The T5 Q&a Thread

[Xartni]

Ok, got my 4x54W power module.

I have the following bulbs:

Front
Blue Plus
UVL 75/25
Aquablue
Blue Plus

I am still getting used to the light. Although, right now it is looking a little reddish-pink for me. I also ordered an extra aquasun. Will there be a big difference if I replace the 75/25 with the aquasun? Any other suggestions (other bulb combos)? Mostly lps and softies, will be adding some SPS in the future. I have a bunch of eggcrate and have lowered the photoperiod to acclimate the corals, so far they are still opening up and no bleaching.

Also, the way the dawn/dusk works is that lights 1 and 3 are on one plug and 2 and 4 on the other. Right now the 75/25 and Blue Plus are plugged in for the dawn/dusk effect. Will there be a big difference if I switch the 1st two bulbs so the two blue pluses will be on 2 and 4? Or should I use the blue plus and aquablue as dawn/dusk?

Sorry for all of the questions, the fixture is in a canopy and is a bit of a hassle to switch out the lights. Thought I would ask first to get your comments.

Thanks,

Jason

 

[ellinas]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14522682#post14522682 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rtparty
(sigh of relief!)

I like the other bulbs A LOT more!

Actinic Plus
Pure Actinc
Aquablue Plus
Midday
Actinic Plus
Pure Actinic
Actinic Plus

Again I don't know the firing order on that fixture. Try to keep the Actinics and Actinic plus on for dusk dawn and the midday and Aquablue for midday.

Grim?????(He has that fixture so he will know the order better than I do)

If I change these bulbs for any other Geisemanns, which would you choose? Do you think I have too many Actinic Plus or Pure Actinics and not enough Aquablues? Thanks for your help so far.

 

[ellinas]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14523327#post14523327 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
I'd get more Blue (Actinic Plus) lamps.

Front
Pure Actinic
Aquablue
Midday
Actinic Plus
Aquablue
Aquablue
Pure Actinic

That will let you run the actinic plus and 2 pure actinics as dusk/dawn, Then 2 aquablues and then the midday and last aquablue.

I actually messed up my bulbs (I was at work when I wrote this). I actually have:

Actinic Plus x3
Pure Actinic x2
Aquablue x1
Midday x1

Taking this into consideration, what would you now recommend. Sorry about my mistake and thanks for the advice.
John

 

[spw4949]

Grim,

wondering what you think:

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14517707#post14517707 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rtparty
Probably 2 ATI Aquablues. I would run this setup:

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

Dump the actinics.

 

[spw4949]

I need to replace my 2 10000kdaybulbs. That was what rtparty suggested, wondering what you think.

 

[rtparty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14524556#post14524556 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Xartni
Ok, got my 4x54W power module.

I have the following bulbs:

Front
Blue Plus
UVL 75/25
Aquablue
Blue Plus

I am still getting used to the light. Although, right now it is looking a little reddish-pink for me. I also ordered an extra aquasun. Will there be a big difference if I replace the 75/25 with the aquasun? Any other suggestions (other bulb combos)? Mostly lps and softies, will be adding some SPS in the future. I have a bunch of eggcrate and have lowered the photoperiod to acclimate the corals, so far they are still opening up and no bleaching.

Also, the way the dawn/dusk works is that lights 1 and 3 are on one plug and 2 and 4 on the other. Right now the 75/25 and Blue Plus are plugged in for the dawn/dusk effect. Will there be a big difference if I switch the 1st two bulbs so the two blue pluses will be on 2 and 4? Or should I use the blue plus and aquablue as dawn/dusk?

Sorry for all of the questions, the fixture is in a canopy and is a bit of a hassle to switch out the lights. Thought I would ask first to get your comments.

Thanks,

Jason

The Aquasun is even more of a pink bulb and will outpower the other bulbs even more. I wouldn't change anything for at least a week. Let the bulbs have a chance to burn in and also change the fan setting on your fixture to 9v I think. That will change the look of the bulbs a little too.

For dusk dawn it is all personal preference. I like the 75/25 and blue plus but others may not like that look. If you want to use both blue pluses for dusk dawn do this:

Blue Plus
75/25
Blue Plus
Aquablue

 

[rtparty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14525298#post14525298 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ellinas
If I change these bulbs for any other Geisemanns, which would you choose? Do you think I have too many Actinic Plus or Pure Actinics and not enough Aquablues? Thanks for your help so far.

I like the ones you have now. The original post that was messed up I did not like all that much.

I personally don't run any actinics myself. Some people love them but I don't notice a big difference with them in there. I reall like the actinic plus bulbs.

If I were to change anything on your setup I would change out a pure actinic for an aquablue or actinic plus. Depends on if you want to go bluer or not.

