The T5 Q&a Thread

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14146609#post14146609 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by WinnipegDragon
Hi Grim!

You helped me out once already on my 120g 8x54w TEK system, and I'm hoping you can suggest some nice lighting for my new 20g shallow nano.

The fixture is a Current Sundial 24". Not true individual reflectors, but one reflector that is contoured around each bulb. This will be a SPS tank maybe a clam as well, but it's only 12" deep so huge PAR is not that important.

This tank will be in my Kitchen which is predominately Orange/Black in tones, but I am using blue accents, so a slightly bluer colouration would be nice.

My bulb brand selection is a bit limited: Geisemann, URI, K-Z Fiji Purple, Coralife (ugh) and Aqua Science (?).

Front
Giesemann actinic Plus
UVL 75/25
Gmann Aquablue
Actinic plus

UVL = URI

 

[Flightpipe]

I have a 75g tank with sps lps and some zoos and clam in the future, i purchased a current nova extreme 8 bulb fixture right now I have 4 10k's and 4 actinics and I know nothing about bulbs I'll start reading this thread tomorrow but i am on my phone now so I'll just ask.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Bill14



Grim - First off thanks for providing so much useful info. I've been researching T5 lighting and learned a great deal from your posts in various threads.

I'm considering upgrading my current lighting (2x150W DE MH, 2x96W PC) on my 90g tank. I'm just not getting the penetration I'd like out of my setup and my growth lower in the tank seems very slow. It looks like my choices are 2x250W MH or 6-8x T5s. I'm leaning towards T5s now because of the power effeciency and flexibility in coloration.

So, it appears there are 2-3 front runners on the T5 fixtures capable of penetrating to the sand bed in my tank with reasonable PAR to keep most anything. The ATI Powermodule, ATI Sunpower, and Aquactinics Constellation. It appears the Powermodule leads the pack and has a price tag to match. The Constellation seems like it will meet my needs and looks pretty nice. I really like the 7th bulb for the added flexibility. I haven't seen much info on the Sunpower yet. The price seems great and from one post I've seen of yours the performance seems good too.

So, break it down for me Grim. Can you compare the three fixtures and help me pick which would be the best fit for my tank (value and performance)? Also if there is another fixture that should be in the conversation, I'm open to that as well.

Thanks!

I'd say if price is no object the Powermodule. If you didn't just win the lottery the Sunpower is the way to go. The Constellation would work too but for the difference in price it's hard to pass up the Sunpower.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Re: New Bulbs

Re: New Bulbs

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14148764#post14148764 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by customdusty
I got my new T5 bulbs and I'm just seeking some input in how to arrange them:

I have an 8 bulb fixture and 9 bulbs to choose from - They alternate on 2 different switches - depicted by switch "X" and switch "O"

X
O
X
O
X
O
X
O

I'm not sure what order to place them in, or which combination to choose:

I have the following:

3x ATI Aquablue Special
3x ATI Blue +
2x UVL Aquasun
1x Geisemann Pure Actinic

I have a healthy mixture of corals - A bunch of large softies and LPS, a couple of clams, and would like to continue to grow my collection of SPS.

My priorities would be growth first and aesthetics second. If there are different arrangements I should use to acheive growth or color more so than the other, I'd like to know.

Blue Plus
Aquasun
Pure actinic
Aquablue
Blue Plus
Aquasun
Blue Plus
Aquablue

 

[WinnipegDragon]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14150306#post14150306 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Front
Giesemann actinic Plus
UVL 75/25
Gmann Aquablue
Actinic plus

UVL = URI

You are a prince amongst men, oh Grim.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14149216#post14149216 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tboneman
Hi Grimm,
I have a question about what bulbs I could run to make the reds and oranges in my corals pop more. I have just installed a two bulb, overdriven set of 48" T5's to my existing 2X250 watt de Phoenix 14K's. I currently have 2 URI 110 watt, VHO super actinics serving as supplementals that I run together with the Phoenix bulbs. I like the overall colors very much but feel I could use something to bring out the the colors better in my orange monti cap. Any suggestions you have would be helpful. Thanks.

