The T5 Q&a Thread

[rtparty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14365065#post14365065 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by LJA
Hey Grim,

I recently upgraded my 4x24watt Sundial fixture to the following bulb combo:


Front

Super Actinic (UVL)
AquaSun (UVL)
Super Actinic (UVL)
AquaSun (UVL)

Back


The tank has a kind of reddish tint to it when all the lights are on and very purple with just the actinic.

Is this red tint normal for the bulb combo I have? If so, is it caused by the Super Actinics or the AquaSun's?

Thanks a lot for your help.


I should add that I was aiming for maximum growth while still keeping a nice crisp blue tint will all lights on.

Yes that is a very red set up. The Aquasuns will over power the actinics.

ATI Blue Plus
UVL SA
UVL Aquasun
ATI Blue Plus

 

[LJA]

Thanks for the help guys,


What is the UVL SA rtparty?


I think I'm out of luck though, I bought these from Dr. Foster and smith and I don't think they take returns. And I don't have the budget to go out and buy more bulbs right now.

 

[Nereaga]

SA- Super Actinic

 

[Joel A]

hey guys, just stumbled over this...

i have a 75 gallon tank, that is a mixed reef, but with a stronger focus on SPS then anything else.

I want to switch over to t5's... and want to do it the right way (not some cheapo fixture).

My options as of now look like (cash allowing)

-4 bulb ATI powermodule (probably not enough light, right?)
-6, or 8 bulb Tek (i know they aren't as good, but the extra bulbs is a bonus)
-5 bulb aquactinic fixture
-6 bulb ATI sunpower fixture

 

[Chipie]

Hi,
I have a 6 bulb fixture and i have a tank full of SPS.

I have to change the bulbs but my LFS only carries URI and giesemann bulbs.
What combination would be good for SPS for goog growth but still look good(not too yellow or red)

Please help.

 

[woisme]

While I do need help, it is with a planted tank and not a coral tank. Would you still be able to help ?

You came highly recommended from someone at dfwmas even though I am doing a freshwater planted.

If so...then here is what I have

I have a 72" Nova extreme pro t5ho fixture.

It has 12 total 36" t5ho lamps. (6 on each side) and my goal is keeping a planted tank.

What are the best bulbs to get? I was thinking Giesemann midday and mixing with something else.

Thanks in advance for all your time and help

 

[Todd March]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14367507#post14367507 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by woisme
While I do need help, it is with a planted tank and not a coral tank. Would you still be able to help ?

You came highly recommended from someone at dfwmas even though I am doing a freshwater planted.

If so...then here is what I have

I have a 72" Nova extreme pro t5ho fixture.

It has 12 total 36" t5ho lamps. (6 on each side) and my goal is keeping a planted tank.

What are the best bulbs to get? I was thinking Giesemann midday and mixing with something else.

Thanks in advance for all your time and help

Yes, Giesemann Midday's are a good choice. I would also mix in some Giesemann Aqua Flora's too. Say 4 Middays to 2 Aqua Floras per side... If you have discus or tetras, they will really look great under the Aqua Floras...

 

[rtparty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14366537#post14366537 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Joander123
hey guys, just stumbled over this...

i have a 75 gallon tank, that is a mixed reef, but with a stronger focus on SPS then anything else.

I want to switch over to t5's... and want to do it the right way (not some cheapo fixture).

My options as of now look like (cash allowing)

-4 bulb ATI powermodule (probably not enough light, right?)
-6, or 8 bulb Tek (i know they aren't as good, but the extra bulbs is a bonus)
-5 bulb aquactinic fixture
-6 bulb ATI sunpower fixture

6 Bulb ATI Sunpower is your best bang for your buck!

The TEK 6 bulb is a good choice also. Just make sure to go to foster and smith and get the Azoo clamp on fan to blow on the fixture. It is good for a 20% increase in PAR.

As for bulbs:

ATI Blue Plus
UVL 75/25 or Fiji Purple
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Aquasun or GE 6500K
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue

 

[rtparty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14367507#post14367507 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by woisme
While I do need help, it is with a planted tank and not a coral tank. Would you still be able to help ?

You came highly recommended from someone at dfwmas even though I am doing a freshwater planted.

If so...then here is what I have

I have a 72" Nova extreme pro t5ho fixture.

It has 12 total 36" t5ho lamps. (6 on each side) and my goal is keeping a planted tank.

What are the best bulbs to get? I was thinking Giesemann midday and mixing with something else.

Thanks in advance for all your time and help

Lucky you I have a planted tank with T5's on it.

ATI Aquablue
UVL Aquasun
ATI Aquablue
Gmann Aquaflora
ATI Aquablue
GE 6500K

If that is too much blue for you then do 2 Aquablues, 2 Aquafloras, and 2 GE 6500K or Gmann Midday.

