The T5 Q&a Thread

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14609114#post14609114 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Challenge
Grim,

I see you reccomending the UVL AW now for added PAR.
My current setup is front to back;

1. GM Actinic Plus
2. UVL 75/25
3. GM Aquablue plus
4. GM MIdday 6000k
5. GM Actinic Plus
6. GM Aquablue Plus

Looking for more PAR with maybe a touch more red

Which would you change and would the AW be a good option?

Thanks

1 Actinic Plus
75/25
Actinic Plus
AW
Actinic Plus
Aquablue

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14609402#post14609402 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rtparty
If you want more PAR and more red than the KZ Fiji Purple is your best bet on that. The Actinic White will give slightly more PAR and red but the Fiji Purple will really bump up the PAR.

The Fiji Purple doesn't have but about 3% more output than the Actinic White.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14609424#post14609424 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by J.R.L.
i really dont care about bulb life, i mean going from a bulb life of 18 mos to 12 mos is not a big deal to me. i just want as much light as possible but wasnt sure if it would be worth another $200

If you need the light the 200 doesn't really mean anything.

 

[Challenge]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14609796#post14609796 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
1 Actinic Plus
75/25
Actinic Plus
AW
Actinic Plus
Aquablue

Thanks Grim and RT

Did you mean to replace the Aquablue Plus in slot 3 with a Actinic Plus as well as the AW in place of the Midday?

 

[edemeterjr]

Hello,
I have a 75 gallon aquarium that I want to light with T-5's. I want it to be just SPS corals. I have 430 and 660 icecap ballast to run 48" lights. My question is how many lights 4, 6, or 8 bulbs and best bulb combinations.
Thanks

 

[Croman]

Grim,

I have the following setup:

Front
ATI - Blue Plus
Geisemann - Aquablue Plus
ATI - Aquablue Special
Geisemann - Actinic +
UVL - Aquasun
Geisemann - Actinic +

Lights go in stages:
Dusk / Dawn - 2 Actinic +
Day Lights - Everything else except aquasun
Noon - Aquasun
Everything shuts down in reverse.

I have a lot of SPS and find that the colors seems less virbrant or more brown from when I bought them.

What do you recommend . Only problem ATI is hard to come by the only problem is that aquascience, UVL & Geisemann are readily available.

 

[jcjule]

Hi Grim

I posted a few weeks ago a problem with my ice cap 660 running 4 slimpak tubes (2x10K and 2 actinics)

After several burned tubes , and others running perfect with the same wiring, i come to the conclusion that slimpaks (by current) are not capable of keeping up with the ice caps

So, i highly suggest to stay away of these tubes... I've only had bad comments about them.

thanks for all the help

 

[Necsones]

so i got my lights, and the uvl super actinc is to purple for my taste, there any other actinic thats more blue?

ATI Blue +
ATI 12000K Aquablue Special
UVL Super Actinic
GE 6500K Daylight

 

[Necsones]

double post ;(

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14609870#post14609870 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Challenge
Thanks Grim and RT

Did you mean to replace the Aquablue Plus in slot 3 with a Actinic Plus as well as the AW in place of the Midday?

Yep, looks better with more blue.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14607325#post14607325 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rtparty
From what I know UVL has no blue bulbs so it will be VERY difficult to reco anything.

Are you cooling the bulbs? Maybe change the IC ballasts to a normally driven high output ballast.

You havent seen all the posts asking about the 454 UVL's?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14610555#post14610555 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by edemeterjr
Hello,
I have a 75 gallon aquarium that I want to light with T-5's. I want it to be just SPS corals. I have 430 and 660 icecap ballast to run 48" lights. My question is how many lights 4, 6, or 8 bulbs and best bulb combinations.
Thanks

6 lamps 3 ATI Blue Plus, 1 UVL Actinic White, 1 UVL 75/25 and 1 ATI Aquablue

 

[edemeterjr]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14610555#post14610555 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by edemeterjr
Hello,
I have a 75 gallon aquarium that I want to light with T-5's. I want it to be just SPS corals. I have 430 and 660 icecap ballast to run 48" lights. My question is how many lights 4, 6, or 8 bulbs and best bulb combinations.
Thanks [/QUOTE

Grim,
Can you help me

 

[edemeterjr]

Thanks for the help Grim.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14610556#post14610556 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Croman
Grim,

I have the following setup:

Front
ATI - Blue Plus
Geisemann - Aquablue Plus
ATI - Aquablue Special
Geisemann - Actinic +
UVL - Aquasun
Geisemann - Actinic +

Lights go in stages:
Dusk / Dawn - 2 Actinic +
Day Lights - Everything else except aquasun
Noon - Aquasun
Everything shuts down in reverse.

I have a lot of SPS and find that the colors seems less virbrant or more brown from when I bought them.

What do you recommend . Only problem ATI is hard to come by the only problem is that aquascience, UVL & Geisemann are readily available.

Pull the Giesemann Aquablue and try a uvl 75/25. If the lamps are over 10 months old go ahead and replace them all;

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14611315#post14611315 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Necsones
so i got my lights, and the uvl super actinc is to purple for my taste, there any other actinic thats more blue?

ATI Blue +
ATI 12000K Aquablue Special
UVL Super Actinic
GE 6500K Daylight

It's one of the more blue actinics. If you don't like it use another blue plus.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14611392#post14611392 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by edemeterjr

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14610555#post14610555 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by edemeterjr
Hello,
I have a 75 gallon aquarium that I want to light with T-5's. I want it to be just SPS corals. I have 430 and 660 icecap ballast to run 48" lights. My question is how many lights 4, 6, or 8 bulbs and best bulb combinations.
Thanks [/QUOTE

Grim,
Can you help me

6

Front

ATI Blue Plus
UVL 75/25
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Actinic White
ATI Aquablue
Blue Plus

 

[lastlight]

Hi T5 folks. I'm new to T5 entirely having only had metal halides previously. I've read through a lot of this thread but wanted to post my exact needs anyways because most people are not running 12 bulbs. I know McCliffy has a 12 bulb fixture but I think his look is too blue for my tastes.

I have a 12x80w Sfiligoi Stealth. It's lighting a 72Lx30Wx24H 225 gallon. I plan to keep mostly SPS with plenty of LPS as well. Few clams on the sand bed.

I am ordering all of my bulbs from reefgeek and want some advice. My goal is for a nice blue/white look...highlighting as many of the coral colors as I can and getting great growth.

I want to use ATI Blue+ and ATI Aquablue bulbs. Just not sure how many and in combination with what else. Please give me advice and bulb order. Not sure if it makes a difference but my lights turn on in 3 banks.

Thanks!

 

[The_Browns]

I am ordering an 224" Icecap T5 Retro kit which inc,ludes everything but bulbs. Icecap 660 is the ballast. This is for my 24" x 24" x 14" frag tank.

I have currently selected the following bulbs. I need suggestions for my final bulb.

Giessmann Actinic +
?
UVL Aquasun
Giessmann Actinic +


Also how can you set different sets of bulbs to come on at different times with the 660? Will each set have their own plugin?

 

[Shock130]

I have a 55 gallon, mixed reef, 4- T5s, what bulb setup would you recommend, im not sure if i like what i have now...