The T5 Q&a Thread

[rdavis289]

I have a question. I am looking at getting a 36" x 36" cube tank.
I would like to get a retrofit kit. Now of course my question is how many 36" T-5 lights will it take. I know, I know. Depends on what type of coral. Pretty much some SPS and some clams on the bottom, tank height 24".
Now the question, would 8 x 39w work?

Thank you in advance.

 

[RobertK]

Hey Grimmy,

Thanks a lot for all the help. You da man! :thumbsup:

Robert

 

[hiero4life]

I'm setting up a 120 4x2x2, looking at keeping mostly softies for now. I ordered a 4x54 ice cap 660 retro, and I'm looking for a 20k ish look. I plan on getting a clam later would I need to add more light? If so would a 2x54 or would I need to run a ice cap 430?
Thanks

 

[rbja]

Hi Grim,

I have a Aquactincs Tx5 on a 75 gallon tank with mostly SPS and LPS. What bulbs would you recommend for me?

Thank you.

 

[dkirchoff]

What would Grimm do for 8 x54w on a 120gl?
A?
- 420nm by Current
- 10k by Current
- 420nm by Current
- 6,500k by Phillips
- 10k by Current
- 6,500k by Phillips
- Actinic blue by Hagen
- 18k by Hagen
B? -
- 420nm by Current
- 10k by Current
- 420nm by Current
- 460nm by Current
- 10k by Current
- 460nm by Current
- Actinic blue by Hagen
- 18k by Hagen

 

[SSalty]

Man, if Grim would charge per post, he would be a millionare.

My question:

I have the TX5 fixture and I love the color from the blue plus'. I have an SPS tank. Would it be wise to use (3) blue plus', and if so, what would be the best bulbs to choose for the other (2) spots? Would having 3 blue plus' have a negative effect on SPS growth?

Thank you!!

 

[rcranf1]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13864747#post13864747 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
The name of the lamp. ATI has a little better output,

so theres no big difference and I will be ok if I go with the Gmann Actinic Plus

 

[gig]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13870902#post13870902 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SSalty
Man, if Grim would charge per post, he would be a millionare.

My question:

I have the TX5 fixture and I love the color from the blue plus'. I have an SPS tank. Would it be wise to use (3) blue plus', and if so, what would be the best bulbs to choose for the other (2) spots? Would having 3 blue plus' have a negative effect on SPS growth?

Thank you!!

I'll be his agent then, $5 per answer? I'll take my 10% cut!

 

[S'valeReef]

Hi Grim,
I have a BioCube 29 and just picked up a 24" 4 bulb X24W fixture yesterday. It came with cheapo bulbs, two daylight and two actinic. I'm up for replacing the bulbs for better ones but not sure what configuration.

Thanks for your help.

 

[hapka16]

Hi grim. I am in need of replacing my bulbs on my light fixture. I have a 6x39 fixture over a 30 gallon tank. My fixture does have individual reflectors but not good ones. I am starting to convert my tank to mostly LPS and zoos with the occasional sps. What bulbs would you recommend for good color and fluorescence and will also give my tank a more bluer look? Thanks so much for the help.

Justin

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13866086#post13866086 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Canarygirl
Which bulb can promote better pinks/yellows without creating a pinky-purple tone like the figi purple and the pro-color both do? I need a 60" bulb and I haven't been able to find the 75/25 bulb in a 60" length. There is an Aqua Perfekt bulb (the "Duo") that says it has a peak in that red area...would that be a good alternative?

Best you could do is use a GE daylight if you dont want to see red.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13866220#post13866220 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by gig
oh and what about doing 1 row T5 ATI aquablue and 1 row t5 ATI blue plus?

That would look a little more white. Id do the two blue plus

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13866299#post13866299 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rdavis289
I have a question. I am looking at getting a 36" x 36" cube tank.
I would like to get a retrofit kit. Now of course my question is how many 36" T-5 lights will it take. I know, I know. Depends on what type of coral. Pretty much some SPS and some clams on the bottom, tank height 24".
Now the question, would 8 x 39w work?

Thank you in advance.

I'd do 10 at least.

 

[gig]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13873218#post13873218 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
That would look a little more white. Id do the two blue plus

that's what I thought...you da man!

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13867411#post13867411 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by hiero4life
I'm setting up a 120 4x2x2, looking at keeping mostly softies for now. I ordered a 4x54 ice cap 660 retro, and I'm looking for a 20k ish look. I plan on getting a clam later would I need to add more light? If so would a 2x54 or would I need to run a ice cap 430?
Thanks

If the clam is under the lamps it would be fine. If not add a couple more.

Front
ATI Blue Plus
UVL 75/25
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Blue Plus

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13868917#post13868917 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rbja
Hi Grim,

I have a Aquactincs Tx5 on a 75 gallon tank with mostly SPS and LPS. What bulbs would you recommend for me?

Thank you.

Front
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Super Actinic
UVL Aquasun
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13870431#post13870431 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by dkirchoff
What would Grimm do for 8 x54w on a 120gl?
A?
- 420nm by Current
- 10k by Current
- 420nm by Current
- 6,500k by Phillips
- 10k by Current
- 6,500k by Phillips
- Actinic blue by Hagen
- 18k by Hagen
B? -
- 420nm by Current
- 10k by Current
- 420nm by Current
- 460nm by Current
- 10k by Current
- 460nm by Current
- Actinic blue by Hagen
- 18k by Hagen

I personally wouldn't use any of those lamps except the Phillips. Having never seen the hagen on 420 current I cant even give you an opinion of what those mixes would look like.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13870902#post13870902 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SSalty
Man, if Grim would charge per post, he would be a millionare.

My question:

I have the TX5 fixture and I love the color from the blue plus'. I have an SPS tank. Would it be wise to use (3) blue plus', and if so, what would be the best bulbs to choose for the other (2) spots? Would having 3 blue plus' have a negative effect on SPS growth?

Thank you!!

Front

ATI Aquablue
Blue Plus
UVL 75/25
Blue Plus
Blue Plus

Should have good PAR

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13871133#post13871133 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rcranf1
so theres no big difference and I will be ok if I go with the Gmann Actinic Plus

Yeah

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13873062#post13873062 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by S'valeReef
Hi Grim,
I have a BioCube 29 and just picked up a 24" 4 bulb X24W fixture yesterday. It came with cheapo bulbs, two daylight and two actinic. I'm up for replacing the bulbs for better ones but not sure what configuration.

Thanks for your help.

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