The T5 Q&a Thread

[yellowslayer13]

Grim Reefer I am setting up a 60 cube 24'' 24'' 24'' how would 8 24'' t-5 bulbs light it

 

[topn0tchlefty]

hey grim need some advice, currently running

Front to Back
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Super Actinic
UVL Aquasun
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue

im getting good color and growth but have more of a 12k look, what bulb can i replace to get a more 20k look ? Could i replace the aquablue for a blue+ ?

 

[mojo~]

Hello Grim, I have read most of this thread from the begining. I took your suggestion when stiing up my 75 and it looks great. I am changing it over to 90 gallon bare bottom for a primary sps tank. I was just wondering if you think will still be enough light or should I change some bulbs around. I am trying to stay away from halides as m canopy is only 8 in high.

I did change to Aquatinic reflectors because it gave me more room. Added 2 vho spuer actinics as well
Here is what I am running currently any help would be awesome.
front
VHO Super actinic
T5ho Blue +
75.25
blue+
aquasun
blue +
aquablue special
VHO super actinic

Thanks again Grim for all of your time with whole thread. Again this is for an sps tank where i want good growth and a 14k look.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13939059#post13939059 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by wayne in norway
'Grim, do you have PAR readings for two 54w T5's vs. a 250w MH?
Thats going to be really hard to compare meaningfully, and I'd go so far as to say meaningless as you're comparing a very long thin setup to a point source

Then why do you ask?

It's hard to make general comparisons because the systems can vary so much.

A good 6x54 T5 system will have better output than most 250 watt halides. We're talking either Ice Cap retro or ATI or Constellation fixture for T5. Also if you like a more blue look the T5's are just plain better. The more blue looking 14K halides and 20K's don't have great PAR output while the Blue T5 lamps are among the highest output.

When you get into the Lumen reflectors or good 10K HQI lamps the halides are going to have an advantage.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13936423#post13936423 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by speeddemonlsr
Grim great website giving all the different par readings it helped out a ton. Who makes the best and most true actinic t-5 bulb?

I like the UVL, ATI and Sfigiloi best, Dunno if they are the most true but I like the look of those the best.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13936732#post13936732 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rezarf
I have a nova extreme pro 72" fixture and I am replacing the bulbs. My main obstacle is that all of the bulbs need to be purchased from one website.
I have mostly LPS and a few sps but will be shifting towards more sps.

What light configuration do you suggest?
I read suggestions of:

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

but I do not know where I can get all three brands at one website
any suggestions?

Thanks

Reefgeek has all those.

I'd change the positions to

Front
Blue Plus
Daylight
Super Actinic
Aquablue
Blue Plus
Blue Plus

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13936769#post13936769 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mevstheworld
I have a 40 breeder and was looking at icecap 660 T5s.
by your posts and a couple other posts would this be adequate for a mixed reef?
GE 6500K
UVL superactinic
Ati Aquablue special
Ati blue plus

Be plenty

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13936852#post13936852 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by wardworld
I've tried searching, but does anyone know of a "how-to" for wiring the T5 endcaps????

You just have to strip the wires back3/8th of an inch or so and push them into the holes in the stem area of the end cap.

If you screw up you can push a pin or needle in the hole with the wire which will release it.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13937249#post13937249 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Mental1
I have the same fixture, standard 180, mixed reef -- the only difference was that I had the UVL 50/50 actinic white instead of the UVL Aquasun .. and the difference would be????

Little less PAR for the Actinic White and not as broad spectrum

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13937281#post13937281 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by OceanSpray
Hi,

I have the same setup as in this post above: I would like to add however, that my tank
has a lot of coraline on the rocks, back glass etc... with a lot of xenia and leathers.
This has always caused the tank to have a washed out, pinkish hue to it that I hate.
I was using Power Compacts, and then I switched to the 6 bulb NEP, using the bulbs
which were included. Both setups had the same pinkish hue. I am now going to purchase
the bulbs you recommended below, but I would also like to purchase a couple of extras
so that I can fine tune the look, if I need to. I was wondering, which bulbs I should add
to the group, to make sure I can get rid of the bleached out pinkish look, and to have a couple of extras.
Due to cost, I will have to live with my purchase for at least another year,
as I have with the original bulbs, so I really want to get it right this time.

