The T5 Q&a Thread

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13913491#post13913491 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by spw4949
I have a 36" 6x39W Current NOVA extreme setup. Right now I have 3 10k day bulbs & 3 actinics. My tanks looking too white.I'm looking for a more bluish color. Should I switch out 1 actinic & 1 10k for 2 ATI blue plus? Any recommendations at all would be appreciated.

What you listed would be perfect.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13914379#post13914379 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by CeeGee
It is a standard 75 gallon. I believe it is 24" tall. Should be the same as yours but not as deep front to back.

If you are overdriving the lamps the 36" will work fine.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13914472#post13914472 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by stunreefer
Fist off, Grim you are the man!!! :thumbsup:

I attempted to read through the thread and noticed it splits every couple of months :eek1: (I went about 6 splits back), so I'm going to post my questions short and sweet to address my specific situation.

I have a 48"L x 36"W x 24"H aquarium on the way that I'm wanting to implement T5s on. Its rimless so I'm looking for a fixture to hang over top. It will be 90% SPS, and I would like to be able to grow SPS anywhere, including the ground (if possible).

My question is how many bulbs should I be looking for in a 48" fixture? I'm thinking I need at least 10 bulbs, maybe 12. I've seen a Sfiligoi Stealth 12 bulb unit in action and I must say its a killer light. I'm considering the Sfiligoi Stealth 12 bulb unit, the ATI Powermodule 10 bulb unit, and potentially the Fauna/GHL Star Fire Extreme 10 bulb unit once its released. I will determine bulb configuration based on your responses here along with help from other veteran T5 friends.

I'm open to any and all suggestions...thanks so much for your time!

12 lamps is about right so if the Sfigiloi is all thats available go with it. Just make sure its the unit with active cooling.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13914544#post13914544 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Jeremy Blaze
I am putting togehter a package that is a little different than some others.

Tank is a 65 gallo36"x18"x24". It will house only Zoanthids.

At the front and back of the tank, I have 2 corallife standard 2 bulb T5 fixtures.
In the middle are 4 36" T5's with ICe CAp 660 ballast and SLR Reflectors.

So it looks like this,

T5 NO
T5 NO
T5 VHO
T5 VHO
T5 VHO
T5 VHO
T5 NO
T5 NO

Current bulbs, I have are,

Current 460
Current 460
Current 10k ho
Current 1ok ho
UV Super Actinic ho
Current 460
Current 460

I know that the current bulbs are not that good, and am looking to replace the bulbs with something different. I want a good mix of color to really bring out the different zoas,

My idea is,

Current 460 no
current 430 no
UV 50/50
GE 3000k
UV75/25
UV 50/50
Current 420 no
current 460 no

Thoughts, suggestions?

ATI Blue Plus
UVL Super Actyinic
UVL 50/50 actinic white
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Pro Color
ATI Blue Plus
UVL 75/25
ATI Blue Plus

Should make the zoas glow

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13914733#post13914733 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jstlsn
I have a 6 buld t-5 retro kit on my 75G tank. Two of the bulbs are on an Icecap ballast and the other 4 are on the ballats that came from reef geek. Each bulb has an icecap reflector.

My bulbs are about a year old and I want to replace them. From what I understand I don't want to just put all 6 bulbs in a once because the change in the amount of light could harms things. So, what is the best method for changing out my bulbs?

Thanks
Brad

Do a lamp every few days.

 

[stunreefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13915807#post13915807 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
12 lamps is about right so if the Sfigiloi is all thats available go with it. Just make sure its the unit with active cooling.

Awesome, thanks Grim!

I think I'll jump for this one: http://www.aquariumobsessed.com/mm5...&Product_Code=SF-SLTH12x54&Category_Code=SFT5

...and yes its active cooled.

I believe that Sfiligoi is the only company that makes a 12 bulb fixture.

 

[spw4949]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13913491#post13913491 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by spw4949
I have a 36" 6x39W Current NOVA extreme setup. Right now I have 3 10k day bulbs & 3 actinics. My tanks looking too white.I'm looking for a more bluish color. Should I switch out 1 actinic & 1 10k for 2 ATI blue plus? Any recommendations at all would be appreciated.

