The T5 Q&a Thread

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14531814#post14531814 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by runningnreefing
Hey Grim,

I am considering the ATI PM 6 bulb fixture over a 90g SPS tank. I really like the color of the Reeflux 12K so how can I get a similar color with T5s. What bulb combo do you recommend, and the configuration from front to back. Thank you.

Front
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus
GE 6500K Daylight
ATI Blue Plus
UVL 75/25
ATI Blue Plus

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14532859#post14532859 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by spw4949
Sorry, messed up the quote....

Should look good

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14535082#post14535082 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by cham
Huh, does removing the plexi splash guard really increase much par? I posted about my fixture earlier on this page, it doesn't have individual reflectors. Should I remove my splash guard too?

Not if it has fan(S). The Tek just gets too hot with the shield in place.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14536908#post14536908 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Fish dude32
Bump
quote:Originally posted by Fish dude32
I need to push 2 39w T5 bulbs and I have two different ballasts. What do you recomend. I have an ACCUSTART (2) F54T5HO and a ARO Ballast Model # AS-220 Electronic VHO Ballast rated at Max 220w and Max 1.82 Amps. Please help me. TIA

Neither one will drive 39 watt lamps without killing them.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14537145#post14537145 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tinnghe
so should i get 1 75.25 or 2 75.25, or run another bulb with something else? such as super atinic?

Im going from memory here, thats the suppliments for a 14K halide or am I confused.? Anyway the 75/25 and Super Actinic would be my choice.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14537149#post14537149 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Chipie
Hi,
I'm kind of in a jam here and hopefully,some of you guys will be able to help.

I wanted to use this combination of bulbs because my lfs said they could get geisemann and URI bulbs.

Gmann Actinic Plus
UVL 75/25
Gmann Actinic Plus
Gmann Midday
Gmann Actinic Plus
Gmann Aquablue




Now the lfs store calls me and say they can't get the geisemann Actinic + because their supplier is out of stock.

Is ther anothe combination that would give me good par and color that do not involve Actinic+ with those 2 bulb companies.

I'd like to support this lfs because they are just starting out but if it's not possible, i'll go somewhere else.

Any ideas?

If they have the UVL NON reflectored 454's those would work.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14537348#post14537348 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by AAA88
i have a 80g mixed reef with mostly softies,lps, some sps and want to have a clam or 2. the dimensions are 48''L18''W 23''H. i have a 12'' tall canopy with 15''Wide of space.

would it be better to go with a 6 bulb w/ icecap reflectors and Universal AccuStart or Vossloh-Schwabe electroinic ballast from reefgeeks. or would it be better to go with 4 bulb w/ icecap reflectors and icecap ballast so there would be 4 overdrive bulbs.

The 4 lamp overdriven if you want a clam on the sand, You will need to arrange things so the only softies that are directly under the lamps are on the sandbed. Another option would be 6 lamps, 4 48" lamps on a regular ballast over the rear with 2 24" lamps on a IC 430 up front with the clam under them You would have to get cute with fans for the 2 lamp IC system, have one at each end blowing in at the lamps from the side.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14538091#post14538091 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by woogy
Hey grim:

My fixture is a nova extreme. I know probably the worst unit out there. Anyways, can you recommend what would the best brand of bulbs I can use for this unit and what types. Thanks.

There's a lot worse stuff than the Nova

Front
Blue Plus
UVL Actinic White
ATI Blue Plus
GE 6500K Daylight
ATI Blue Plus

Add an Aquablue and Blue Plus for an 8 lamp unit.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14538208#post14538208 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by AAA88
anyone know if t5 will be ok in 12'' canopy

also what is better for a 23''Tall mixed reef w/clams

1. 4 bulb 54w icecap reflectors and icecap ballast to it will run overdrive.

or

2. 6 bulb 54w icecap reflectors w/ standard HO ballast. from reefgeeks

please help want to order my lights tonight

Use the VHO Ice Cap T5 retro

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14538642#post14538642 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by our6pack
Mr. Grim,
I swear last question before I decide on lights My tank is 48x24x24 I know if I was careful I could do a 48" 6 bulb unit based on your recommendation. I was planning on the 8 bulb unit based what you said about not having to worry about SPS placement. My what if question is could I get away with a 36" 8 bulb? Or what about doing a 36" 10 bulb unit? If you would recommend a 10 bulb unit what would the bulb combo be? My Tx4's are closer to the 36" is why I ask and since I'm doing the electrical conduit bend I want to to look nice with that ATI fixture. Thanks in advance. Your the best Grim.