Your original recommendation was:

"grim, i have a nova extreme pro fixture and im looking to get new bulbs. i have a mixed reef
mostly lps and sps i wnat to make the colors pop as well as get good growth. buls 1 and 4 come on
for dusk/dawn and 2,3,5,6 come on after that. thanks for the help"
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



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


__________________
Click on the red house for T5 info


Thanks for your contribution to RC and Reefing!

Grab an extra Blue Plus and GE daylight.

Reefgeek has all those lamps.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13937390#post13937390 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Rickyrooz1
Grim, do you have PAR readings for two 54w T5's vs. a 250w MH?

no

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13937712#post13937712 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mevstheworld
Does this sound like a deal? Has anyone ever dealt with them?

3ft IceCap T5 4-Lamp Complete Retrofit Kit (with ballast and reflectors)

4 Pairs T5 Endcaps
4 Pairs T5 Standoffs
4 Sets T5 Reflector Clips
1 Power Cord (tinned)
3 Orange Wire Nuts (bagged)
1 IceCap 660 Electronic Fluorescent Ballast


$296.94 Free shipping from http://www.marinedepot.com

Let me know what you guys/girls think.

Thansx

Compare that to reefgeek's price and go with whichever is less expensive

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13938134#post13938134 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by trmiv
For my birthday I got a gift certificate for Marinedepot and they only carry Giesemann, UVL and Blue Life bulbs. I'm in need of bulbs and wanted to use my gift money. I currently have this setup, and want to keep close to the same look:

Front:
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Aquasun
UVL Super Actinic
ATI Aquablue special

Obviously I can get the same UVL stuff, but what Giesemann, Blue Life, or UVL bulbs can I use to get close to the same look I have now?

Substitute the Gmann Actinic Plus and Aquablue for the ATI Blue Plus and Aquablue

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13939114#post13939114 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by yellowslayer13
Grim Reefer I am setting up a 60 cube 24'' 24'' 24'' how would 8 24'' t-5 bulbs light it

Beautimously, Use Ice Cap or Reefgeek brand reflectors.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13939249#post13939249 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by topn0tchlefty
hey grim need some advice, currently running

Front to Back
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Super Actinic
UVL Aquasun
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue

im getting good color and growth but have more of a 12k look, what bulb can i replace to get a more 20k look ? Could i replace the aquablue for a blue+ ?

Yep, or maybe the Blue Plus for the Actinic. Play around and see what looks good to you.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13941196#post13941196 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mojo46825
Hello Grim, I have read most of this thread from the begining. I took your suggestion when stiing up my 75 and it looks great. I am changing it over to 90 gallon bare bottom for a primary sps tank. I was just wondering if you think will still be enough light or should I change some bulbs around. I am trying to stay away from halides as m canopy is only 8 in high.

I did change to Aquatinic reflectors because it gave me more room. Added 2 vho spuer actinics as well
Here is what I am running currently any help would be awesome.
front
VHO Super actinic
T5ho Blue +
75.25
blue+
aquasun
blue +
aquablue special
VHO super actinic

Thanks again Grim for all of your time with whole thread. Again this is for an sps tank where i want good growth and a 14k look.

Front
VHO
Blue Plus
ATI Pro Color
Blue Plus
GE 6500K Daylight
Blue Plus
Aquablue
VHO

SHould have great growth and look sweet.

 

[mojo~]

me me me lol you are quick to grim

 

[mojo~]

cool I was thinking about getting some 250 watt halides but just cant get theheat out well in my canopy. So i only have 2 bulbs to swap out awesome. I l get them now. Thanks again.

 

[jlaurence32]

Alright Grim, here's the results of the Par test on the new T5's. My buddy down here that was getting 330 on the sandbed, has the same setup except he's using the Tek 2 reflectors. Thanks for all the help, by the way.

Specs:

Lights =
six 60" T5's overdriven w/ IC 660's
Reefgeek MiroIV reflectors
three ATI blue plus bulbs (20,000k?)
two ATI aquablue bulbs (12,000k)
one GE daylight (6500k)

Tank =
125gal at 23" tall
Lights at 7" above water

This was fairly difficult to do considering two of my bulbs flip up over my tank when the canopy is open. So I had to open/close the canopy between each reading.

 

[Todd March]

Cool, Joe, thanks for the work...!