The T5 Q&a Thread

[ronert]

I'm retrofitting. I have enough ballasts, just wondering how many I should use.

I'm doing this as a prop tank, what bulbs should I use?

 

[rtparty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14661052#post14661052 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ronert
I'm retrofitting. I have enough ballasts, just wondering how many I should use.

I'm doing this as a prop tank, what bulbs should I use?

What ballasts are you running?

4 bulbs over that tank will be good.

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

 

[ktrandc]

Hi Grim,

I just got a Giesemann Reflexx T5 Fixture (4 bulbs) for my 36" tank. I'm keeping an anenome, some clowns, and some softies (LPS and zoas) in the tank. I'd like to keep the tank more "bluish" or "purplish" color because it's in my office and I'd like to keep the tank more on the "calm" look (vs. super white bright). What bulbs would you suggest?

Thanks

 

[SkyPapa]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14657789#post14657789 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Front
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Actinic White
GE 65000K Daylight
ATI Aquablue

Shouldn't look too blue.

Thanks Grim.

 

[ronert]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14661404#post14661404 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rtparty
What ballasts are you running?

I'm not sure other than that they run 2 T5HO bulbs.

 

[Chibils]

Grim,

First off I'd like to thank you for all the work you've put into this thread. That said, I've always been a halide man. But I'm going to college next year, and I'm going to have a 10G (24x18x6) acan tank. I'm getting a 4x24w Powermodule and I want a good bit of blue without washing it out (in the 14-17k range).
This is the tank I'm trying to imitate, with under half the bulbs:
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2008-07/totm/index.php

Is there a good combo that won't either wash out my colors or bleach the acans (the Powermodule is powerful! and on a 6" tank!)?

 

[rtparty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14662634#post14662634 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ronert
I'm not sure other than that they run 2 T5HO bulbs.

Sweet you will just need to use 2 of them for the 4 bulbs.

 

[tinnghe]

Grim

I am running 2 250 watt with 2 t5 supplement. I am looking for an upgrade. I have a set of 400 watt mh that I can put on my lumen brite reflector. However I want to go t5 instead. Would a powermodule 8x54 watt be enough? It is a 48x24x31h tank with about 3 inches of sand. Or should I not even think about t5?

 

[andy57]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14660404#post14660404 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rtparty
The reflectors are bad and the ballasts are terrible! My ballast would shut off randomly and not work for 48 hours at a time. Then it would start working again. PITA if you ask me and not worth saving a few bucks. If you are on a budget look into the TEK fixtures or at the very minimum Current USA stuff.

Thanks for the heads up, it definitely changes where I'm leaning

Only thing I don't like about the Tek lights is how much more I'd have to pay for the acrylic cover and stand (I don't want to hang them )

How would the 4 bulb Tek compare with Nova Extreme Pro? I know the Tek fixtures are better but not sure if the 4 bulb Tek would be better than the 6 the Nova Extreme Pro offers.

The width becomes an issue as I'll be lighting my 72g bowfront which is only 12" at the ends, so the 6 bulb Tek would be too wide.

Thanks again!

 

[cpllongjk]

Tinnghe t5s would be perfect. All you would need is 8 bulb. Some people say that it wont go 31 inches. But you have 3 inches of sand so that makes 28inches. All it means is you probably wont have sps on the sand is all. But you can keep sps from top to about 24-25" deep.

 

[ronert]

Thanks for the info Rtparty

 

[onegreenray]

grim,
looking for a color combination for my 40 breeder. have two 36" 4 t5 nova extremes running.

currently running 4 uv super actnics and 4 uv AquaSun 10000°K


what i am looking for is a combination that will bring out the colors of my zoas(make them pop) and add some more light to increase growth. i guess more blue then the current purple i have. not to crazy about the uv bulbs.

thx

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14658274#post14658274 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Leopard Man
Ok, I have just placed an order for an 8x24W power modul for my 30Lx25Wx18L. However my supplier only supplies giesseman and ATI bulbs. What would be the best bulb combo for SPS and clams that give good colour and growth? And in what order should I place the bulbs?

