The T5 Q&a Thread

[rtparty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14562874#post14562874 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
You mean the UVL's? No yet. Been doing something crazy like trying to make money for the family for a change instead of just spending it. turns out I am going to spend a bunch before making any so I should get to the UVL lamps pretty quick.

No the new KZ New Generation. I know it is bluer than the Aquablue and was thinking of running it. Just wondering if it will keep up with the ATI Aquablue.

 

[jc1of2]

Grim I followed up on your advice and changed the order of my bulbs. It did help. I wanted to try your suggested combo:
"Suggested
Front
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue
UVL 75/25
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Actinic White
ATI Blue Plus

The Actinic White and 75/25 both have red in them but also have a lot of actinic, 75% and 50%."

However, I want to go with 60" bulbs and UVL does not make them. Can you recommend a similar combo using 5' bulbs?

 

[reefboy12]

After running a ge6500k in my 4-bulb combo for a cuple days.....I really like it. At first I really thought that it way to yellow, but it really brings out some nice color. I think it is just so bright I see more.

Ron

 

[INNOVATOR]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14562860#post14562860 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
With the tall canopy I would either overdrive 4 of the lamps or lower the retros down so they are within about 6" of the water surface.

It sounds like either setup provides just enough light to get by...Would an 8x54w VHO provide better coverage, in your opinion, without the limitations of squeaking by? What extra 2 bulbs would you add into the mix IF this is a better setup?

3 - ATI Blue Plus
1 - UVL75/25 14000K AquaBlue
1 - ATI 12000K Aquablue Special
1 - GE 6500K Daylight

I envy your patience

 

[Zestay]

grim whats the reccomended height from bulb to water for t5ho 54 watts over a 90 gallon tank ( 24 inchs deep ) i have 4 bulbs at the moment but looking to go up to either 6 or 7 ( space of canopy restricting )

they are currently 6 inchs from the waters surface, is this to high up?

 

[ReefKeeperRob]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14561113#post14561113 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Just get the HO Ice Cap T5 system, no need to overdrive on a 55. Just run fans to cool the endcaps and mount the lamps 4 to 6 inches above the tank.

Should I upgrade the current sundial fixture at all (already upgraded bulbs) or just keep it as is?

 

[Zestay]

well missed the limit to edit my last post so heres another one =)
grim or RTparty or anyone else feel free to chime in here

i have a few general questions than a more specfic question

1) why dont i see people reccomending super actinics as much as they use to any more?

2) which is a good " alternate bulb" ( pro color , sfligoli figi purple.. etc etc )

3) i purchaced my bulbs over a year ago... but have yet to run them for more than a few minutes each, whats thier shelf life?

ok now to more specefic questions
i have a 90 gallon and want a clam / haddoni on the sand
i currently have 4x54 watts with 2 ballasts( vossle schwabb or what not)

im looking at getting either 2 or 3 more bulbs in there hopefully on an ice cap660.
now my tank is an odd setup since im doing a peninsula build so i have no "front" since both sides would be equally viewable the bulbs i currently own are

uvl super actinic
uvl super actinic
sfligoi super actinic ( was on sale for 9 dollars i got it as a back up bulb )
gmann actinic+ ( looks like ati blueplus according to the color graph )
gmann aquablue

now since im looking at getting a few more bulbs under there ( probably 3 more ) this was the arrangement i was looking at

superactinic
aquablue
blueplus
procolor / figi purple
aquablue
blueplus
super actinic

the actinics on thier own ballast
the blueplus on thier own
and the aquablues and procolor on the ice cap

thoughts comments ideas?

other livestock for this tank would include all types of corals including sps, however this tank will be a true mixxed reef and not sps domniated, however it will be sps inhabatated. ( mind my spelling im on a funky laptop )

also whats a good 4 bulb combo for a fragtank ( 20 long going to use24 inch bulbs ) i was thinking

ati or gmann blue plus
at or gmann aquablue
uvl aquasun or ge 65k?
either a super actinic or another blue plus

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14563214#post14563214 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Jay03GT
Hi Grimm, had a chance to check out the new UVL 454 bulbs at the LFS, and they are pretty nice. We had a 454 side by side with a 75/25 UVL bulb, and it still had a yellowish tint. I was thinking about trying 2 of the 454 bulbs with 1 of the 75/25 bulbs, but need a 4th bulb. Was thinking about doing a UVL actinic white. What do you think that would look like, or do you have another recommendation? Fixture is over a 40B that I keep mostly zoas, rics, and yuma's in, so I don't need incredible par, mostly going for the right look. Thanks.

Run an Aquablue instead of the Actinic White, its too pink to use with a 75/15 and only 2 blue lamps.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14563467#post14563467 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rtparty
No the new KZ New Generation. I know it is bluer than the Aquablue and was thinking of running it. Just wondering if it will keep up with the ATI Aquablue.

Less PAR and more blue. I spose if you were limited on lamps or wanted top brithen up a mix without losing too much blue it would be good

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14565920#post14565920 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by INNOVATOR
It sounds like either setup provides just enough light to get by...Would an 8x54w VHO provide better coverage, in your opinion, without the limitations of squeaking by? What extra 2 bulbs would you add into the mix IF this is a better setup?

3 - ATI Blue Plus
1 - UVL75/25 14000K AquaBlue
1 - ATI 12000K Aquablue Special
1 - GE 6500K Daylight

I envy your patience

90 right? 6 lamps is all you can really fit and get any real benefit from, If you are going acro ape shat then overdrive all six but I think 4 =2 would be fine.