ATI Pro Color, 2 Blue Plus and an Aquablue/ Should give you a nice look with just the fluorescents running and with the halides. The Pro Color will give you red spectrum, the Blue Plus will pop the colors more and the Aquablue just brightens things up a little. If you really want to bring out the reds you could try a UVL 75/25 instead of the Aquablue.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14149647#post14149647 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ernordstrom
Grim,
I am thinking of picking up some of the new UVL T-5 Bulbs with the internal reflectors. I currently have a 4 bulb icecap 660 retro on mine now with SLR reflectors. Will this improve the light output or is this just a waste of a couple dollars with the internal reflectors. Any thoughts. I am planning on going with this setup if I get em.

UV Lighting 54 W Super Actinic T5 W/ Internal Reflector
ATI Aquablue Special
UV Lighting 54 W AquaSun T5 W/ Internal Reflector
ATI Blue Plus

How would this lighting combination look? Should I go for the internal reflector bulbs? Shoulb I get another blue plus instead of the super actinic. My bulbs are due for a change (getting dark near the ends) so I want to get this right.

I like the look off my tank now but I wouldn't mind a bit more pop. Give me some suggestions please...I have mostly SPS [/QUOTE

I'd give the mix you listed a try. Should look 14Kish/

You already have good reflectors, I wouldn't waste the extra money on the lamps with the reflectors.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14149634#post14149634 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by volcom69
I just transfered my tank from my old 55 to my 70 gal. My 55 had 2-250 MH and my new 70 is under aquatinics tx5 T5s. My question is i dont want to bleach any of them so right now i have my main lighting on for 6hrs with my blue lights on for longer. Should i wait awhile to up the 6hrs for a couple of weeks. Also how long is everyone running there T5s thanks.

Around a year for the T5's. If your Halides were 10K or good 14K's in good reflectors you shouldn't have to worry too mucn about acclimation. If you had 10K lamps no worries at all.

14 or 20K lamps in crappy reflectors just increase the mains an hour every few days until you are where you want to be

 

[ernordstrom]

Thanks Grim, that was fast. How about for a nice 4 bulb combo 20k look with decent PAR for growth what would you recommend? Can I take out the Aquasun and use this? Would it be too dark?

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

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14150316#post14150316 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Flightpipe
I have a 75g tank with sps lps and some zoos and clam in the future, i purchased a current nova extreme 8 bulb fixture right now I have 4 10k's and 4 actinics and I know nothing about bulbs I'll start reading this thread tomorrow but i am on my phone now so I'll just ask.

Ask what?

For lamps 4 ATI Blue Plus
1 UVL super Actinic
1UVL Aquasun
1 GE 6500K Daylight
1ATI Aquablue

Blue Plus
Super Actinic
UVL Aquasun
Blue Plus
GE daylight
Aquablue
Blue Plus
Blue Plus

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14150528#post14150528 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ernordstrom
Thanks Grim, that was fast. How about for a nice 4 bulb combo 20k look with decent PAR for growth what would you recommend? Can I take out the Aquasun and use this? Would it be too dark?

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

3 Blue Plus and a uvl 75/25 would look interesting. Very blue.

 

[widmer]

I have no clue if we can trust the spectral charts supplied by the manufacturers anymore - I was just at reefgeek comparing the charts between the Giesemann Blue Plus and the Giesemann Actinic Plus, and they are absolutely identical if you disregard the colors they shade in the spectral curve with. Does this realization make anyone else feel like a tool?

 

[Bill14]

Thanks rtparty and Grim! Good info as usual.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14151163#post14151163 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by widmer
I have no clue if we can trust the spectral charts supplied by the manufacturers anymore - I was just at reefgeek comparing the charts between the Giesemann Blue Plus and the Giesemann Actinic Plus, and they are absolutely identical if you disregard the colors they shade in the spectral curve with. Does this realization make anyone else feel like a tool?

Those charts are generalizations. I have a few real one's and the do look a little bit like the ones displayed in the marketing material.

