The T5 Q&a Thread

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14545748#post14545748 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. I have the bulbs 5" off the water is that ok or should I be closer?

Should be good. Any closer and you start getting salt spray all over everything.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14546484#post14546484 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by nanug7
hay guys,

i am buying 2 ATI 48" 10x54w pomermodule for my new 30x30x93. sps dominated. what will be the best bulb combo. i like it blue but i will have 28 current 4x1 watt LED powerbrites all blue. thanks for the help

I am not sure of the lamp configuration on that using so you may need to tweak this to get good dusk/dawn mix

Front

ATI Blue Plus
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Actinic White
ATI Blue Plus
GE 6500K Daylight
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Actinic white
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Blue Plus

I am assuming the 4 outside lamps are dusk/dawn

 

[uncleof6]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14546623#post14546623 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Back to front

ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Actinic White
ATI Blue Plus
KZ Fiji Purple or UVL 75/25
ATI Blue Plus

Thank you Grim, I appreciate the time you spend helping with this great lighting system.

Regards,

Jim

 

[Necsones]

i have nova extreme and was wondering how this set up would be. For dusk/dawn i want it a darker blue.

ATI Blue +
ATI 12000K Aquablue Special
UVL Super Actinic
GE 6500K Daylight

would that give me a good dark blue dusk/dawn and a good bright day light?

 

[Randallino]

Grimm
Thanks for the bulb selection I am just wondering about some other choices because my LFS doesn't carry ATI or GE.
What would be a similar, equal or better replacement bulb for GE 6500K Daylight:
Giesemann Midday or Aqua Science and would like to add 1 KZ Fiji Purple.
I will be using a Sfigoli Stealth 8 Bulb fixture.

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

Thanks
RC

 

[fatrip]

thank you grim. You probably dont remember because it was a year or two ago but we had sought your help with picking out a bulb combo for our city zoo's tank in Binghamton, NY. i was wondering if we could refine it now that there are more bulbs out there and soon they will be due for another change. I believe right now we have are using 6 or 8 lamps, not sure but i think 6 over the 180g mixed reef. i think right now it is 2 blue+, 2 blue special, a pro color and an actinic. any suggestions as well as oder they should go in front to back. thanks a bunch Grim.

also the 75/25, is that the 14000k aqua blue?

 

[Rockpile]

Grim, have read this thread extensively, and now looking for some advice. I have a 65g 36x18x25 with a 6 bulb TEK. Currently running:

Front:
ATI BLue plus
UVL super actinic
UVL aquasun
UVL 75/25
ATI Aquablue special
ATI blue plus

I run the blus pluses as actinics for 12hrs and all on for 9.5
I absolutely love the blus plus color and the prefer the ATI 11K over the UVL 10K. Would you see any problems with the following setup.

Front:
ATI blue plus
ATI aquablue special
ATI blue plus
ATI aquablue special
ATI aquablue special
ATI blue plus

Most of my SPS would be toward the back a little over halfway up on top of a large rock shelf. Softies and LPS on the front bottom. No clams yet but am looking to put a few on the sand in front. Any opinions? Thanks!

 

[kaserpick]

Hey Grim,

I'm having a tough time. I have halides, 250w 14's x2 over my 65g. I've got the growth, but my color went down a little (Sps dominate). If I went with 8 bulb powermodule, would I be nuking my coral? Also, would it still be to grow sps at the bottom (25" depth)? If so, what bulb configuration would you run? Thank you so much!

 

[rtparty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14548895#post14548895 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Rockpile
Grim, have read this thread extensively, and now looking for some advice. I have a 65g 36x18x25 with a 6 bulb TEK. Currently running:

Front:
ATI BLue plus
UVL super actinic
UVL aquasun
UVL 75/25
ATI Aquablue special
ATI blue plus

I run the blus pluses as actinics for 12hrs and all on for 9.5
I absolutely love the blus plus color and the prefer the ATI 11K over the UVL 10K. Would you see any problems with the following setup.