EDIT:

I can also get Korallen Zucht Bulbs.

ATI Blue Plus
KZ Fiji Purple
Blue Plus
Gmann Midday
Blue Plus
Fiji Purple
ATI Aquablue
Blue Plus

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14659481#post14659481 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rse1968
Hello Grim, I am running....

Front
ATI Blue Plus
UV Super Actinic
Uv Aquasun
ATI Blue Plus
GE 6500K
ATI Blue Plus
UV 75/25
ATI Blue Plus

I was thinking of getting an Icecap 660 and was wondering which bulbs I should overdrive. My tank is 36w x 24w x 27d. Thanks for your time. RSE

Overdrive the Aquasun, 6500K and 2 Blue Plus that are in the middle.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14660098#post14660098 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by andy57
Has anyone tested these at all? People that have used them for the most part seem to give decent reviews. I'm also looking for lighting on a budget and am leaning towards these or a fixture from fishneedit.com

Is it just the reflectors that are poor on the Odyssea? Would they'd still be fine for non demanding stuff?

Both the company and the product have gotten a whole lot of bad reviews. You get what you pay for. You can't build a good light for half of what everyone else charges.

Don't know anything about the fish need it stuff. As far as I am concerned the Current USA stuff is about as budget as I would go. They at least stand behind their products.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14660122#post14660122 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by atlfishes
I'm going with a 5 bulb retro setup over a 90 gallon mixed reef. I have 6 bulbs to choose from. I would appreciate some suggestions. Thanks
3 blue plus
Uvl 75.25
GE 6600k
Aquablue

Blue Plus
75/25
Blue Plus
Aquablue or GE
Blue Plus

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14660959#post14660959 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ronert
Hey Grim Reefer,

I'm setting up a 33 gallon tank. It is the same footprint as a 55 except it is only 12 inches high. How many T-5 bulbs should I put over the tank?

Thanks!

4 lamps in about any fixture out there. Good lamps will help you out more than good reflectors so the Nova's or low end sunlight supply fixtures (nu Wave) would be good.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14661417#post14661417 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ktrandc
Hi Grim,

I just got a Giesemann Reflexx T5 Fixture (4 bulbs) for my 36" tank. I'm keeping an anenome, some clowns, and some softies (LPS and zoas) in the tank. I'd like to keep the tank more "bluish" or "purplish" color because it's in my office and I'd like to keep the tank more on the "calm" look (vs. super white bright). What bulbs would you suggest?

Thanks

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

Get an external fan and blow air across the fixture. Giesemann didn't add cooling to the fixture and the heat absolutely kills the output. Try to set the fan so air indirectly hits the lamps. I haven't personally played with them so I am not really sure how to best use the fan but if there are vents in the top then having the air blow across the side for air will pass under the lamps and over the top of the fixture will work good.

 

[Leopard Man]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14665472#post14665472 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
ATI Blue Plus
KZ Fiji Purple
Blue Plus
Gmann Midday
Blue Plus
Fiji Purple
ATI Aquablue
Blue Plus

Thanks Grim! Awesome.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14662673#post14662673 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Chibils
Grim,

First off I'd like to thank you for all the work you've put into this thread. That said, I've always been a halide man. But I'm going to college next year, and I'm going to have a 10G (24x18x6) acan tank. I'm getting a 4x24w Powermodule and I want a good bit of blue without washing it out (in the 14-17k range).
This is the tank I'm trying to imitate, with under half the bulbs:
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2008-07/totm/index.php

Is there a good combo that won't either wash out my colors or bleach the acans (the Powermodule is powerful! and on a 6" tank!)?

If the tank is only 6" tall I would get a different fixture. I would look for a 4 or even 6 lamp fixture that looks cool.

For lamps try

Blue Plus
Fiji Purple or UVL 75/25
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus