The T5 Q&a Thread

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14619593#post14619593 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tylert
I don't know how that would look but I don't want it too blue. Plus I have a blue background if that makes a difference. Will This be fine?

I was suggested
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus
KZ Fiji Purple
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue

The Aquablues are pretty white. Should look good.

 

[disney95]

grim I have a nova extream pro 6x54 w over a 55 gal. I want to keep mostly sps I have replace the stock bulbs with
2 blue plus 2 aqua blue and 2 pro colors whould this be good
what order should they be in and should I replace any with a differant bulb
thanks

 

[customdusty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14619663#post14619663 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Your major drawback is probably the reflectors or lack there of.

It looks like the reflector is in two pieces (4 and 4), individually contoured for each bulb.

I was considering getting a Tek fixture - but their 8 bulb fixture is wider than a standard 75/90 gal tank (18" wide). Can I buy a pre-manufactured fixture and run it off of better ballasts and overdrive the bulbs? Just want to maximize my output while minimizing the footprint.

 

[rtparty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14619835#post14619835 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by disney95
grim I have a nova extream pro 6x54 w over a 55 gal. I want to keep mostly sps I have replace the stock bulbs with
2 blue plus 2 aqua blue and 2 pro colors whould this be good
what order should they be in and should I replace any with a differant bulb
thanks

The Pro Colors will hurt your PAR pretty bad. You will want to keep the SPS up on the rocks and directly under the light.

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

 

[rtparty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14621044#post14621044 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by customdusty
It looks like the reflector is in two pieces (4 and 4), individually contoured for each bulb.

I was considering getting a Tek fixture - but their 8 bulb fixture is wider than a standard 75/90 gal tank (18" wide). Can I buy a pre-manufactured fixture and run it off of better ballasts and overdrive the bulbs? Just want to maximize my output while minimizing the footprint.

Either go with the TEK 6 bulb fixture or even better the ATI Sunpower 6 bulb if you can. The Sunpower is a beast for the price. If you decided to get a TEK fixture also buy the Azoo clamp on fans and have the fans blow directly on the fixture to help cool things down.

Running fixtures with different ballasts can cause problems with heat and life of the bulbs.

 

[Patroklos]

grim I have a nova extream pro 6x54 w over a 55 gal. I want to keep mostly sps I have replace the stock bulbs with
2 blue plus 2 aqua blue and 2 pro colors whould this be good
what order should they be in and should I replace any with a differant bulb

I have a question about a similar fixture, but with different livestock.

I am running a Nova Extreme Pro 36" 6x39w fixture. I have been a little slow learning the lighting side of the house, so I am still running the stock bulbs but am finally getting around to replacing them. I have a primarily LPS tank with a few zoas, what would be a good set of bulbs for these? I am partial to the blue look, though not too blue!

I would like some leeway for further coral experimentation in the future, maybe a chalice.

 

[backlash]

I'm sure this has already been covered but i couldn't find it. I'm running a halide/ T5 combo setup like this...

-------------------------------T5-----------------------------------
-------------------------------T5-----------------------------------
---------250de----------------250de------------------250de--------
-------------------------------T5-----------------------------------
-------------------------------T5-----------------------------------

The halides are Phoenix on Aro e-ballasts which as you know are pretty blue. The T5's are the 80w versions.

Any suggestions on T5 combos??

Thanks in advance!

 

[Spearo2953]

I'm also looking for bulb selection help.

Setup is a 45g 36"x12"x24"; it will have a T5 4x39watt fixture.

Looking for a bulb selection that will be ascetically pleasing and will support clams and some softies. No plans for SPS.

Thanks!

 

[plancton]

I just wanted to share with you that T5s with individual parabolic reflectors and icecap ballasts are as bright as 250W MH but with better light distribution as has been said.

Check this out, my new superman montipora, was placed 17" from
the bulbs, and everything was fine, then I moved it 13" from the bulbs and it started getting bleached

Lowered again to 17" and its getting its color back.

One question about the lighting setup, right now I´m using JBL actinic, and JBL marineday 15000k for the whites. I think in my next purchase I´m gonna buy ATI aquablue 12000k for the whites, maybe a blue plus and I´m interested on the KZ fiji purple, just because it seems to be really popular right now.

Why is the KZ fiji purple so popular right now?, what are its benefits?, where would you place it in the following light configuration:

 

[rtparty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14621875#post14621875 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Patroklos
I have a question about a similar fixture, but with different livestock.

I am running a Nova Extreme Pro 36" 6x39w fixture. I have been a little slow learning the lighting side of the house, so I am still running the stock bulbs but am finally getting around to replacing them. I have a primarily LPS tank with a few zoas, what would be a good set of bulbs for these? I am partial to the blue look, though not too blue!

I would like some leeway for further coral experimentation in the future, maybe a chalice.

Chalice don't require a lot of light so you should be fine trying one. I have one of mine under PC in my nano cube it is doing great!

For bulbs:

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

may need to tweak for dusk/dawn.

 

[rtparty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14622523#post14622523 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Spearo2953
I'm also looking for bulb selection help.

