The T5 Q&a Thread

[rtparty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14041110#post14041110 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by anin
so can i run 2x39w mixed wit 2 10,000k powerbrites?then possibly run two more actinic powerbrites seperately.. would be enough?

If you really want SPS and a clam you need 4 T5's. The Powerbrites will not grow SPS or a clam. They are not meant to grow anything. People have just been trying to get them to grow things and some softies will grow under them but nothing else that needs good lighting.

I would run 4 T5's and then 2 of the blue Powerbrites. I don't like the look of the 10k PowerBrites.

 

[rtparty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14041361#post14041361 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Nanz
Hi Grim,

I noticed in a post you mentioned that I would not run a splash shield on a Tek fixture. I have a TEK 6x54 lamp fixure and its about 4 inches from the water surface. The splash guard gets dirty quite often and needs cleaning at least once a week. If I remove the guard wont it degrade the bulbs? What about the endcaps? I also am at a loss for what to do with my bulbs. Right now Im running the following

Blue +
AquaBlue
Procolor
AquaBlue
Procolor
Blue +

My bulbs are over a year old and I know they need replaced. I do like the the red from the procolor but I wondered what you though about using Korallen-Zucht Fiji Purple instead of the procolors. Should I back off on the procolors? The tank is mostly LPS and has 2 RBTA which I love to accent the red in them.

Also, How often should I be replacing bulbs.

Thanks

1 Pro Color is enough. Unless you are running 10 bulbs or more then you don't need a second Pro Color. If you like the reds you can try an Aquasun or a UVL 75/25.

I would stick with your current selection and just change out one of the Pro Colors.

Front
Blue Plus
Aquablue
Pro Color or Aquasun
Blue Plus
UVL 75/25
Aquablue

 

[rtparty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14042355#post14042355 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by spw4949
I have a 6x39w current nova extreme T5 set up, I currently have 2 10k day bulbs,2 ATI blue plus, & 2 actinics. It's looking a little too blue for me but I don't want to add another day bulb would I cut the blue at all if I added a fiji purple bulb? Or would that just add to the blue hue?

Change out one of the actinics with an Aquablue.

Who are the 10k bulbs made by? The actinics?

If your combo is too blue then try this:

Blue Plus
Aquablue
GE 6500k
Blue Plus
Aquasun
Aquablue

 

[EnglishRebel]

Need Advice on Lighting a 60x30

Need Advice on Lighting a 60x30

Grim
Can you give me some advice on lighting for my new 60x30. I really like the idea of LEDs but the price will have to come down a lot before I think I can make the plunge.
I'm starting out as a FOWLR until I can gain enough experience to add corals and other difficult to keep animals.
I'm thinking T5s and have looked at this one Sfiligoi which had 8 bulbs with each group of four switchable. I have a couple of questions.

1. What other T5 pendants should I look at?
2. How can you simulate sunrise and sunset with two banks of four bulbs? It would not seem to be a gradual increase in light intensity like sunrises are.
   [/list=1]
   
   Thanks for any information and advice you can give me.

 

[Steve Cuddeback]

Nova Extreme Pro bulbs

Nova Extreme Pro bulbs

Grim,

I have a 120 gallon mixed reef 48x24x20 with clams, anemones and LPS. Current lighting is (2) 175 watt 10000K XM Halides and the Nova Extreme Pro 6x54 watt with the stock bulbs. It is time to replace the T5 bulbs. What should I use?

Thank you

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14040593#post14040593 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by anin
hey guys, for a 40 breeder (16" height), would a single 39watt t5 supplemented with two current powerbrite led(4watt each) be enough to keep sps/clams? i wanted to run a setup that would be very energy efficient..Thanks

I wouldn't try it. It could be enough but I doubt it. Until someone takes PAR readings from a powerbrite it would be guessing and that aint too cool when you are dealing with SPS and Clam critters.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Re: T5 Question

Re: T5 Question

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14041033#post14041033 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by JurisHP
I was hoping Grim could help me as well:

I have a 180G mixed reef with a 72" Current Nova Extreme Pro fixture (12 bulbs). My tank has a ton of softies and LPS corals, as well as mushrooms, Ricordia, various zoos, frogspawn, etc. I am not happy with the stock bulbs from Current, and was wondering what you'd recommend for replacing all 12 Current bulbs?

