guess as to a percentage but it is noticeable. Nearly half way from a aquablue to a blue plus I would guess.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13781981#post13781981 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Todd March
Granted the phosphors used to make 03 actinics are probably the shortest lived of all, but I have seen a significant spectrum shift in my G-mann Pure Actinics after running for 12 hours a day for 5 months. They fluoresce GFP's much less, and have a more overall bland purple look to them. I can see why many Euro SPS keepers are advocating changing out T5's at 6 months. The fuller spectrums may last longer, but certinaly with the actinics, and possibly the blue tubes, I can see this being beneficial to those of us with $$$ invested in nice frags.

If makes logical sense if you think about the small diameter of the T5's. It gives us intensity, yes, but it also means much less surface area for phosphors. With less phosphores, the shift in spectrum is going to happen sooner than with the much larger diameter T12's...

On my overdriven 80 T5 system at 14 months a D&D Aquablue had a little over 80% of the PAR a lamp with less than 30 days had.

I have heard a few people claim the Giesemann blue didn't hold color as well as the ATI's. I am doing a long term test using an AS lamp which like the giesemann is made by NARVA so we will see. I will load up a Gmann and blue plus next time.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13782115#post13782115 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SoLiD
To Grim or Anyone with Good Knowledgeable Advice:

I am in the works to make a new light rack set up with 2 X 400W metal halides as my main lighting. I was going to use 8X24" (70watt) T12 VHO's For Strictly Actinic Supplementation. They would be powered by 2 IceCap 660 ballasts.

Does everyone think that it would be better for me to use 8X24" (24watt) T5 HO bulbs with Aquatinic Reflectors for my Actinic Supplementation? They will still be powered by 2 IceCap 660 ballasts.

Thanks in advance.

-SoLiD

If you are using 10K haliudes I would use half T5 Blue Plus lamps and half VHO Actinics.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13783206#post13783206 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SunnyX
Hey grim, Im looking to mix up my lighting again and was looking for a recommendation on placement of bulbs. I have an Aquactinic Constellation fixture and am looking to correctly incorporate an ATi Pro color into the mix.

Now, because of the way my ceiling is I had to hang the fixture slightly towards the back of the tank. The fixture i and inch away from the back of the tank.

What would you think is the best method of incorporating the Pro Color ? Here is what I currently run:

Front
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue
ATI Aquablue

Try a Pro Color in Place of the number 2 position aquablue and a GE Daylight 6500K in place of the 4th position. Change that rear Aquabluer to a Blue Plus, The Pro Color and GE lamps play off each other nicely.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13784231#post13784231 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Hungriee
Grim,

Heard your name over from the new to hobby threads, and wanted to seek your input. Right now, I have a relatively crappy size tank 37G AGA Tank (30Lx12Wx23H). I'm running a Sundial 4x24W fixture (8 Hour Per Day). I'm housing Monti's, Digis, and Torts, a ton of acans and frogspawn/torch corals and lots of zoas.

Everything is in check; the corals look great but I plan on buying a larger fixture (36") ATI PowerModule.

I looked into the 4 Bulb Config vs the 6 Bulb Config. The pricing with bulbs is roughly an extra 200 so I was wondering which configuration would be best fit for my current tank. I do plan on upgrading my tank to either a 36" Length (50G Tank) or a 48" Length (75G) and hanging the 36" Powermodule with the sides left out for zoas if I decide on the 75G upgrade.

For now, if I do opt for the 4 Bulb or 6 Bulb, which bulbs should I get for best color and growth for my LPS/SPS corals.

Do 6

Front
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Super Actinic
UVL Aquasun
ATI Blue Plus
GE6500K Daylight
ATI Blue Plus

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13785569#post13785569 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by WallyBackm
Thanks Grim

In what order should I put them?

also, the Geiseman 11000k aquablue plus or the ATI blue plus?

Front
ATI Blue Plus
Actinic
Pro Color
Blue Plus
GE 6500K
Blue Plus

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13786044#post13786044 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Smoke and Water
First off thanks for doing what you do. Second, I am sure you have given this out before - sorry but my eyes are killing me after 10 pages.