Setup is a 45g 36"x12"x24"; it will have a T5 4x39watt fixture.

Looking for a bulb selection that will be ascetically pleasing and will support clams and some softies. No plans for SPS.

Thanks!

ATI Blue Plus
UVL Actinic White or KZ Fiji Purple
GE 6500K or ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus

 

[rtparty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14622569#post14622569 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by plancton
I just wanted to share with you that T5s with individual parabolic reflectors and icecap ballasts are as bright as 250W MH but with better light distribution as has been said.

Check this out, my new superman montipora, was placed 17" from
the bulbs, and everything was fine, then I moved it 13" from the bulbs and it started getting bleached

Lowered again to 17" and its getting its color back.

One question about the lighting setup, right now I´m using JBL actinic, and JBL marineday 15000k for the whites. I think in my next purchase I´m gonna buy ATI aquablue 12000k for the whites, maybe a blue plus and I´m interested on the KZ fiji purple, just because it seems to be really popular right now.

Why is the KZ fiji purple so popular right now?, what are its benefits?, where would you place it in the following light configuration:

If you are running six bulbs I would try this:

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

As for the Fiji Purple people like it because it picks up reds nicely but still has an actinic punch to it. I know Todd and Snaza use them and LOVE them so they could tell you the benefits more than I can, since I don't run one...yet.

 

[rtparty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14622378#post14622378 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by backlash
I'm sure this has already been covered but i couldn't find it. I'm running a halide/ T5 combo setup like this...

-------------------------------T5-----------------------------------
-------------------------------T5-----------------------------------
---------250de----------------250de------------------250de--------
-------------------------------T5-----------------------------------
-------------------------------T5-----------------------------------

The halides are Phoenix on Aro e-ballasts which as you know are pretty blue. The T5's are the 80w versions.

Any suggestions on T5 combos??

Thanks in advance!

Maybe 2 ATI Blue Plus and 2 ATI Actinics.

 

[plancton]

Why so much blue plus?, that would be like having to much actinic and that would limit coral growth wouldn´t it?

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14622946#post14622946 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rtparty
If you are running six bulbs I would try this:

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

As for the Fiji Purple people like it because it picks up reds nicely but still has an actinic punch to it. I know Todd and Snaza use them and LOVE them so they could tell you the benefits more than I can, since I don't run one...yet.

 

[salmon alley]

Hi.
Currently I'm running an 8 x 54w ATI PM over an SPS dominated 48" x 24" x 20" tank.
My current config is:
Front
ATI Blue Plus
UVL 75/25
UVL Superactinic
ATI Blue Plus
GE 6500K
ATI Blue Plus
UVL 75/25
ATI Blue Plus

The overall color is nice, bright white with a bit of blue, but I'm looking for a bit more actinic pop. Maybe even a bit more blue..slightly deeper look.
Can you make a suggestion on what to add or delete?
Thanks!

 

[backlash]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14622976#post14622976 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rtparty
Maybe 2 ATI Blue Plus and 2 ATI Actinics.

Hmm, I'm thinking I've got alot of blue already from the Phoenix, but maybe. I've been experimenting with old bulbs and with 4 blueplus its way too blue, with 2 blueplus 2 aquablues its not bad actually. I may swap 1 or 2 blueplus for the pure actinics. I haven't seen the Fiji Purps either, do they mix well??

Thanks

 

[rtparty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14623233#post14623233 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by plancton
Why so much blue plus?, that would be like having to much actinic and that would limit coral growth wouldn´t it?

Actinc, or violet light, peaks at 420nm where as the Blue Plus peaks at about 460nm. Corals use more blue light than anything else. So blue is better for corals. The ATI Blue Plus is the highest PAR bulb available right now according to Sanjay Joshi.

Read this thread for more info:

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1496092

That thread is one of the better threads I have ever read.

 

[rtparty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14623730#post14623730 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by backlash
Hmm, I'm thinking I've got alot of blue already from the Phoenix, but maybe. I've been experimenting with old bulbs and with 4 blueplus its way too blue, with 2 blueplus 2 aquablues its not bad actually. I may swap 1 or 2 blueplus for the pure actinics. I haven't seen the Fiji Purps either, do they mix well??

Thanks

I was also gonna suggest the 2 ATI BP and 2 Aquablue.

If it is already blue enough than maybe 2 Aquablues and 2 Fiji Purples.

 

[The_Browns]

What would be wrong with this 4 bulb configuration

AquaBlue
Pure Actinic
Aquablue
Pure Actinic

 

[backlash]

Thanks for the suggestions guys...

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14624235#post14624235 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The_Browns
What would be wrong with this 4 bulb configuration

AquaBlue
Pure Actinic
Aquablue
Pure Actinic

..This is kind of what I was thinking but I am curious about the fiji purps too.

I wonder how this would look...
aquablue
pure actinic
fiji purple
blueplus

or

aquablue
pure actinic
aqua blue
blueplus

Wish I had them all to experiment!

BTW who makes the best 80w pure actinic T5 these days?

Thanks again for the suggestions!