The T5 Q&a Thread

[dwiseman]

Grim

Have a 6 bulb setup that I have been running for over one year. You helped me setup my tank when I was growing SPS. The growth has been great but I am trying a few LPS. Should I keep the current setup
Front
Blue Plus
75/25
AquaSun
Blue Plus
Aqua Blue
Blue Plus

Any advice would be great

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<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

Do 3 Blue Plus 1 Pro Color and 2 Aquablues.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<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.

You need to have a killer cooling scheme if you are going to overdrive lamps in the fixture. Any chance you can post a picture of the unit?

 

[gnesh69]

34G Solana

34G Solana

Great thread! Almost 500,000 hits.

I recently switched tanks to a 34G Solana. The tank is 20" deep. I am looking for some extra light for my tank. I currently have a 150W 14K HQI Current MH light fixture. I am looking to supplement the light with a coralife 2 bulb fixture, 2X14 Watt, 24 inch. (I use to use it on my old tank for acetinics only) I have a large number of SPS that I transfer over to the new tank and am looking for the best growth plus great coloring from my corals. Any thoughts on the bulbs I should use would be great.

Tank and MH link: http://www.current-usa.com/solana.html

Coralife Aqualight Dual Linear Strip T5 Aquarium Lighting Fixture, 2X14 Watt, 24 inch: http://www.aquarium-supply.biz/Coralife_Aqualight_T5_Aquarium_Lighting_p/res58020.htm



Thanks,

Neal

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<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.

4 Blue Plus, 1 UVL Actinic White and one UVL 75/25 looks nice and has enough red and yellow to pick up all colors really nice.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<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!

Front
ATI Blue Plus
KZ Fiji Purple
Halide
ATI Aquablue or Fiji Purple
ATI Blue Plus

Running 2 Fiji Purples might be a little too pink a loke for some but I think it would look cool.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<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!

Get a ATI Sunpower or Powermodule

Blue Plus
UVL 75/25
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<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:

I am not all that impressed with the Fiji Purple. It was just the first lamp marketed for the specific purpose of adding red. You can get the same effect using other lamps.

The UVL lamps (Actinic White, 75/25, Aquasun) and ATI Pro Color do a nice job of adding red.

For your setup I would try this

ATI Blue Plus
UVL 75/25
ATO Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Actinic White
ATI Blue Plus


The Blue Plus will give you some good pop, the 2 UVL lamps will add some red and the Aquablue (along with the 2 UVL lamps) will brighten it up. The Superman should look insane nder that mix.

 

[vid660]

I replaced my 54w T5 HO bulbs two months ago with the recommended:

Blue Plus
Super Actinic
UVL Aquasun
Blue Plus

However, it doesn't seem as bright as the bulbs I had in before. The yellow tang doesn't seem to pop anymore and neither does the red coloring in my maroon clown. Here's what I previously had recommended by Grim two years ago:

Blue plus
Aquablue
GE Sun
Blue plus

Could I do something like this (since I have these bulbs right now):

Blue plus
Aquablue
UVL Aquasun
Blue Plus

Or would it not be the correct spectrum for RBTA and LPS?

Thanks

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<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?

Blue Plus lamps have a lot of PAR. 4 Blue Plus with 2 white daylight style lamps like GE 6500K or the UVL Aquasun doesn't look as blue as you might think. It's blue but not BLUE!!!.

 

[djmicl]

Grim

I am currently using 2 aquablue specials and 2 blue plus on my 55 gallon with a 660 ballast and it looks great.

However, I am replacing my 55 gal. with a 150 gallon tank 25 inch deep. I am going to use the 4x T5 from my 55gal setup plus two 175 watts 15k iwasakis halides.

What bulb combination should I use for the T5's? or would it look good with my current aquablue special and blue plus. Any suggestion would be greatly appreciated.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14623701#post14623701 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 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!

Probably dump the GE for another Blue Plus, Maybe swap the position of the front 75/25 with the super actinic too.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<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

Nothing wrong with it. If you have read many of the posts and seen the lamps you should have an idea what it will look like.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14624332#post14624332 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by backlash
Thanks for the suggestions guys...
..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!

ATI is my favorite actinic in the 80 watt lamps.