90 gallon mainly LPS and palys in lower half with some planned sps in the top 1/3 of the tank. I am running the Extreme Pro 6X54. Need a good combo for a crisp look with some blue. Maybe 14k look. My LFS carries a good selection of UVL so if I can get most of the bulbs there that would be a bonus.
I was looking at - ATI Blue+, UVL super actinic, UVL aquasun, ATI Blue+,UVL 75/25, ATI Blue+. Or anything else you can reccomend. Thanks

Go with what you listed. You have snatched the pebble from my hand grasshopper.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13786756#post13786756 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by gindobuck
any cons for the pro color?

Low par but with the other lamps you have it isn't an issue

 

[gindobuck]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13787205#post13787205 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by emoore
Are you saying you like the 3 Blue Plus and 3 12k or that with the pro color the tank looks much better?

oh im saying none of those.
im saying my friend has 3 blue plus and 3 12k and his tank looks really nice and crisp.

i am getting 3 blue plus 2 12k and 1 pro color (still waiting for arrival) im just currious about why ppl hate and and why ppl love it because i couldnt decide btw the pro color and figi purple. reefgeek explain to me that he feels that pro color does a better job at enhance red better then figi purple which is more for pink. thats what i got from him.
so i decided to go with pro color as a first try.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13787040#post13787040 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by A.VOID
Grim:

Just swapped my Tek 4 bulb for a TX5. I was at 4" off the top before, but that looks a little high. What do you think about dropping it with the splash shield?

Can I now place SPS anywhere in a 55? How about 75, 90, 120 (future tank considerations)

Current bulbs:

F
Fiji Purple
Super Act
Aquasun
Blue+
AquaBlue+
B


Any recommendations on ordering of bulbs?

Just like you have it. Perhaps swap the position of the fiji and the Aquablue

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13787218#post13787218 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by GAW
I am in need for supplimentaton to my MH 250w 13k Giesemann ( megachrome-- Marine). The MH light is not much diifferent than a Uho 10k-- white with a yellow cast on the bare rock
I have an old 660 Icecap laying around so I plan on using it. The tank in uestion is 36Lx 18W x 21H.
I want a bit of a blue hue, but mainly a pop for the coral ( SPS & LPS). I'm thinking of :
1 ATI Blue Plus-- 22"
1 ATI Pure Actinic 22"
1 ATI Blue Plus 34"
1 ATI Pure actinic 34"

I understand the Icecap will overdrive the bulbs?--- is this too much just for supplimentation or should I cut back a bulb or two?

BTW the combinaton of 22" and 34" is for the 22" in front to fit in side the top door in the canopy and be able to swing up with the door

That should be good

 

[divewsharks]

Since this seems to be the answer place:
on a 48L x 18H x 15W would a Constellation be too much light? I'm trying to decide between a TX5 and the Constellation.

thanks,
~r

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13788516#post13788516 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by divewsharks
Since this seems to be the answer place:
on a 48L x 18H x 15W would a Constellation be too much light? I'm trying to decide between a TX5 and the Constellation.

thanks,
~r

TX5 would be fine for about anything you want to raise, If you are planning an upgrade the constellation would work is you have no hang on back equipment. I wouldn't try any softies under it though.

 

[ajones51]

Ok, I currently have a 55 standard with 6" dsb and a current usa sundial t5ho fixture. The fixture is 6" above the water. It has the vvvvv style reflector and the 4 stock bulbs.

I just bought a 90 gallon setup that came with an icecap 660 ballast and 4 t12 vho bulbs. I know the t12's are old and need to be replaced. So I was thinking about doing a 4 bulb t5vho retro and using the 660 ballast to power them.

Can I do a 4 bulb T5vho retro and get another ballast so I can keep 2 of the t12 vho superactinics? Would this make the colors pop better? Or should I just go with a 6 bulb t5vho setup instead?

My tank is mixed reef with softies, lps, and sps (at top)

I will be using my sundial fixture in the mean time. It has done well enough on my 55. How about keeping the sundial and using 2 of the t12 vho superactinics?

I hate to waste the icecap ballast and I know the uvl vho super actinics are sweet.

 

[kmacartney]

I thought the pro color was too red for me.