The T5 Q&a Thread

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The only 18" T5's I know of are made by current. I am not impressed by their lamps and I am not even sure if you can get the ballsts. In all honesty I would grab one of the 150 watt halide clamp ons fixtures with a 20K lamp for that tank. That will keep your clam and anemone happy and look cool.
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thank you for the reply grim, i did a little research and as you said theres really no choice out there. i just didnt want to go to the metal halide route as i dont want to heat up my tank too much and of course the cost of high electric bills.

im almost tempted to go with a 24x12x14 tank so i can get the 4 lamp combinations as you've discussed here a lot.

abr6
 
grim - i know you have probably answered this question a million times, but i just need a re-confirmation before i place my order.

i have a 36x18x18 tank that is mostly sps frags with 3 clams. currently they have 2x150w halides, but im looking to go with a t5 setup. i can either get the teklight 6x39w or the ATI 6x39w. which should i go with and why? and can you also give me a bulb suggestion so i can place my order? thanks
 
Hi Grim-I'm sure you have answered this before but I can't find this specific question. I have a standard 55g. I want to keep softies, mushrooms, zoas, and eventually some sps and a clam. Would a TX5 fixture work? Also what bulb configuration?
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13743183#post13743183 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Front
UVL Super Actinic
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Pro Color
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Super Actinic
Click to expand...


Thanks Grim,

To clarify, in my post I said for a more blue look and what you posted looks like it is probably really blue. I wasn't very clear. What I should have said was for a more blue look than I am currently running which is :

Front
super actinic
actinic white
aquablue special
aquasun
procolor
blue plus

Overall I like a white-ish blue look but also want the reds/purples to pop. Keeping in mind the front light is probably lighting glass and the back light is lighting rock, would you change your recommendation from above? Sorry to be a pain.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13743306#post13743306 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by abr6
thank you for the reply grim, i did a little research and as you said theres really no choice out there. i just didnt want to go to the metal halide route as i dont want to heat up my tank too much and of course the cost of high electric bills.

im almost tempted to go with a 24x12x14 tank so i can get the 4 lamp combinations as you've discussed here a lot.

abr6
Click to expand...

That would be a good idea. Any of the fixtures out there would give you plenty of light for that tank as long as you stick to the good lamps.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13743415#post13743415 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by redhanded77
grim - i know you have probably answered this question a million times, but i just need a re-confirmation before i place my order.

i have a 36x18x18 tank that is mostly sps frags with 3 clams. currently they have 2x150w halides, but im looking to go with a t5 setup. i can either get the teklight 6x39w or the ATI 6x39w. which should i go with and why? and can you also give me a bulb suggestion so i can place my order? thanks
Click to expand...

The Tek will do for that tank
Front
UVL Super Actinic
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Aquasun
ATI Blue Plus
GE 6500K Daylight
ATI Blue Plus
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13743563#post13743563 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ag92
Hi Grim-I'm sure you have answered this before but I can't find this specific question. I have a standard 55g. I want to keep softies, mushrooms, zoas, and eventually some sps and a clam. Would a TX5 fixture work? Also what bulb configuration?
Click to expand...

Be fine


Front
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Super Actinic
UVL Aquasun
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13743953#post13743953 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by grewbek
Thanks Grim,

To clarify, in my post I said for a more blue look and what you posted looks like it is probably really blue. I wasn't very clear. What I should have said was for a more blue look than I am currently running which is :

Front
super actinic
actinic white
aquablue special
aquasun
procolor
blue plus

Overall I like a white-ish blue look but also want the reds/purples to pop. Keeping in mind the front light is probably lighting glass and the back light is lighting rock, would you change your recommendation from above? Sorry to be a pain.
Click to expand...

I'd leave the actinics front and rear, you could swap one of the Blue Pluses for an aquablue if you want a more white look.
 
Thanks Grim. You are an invaluable resource in the confusing world of reef lighting(at least to me). Thanks again.
 
This is what you originally told me to go with for a 72x24x24 tank It is the 8x80w overdriven RG Reflectors with Icecap ballasts.

Front
ATI Blue Plus
Gmann Midday
ATI Actinic
ATI Blue Plus
Midday
Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue
Blue Plus

I was not sure if this would be a better configuration as this tank has grown to 72x36x24 and will be a peninsular bar setup. I was aiming at getting the lighting even let me know if i should do it different and what photo periods i should have on which bulbs. I figured 2 for 12hr, 3 for 9hr and 3 for 6hrs. I was not sure whether the outside Acintic or Blue plus should be my longer photo period bulbs.

Front
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Actiic
Midday
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Blue Plus
Midday
ATI Actiic
Blue Plus

Thanks again for all the help. And let me know if i am doing it all wrong.
Jason
 
Thanks Grim,

Do you usually run your Blue Plus as your longer photo period bulb or the Actinic, i am just not sure aesthetics wise since i have not used the T-5's before.

Thanks
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13744151#post13744151 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
I'd leave the actinics front and rear, you could swap one of the Blue Pluses for an aquablue if you want a more white look.
Click to expand...

Thanks Grim! Off to make the purchases and will post pics over the weekend!
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13744500#post13744500 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Lowredranger
Thanks Grim,

Do you usually run your Blue Plus as your longer photo period bulb or the Actinic, i am just not sure aesthetics wise since i have not used the T-5's before.

Thanks
Click to expand...

If I am using an Actnic in the mix I try to use a blue plus with an actinic for dusk/dawn, otherwise the blues.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13743166#post13743166 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
I hope your tank isn't very tall, the Novas do put put a ton of light

Front
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus
UVL 75/25
ATI Blue Plus
Aquablue
Click to expand...

Hey Grim, did you mean to say that the nova does NOT or DOES put out a ton of light?

I can get a constellation unit for 300 more than the nova, do you think that there is that big of a difference between the two fixtures? I do not want to make a purchase and then end up regretting it in a month. I love my halides, but the electric bill is just too high, and I can cut the wattage in half by switching to t5s.

Thank you for your input, and the bulb recomendations. It is appreciated.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13746753#post13746753 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by muzz
Hey Grim, did you mean to say that the nova does NOT or DOES put out a ton of light?

I can get a constellation unit for 300 more than the nova, do you think that there is that big of a difference between the two fixtures? I do not want to make a purchase and then end up regretting it in a month. I love my halides, but the electric bill is just too high, and I can cut the wattage in half by switching to t5s.

Thank you for your input, and the bulb recomendations. It is appreciated.
Click to expand...

Gads I am spending WAY too much time on line.

The Nova DOESN'T put out a ton of light. Sorry bout that.

The extra 300 you put out for a constellation would be the best money you could spend.

If you go for the COnstellation use these lamps

ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus
UVL 75/25
ATI Blue Plus
Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus
 
Thank you Grim! As long as the canstellation is available, I will go with that one. I learned a long time ago that there are a few things in this hobby that you do get what you pay for. Once again, thank you,
 
Hey Grim, here's some pics of my new T5's. 630 watts, 6 bulbs overdriven with Icecap ballasts and Reefgeek reflectors. 5 foot bulbs on a 6 foot tank. I set it up 1st with the bulbs inline and then staggered and it was the same both ways, just slightly darker on the ends. The colors are incredible and a camera can't do it justice. Thanks for all the help!

Tank with T5's inline, only 3 on
2003761.jpg

Sunset lights
2003763.jpg

T5's under canopy
2003762.jpg

From PC's to T5's
2003764.JPG
 
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