The T5 Q&a Thread

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14496766#post14496766 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sunsetSPS
For 90G mixed reef (48"L; 18.5"W; 25"H) would 4 bulb ATI sunpower enough or I need a 6-bulb unit?

You could do it with 4 lamps.

Something like
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Fiji Purple
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus.

Anytjing would grow in the 8" of tank space under those lamps/

 

[Flightpipe]

Hey Grim,

I just got my order in and installed and I have to say it looks great! nice and crisp with good color. Thanks for the help!

 

[tinnghe]

Grim

I changing over from 400w 12k to 20k. What is the best t5 to get to bring out more red/ color? I have two t5

 

[zlwags85]

Just got my order from Reefgeek... still trying to count everything to make sure everything is there... 40 endcaps seems like a daunting task right now.

Question: Should the bulbs be stored in a specific manner until it's all setup? It shouldn't be more than a month before all this is installed and hooked up but I don't want to damage or loose life in the bulbs. Not sure if I read vertical ever or not... and the search function keeps bringing me bad data back (user error I'm sure)

Thanks!

 

[rtparty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14498091#post14498091 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by zlwags85
Just got my order from Reefgeek... still trying to count everything to make sure everything is there... 40 endcaps seems like a daunting task right now.

Question: Should the bulbs be stored in a specific manner until it's all setup? It shouldn't be more than a month before all this is installed and hooked up but I don't want to damage or loose life in the bulbs. Not sure if I read vertical ever or not... and the search function keeps bringing me bad data back (user error I'm sure)

Thanks!

Keep them horizontal.

 

[rtparty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14497421#post14497421 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tinnghe
Grim

I changing over from 400w 12k to 20k. What is the best t5 to get to bring out more red/ color? I have two t5

ATI Pro Color, KZ Fiji Purple, UVL 75/25, UVL Actinic White, UVL Aquasun.

All of those bulbs will help add red with the Fiji Purple and Pro Color bringing out the most red but they also over power anything else. I would run the 75/25.

 

[mikenjo]

i just recieved my bulbs from reefgeek how long does it take for the bulbs to show their full colors is their a burn in time

 

[Macimage]

I have read most of this thread, but I am getting the different bulb names and brands confused. I would like a 20K look. I have four bulbs.

There is one 105 W Helios fixture that can not be changed in the front of the tank with a blue bulb (not sure of the exact name). Then I have a retro kit with 3 80 watt t5's powered by an Icecap 660. I purchased 6-7 different Giesemann bulbs for the 3 t5 slots, but I can't figure out the correct order.

My husband will help me take off the canopy (again!), but I really need some advice as to the best order.

Here is what I am thinking for front to back:

Helios Fixture w 105 W Blue bulb (can't move or change)
Giesemann Actinic +
Giesemann Pure Actinic
Giesemann AquaBlue+

I have 2 Giesemann AquaBlue+, 2 Giesemann Actinic +, 1 Giesemann Pure Actinic and 1 Giesemann Midday, so I can swap those in to the mix above. I also saw a lfs with a KZ Fiji Purple and would purchase one of those if that will bring out the colors more. I could also buy a UL75/25 if that would be better.

So, what is best:

Helios Blue Bulb
Giesemann ??
Giesemann ??
Giesemann ??

or Purchase a new bulb and put in what order:

Helios Blue Bulb
Giesemann ??
Buy KZ Fuji Purple or UL 75/25
Giesemann ??

Please give me a suggestion as my tank just doesn't look as great as it could.

Thank you very, very much!
Joyce

 

[jrgeng]

Hey Grim,

I'm currently running a T5HO 54W (4 bulb) light fixture over a 75 gallon mixed reef. My current bulb arrangement (front to back) is:

ATI Aquablue
10K hello lights bulb
KZ Coral Light
UVL Aquasun

I was just curious if there might be a better bulb lineup or if I needed to add midday (6500K) to the lineup. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Jack

 

[ejocam]

Greeting T-5 Guru's!

I am in need of some serious hand holding here Just kidding.. Anyhow I have been having my Echinophyllia and SPS bleach/fade.

I have been using the Tek-5 8 Bulb fixture using these bulbs:

ATI Blue Plus
ATI Actinic
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Pro Color
ATI Aqua Blue Special
KZ Fii Purple
ATI Actinic
ATI Blue Plus

I tried adding more white with Daylight bulbs and it did not change anything after a month and went back to this but replaced one of the Blue Plus in the middle with Aqua Blue Special.

Not sure what the deal is but when I put them under halides they seem to recover and respond better. Are T-5's brighter or dimmer than MH? Do I need to feed more or less to compensate for something here? I am stumped. Any help would be appreicaited.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14497421#post14497421 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tinnghe
Grim

I changing over from 400w 12k to 20k. What is the best t5 to get to bring out more red/ color? I have two t5

UVL 75/25 would be my choice. More subtle than using a fiji purple or Pro Color.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14498712#post14498712 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mikenjo
i just recieved my bulbs from reefgeek how long does it take for the bulbs to show their full colors is their a burn in time

After 100 hours you should have what you are going to get but realistically other than Actinics I think the lamps pretty much stabilize after a few hours.