Front:
ATI blue plus
ATI aquablue special
ATI blue plus
ATI aquablue special
ATI aquablue special
ATI blue plus

Most of my SPS would be toward the back a little over halfway up on top of a large rock shelf. Softies and LPS on the front bottom. No clams yet but am looking to put a few on the sand in front. Any opinions? Thanks!

Your combo looks good but I would add red some how into the mix.

ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue
KZ Fiji Purple
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus


The fiji purple will add reds and help the coraline look good. Plus it adds lots of PAR for the SPS and clams.

Just a thought

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14547492#post14547492 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Necsones
i have nova extreme and was wondering how this set up would be. For dusk/dawn i want it a darker blue.

ATI Blue +
ATI 12000K Aquablue Special
UVL Super Actinic
GE 6500K Daylight

would that give me a good dark blue dusk/dawn and a good bright day light?

Yeah, should be about what you are looking for.

 

[rtparty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14549182#post14549182 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kaserpick
Hey Grim,

I'm having a tough time. I have halides, 250w 14's x2 over my 65g. I've got the growth, but my color went down a little (Sps dominate). If I went with 8 bulb powermodule, would I be nuking my coral? Also, would it still be to grow sps at the bottom (25" depth)? If so, what bulb configuration would you run? Thank you so much!

The 6 bulb Powermodule is what you would want to get. With the 8 bulb you will be trying to grow your carpet.

You will be fine with SPS anywhere in the tank. If you are worried about bleaching the corals just keep the fixture higher up until they acclimate then move it down.

ATI Blue Plus
KZ Fiji Purple
ATI Blue Plus
GE 6500K
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus

You may need to switch the order for dusk/dawn.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14547682#post14547682 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Randallino
Grimm
Thanks for the bulb selection I am just wondering about some other choices because my LFS doesn't carry ATI or GE.
What would be a similar, equal or better replacement bulb for GE 6500K Daylight:
Giesemann Midday or Aqua Science and would like to add 1 KZ Fiji Purple.
I will be using a Sfigoli Stealth 8 Bulb fixture.

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

Thanks
RC

front
ATI Blue Plus >>> AS 22000K Blue or Geismann Actinic PLUS (both are the same so go with the best price)
UVL Super Actinic
UVL Actinic White >>> Fiji Purple
Gmann Actinic Plus
GE 6500K Daylight >>> Geisemann Midday
UVL Actinic White
UVL Super Actinic
Geisemann Actinic Plus

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14548447#post14548447 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by fatrip
thank you grim. You probably dont remember because it was a year or two ago but we had sought your help with picking out a bulb combo for our city zoo's tank in Binghamton, NY. i was wondering if we could refine it now that there are more bulbs out there and soon they will be due for another change. I believe right now we have are using 6 or 8 lamps, not sure but i think 6 over the 180g mixed reef. i think right now it is 2 blue+, 2 blue special, a pro color and an actinic. any suggestions as well as oder they should go in front to back. thanks a bunch Grim.

also the 75/25, is that the 14000k aqua blue?

UVL does call the 75/25 aquablue. I dont use that because it just confuses the hell out of people.

I have switched from the Pro Color to the UVL actinic white because the better PAR and less harsh red. Try adding the AW lamp instead of the pro color and the 75/25 instead of super actinic. Both have a little red in the output, more PAR and add actinic kick too.

 

[fatrip]

cool thanks grim.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14548895#post14548895 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Rockpile
Grim, have read this thread extensively, and now looking for some advice. I have a 65g 36x18x25 with a 6 bulb TEK. Currently running:

Front:
ATI BLue plus
UVL super actinic
UVL aquasun
UVL 75/25
ATI Aquablue special
ATI blue plus

I run the blus pluses as actinics for 12hrs and all on for 9.5
I absolutely love the blus plus color and the prefer the ATI 11K over the UVL 10K. Would you see any problems with the following setup.

Front:
ATI blue plus
ATI aquablue special
ATI blue plus
ATI aquablue special
ATI aquablue special
ATI blue plus

Most of my SPS would be toward the back a little over halfway up on top of a large rock shelf. Softies and LPS on the front bottom. No clams yet but am looking to put a few on the sand in front. Any opinions? Thanks!