 

[wharfrat48]

I almost hate to do this again, but I'm going to ask anyway. It is time (actually past time) to change out my T5's over my 180g. I have a staggered set up with 3 80W overdriven lamps and 4 54W not overdriven. I know a few new lamps have come out since I set up my system, so I am asking for recomendations for bulb types and placement. I was also wondering about the longevity of reflectors. I have Icecap reflectors and they have become "stained" with salt spray over time. Is this a large problem or is there only a minor effect? Are there new reflectors that I should be looking at?

I have a mixed reef with SPS and clams which are all doing great. Heres a couple of pics. Thanks

 

[Kimi]

Please help Grim... will sps grow in a 180g reef with a 72" 12 bulb Nova Extreme Pro T-5? Would I need to change the Ballasts? The tank is cycling and I am trying to figure out what lighting would be best. I'd rather run T-5s if I can, I just don't know if it is possible for a wide variety of corals.

 

[ReefDreamz]

I'm trying to go for the 20K look. Im looking for something very blue but not so blue it looks like its only lit with Blue + bulbs. Tank is LPS and zoa dominated with Monti's at the top.

For my 6 bulb fixture I'm thinking:
Blue +
Blue +
Aquablue 75/25
Fiji Purple
UVL Super Actinic

and for the last bulb I cant decide either a Blue +, Pro Color, or a 75/25

What does everyone think?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14153078#post14153078 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by wharfrat48
I almost hate to do this again, but I'm going to ask anyway. It is time (actually past time) to change out my T5's over my 180g. I have a staggered set up with 3 80W overdriven lamps and 4 54W not overdriven. I know a few new lamps have come out since I set up my system, so I am asking for recomendations for bulb types and placement. I was also wondering about the longevity of reflectors. I have Icecap reflectors and they have become "stained" with salt spray over time. Is this a large problem or is there only a minor effect? Are there new reflectors that I should be looking at?

I have a mixed reef with SPS and clams which are all doing great. Heres a couple of pics. Thanks

Nice tank, you sure you really want to change anything

Before I can recommend lamps I need to know...

What lamps are you running right now?

How are the 80 watt lamps placed in the tank right now?

As far as reflectors there are better ones out there now than the Ice Caps. Unless you reflectors are really scrunged up I would probably wait one more lamp change to replace them. Unless you used 2 Ice Cap reflectors for each 80 watt lamp I assume those have the Tek reflectors. It would be worth dumping them for the 60" reflectors reefgeek sells under their name (you have to call them about those, they arent listed on the web site yet)

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14153121#post14153121 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Kimi
Please help Grim... will sps grow in a 180g reef with a 72" 12 bulb Nova Extreme Pro T-5? Would I need to change the Ballasts? The tank is cycling and I am trying to figure out what lighting would be best. I'd rather run T-5s if I can, I just don't know if it is possible for a wide variety of corals.

You could keep SPS on the top of the rocks with that fixture.

The ballasts in the Current fixture aren't great but the real weak link is the reflectors. I just dont think there is any way to squeeze good reflectors into that fixture.

What you can do is set the fixture right on top of the tank and run this for a mix of lamps

Front
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue
UVL Actinic White
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue

That is about the highest PAR mix of lamps you can get ans still have a nice look. The Actinic white will bump up the red a little and still give you pretty good PAR. The Aquablues are probably the highest PAR lamp and the Blue Plus isn't far behind and will give you pretty good fluorescence. I am assuming the 2nd and 4th rows are on one circuit for Dusk/dawn.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14153162#post14153162 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ReefDreamz
I'm trying to go for the 20K look. Im looking for something very blue but not so blue it looks like its only lit with Blue + bulbs. Tank is LPS and zoa dominated with Monti's at the top.

For my 6 bulb fixture I'm thinking:
Blue +
Blue +
Aquablue 75/25
Fiji Purple
UVL Super Actinic

and for the last bulb I cant decide either a Blue +, Pro Color, or a 75/25

What does everyone think?

The 75/25 is vey similar to the Fiji Purple.

I'd try
Blue Plus
Actinic
75/25
Blue Plus
75/25 or fiji purple
Blue Plus