The T5 Q&a Thread

[rtparty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14611370#post14611370 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
You havent seen all the posts asking about the 454 UVL's?

I was told it was yellow not blue. Bad info on my part

 

[rtparty]

<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.

Besides lighting, SPS turning brown and losing color has a lot to do with nutrients also. Maybe look into that as well

 

[rtparty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14611370#post14611370 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
You havent seen all the posts asking about the 454 UVL's?

With some quick research I can see it is definitely a blue bulb! Thanks for the heads up.

I should check my sources more often from now on. So Grim let's hear how it tests! I still like my ATI Blue Plus however.

 

[holdyourlight]

Grim-can you compare the amount of "white" light that is visual to the naked eye in these three bulbs?

KZ fiji purple
UV 75/25
ATI aquablue

which bulb has the least amount of "white" and which has the most?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14611901#post14611901 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 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!

You might need to play with the order to get the right duck/dawn combo

Front
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Pro Color
ATI Blue Plus
GE 6500K Daylight
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Pro Color
ATI Blue Plus
GE 6500K Daylight
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus

I would order extra lamps to play with GE daylight, Blue Plus and maybe even a Fiji Purple. Try to arrange your lamps so the Daylight and Aquablues are on your midday circuit. Try 3 blue Plus and a Pro Color on the first dusk/dawn set.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14612263#post14612263 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 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?

14" tall tank doesn't need overdriven lamps, get 2 2x24 watt T5 ballast. I would try the GE 6500K Daylight as the 4th lamp.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14612910#post14612910 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 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...

What do you have now?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14613968#post14613968 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by holdyourlight
Grim-can you compare the amount of "white" light that is visual to the naked eye in these three bulbs?

KZ fiji purple
UV 75/25
ATI aquablue

which bulb has the least amount of "white" and which has the most?

I'd say the Fiji Purple probably has the least white look but the UVL 75/25 is probably the least bright and seems to blend easily with other lamps. Blue Plus is closest to white.

 

[Shock130]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14614023#post14614023 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
What do you have now?

two Giesemann aquablue, aquasun and a pure actinic. but any other brands will work. i was basically just seeing what you would recommend for a 55 gallon mixed reef, you seem to be the T5 god.

 

[stratman8]

t5 question

t5 question

Hey all, I am new to reef central and have learned alot from this particular thread. I am planning on getting a tek 8x54 light for my 75 gal (I know its too much, but I will be moving to a 120 gal soon), and I was wondering if this bulb combo would be ok. I am planning on having mostly sps, lps, and ricordea florida.

From Front:

Ati blue plus
Ati procolor
Ati aquablue
Ati blue plus
Uvl super actinic
Ati blue plus
Ati procolor
Ati blue plus

Would this be too much blue/violet? Would the two procolors be too much? Any thoughts would be appreciated.

 

[bigmatt]

I would like to add 2 t5 actinics to my 44 gallon corner tank right now. Im currently running a lumenbright with a 250w reeflux 20k bulb in it. I am looking for richer color and an to make colors pop.

Any sugestions

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14614066#post14614066 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Shock130
two Giesemann aquablue, aquasun and a pure actinic. but any other brands will work. i was basically just seeing what you would recommend for a 55 gallon mixed reef, you seem to be the T5 god.

ATI Blue Plus
UVL 75/25
GE 6500K Daylight
ATI Blue Plus

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Re: t5 question

Re: t5 question

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14614153#post14614153 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by stratman8
Hey all, I am new to reef central and have learned alot from this particular thread. I am planning on getting a tek 8x54 light for my 75 gal (I know its too much, but I will be moving to a 120 gal soon), and I was wondering if this bulb combo would be ok. I am planning on having mostly sps, lps, and ricordea florida.

From Front:

Ati blue plus
Ati procolor
Ati aquablue
Ati blue plus
Uvl super actinic
Ati blue plus
Ati procolor
Ati blue plus

Would this be too much blue/violet? Would the two procolors be too much? Any thoughts would be appreciated.

I'd maybe use a Aquablue instead of the super actinic but in either case I don't think 1t would be "too Blue"

 

[Croman]

What color is the UVL 75/25

What color is the UVL 75/25

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14611406#post14611406 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Pull the Giesemann Aquablue and try a uvl 75/25. If the lamps are over 10 months old go ahead and replace them all;

How white or blue is the UVL 75/25 bulb? I remember using the actinic white in my VHO days and remember most of their bulbs where pinkish.

 

[Shock130]

What kind of look will i have... I really like the blue pluses, make everything pop. i like everything to pop, but of course, i want the growth.

ATI Blue Plus
UVL 75/25
GE 6500K Daylight
ATI Blue Plus

 

[honda70kid]

i have my light i jsut dont like how it washes out the color of things..

im curious to what people have in their fixtures..
i have corals and i want the colors to 'pop' and i also want bubls that are good for coral growth.

Another question i have is...
can you keep sps under this light?

all help is greatly appreciated
thanks!

I want to keep all kinds of corals for sps at the top to softies at the bottom

 

[honda70kid]

i have my light i jsut dont like how it washes out the color of things..

im curious to what people have in their fixtures..
i have corals and i want the colors to 'pop' and i also want bubls that are good for coral growth.

Another question i have is...
can you keep sps under this light?

all help is greatly appreciated
thanks!

I want to keep all kinds of corals for sps at the top to softies at the bottom

 

[rtparty]

Re: What color is the UVL 75/25

Re: What color is the UVL 75/25

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14614541#post14614541 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Croman
How white or blue is the UVL 75/25 bulb? I remember using the actinic white in my VHO days and remember most of their bulbs where pinkish.

It is a lovely pepto pink!

 

[rtparty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14615117#post14615117 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by honda70kid
i have my light i jsut dont like how it washes out the color of things..

im curious to what people have in their fixtures..
i have corals and i want the colors to 'pop' and i also want bubls that are good for coral growth.

Another question i have is...
can you keep sps under this light?

all help is greatly appreciated
thanks!

I want to keep all kinds of corals for sps at the top to softies at the bottom

What are you running now? What size tank? How many bulbs are you looking to run?

T5 is the best lighting in my opinion. SPS love it and everything colors up very nicely. Just do it right the first time and you will not be disappointed.

 

[honda70kid]

i have a 29 with 10 sump/fuge
and for now its just stock