The mix of lamps you listed should be fine.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14568136#post14568136 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ReefKeeperRob
Should I upgrade the current sundial fixture at all (already upgraded bulbs) or just keep it as is?

I would say the sundial is probably OK if it's right on the tank frame. Just make sure the higher light stuff is on the rocks. Give it some time and see how things go.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14568343#post14568343 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Zestay
well missed the limit to edit my last post so heres another one =)
grim or RTparty or anyone else feel free to chime in here

i have a few general questions than a more specfic question

1) why dont i see people reccomending super actinics as much as they use to any more?

2) which is a good " alternate bulb" ( pro color , sfligoli figi purple.. etc etc )

3) i purchaced my bulbs over a year ago... but have yet to run them for more than a few minutes each, whats thier shelf life?

ok now to more specefic questions
i have a 90 gallon and want a clam / haddoni on the sand
i currently have 4x54 watts with 2 ballasts( vossle schwabb or what not)

im looking at getting either 2 or 3 more bulbs in there hopefully on an ice cap660.
now my tank is an odd setup since im doing a peninsula build so i have no "front" since both sides would be equally viewable the bulbs i currently own are

uvl super actinic
uvl super actinic
sfligoi super actinic ( was on sale for 9 dollars i got it as a back up bulb )
gmann actinic+ ( looks like ati blueplus according to the color graph )
gmann aquablue

now since im looking at getting a few more bulbs under there ( probably 3 more ) this was the arrangement i was looking at

superactinic
aquablue
blueplus
procolor / figi purple
aquablue
blueplus
super actinic

the actinics on thier own ballast
the blueplus on thier own
and the aquablues and procolor on the ice cap

thoughts comments ideas?

other livestock for this tank would include all types of corals including sps, however this tank will be a true mixxed reef and not sps domniated, however it will be sps inhabatated. ( mind my spelling im on a funky laptop )

also whats a good 4 bulb combo for a fragtank ( 20 long going to use24 inch bulbs ) i was thinking

ati or gmann blue plus
at or gmann aquablue
uvl aquasun or ge 65k?
either a super actinic or another blue plus

You dont ask for much do you

During the dusk dawn cycle actinics look cool but with everything on they make hardly any difference I can see and don't provide much PAR.

For what you want to raise I would grab an additional 2 lamp Ice Cap VHO T5 setup but call reefgeek and have them upgrade you to a 660 ballast

Run 2 ATI Blue Pluses on a existing ballast for dusk dawn front and back.

Then on the 660

Front
UVL Actinic White
ATI Blue Plus
GE 6500K Daylight
ATI Aquablue



The Anemone should be happy as a clam and the clam will be clamy as a happ.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14567850#post14567850 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Zestay
grim whats the reccomended height from bulb to water for t5ho 54 watts over a 90 gallon tank ( 24 inchs deep ) i have 4 bulbs at the moment but looking to go up to either 6 or 7 ( space of canopy restricting )

they are currently 6 inchs from the waters surface, is this to high up?

6 inches is OK

 

[Zestay]

thanx for quick replies =)

 

[Zestay]

one last thing.. i see people say run fans over the blubs.. im guessing over is not a term of location but just a statement to run fans correct?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

No you want to blow are in from the back on each side so it hits the endcaps and ends of the lamps.

 

[Zestay]

does each bulb need its own fan ? or would 3 or 4 80mm computer fans ( 3 inch ) spaced equally work ?

 

[INNOVATOR]

Originally posted by INNOVATOR
For a 140g soft/lps with 23-24" surface to substrate depth and a 10" canopy would a 48" 6x54 IceCap reflector and standard ballast retrofit setup be sufficient or is the IceCap VHO retrofit setup better suited? How about the following bulb combo if so (not necessarily in this order?):
3 - ATI Blue Plus
1 - UVL75/25 14000K AquaBlue
1 - ATI 12000K Aquablue Special
1 - GE 6500K Daylight

Thank you!!

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14568363#post14568363 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer

With the tall canopy I would either overdrive 4 of the lamps or lower the retros down so they are within about 6" of the water surface.

Originally posted by INNOVATOR
It sounds like either setup provides just enough light to get by...Would an 8x54w VHO provide better coverage, in your opinion, without the limitations of squeaking by? What extra 2 bulbs would you add into the mix IF this is a better setup?
3 - ATI Blue Plus
1 - UVL75/25 14000K AquaBlue
1 - ATI 12000K Aquablue Special
1 - GE 6500K Daylight

I envy your patience

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14568363#post14568363 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
90 right? 6 lamps is all you can really fit and get any real benefit from, If you are going acro ape shat then overdrive all six but I think 4 =2 would be fine.

The mix of lamps you listed should be fine.

Nope, it's a 140g (48.5x24.5x29) and no acros

 

[bsmith22]

55 gallon

55 gallon

I have 2 glass canopies over my tank atm. I will be running TEK T5 HO's. (with legs)

4 Bulbs: (your recommendation)
UVL SuperActinic 75/25
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue speical
GE 6500K Daylight

1. Do I need to remove the canopies when I add the lights?
2. What order to I place the bulbs?
3. What is the recommended photo-period?

Not much in the tank atm either...live rock, couple corals on the rocks, zoas, 2 damsels, CUC.....

Thanks Grimm!

 

[JOESWOODWORKS]

I just got my new 4 -54 Watt T5 retrofit kit, I have them 5' off the water. I also put a layer of egg crate between the lights and the water to help acclimate the corals. I have a 75 gallon tank, I had been using a 4 x 65 watt pc fixture. What sort of schedule is recommended to acclimate corals to the more intense light?