36" fixture will work. Just use the ends for low light stuff.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Re: bulb choice help

Re: bulb choice help

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14539415#post14539415 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by motoman450
hey guys I used to have a Icecap 430 with 3 VHO UVL bulbs 2 x SA and 1 AW. yesterday I put on a new retro fit IC prewire 4 bulb setup with the following

ATI Blue Plus
UVL 75/25
ATI Blue Plus
GE 6500K Daylight

I thought it was MUCH brighter but the color just didn't really look like I thought it would so I took out the 6500K and changed it to the following

blue plus
power glo 18K
75/25
Blue plus

I think it looks better but still I'm not seeing the GLOW I had hoped for.. am I crazy ??? what would adding some SA bulbs do? my VHO SA bulbs were going to be on it too but they are worn out and I don't want to buy new ones but would rather get more t5s .... do I have to get a 6 bulb setup to get the GLOW ?? also I just noticed the first bulb in the fixture is mostly just over sand would moving the fixture back help much?? any help please

You could pull the 18K and go with a 3rd Blue Plus or bite the bullet and use 1 or 2 VHO actinics.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14539693#post14539693 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Rick55555
Hi,


I'm hopping to get bulb recommendations for a Tek 8-bulb (x 54 watt) fixture. The fixture will be on an SPS-only tank with a depth of 24 inches. My main concern is SPS growth. Will this fixture cut it?

I want to get the highest PAR without having a yellow/urine colored tank . Maybe white with a hint of blue?

I'm thinking along the lines of 5 AquaBlue Specials and 3 Blue Plus? Can you think of a bulb combination that will yield better growth that will not make the tank look terrible?

OR am I better off trying to sell my TEK fixture and getting an ATI Sunpower 6 x 80 watt (which I would rather not do)? :

I appreciate your help

Rick

Hit the drs forster and smith websit and get the azoo 4 fan clamp on array. Set it so it blows across the center back side of the fixture blowing down from slightly above the fixture if possible but don't point the fan directly at the lamps.

Front
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Aquasun
ATI Aquablue
UVL Aquasun
ATI Aquablue
Blue Plus
Blue Plus

Should give growth and color both.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14540338#post14540338 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by JOESWOODWORKS
Hi Grim,

I just got my new lights 4- 54 watts Retrofit Kit for my mixed 75 Gallon, The first set of bulbs I got from the ReefGeek were,

ATI Blue Plus
UVL 75/25 14000K AquaBlue
UVL 10000K AquaSun
ATI Blue Plus

This was not the color I was looking for, It was Pepto looking to me, So I just ordered.

Blue Plus
75/25 14000K Blue
12000K AquaBlue Special
Blue Plus

I hope this will look more Blue to me, If not what else can I do to give me that bluer look. Also I have the lights 5" off the water is that ok?

3 Blue Pluses will work. Going to look subdued though so you might want to run the aquasun with them to brighten things up

 

[WuHT]

due to my inability to work the search for t5 28 watts, i have a really simple question :

For a coralife strip light (that I can find NO information anywhere about the wattage), but my bulb burnt out and it was a 28 watt, it's safe to assume that the strip light 48" is 28 watts MAX ?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14540616#post14540616 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Chipie
Anybody use those Aqua Science Bulbs ? Any 6 bulb combinations that would be good?

4 Blue 22k's and 2 Specials would probably be my choice. The Duo is really just a combo lamp so no real point to running that.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14540885#post14540885 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by fatrip
hey guys esp mr. grimreefer, i was wondering what a good 4 bulb set up would be. i dont have sps, mostly lps and softies. they are 24w and going over a 13inch deep tank. i dont need max growth but want it too look nice and not too blue. I was thinking 2 ati blue+ a pro color and a blue special.

Instead of the pro color do a UVL 75/25. You get an actinic kick and more mellow red.

Cool avitar and sig line

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14541264#post14541264 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by spw4949
The 12000K ATI Aquablue specials right? I don't want my tank too blue but I'm assuming with the 2 Aquablues having the daylight spectrum in addition with the other bulbs it should balance out & give my tank a good look?

I wouldn't worry about the mix RT reco'd looking too blue. The Blue Pluses look almost white.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14541298#post14541298 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by reefboy12
So....the new 4-bulb combo is now b+,75/25,ge/ab,b+. Whats the difference between the old b+,sa,as,b+? & also, why the 75/25 instead of the super actinic ( is it just a par thing)? I don't know if I can give up the super actinic.
I am looking for the best color.

Ron

With all the lamps running the T5 actinics just don't make much difference if you are using the blue plus. The GE brightens up greens better than the aquasun. The 75/25 is a little mellower on the red it adds plus it gives you an actinic kick. I have also revisited the UVL Actinic white and currently use that with the 75/25 and 4 blue pluses. If I had a 7th lamp I would use either a GE 6500 or Aquablue just to brighten it up a tad but this is a pretty cool look.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Re:

Re:

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14543156#post14543156 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tqui
I know ICECAP ballast will overdrive T-5HO bulb...

how much more watt will a 48" 54w T-5HO become....

2 blue plus and 2 Aquablue will pick up about 35% while using about 29% more power. Not a bad deal at all.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14547216#post14547216 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by WuHT
due to my inability to work the search for t5 28 watts, i have a really simple question :

For a coralife strip light (that I can find NO information anywhere about the wattage), but my bulb burnt out and it was a 28 watt, it's safe to assume that the strip light 48" is 28 watts MAX ?

Yeah, you need to use a 28 watt lamp in that fixture.