 

[uncleof6]

Here's one for you guys. How could T5 lighting be setup on a tank such as this?

Thanks, this thread is huge, with tons of good info.

Regards,

Jim

 

[The Grim Reefer]

The lawsuit with PFO is about some particular design feature. I am guessing something to do with the integrated controller.

 

[fishtk75]

Re: Re: Re: Re: T5 new fixture time setting help!

Re: Re: Re: Re: T5 new fixture time setting help!

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14519315#post14519315 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rtparty
Reefgeek is the best place to go

Thank you

 

[The_Browns]

I am getting in my 24" x 24" x 14" Frag tank. I was thinking about running all T5's instead of a MH. If I decide to run T5. What would be the best bulb configuration to get the best color, growth, and polyp pop? I am going to get Retro Fit Kits and do a DIY fixture. I don't want it real blue. So What are the best combination of lights?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14527065#post14527065 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The_Browns
I am getting in my 24" x 24" x 14" Frag tank. I was thinking about running all T5's instead of a MH. If I decide to run T5. What would be the best bulb configuration to get the best color, growth, and polyp pop? I am going to get Retro Fit Kits and do a DIY fixture. I don't want it real blue. So What are the best combination of lights?

2 ATI Blue Plus 1 GE 6500K Daylight 1 UVL Aquasun.

 

[cutnup]

I have an 8 x 54 tek light on my 120. The lights are setup as follows from front to back

Blue Plus
Super Actinic
------------------
Aquasun
Blue Plus
Aquasun
Super Actinic
------------------
Aquablue
Blue Plus

Right now i run the top 2 and bottom 2 from 9:30A to 8:30p.
I run the middle 4 from 11a to 5p.

Is this an appropriate lighing schedule for t-5's? (as I am new to them.)

Also I am kinda happy with the bulbs except the aquasuns are kinda reddish. What other bulbs would you all suggest to replace them with?

 

[rtparty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14528185#post14528185 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by cutnup
I have an 8 x 54 tek light on my 120. The lights are setup as follows from front to back

Blue Plus
Super Actinic
------------------
Aquasun
Blue Plus
Aquasun
Super Actinic
------------------
Aquablue
Blue Plus

Right now i run the top 2 and bottom 2 from 9:30A to 8:30p.
I run the middle 4 from 11a to 5p.

Is this an appropriate lighing schedule for t-5's? (as I am new to them.)

Also I am kinda happy with the bulbs except the aquasuns are kinda reddish. What other bulbs would you all suggest to replace them with?

Yes, Aquasuns are very red. Most UVL bulbs have a pink tint to them. I would only replace one of them with a GE 6500K or an ATI Aquablue.

 

[cham]

I just figured out my four bulb T5 current USA fixture only has a single reflector. I know indvidual refelctors are the key to T5's. You think my 20g frag tank will be ok with four 24" T5's with the frag rack aprox 7 to 9" away from the light? Frags will all be SPS

Bulbs will be two ATI blue+, one GE 6500 and one KZ fiji purple.

 

[pwoller]

Hay all you T5 experts. What would be good T5's to supplement pheonix 14k MH bulbs. I have the option of running 2 t5's but as most of you know the pheonix is already pretty blue. What do you think?

 

[redfishsc]

Personal opinion, but in your situation I would be inclined to put in a UVL Super Actinic for even stronger green/blue florescence, and a Fiji Purple for some nice red pop with strong blue accents as well.

 

[rtparty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14528865#post14528865 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by cham
I just figured out my four bulb T5 current USA fixture only has a single reflector. I know indvidual refelctors are the key to T5's. You think my 20g frag tank will be ok with four 24" T5's with the frag rack aprox 7 to 9" away from the light? Frags will all be SPS

Bulbs will be two ATI blue+, one GE 6500 and one KZ fiji purple.

I think you would be OK. The TEK fixture would have been your best bet IMO. The bulbs you have are very high PAR so that will help. I am pretty sure the Current fixture will penetrate deep enough for the corals to be happy.

 

[rtparty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14526501#post14526501 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by uncleof6
Here's one for you guys. How could T5 lighting be setup on a tank such as this?

Thanks, this thread is huge, with tons of good info.

Regards,

Jim

I would run 2 ATI Powermodules over that. Get the 48" version with 8 bulbs.

Then center them if that makes sense.

 

[cutnup]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14528606#post14528606 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rtparty
Yes, Aquasuns are very red. Most UVL bulbs have a pink tint to them. I would only replace one of them with a GE 6500K or an ATI Aquablue.

Ok thank you! Which one would you prefer out of another aquablue or the 6500k. And what do you think of the photo period?