Biggest difference in your two mixes is the one with the fiji purple will give you better pink and purple colors.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14624757#post14624757 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by dwiseman
Grim

Have a 6 bulb setup that I have been running for over one year. You helped me setup my tank when I was growing SPS. The growth has been great but I am trying a few LPS. Should I keep the current setup
Front
Blue Plus
75/25
AquaSun
Blue Plus
Aqua Blue
Blue Plus

Any advice would be great

Try an Actinic White instead of the aquasun and swap the position with the aquablue

 

[plancton]

OK grim you´re the one with more experience on T5 setups, so you know I got a 6 bulb configuration, from the picture I showed the 2 blue bulbs are independent from the rest, so I run them with actinics and run them longer, of course one of them might be substituted for fiji purple or something.

So picture this: I got a tank full of frags, limited edition frags from atlantis, new favias and a froot loops acan, I want everything to have amazing coloration but also fast growth.

What bulb setup would you recommend then?.

P.D. I used to think 6500k were used for faster growth, although I never liked the color.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14625480#post14625480 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Blue Plus lamps have a lot of PAR. 4 Blue Plus with 2 white daylight style lamps like GE 6500K or the UVL Aquasun doesn't look as blue as you might think. It's blue but not BLUE!!!.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14625465#post14625465 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by vid660
I replaced my 54w T5 HO bulbs two months ago with the recommended:

Blue Plus
Super Actinic
UVL Aquasun
Blue Plus

However, it doesn't seem as bright as the bulbs I had in before. The yellow tang doesn't seem to pop anymore and neither does the red coloring in my maroon clown. Here's what I previously had recommended by Grim two years ago:

Blue plus
Aquablue
GE Sun
Blue plus

Could I do something like this (since I have these bulbs right now):

Blue plus
Aquablue
UVL Aquasun
Blue Plus

Or would it not be the correct spectrum for RBTA and LPS?

Thanks

The GE lamp is what was poping the yellow and brightening up the maroon. You could try the Aquasun and the GE with 2 Blue Pluses and see how you like it.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14625509#post14625509 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by djmicl
Grim

I am currently using 2 aquablue specials and 2 blue plus on my 55 gallon with a 660 ballast and it looks great.

However, I am replacing my 55 gal. with a 150 gallon tank 25 inch deep. I am going to use the 4x T5 from my 55gal setup plus two 175 watts 15k iwasakis halides.

What bulb combination should I use for the T5's? or would it look good with my current aquablue special and blue plus. Any suggestion would be greatly appreciated.

You could sneak in a UVL 75/25 with a Aquablue and 2 Blue Plus.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14625784#post14625784 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by plancton
OK grim you´re the one with more experience on T5 setups, so you know I got a 6 bulb configuration, from the picture I showed the 2 blue bulbs are independent from the rest, so I run them with actinics and run them longer, of course one of them might be substituted for fiji purple or something.

So picture this: I got a tank full of frags, limited edition frags from atlantis, new favias and a froot loops acan, I want everything to have amazing coloration but also fast growth.

What bulb setup would you recommend then?.

P.D. I used to think 6500k were used for faster growth, although I never liked the color.

3 Blue Plus and 1 Aquablue then try a UVL Actinic White and 75/25. Should pop stuff sweet. 75/25 is the only low PAR lamp in the mix

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Re: 34G Solana

Re: 34G Solana

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14625153#post14625153 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by gnesh69
Great thread! Almost 500,000 hits.

I recently switched tanks to a 34G Solana. The tank is 20" deep. I am looking for some extra light for my tank. I currently have a 150W 14K HQI Current MH light fixture. I am looking to supplement the light with a coralife 2 bulb fixture, 2X14 Watt, 24 inch. (I use to use it on my old tank for acetinics only) I have a large number of SPS that I transfer over to the new tank and am looking for the best growth plus great coloring from my corals. Any thoughts on the bulbs I should use would be great.

Tank and MH link: http://www.current-usa.com/solana.html

Coralife Aqualight Dual Linear Strip T5 Aquarium Lighting Fixture, 2X14 Watt, 24 inch: http://www.aquarium-supply.biz/Coralife_Aqualight_T5_Aquarium_Lighting_p/res58020.htm



Thanks,

Neal

Current makes some 2 lamp T5 ho fixtures that would be better. Get some ATI Aquablues for it. Nice blue light and a juicy boost in PAR too