Suggestions anyone???

 

[gig]

I'd swap a daylight for a blueplus bulb, see how it looks, if not enough then maybe another or one of those 75/25 or 50/50 bulbs, but I only learned this from the best

 

[spw4949]

Thanks, I appreciate the response.

 

[A.T.T.R]

im doing a 65 gallon tank (sps)
and am currently planning on 8 36 inch bulbs on two icecap660's ( one for actinic one for daylight)
i was planning on 4 uvl actinics nd 4 aquasuns
but any recomendations for making this tank bluer with out giving up much par or adding any whiteness to the actinic only ballast?

 

[Mykel Obvious]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13915890#post13915890 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by stunreefer
Awesome, thanks Grim!

I think I'll jump for this one: http://www.aquariumobsessed.com/mm5...&Product_Code=SF-SLTH12x54&Category_Code=SFT5

...and yes its active cooled.

I believe that Sfiligoi is the only company that makes a 12 bulb fixture.

http://www.catalinaaquarium.com makes a 12 bulb... I think they use Advance and/or Workhorse ballasts and the reflectors look a little narrow in the 19" wide unit, but they are actively cooled and they say they will custom make one to your specs/dimensions...

 

[hpglow]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13916333#post13916333 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by spw4949
Suggestions anyone???

Anytime you want to get more blue and not sacrifice much par just add a Blue plus. You would likely see the most benefit by taking out two actinics and swapping them with blue+.

 

[Krazy302]

I am setting up a 6 bulb 48" 54w t5 setup on my 90 gallon tank.Tank dim are 48"long 24"high 18"deep, I was wondering if grim could give me some ideas on what bulbs to use. I want a blue look but not too blue. I want my corals to glow but also want some decent growth. Any help would be much appreciated.. Thank You

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13916732#post13916732 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by A.T.T.R
im doing a 65 gallon tank (sps)
and am currently planning on 8 36 inch bulbs on two icecap660's ( one for actinic one for daylight)
i was planning on 4 uvl actinics nd 4 aquasuns
but any recomendations for making this tank bluer with out giving up much par or adding any whiteness to the actinic only ballast?

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

 

[cujo6984]

hello has anyone used the TRU bulbs ?? are they junk? thanks

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13917352#post13917352 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Krazy302
I am setting up a 6 bulb 48" 54w t5 setup on my 90 gallon tank.Tank dim are 48"long 24"high 18"deep, I was wondering if grim could give me some ideas on what bulbs to use. I want a blue look but not too blue. I want my corals to glow but also want some decent growth. Any help would be much appreciated.. Thank You

Front
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Super Actinic
UVL Aquasun
ATI Blue Plus
GE 6500K Daylight
ATI Blue Plus

 

[A.T.T.R]

these blue plus pulbs how do they differ from an actinic

im trying to keep my order to one website ><

you really think only two daylight bulbs will be enough?

how do you feel abotu
Giesemann Powerchrome Actinic+ in place of the blue pluss\

 

[doug6644]

I'm in the midst of buying equipment to set up our first reef. I own a 45 pent tank, that I plan on stocking with fish, and lps. I am limited on the length of lighting I can use. I would prefer to keep this system compact and clean, as it will be in our living room with a tv and that is where we spend a good deal of family time. Anyhow, to the point, the tank is 24 deep, I would like to keep the lights from shining throughout the room. So it will probably be best if the lighting sits flat on the lid. I'd prefer a lid to keep evap as limited as possible. According to some measurements I have taken, I can fit a 24" long assembly, up to 6" wide on top of the surface of the tank lid. I could probably get a glass lid for it if I had to, but would like to keep the lighting directed into the tank versus, all over the room. Are there any recommendations for lighting, blue appeals to us, but more towards the white side, than pure blue.

 

[Krazy302]

Thanks for your help Grim

 

[bristle]

Thanks