Try a UVL Actinic White in place of the Aquablue in slot 4. It is a little less harsh than the Aquasun as far as red goes but you still get actinic and good PAR.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14549182#post14549182 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kaserpick
Hey Grim,

I'm having a tough time. I have halides, 250w 14's x2 over my 65g. I've got the growth, but my color went down a little (Sps dominate). If I went with 8 bulb powermodule, would I be nuking my coral? Also, would it still be to grow sps at the bottom (25" depth)? If so, what bulb configuration would you run? Thank you so much!

You could but are you sure the light is what is causing the lack of color?

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

 

[KMP]

Wow! Glad I found this thread. I recently purchased a 36" TEK T5 [6 bulb] to replace my 250w MH [14K Pheonix bulb] over a 70g tank [24" deep]. This thread is so large I simply can't go through and digest everything so hoping I can get an answer on bulb recommendations without having to have your restate a recommendation already given [not likely I'm sure given the size of this thread].

I like the color of my 250w Pheonix 14K flanked by 2 96w Actinics. Using that as a base line, would like to achieve something close to that color [looking for the coral pop] while also getting good SPS growth. I have 2 Giessman Pure Actinics [new], can you guys assist with the selection of the other 4 bulbs? If, you think one of the Pure Actinics should be swapped with something else - that's OK too.

Also, how should the bulbs be placed (front of tank to rear).

I get the feeling Reef Geek is the preferred site for ordering T5 bulbs so I'm up for any brand bulb providing it achieves the desired results.

Any help is appreciated.

 

[flapjack1439]

I'm replacing the lamps in my 5 bulb setup over my 58. I currently have the following and it seems too washed out when all of the lights are on.

Front
g-mann actinic +
g-man aquablue +
UV aquasun
g-man aquablue +
g-mann actinic +

The 2 g-mann actinic + are dusk and dawn

To make it pop more I was thinking

Front
ati blue +
uv 75/25
ati aquablue special
uv 75/25
ati blue +

The 2 ati blue + are dusk and dawn

Any thoughts?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14549759#post14549759 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by KMP
Wow! Glad I found this thread. I recently purchased a 36" TEK T5 [6 bulb] to replace my 250w MH [14K Pheonix bulb] over a 70g tank [24" deep]. This thread is so large I simply can't go through and digest everything so hoping I can get an answer on bulb recommendations without having to have your restate a recommendation already given [not likely I'm sure given the size of this thread].

I like the color of my 250w Pheonix 14K flanked by 2 96w Actinics. Using that as a base line, would like to achieve something close to that color [looking for the coral pop] while also getting good SPS growth. I have 2 Giessman Pure Actinics [new], can you guys assist with the selection of the other 4 bulbs? If, you think one of the Pure Actinics should be swapped with something else - that's OK too.

Also, how should the bulbs be placed (front of tank to rear).

I get the feeling Reef Geek is the preferred site for ordering T5 bulbs so I'm up for any brand bulb providing it achieves the desired results.

Any help is appreciated.

Personally I wouldn't run actinics period. If you are up for it ditch the pure actinic and do this

Front
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus
KZ Fiji Purple
GE 6500K Daylight
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue

Otherwise

Front
ATI Aquablue
Pure Actinic
ATI Blue Plus
Fiji Purple or UVL Actinic White
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14549802#post14549802 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by flapjack1439
I'm replacing the lamps in my 5 bulb setup over my 58. I currently have the following and it seems too washed out when all of the lights are on.

Front
g-mann actinic +
g-man aquablue +
UV aquasun
g-man aquablue +
g-mann actinic +

The 2 g-mann actinic + are dusk and dawn

To make it pop more I was thinking

Front
ati blue +
uv 75/25
ati aquablue special
uv 75/25
ati blue +

The 2 ati blue + are dusk and dawn

Any thoughts?

Well worth a try. Should look good.