Front
ATI Blue Plus
GE 6500K Daylight
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Aquasun
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14041110#post14041110 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by anin
so can i run 2x39w mixed wit 2 10,000k powerbrites?then possibly run two more actinic powerbrites seperately.. would be enough?

Running a couple Blue Plus T5's with the 10K LED's is probably getting more realistic.

You should start slow with corals though to see if they are getting enough light.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14041241#post14041241 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by d2mini
Sorry, Grim... the 12k is the "UV Lighting Company Actinic White". When looking at the lit bulb it has a pinkish tone to it. Definitely not yellow looking. Very close in tone to the ATI Pro Color but not quite as deep... looks a bit lighter.

So you last mentioned this order.... does it still stand or would you replace anything with something else? Would you just return the AquaSun? My Current 10k is yellow compared to the UV Actinic White or ATI Pro Color.

Front
Blue Plus
UV Actinic White
Blue Plus
Pro Color
Blue Plus
Current 10K

Thanks!!!

The problem is I wouldn't want a yellow or red lamp as the last one in the mix because it tends to show the color through. I would try the mix above and see how it looks. Having the yellow lamp with the blue and red is a good thing. It will make yellow and green critters look way better.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14041361#post14041361 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Nanz
Hi Grim,

I noticed in a post you mentioned that I would not run a splash shield on a Tek fixture. I have a TEK 6x54 lamp fixure and its about 4 inches from the water surface. The splash guard gets dirty quite often and needs cleaning at least once a week. If I remove the guard wont it degrade the bulbs? What about the endcaps? I also am at a loss for what to do with my bulbs. Right now Im running the following

Blue +
AquaBlue
Procolor
AquaBlue
Procolor
Blue +

My bulbs are over a year old and I know they need replaced. I do like the the red from the procolor but I wondered what you though about using Korallen-Zucht Fiji Purple instead of the procolors. Should I back off on the procolors? The tank is mostly LPS and has 2 RBTA which I love to accent the red in them.

Also, How often should I be replacing bulbs.

Thanks

I'd stick with what you have except use another Blue Plus where you have the aquablue between the pro colors. If you like the reds there is no sense in removing a pro color. Adding another blue plus will help pop colors a little better without taking away the red. You could try the Fiji purple in that same slot instead, it would be a subtle change from what you have.

Right around a years is about right for lamp replacement.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Re: Need T5 bulb suggestions

Re: Need T5 bulb suggestions

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14041458#post14041458 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by JurisHP
Looking for suggestions:

I have a 180G mixed reef, including a RBTA, Condy Anemone, 2 other anemones, various zoos, various polyps, mushrooms, toadstool leather, hammer Coral, Ricordia, softies and LPS, as well as various fish, mostly Tangs. I don't believe my fixture (72" Current Nova Extreme Pro T5 HO) is doing it's job as well as I'd like. I'd like to replace the stock bulbs with something better. Suggestions?

Kinda low on light for a 180 with anemones.

Try this

Front
ATI Blue Plus
KZ Fiji Purple
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue

Thats about the highest PAR mix you can get and still have a nice look.

 

[jennmac415]

Nanz... any pics of this combo on your tank?

 

[snaza]

I just updated my lighting combo a bit if anyone is interested in how this looks. I've tried almost every combo with 7 bulbs and this is what i liked the best. Very nice crisp 14k blueish look which brings out red and pink nicely

Front

Ati - Blue plus
Ati - Aqua blue
Ati - Blue plus
Kz - Fiji purple
Ati - Blue plus
Ati - Aqua blue
Ati - Blue plus

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14042355#post14042355 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by spw4949
I have a 6x39w current nova extreme T5 set up, I currently have 2 10k day bulbs,2 ATI blue plus, & 2 actinics. It's looking a little too blue for me but I don't want to add another day bulb would I cut the blue at all if I added a fiji purple bulb? Or would that just add to the blue hue?