 

[rtparty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14500581#post14500581 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jrgeng
Hey Grim,

I'm currently running a T5HO 54W (4 bulb) light fixture over a 75 gallon mixed reef. My current bulb arrangement (front to back) is:

ATI Aquablue
10K hello lights bulb
KZ Coral Light
UVL Aquasun

I was just curious if there might be a better bulb lineup or if I needed to add midday (6500K) to the lineup. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Jack

ATI Blue Plus
UVL 75/25
KZ Coral Light
ATI Blue Plus


If you want to use the ATI Aquablue and want less blue then swich out the back Blue Plus with it.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14500201#post14500201 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Macimage
I have read most of this thread, but I am getting the different bulb names and brands confused. I would like a 20K look. I have four bulbs.

There is one 105 W Helios fixture that can not be changed in the front of the tank with a blue bulb (not sure of the exact name). Then I have a retro kit with 3 80 watt t5's powered by an Icecap 660. I purchased 6-7 different Giesemann bulbs for the 3 t5 slots, but I can't figure out the correct order.

My husband will help me take off the canopy (again!), but I really need some advice as to the best order.

Here is what I am thinking for front to back:

Helios Fixture w 105 W Blue bulb (can't move or change)
Giesemann Actinic +
Giesemann Pure Actinic
Giesemann AquaBlue+

I have 2 Giesemann AquaBlue+, 2 Giesemann Actinic +, 1 Giesemann Pure Actinic and 1 Giesemann Midday, so I can swap those in to the mix above. I also saw a lfs with a KZ Fiji Purple and would purchase one of those if that will bring out the colors more. I could also buy a UL75/25 if that would be better.

So, what is best:

Helios Blue Bulb
Giesemann ??
Giesemann ??
Giesemann ??

or Purchase a new bulb and put in what order:

Helios Blue Bulb
Giesemann ??
Buy KZ Fuji Purple or UL 75/25
Giesemann ??

Please give me a suggestion as my tank just doesn't look as great as it could.

Thank you very, very much!
Joyce

You are probably looking for more blue

Slightly more blue
Helios
pure Actinic
Aquablue
Actinic Plus

More Blue
Helios
Actinic Plus
Aquablue
Actinic Plus

Slightly less blue but yellow and bright green will look way better.
Helios
Actinic Plus
Midday
Actinic Plus
(This mix with the midday lamp would be my personal preference with the lamps you have)




If you want to try the Fiji Plus it will bring out the reds and pink better.

Helios
Actinic Plus
Fiji Purple
Actinic Plus

 

[tinnghe]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14501236#post14501236 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
UVL 75/25 would be my choice. More subtle than using a fiji purple or Pro Color.

Thanks grim for the other bulb I'm putting in super atinic is that ok

 

[honda70kid]

i have a 29 gallon i want to have a variety of corals what light would be the best?
i was thinking about buying a 36 inch nova extreme

 

[levischilz]

So being this thread has split 2-3 times I was spending some time reading through. I just looking for a quick tip. Wanting to switch a older hamilton magnetic ballest MH/PC setup for a new T5 setup. Tryin to work on a budget but also get what I want. I am very interested in the NEP 36" 6x39 setup. Wondering if I would be able to keep some hard corals in the top half of the tank and or if clams would live on the sand bed? I have tried to keep clams on the top half but it never works they always make it to SB. Thanks for any tips. Levi

 

[levischilz]

So playin around online I also noticed this Coral Vue 6x39 T5 Fixture. Has anyone used one of these? They are setup with individual parabolic reflectors and they are a good price. Im sure they use a cheap ballast but just curious. Thanks again Levi

 

[rtparty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14502318#post14502318 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by levischilz
So being this thread has split 2-3 times I was spending some time reading through. I just looking for a quick tip. Wanting to switch a older hamilton magnetic ballest MH/PC setup for a new T5 setup. Tryin to work on a budget but also get what I want. I am very interested in the NEP 36" 6x39 setup. Wondering if I would be able to keep some hard corals in the top half of the tank and or if clams would live on the sand bed? I have tried to keep clams on the top half but it never works they always make it to SB. Thanks for any tips. Levi

If you are serious about hard corals and a clam then neither one of those fixtures is what you want to get. I would look at the TEK lighting systems at the bare minimum. I would recommend the ATI Sunpower for what you need. Either way get the 6 bulb setup.

What size tank is this going on? Click on the red house on Grim's posts and read that site. It will help a ton.

Now if you want the TEK fixture then you will want to go to foster and smith and buy the Azoo clamp on fan and have it blow on the fixture, not directly on the bulbs. It's good for a 20% increase in PAR.

As for bulbs:

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

 

[ejocam]

Bump...

Greeting T-5 Guru's!

I am in need of some serious hand holding here Just kidding.. Anyhow I have been having my Echinophyllia and SPS bleach/fade.

I have been using the Tek-5 8 Bulb fixture using these bulbs:

ATI Blue Plus
ATI Actinic
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Pro Color
ATI Aqua Blue Special
KZ Fii Purple
ATI Actinic
ATI Blue Plus

I tried adding more white with Daylight bulbs and it did not change anything after a month and went back to this but replaced one of the Blue Plus in the middle with Aqua Blue Special.

Not sure what the deal is but when I put them under halides they seem to recover and respond better. Are T-5's brighter or dimmer than MH? Do I need to feed more or less to compensate for something here? I am stumped. Any help would be appreicaited.