The T5 Q&a Thread

[camlov2]

Grim-
I went back and looked for 5 bulb setups to see what you would recommend for a 3 ft tank (36x18x18).

I found the following two combinations-

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

ATI Blue Plus
UVL Super Actinic
GE 6500K Daylight
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue

I am planning on doing SPS and maybe a clam using the aquactinics 5 bulb fixture. Would you recommend one of these or something different?

Thanks.

 

[anin]

so most probably a 4x39w bulb setup isn't enough on a 18" deep tank?

 

[rtparty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14093423#post14093423 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kev24k
Hey guys and Grim. I just got a great deal on a used 60Lx18WX25D with stand and all equip besides lighting. I plan on keeping a mixed reef of sps uptop and softies below. Would 6 48" bulbs be enough? I've been looking at retrofit kits such as coralvue and sunlight supply. Any and all advice would be appreciated.

A better retro kit is either IceCap or Reefgeek brand. Reefgeek has them all on sale right now. The two mentioned are the best you can buy. You can also get 60" retros

 

[rtparty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14093646#post14093646 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by anin
so most probably a 4x39w bulb setup isn't enough on a 18" deep tank?

I would say yes. Just keep SPS up higher on the rock

 

[the2ofus]

GRIM,

GRIM,

Grim,

The t5 retro kit came in from reef geek today, (2x54 w/ blue plus)
I stuck it in the hood with the 260w pc real quick to see if every thing worked. WOW....Thats all i can say, WOW.I left them on for about 20 minutes, till I saw The bta was scrunching up. When I turned them off, I had to check the pc's and make sure all the bulbs were still on....Dim.....the 2x54w t5's out shine the 4x65w pc hands down.

Thanks guy,

YOU'RE DA' MAN:thumbsup:

 

[dilligaf_biker69]

I have a custom nano that is 20 wide X 15 deep X 18 tall,

I bought a 20 Inch Current USA 6x18W Nova Extreme Pro.

From all the reading I have done so far I tried to do some research on available 20 inch T-5 bulbs to upgrade the look with no luck so far.

any suggestions?

I was hoping for a mixed reef look, sps,lps,softies

thanks in advance

Roy

 

[Jeremy Blaze]

Do the 75/25 and Aquablue bulbs look the same? I see both call them 12k bulbs.

 

[rtparty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14094473#post14094473 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Jeremy Blaze
Do the 75/25 and Aquablue bulbs look the same? I see both call them 12k bulbs.

No the Aquablue is white with a blue tint to it. The 75/25 is called a "pepto" bulb. It is pink/lavender looking.

The kelvin ratings don't work well with T5 bulbs.

 

[atlfishes]

Saw a GE Starcoat bulb that says it is 6500k. I've never seen it called that, just 6500k. Is that the same bulb that is mentioned in this thread?

 

[nicole977]

A better retro kit is either IceCap or Reefgeek brand. Reefgeek has them all on sale right now. The two mentioned are the best you can buy. You can also get 60" retros

Just wanted to know off-hand if anyone makes a regular 60" T-5 lighting kit as well (not trying to retro-fit a old fixture) that would work well on a 5ft tank? I'm thinking 6 or 8 T-5's with external reflectors would be sufficient, UVL brand bulbs too?

 

[kev24k]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14093794#post14093794 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rtparty
A better retro kit is either IceCap or Reefgeek brand. Reefgeek has them all on sale right now. The two mentioned are the best you can buy. You can also get 60" retros

So you would think a 6 60" bulbs would be good for sps up top and some softies below?

 

[rtparty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14095418#post14095418 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by nicole977
Just wanted to know off-hand if anyone makes a regular 60" T-5 lighting kit as well (not trying to retro-fit a old fixture) that would work well on a 5ft tank? I'm thinking 6 or 8 T-5's with external reflectors would be sufficient, UVL brand bulbs too?

Im not sure about the question.

Are you asking if there is a 60" fixture you can buy?

ATI Powermodule is the only one I know of but I am sure Grim knows of more.

If you are asking about retrofit kits then IceCap makes a 60" retro that can be installed into a canopy.

As for bulbs you are limited. All of ATI bulbs come in 60" same with Geissmann I believe. I would go with the ATI bulbs

 

[rtparty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14095449#post14095449 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kev24k
So you would think a 6 60" bulbs would be good for sps up top and some softies below?

Yeah that sounds good to me. Reefgeek reflectors are the best followed by IceCap and TEK.

The TEK are 3" wide where as the IC and RG are 2.5"

Grim knows more but I think with 6 over your tank you could keep SPS just about anywhere.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14086175#post14086175 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ReefEnabler
Grim,

I assume you've read this recent Dana Riddle article:

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2008/12/aafeature1

From it:


I am curious what your thoughts are on that. Obviously alot of people are using Procolors and their corals are not bleaching, people say it improves color.

Do you think this particular test relies on the fact that ONLY red light was used? Ie... if a relatively broad spectrum is provided and red happens to be part of that, its not harmful and could instead be beneficial to bring out different pigments.


Or I wonder if its strictly a threshold of red intensity itself?


Thanks

The Pro Color lamp alone might be 60% red, as part of an array of lamps it isn't even close to providing the amount of isolated spectrum they are talking about. The deeper red spectrum also causes fluorescence in a few corals

 

[nicole977]

Are you asking if there is a 60" fixture you can buy?

ATI Powermodule is the only one I know of but I am sure Grim knows of more.

As for bulbs you are limited. All of ATI bulbs come in 60" same with Geissmann I believe. I would go with the ATI bulbs [/B]

Thanks, so far I've only seen fixtures 48" or 72" on all the regular sites, but no 60"s. I guess 60" is just not a common size. What makes ATI better/different that UVL? Does UVL make the 60" T-5 bulbs too that you know of? All I know is I'm ditching my PCs for something better soon.

 

[rtparty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14095660#post14095660 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by nicole977
Thanks, so far I've only seen fixtures 48" or 72" on all the regular sites, but no 60"s. I guess 60" is just not a common size. What makes ATI better/different that UVL? Does UVL make the 60" T-5 bulbs too that you know of? All I know is I'm ditching my PCs for something better soon.

Good for you! Step up to T5 and you will never change your mind again. Just be patient and do it right the first time.

The ATI are the highest PAR bulbs and seem to last the longest. From what I know there are no 60" UVL bulbs. Grim?

Find a post from Grim reefer and click on the red house. You will learn a ton!

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14086238#post14086238 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by elmatth1
Getting back into the hobby after a year off and setting up a 20l (12" tall) mixed reef with mostly sps/lps. Was thinking about two 150w HQI. After reading the info in this thread, i think i'll try T5's instead.

How many bulbs and what colors would allow me to keep any SPS, or maybe down the road, clams? I was thinking a six bulb (24 watt each)setup would work. Any thoughts?

Current sundial is a cool fixture. It comes with lamps but they aren't that great

Front
ATI Blue Plus
UVL 75/25
GE 6500K Daylight
ATI Blue Plus

With those lamps you be good.

 

[kev24k]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14095600#post14095600 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rtparty
Yeah that sounds good to me. Reefgeek reflectors are the best followed by IceCap and TEK.

The TEK are 3" wide where as the IC and RG are 2.5"

Grim knows more but I think with 6 over your tank you could keep SPS just about anywhere.

Thanks I appreciate it. Hopefully he can chime in. I wonder if 48" would be enough.

 

[Crustman]

Hi Grim,
I don't understand this. My T-5 fixture is 35 1/2 inches long. My bulbs without counting the prongs are 33 inches long. With the prongs, about 34 1/2 inches. My bulbs are 39 Watt. Bulbs that I have found (ATI) are 24 inch, 36 inch or 48 inch. I have a 8 bulb fixture that came with my setup. Do I look for 33 inch bulbs for this. It is a 65 gallon tall tank. I was really looking forward to the ATI bulbs but don't know where to buy them at a 33 inch size. What bulbs can I use?
Thanks

 

[Icefire]

How would that go:

4x blue+
2x Aquablue
1x Midday
1x 75/25

How is the 75/25? does it help a bit like a Super Actinic but with some green/red?