Try the Fiji in place of a Blue Plus. Should do the trick

 

[xr4kw]

Upgrade?

Upgrade?

I'ts time to replace my VHO bulbs and I'm thinking about upgrading to T5 instead. I currently have a 36" 4x96w retrofit (2blue/2white) for my 72G bowfront. Currentley have only soft and some LPS. I may want to eventually try SPS but not for a while, noob here .

Any advise for a good upgrade setup?

Thanks very much...

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14042554#post14042554 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by o0jmadr0x0o
hey i have an 8x54 HL fixture. my tank is a 75g with zoo's lps and some sps, what bulb combo would be best with the bulbs i have..

2x marine-glo
2x current actinic
4x tru 10k
4x tru actinic 03

I am not familiar with any of those other than the current lamp.

At a guess

Front
Power Glow
Tru Actinic
10K
Current actinic
10K
Power Glow
Tru Actinic
Current actinic

 

[snaza]

Sorry grim but i think you missed me (-:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by The Grim Reefer
I need to re install the lamps in the Sunpower to take a last look at the PAR on it but after leaving the lights on for 16 hours one day I got 375 at the sand. My constellation with the same lamps plus a UVL 75/25 did nearly 270. I have 3 2" notches out of one of the reflectors for moon lights but that can't be affecting the output much. Need to do one final PAR check on that too just to confirm.

Sunpower is wicked nasty good. I am surprised they can sell them for the price they are quoting.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Thanks

thats good news. How far to your sandbed? are you using the 6 bulb sunpower with 2 fans? how is it compared to a 6 bulb powermodul (par wise?

sorry for all the questions

 

[jennmac415]

snaza, that looks great! I have been thinking of that too...Grim, what do you think a ProColor in place of the fiji purple would do to that look? It looks a little more purple than I like... I lean more towards a clean crisp blue with blues, purples, pinks reds and greens all popping... I guess what I mean is a little more blue/pinkish purple...NOT blue/purple only

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Re: Need Advice on Lighting a 60x30

Re: Need Advice on Lighting a 60x30

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14043363#post14043363 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by EnglishRebel
Grim
Can you give me some advice on lighting for my new 60x30. I really like the idea of LEDs but the price will have to come down a lot before I think I can make the plunge.
I'm starting out as a FOWLR until I can gain enough experience to add corals and other difficult to keep animals.
I'm thinking T5s and have looked at this one Sfiligoi which had 8 bulbs with each group of four switchable. I have a couple of questions.

1. What other T5 pendants should I look at?
2. How can you simulate sunrise and sunset with two banks of four bulbs? It would not seem to be a gradual increase in light intensity like sunrises are.
   [/list=1]
   
   Thanks for any information and advice you can give me.

1. 
   
   Look at the ATI 10 x 54 power module. I am not sure how they run the pairs so you would have to check with reefgeek. I suspect its 4, 4 and 2 which would be great for ramping up the lights.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Re: Nova Extreme Pro bulbs

Re: Nova Extreme Pro bulbs

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14043383#post14043383 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Steve Cuddeback
Grim,

I have a 120 gallon mixed reef 48x24x20 with clams, anemones and LPS. Current lighting is (2) 175 watt 10000K XM Halides and the Nova Extreme Pro 6x54 watt with the stock bulbs. It is time to replace the T5 bulbs. What should I use?

Thank you

Front
ATI Blue Plus
UVL 75/25
UVL Super Actinic
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus
UVL 75/25

I think that fixture has 1, 3 and 5 one one cord and 2, 4 and 6 on the other. Running the 2 blue pluses and the actinic will make a nice dusk/dawn and adding in the other 3 will brighten things up a bunch.