The T5 Q&a Thread

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14289084#post14289084 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by cdmurphy
Hi Grim, I'm looking at purchasing an ATI Powermodule 48" 6 x 54 watts and would like some suggestions on bulb configuration. I have a 90 gal Oceanic Tech tank that is SPS dominate. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Ati Blue Plus
UVL 75/24
GE 6500K Daylight
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue

 

[jon99]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14283027#post14283027 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
The T5 actinics are OK but not up there with the VHO T12 actinics. The Blue Plus have a ton more PAR and fluoresce corals pretty good.

For actinic supplementation is it better to go with T12 then? If so, do I need an individual reflector for each bulb? I could squeeze 4 in next to the MH, but not with 4 reflectors.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14289713#post14289713 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Gatorzone19
I have a 55g with some LPS and Soft corals with a 4x54 watt T5 fixture. I want a more blue tint than white. Will this bulb combination work and will it be a bluish tint>

FRONT OF FIXTURE-
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aqua Blue
UVL Aquasun
ATI Blue Plus

Should be around 15K.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14289790#post14289790 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by taku
Are T5's more energy efficient than their equivalent watts in VHO's?

Oh yeah, as long as you are using good reflectors.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14290289#post14290289 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by louisvilleboy
shout out to grimm you are the man i ordered my 60"8x80watts tek2 t5 very high output retrofit kit with bulbs today should i put these in a canopy or have something made will they work in a canopy once again tou are the man

Depends on the canopy. If it has the top that opens up in one piece you can mount the lamps right to the underside of it so when you have to access the tank your lights swing up out of the way.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14290544#post14290544 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jon99
For actinic supplementation is it better to go with T12 then? If so, do I need an individual reflector for each bulb? I could squeeze 4 in next to the MH, but not with 4 reflectors.

Ideally one or two VHO Actinics with some Blue Plus T5's would be the hot ticket if you are running 10 or 14K Halides. With 20K halides I would be tempted to do VHO actinics and 75/25 T5's.

 

[tinnghe]

I am running 20k radium and want to add some actinics and bring out some red in the coral which bulb should I get ?

 

[Milhouse]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14290589#post14290589 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Ideally one or two VHO Actinics with some Blue Plus T5's would be the hot ticket if you are running 10 or 14K Halides. With 20K halides I would be tempted to do VHO actinics and 75/25 T5's.

So this kinda goes back to what I posted in the bulb picture thread(sorry for bumping that, lol). I'm running 20k AB bulbs. I'm probably going to get another since I can get a good deal on one. Right now I'm running 2 Current 10k's that I had sitting around with 2 Geismann Actinics. So do think the 75/25's replacing the 10k's would be a good combo? You said that they are white with some pink in them(like the fiji purps). I really want to get a dusk/dawn thing going on, so does anyone run a good 14k bulb with actinics and blue pluses? If so, do you like the combo? What MH bulb?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14290825#post14290825 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tinnghe
I am running 20k radium and want to add some actinics and bring out some red in the coral which bulb should I get ?

I'd try a UVL 75/25 and Super Actinic.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14291149#post14291149 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Milhouse
So this kinda goes back to what I posted in the bulb picture thread(sorry for bumping that, lol). I'm running 20k AB bulbs. I'm probably going to get another since I can get a good deal on one. Right now I'm running 2 Current 10k's that I had sitting around with 2 Geismann Actinics. So do think the 75/25's replacing the 10k's would be a good combo? You said that they are white with some pink in them(like the fiji purps). I really want to get a dusk/dawn thing going on, so does anyone run a good 14k bulb with actinics and blue pluses? If so, do you like the combo? What MH bulb?

The Actinics and blue pluses look nice together. You could try 1 Blue Plus and 1 75/25 with the two actinics.

