The T5 Q&a Thread

[nanug7]

grim,

the deminsions are 30x30x88.

thanks

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14507184#post14507184 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by serum153
Hey Grim! I like the look you gave me for my ic660 retro and I am running:
Blue+
Super Actinic
Aqua Sun
Blue+

Getting into sps now to go along with my lps and crocea. I am adding 2 more bulbs and will be replacing the existing, so what would you suggest for a 6 bulb retro? I would like a little more blue look than I have currently

Aquablue and Blue Plus if you are looking to go for more blue.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14512920#post14512920 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by nanug7
grim,

the deminsions are 30x30x88.

thanks

A couple of 10 lamp 36" powermodules or 3 400 watt halides in Lumenarcs.

I think 14K Hamilton 400's with a couple rows of 2x39 watt Blue Plus T5's in front would look good. You could even do 4 rows of T5's (2 front, 2 back) with one row of daylights thrown in so you can cut down a bit on the hours you run the halides.

 

[nanug7]

i was trying to eliminate the MH and Chiller. will T5 be good with a sps tank

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Re: T5 new fixture time setting help!

Re: T5 new fixture time setting help!

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14507906#post14507906 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by fishtk75
I replaced my coralife 4-65w fixture with Nova Extreme HO Lighting Fixture - 4 x 54W T5HO - 48 in. on my 75.
How is it for time the T5 last before change the tubes?
Also I see a big change in light how much more light do they put out compared to the CF I had?
I have the 10k at 4hr and actinic at 6 hr will this be good for my softies or is there a time you have that is better for my tank to get use to the new fixture?

Input helpful.

I'd run the dusk/dawn at least 10 hours.

For dusk/dawn I would use 2 ATI Blue Plus and a ATI Aquablue and UVL Aquasun for the midday lighting.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Re: how to balance out blue plus?

Re: how to balance out blue plus?

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14508840#post14508840 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by happy_valley
okay well i have a 6 bulb t-5 setup, and i went with three blue plus bulbs in there. i dont really like how the blue plus is like a blacklight and changes the color of EVERYTHING. my pinks look blue and gray and i was wondering if thats suppose to be like that?
is that really good for coral growth or just wondering why thats look is so beneficial? i really dont like it so what do i do?

What you are seeing is a lack of color rendering. A yellow object only looks yelllow because it reflects yellow light. If there is no yellow light it will look dark. Pink is a complex color that is subtle so it is particularly affected by lack of red and yellow spectrum.

The Blue Plus will give you good growth but if you sneak in a full spectrum lamp (UVL Aquasun, GE Daylight or even the UVL Actinic white or to a lesser extent ATI Aquablue) It will bring out your non blue colors. With 6 lamps I would add in one of those lamps if you want a 20K ish look and add a Aquablue for a little less blue look. I would suggest a UVL Actinic White and 75/25. It will pop the pink and purple colors nice and still leave you with a overall bluish look.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14513105#post14513105 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by nanug7
i was trying to eliminate the MH and Chiller. will T5 be good with a sps tank

ATI Powermodules set as low to the tank as possible. I wouldn;t want them more than a few inchest above.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14507790#post14507790 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rivensteve13
6 bulb nova extreme pro. thats why i was asking, if you guys thought that my corals colors may suffer because of the stock lighting and if i should just change them all out at right now.

Softies wouldn't matters as much but SPS and even LPS would do better with good lamps.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14508935#post14508935 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by nanug7
i was trying to not use MH because of a chiller and power consumption. what do you think of the sfiligoi Stealth 12 x 39w T5 Pendant and the current 4X1 watt blue LED?

I don't know if the 12 lamp stealth is designed much different than the 6 lamp version but that one had very disappointing performance.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14509228#post14509228 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by uglyamericanV1
I have a 75 gallon mixed reef (shrooms on very bottom with some chalices, lps on bottom/middle/top and sps at top)
currenly with 4 lamp tek fixture and 250 MH (hangs behind the tek)

going to move the MH; sell the tek 4 lamp
Im going to get another tek (love this thing, seriously) and i have 2 questions
1.) is 8 bulb over kill or would it just be more the merrier!
2.) if limited to uv and geisemann (the lights will be super discounted if i buy with the fixture) what would be a good mix for optimal growth and POP!

i know the last question is kinda opinion, but when i see 1 gillion people happy with the suggestions they are getting on the thread, well, something good is going on.

6 or 8 is a hard decision. For a mixed reef you don't need 8 but it does allow you more lighting choices. I would say flip a coin.

6 lamps
Front
Gmann Actinic Plus
UVL 75/25
Actinic Plus
Gmann Midday
Actinic Plus
Gman Aquablue

8 lamp

Front
Actinic Plus
UVL 75/25
Actinic Plus
Gmnann Midday
Actinic Plus
UVL Actinic White
Actinic Plus
Actinic Plus

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14509488#post14509488 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by levischilz
Sorry was out for a day. Im running the current hamilton magnetic 2x 175mh and 2x96pc on a 65g tank. Was looking into the NEP but u stated it would not handle clams. I was running clams under my current setup just wanted to get your thoughts about my current setup vs a decent t5 setup. Im at 550w right now would be nice to cut my power usage in half on the tank. If the NEP is not adequate what do you think about a TEK light would that handle clams. If not maybe ill just skip the clams. I've had one for a while under my current light setup seemed ok but I just dont like the fixture /heat/power usage etc.. Also could anyone that has switched from MH to T5 give me there thoughts having a hard time deciding if I should switch over but thinking I would like the color varation also of T5, My current tank is not that bright do you guys think a t5 setup would be brighter. Thanks so much for the help. Levi

I have seen a nice 65 gallon with a Tek light and clams which were up off the bottom a little but pretty low.