I have 4 bulbs and run

ATI Aquablue
GE 6500K
Gmann AquaFlora
ATI Aquablue

It looked way good to begin with then slowly shifted more yellow on me. That is why I say go with 3 Aquablue. My plants have gone crazy since I changed to the new bulbs!

 

[nismo_32]

ok i gat directed here. they said you were the guru. so here it goes.
i just acquired a zero edge tank. the dimensions are 66lx18wx14t. i want to use this tank for my chalice/acans collection and would like to go with t5s. now can you please suggest the best light fixtures/bulbs configuration at what heights. thanks for your time...

 

[Chipie]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14366574#post14366574 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Chipie
Hi,
I have a 6 bulb fixture and i have a tank full of SPS.

I have to change the bulbs but my LFS only carries URI and giesemann bulbs.
What combination would be good for SPS for goog growth but still look good(not too yellow or red)

Please help.

Nobody want to help me with this

 

[bllfish]

someone will ----- patience!!

 

[MarcB]

Setting all the labels at the same end and creating the gap between the endcap and reflector is a good idea.

Can you explain more about setting all the labels at the same end?

Here's why I ask. One pair of actinics failed on my fixture. It turned out to be bad bulbs. Now one of the replacement bulbs in that same pair failed. Current has been good and replaced the bulbs, but I wonder if it could be something else going on.

The rep from Current said that bulbs that are shipped can fail more easily, and thats why I may have had the second failure. I have no reason to doubt him at this point, but would like some input. I had never heard of making sure the labels are at the same end, and, in fact, the labels did turn out to be at opposite ends. Could my failure to do this have contributed?

Thanks

 

[woisme]

Thanks for the input guys. Another question...where are you getting a good deal on bulbs? I planned on going to reefgeek.com but wanted to check to see if there were better places.

 

[bllfish]

If all of the labels are at the same end, is that the end you should make sure is cooled by fans?

 

[LJA]

I've gone back through this thread to find a similar setup to mine for a good combo and I've found four options that have been recommended.


I would just like to start over now


Here what I have:


29 Gallon tank 30"x12"x18"

Keeping LPS, would like to start keeping SPS.

I would like to have a nice crisp blue tint but not overwhelming blue.

I have the Sundial 4x24watt T5 fixture and here are the options I saw:


#1
Blue Plus
Aqua Sun
Aqua Blue
Blue Plus

#2
Blue Plus
UVl 75/25
GE 6500K
Blue Plus

#3
Blue Plus
Super Actinic
Aqua Blue
Sun Pro

#4
Blue Plus
Super Actinic
Aqua Sun
Blue Plus


So many choices!

What would be the best choice for a nice crisp blue tint something between 12k and 14k that would allow for good growth?


Right now I'm running two SA's and two AquaSun's and I can't stand the red/purple tint.


Thanks again everyone!

 

[Xiaan42]

I am heading around the 1 year mark for my lights and I am planning on replacing them soon.

I have a 38G Tank 36x12x20 and the Nova Extreme Pro fixture and I primary keep SPS and LPS and like a slightly bluer light.

My current setup is:
Front
Giesemann Pure Actinic
Giesemann Aquablue
Giesemann Pure Actinic
UVL 75/25
UVL Super Actinic
Giesemann Aquablue

I am thinking of going for this combination:

UVL Super Actinic
Giesemann Aquablue
Giesemann Actinic Plus or ATI Blue Plus
UVL 75/25
UVL Super Actinic
Giesemann Aquablue

Any recommendations on this setup?

 

[Monkeyfish]

How does cooling the fixture via fan result in an increase in PAR?

 

[Todd March]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14368903#post14368903 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Chipie
Nobody want to help me with this

Hey Chipie, I would make strong use of G-mann's Actinic+, which is their version of the Blue+, along with G-mann's Aquablue+, their version of the Aquablue Special. For some actinic effect and a little help with the reds, a UVL 75/25 would fit nicely as well. If you really want color pop and actinic effect, replace the 75/25 with a Super Actinic (which is what I would do).

Something like this:

Actinic+
Aquablue+
UVL 75/25
Actinic+
Aquablue+
Actinic +

If you wanted something a little less white, and more blue and with a little more emphasis on great colors:

Actinic+
UVL 75/25
Actinic+
G-mann Aquablue+ (or Midday)
UVL Super Actinic
Actinic+

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14364663#post14364663 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by MarcB
Just a question. Do you mean replacing 2 stock blues with Blue Plus, and replacing the 10k's with Aquablues, or replace all of them with Aquablues?

Thank you for all the help!!!

Didn't you order 4 Aquablues? If you havent ordered lamps doing what you listed would be good.