 

[thefarm]

The Grim Reefer could you help me out with the t5 bulbs on this setup
front-back which one should i use on icecap 660.thanks
1.t5
2.t5
3.MH DE 12k Reeflux, or 20k xm
4.t5
5.t5

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14291254#post14291254 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by thefarm
The Grim Reefer could you help me out with the t5 bulbs on this setup
front-back which one should i use on icecap 660.thanks
1.t5
2.t5
3.MH DE 12k Reeflux, or 20k xm
4.t5
5.t5

Blue plus
UVL 75/25
halide
UVL 75/25
ATI Blue Plus

 

[thefarm]

thanks, also by the way i have some new pure actinic Giesemann can i use them or should i just try to get rid of them?

 

[Challenge]

Par readings

Par readings

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14237959#post14237959 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Challenge
Grim and RT thanks for the input and help. I have my hood done and hung, I went with the UVL 75/25 for the sixth bulb and arranged them as RT suggested.


I just posted a step by step with lots of pics in the DIY section

DIY Hanging Hood Build

I will be taking some PAR readings some time soon and will post them and a some clearer whole tank pics.

Hey,

Managed to borrow a PAR meter last night and took some readings.

I am getting 138 at the bottom center front,

Center at water level is 275.

Center (front to back and top to bottom) is 170.

Back corners are 108/103

Front Corners are 115/120

How are these numbers?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14291593#post14291593 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by thefarm
thanks, also by the way i have some new pure actinic Giesemann can i use them or should i just try to get rid of them?

Use one pure actinic in place of a 75/25 and see what you think. I personally don't run actinics any more. .

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Re: Par readings

Re: Par readings

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14292056#post14292056 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Challenge
Hey,

Managed to borrow a PAR meter last night and took some readings.

I am getting 138 at the bottom center front,

Center at water level is 275.

Center (front to back and top to bottom) is 170.

Back corners are 108/103

Front Corners are 115/120

How are these numbers?

138 is OK

You might try making a baffle for the fans to divert the air from the half of the fans that is toward the middle of the canopy away from the lamps and towards the ballasts and see if that increases things.

I think just a flat surface blocking the inner half of the fans would work, just place it against the reflector. That should cause the air to bounce off and push towards the ballasts

 

[Milhouse]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14291185#post14291185 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
The Actinics and blue pluses look nice together. You could try 1 Blue Plus and 1 75/25 with the two actinics.

I could do that. I just want to keep it somewhat balanced. That probably doesn't make much sense, but it does to me, lol. I have always wondered about the benefits of doing different bulbs in a configuration like mine. Since the t5's are on the edge with the MH in the middle. I'm not sure how to lay out the bulbs. Right now I have 10k, Actinic, MH, Actinic, 10k. So would I go actinic, 75/25, MH, Blue Plus, Actinic? Or something like that? What do you think?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14293434#post14293434 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Milhouse
I could do that. I just want to keep it somewhat balanced. That probably doesn't make much sense, but it does to me, lol. I have always wondered about the benefits of doing different bulbs in a configuration like mine. Since the t5's are on the edge with the MH in the middle. I'm not sure how to lay out the bulbs. Right now I have 10k, Actinic, MH, Actinic, 10k. So would I go actinic, 75/25, MH, Blue Plus, Actinic? Or something like that? What do you think?

Blue Plus
75/25
Halide
Actinic
Blue Plus

Once the light hits the water is scatters enough it wont matter much.

 

[Milhouse]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14293448#post14293448 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Blue Plus
75/25
Halide
Actinic
Blue Plus

Once the light hits the water is scatters enough it wont matter much.

So are the 460nm Current USA bulbs able to replace the Blue Plus? I know the Blue Plus are better bulbs, but I have a couple of the currents laying around. This way I could try the two currents, get a 75/25, and use the actinic I already have. I know the Current isn't a true actinic.

On a side note, at what point should I replace my T5's? They'll be a year old in about a month.

 

[easygoer2]

Not happy with my light setup and need some help changing it. I need some opnions about what I have to work with here. The tank is 60" long and 30" wide. What I have right now is 2 lumateck 250W ballast and a 48" Aquactinics TX5 fixture. Wantiing to put the MH's on the ends of the tank and the fixture in the middle. Now this tank does have a center brace on it. For the best colors of my SPS corals what do you think I would need for my MH's and five T5 bulbs? Or should I start over, or add something? Please give me your input on the bulbs.

easygoer2