I would do a 6 lamp unit. Grab an azoo 2 fan clamp on array and clamp it to the center rear of the tank so it blows air at the rear of the fixture NOT ON THE LAMPS. It will give you a nice boost in output.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

If I missed anyone bump your post.

 

[reefboy12]

Grim,

I am running a 4-bulb combo of...

-Ati Blue plus
-Uvl Super actinic
-Hagen Powerglo
-AS Duo

My question is what bulb woud be most similar to he hagen powerglo. I haven't seen any par readings, so I would like to swith to a premium type bulb. I'm thinking a Ge6500k, or a Gman midday??The Uvl aquasun,Fijipurple, & even the 75/25 are to red for my liking.

thanks in advance,
Ron

 

[Rpierce]

Grim- I had 2 400 watt MH on a 120 for about 4 years and replaced them with 6 T5s on icecaps.

FRONT:
UVL 75/25
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Aquasun
ATI Blue plus
UVL 75/25

This is the only thing I have changed. I have had them about 8 weeks and I have lost two corals in the past week. I have a few others that dont look too great. Never had this problem with MH (not blaming it on the lights). Do I need 2 more to make 8? If so, what bulbs? Was 6 bulbs not enough?

Some corals are ok, others not so much.

Rick

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14516150#post14516150 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by reefboy12
Grim,

I am running a 4-bulb combo of...

-Ati Blue plus
-Uvl Super actinic
-Hagen Powerglo
-AS Duo

My question is what bulb woud be most similar to he hagen powerglo. I haven't seen any par readings, so I would like to swith to a premium type bulb. I'm thinking a Ge6500k, or a Gman midday??The Uvl aquasun,Fijipurple, & even the 75/25 are to red for my liking.

thanks in advance,
Ron

If the powerglow looks off white then the GE 6500K or Gmann Midday. Either should be a good compliment to what is in there now.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14516286#post14516286 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Rpierce
Grim- I had 2 400 watt MH on a 120 for about 4 years and replaced them with 6 T5s on icecaps.

FRONT:
UVL 75/25
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Aquasun
ATI Blue plus
UVL 75/25

This is the only thing I have changed. I have had them about 8 weeks and I have lost two corals in the past week. I have a few others that dont look too great. Never had this problem with MH (not blaming it on the lights). Do I need 2 more to make 8? If so, what bulbs? Was 6 bulbs not enough?

Some corals are ok, others not so much.

Rick

The Ice Cap T5 setup should give you enough light to at least keep corals alive. How high above the tank are they mounted?

If the corals that are stressing are LPS or softies your problem (can't believe I am going to say this) might be too much light too soon.

I assume you are using fans to cool the lamps? If you have a lot of SPS 8 lamps would be a good idea. Probably add a Blue Plus and Aquablue (both ATI brand) but try to figure out your issue first.

Typically SPS would lose color before dying if lack of light is the issue.

 

[Rpierce]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14516444#post14516444 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
The Ice Cap T5 setup should give you enough light to at least keep corals alive. How high above the tank are they mounted?

If the corals that are stressing are LPS or softies your problem (can't believe I am going to say this) might be too much light too soon.

I assume you are using fans to cool the lamps? If you have a lot of SPS 8 lamps would be a good idea. Probably add a Blue Plus and Aquablue (both ATI brand) but try to figure out your issue first.

Typically SPS would lose color before dying if lack of light is the issue.

The lights are about 5 inches above the water. Most corals look great, but I have a few that look really bad. The polyps dont even come out anymore. I'm confused. I've never had a problem like this. I do have 2 fans blowing across the bulbs. Thanks for your help.

Rick

 

[spw4949]

I need to replace my 2 daylight bulbs in my 6x39W nova extreme. Besides the 2 10K bulbs I have 1 fiji purple,2 ATI blue plus,&2 actinics. What day bulbs should I get to encourage max growth in my corals?

 

[suliaman007]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14497033#post14497033 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Blue Plus
UVL 75/25
ATI Aquablue
Blue Plus
GE 6500K Daylight
ATI Blue Plus

The UVL 75/25 will add a hint of red.

Thanks, iv herd from many people that the GE 6500K Daylights are really yellow and contribute to algae and cyno growth . Do you think I will have any of those problems with only one bulb with all the actinics?

Thnks Again

 

[rtparty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14516572#post14516572 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Rpierce
The lights are about 5 inches above the water. Most corals look great, but I have a few that look really bad. The polyps dont even come out anymore. I'm confused. I've never had a problem like this. I do have 2 fans blowing across the bulbs. Thanks for your help.

Rick

Make sure the fans aren't blowing directly on the bulbs. You can over cool them very easily that way. You want air movement around the endcaps.