The T5 Q&a Thread
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The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
ATI makes a sunpower that would work well. If you are close to aurora and can line up some 36" lamps (I think I have 2) to use in it I have a ATI power module I can let you try over the tank for a couple weeks to see what you think, it's a 4 lamp fixture.
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
2 for sure, maybe 3. You can check the Ice Cap forum to see about the three.
awesomefam
In Memoriam
I have a question about lighting my frag tank. I currenly have 2 - 150w mh over the tank which is 1'h x 5'L x 2'w.
I was wondering if I could get a way with using a 4 - 54w t5 (retros from another tank) or would it not cover a wide enough area? Also since these would be mainly for growth what bulbs would you recommend?
I was wondering if I could get a way with using a 4 - 54w t5 (retros from another tank) or would it not cover a wide enough area? Also since these would be mainly for growth what bulbs would you recommend?
I'm in Fort Collins, so not too close but I might take you up on the offer
Yeah, I think my current tank has probably too much light. I know a lot of people don't agree with "too much" but 250MH, with 4x24w T5 over a 24x18x20 tank seems like a lot. I think I'm gonna shorten my lighting cycle on the tank. My big concern is how much is too little and what's too much? 4 bulbs, over driven or not, seems like not enough. 6 bulbs not over driven seems good. I dunno. I looked at adding some MH to it too but the only way for me to really do that with my dimensions is to buy a premade hood(like the outer orbit).
Right now it looks like the contenders are the Tek 6 light fixture(is it that much better than the Current? I thought they were kinda close?). If I use that, I have an Azoo fan to run over it if need be. The other top option would be to have a canopy built and do the 6 bulb Ice cap retro(not over driven). The problem with that will be having to build a canopy.
freddy4130
In Memoriam
Grimm, firstly let me say that you are the man. You are a great help and a wealth of knowledge. However (LOL), I recently acted on a recommendation of yours and I did not get the desired outcome. I think I have seen a couple of occasions whet you recommended the following set up for a 4 bulb fixture. 2x ATI blue plus, ATI aquablue special and UVL aquablue 75/25. The UVLighting 75/25 is really a pink job. You recommended the combo to someone who asked for a crisp white, blue, but not too blue look. Is my bulb wrong or what? It is not 14k like it says, that is for sure. Any guess?
TriggerHappyDude
New member
Good question Freddy, might have been me you saw with the question to Grim, as I'm wanting the crisp white look. I called Greg at ReefGeek and he said that 75/25 was a pink color and a "poor mans" Fiji purple bulb.
Anyway, I ended up getting these ordered last week, through a group buy special on sale to go along with my original bulbs...
1- GE 24W 6500K Daylight T5 HO Fluorescent
1 - UVL 24W 10000K AquaSun T5 HO Fluorescent
1 - ATI 24W 12000K Aquablue Special T5 HO Fluorescent
1- Korallen Zucht 24W Fiji Purple T5 HO Fluorescent
These are what I already have...
2-ATI Blue Plus
1-ATI Aquablue
1-UV Lighting AquaSun
So in these 8 bulbs somewhere, surely I can get a nice crisp white color...I'll let you know!
I really love the white look like a MH HQI would put out, without the heat and of course the T5's won't give the shimmer either.
I hope I can get the white I'm after, especially after spending the amount of money on this ATI that I did. I love the fixture's look, just hope I can get that white. I've seen others who have it, just need to find the right combo. Of course it will help when I actually get water, sand, and live rock in the tank!
laverda
Well-known member
I have some standard T5 ballasts running 2 54 watt T5s. I want to change some things around to set them up better for my tank. I would like to have one 54w T5 and one 39w T5. Would this cause a problem? Would it over drive just the 39w bulb or both the 39 and 54 w bulbs?
freddy4130
In Memoriam
Triggerhappydude, thanks. I don't understand the "poor man's Fiji purple" thing. All of them are $20-$30 right? It's not like it costs a hundo or anything. Personally, I think that the two blue plusses and two aquablue specials would have been great. I am actually thinking about replacing the UVL bulb with one of the stock blues just to get the pink out. I think a pink bulb compliments well in a larger fixture, but it is way overbearing in a 4 bulb rig.
TriggerHappyDude
New member
Yeah I thought the same thing about the poor mans comment? And I've been told that the combo you mentioned there, 2 Blue + and 2 AquaBlue Specials make a great crisp white...but have to wait till mine come in to see.
Laurier
New member
I was wondering if you guys could help me improve on my bulb choice in my sps tank, right now i am running:
(back to front)
aqua science reef blue
KZ fiji purple
KZ New generation
KZ coral light
KZ new generation
KZ fiji purple
KZ bulbs are actually the easiest bulbs to pick up for me and we have no ATI dealers up here that i know of. Besides that I can get aqua science and Gmann as well.Oh and the fixture is a 6 bulb TEK.
(back to front)
aqua science reef blue
KZ fiji purple
KZ New generation
KZ coral light
KZ new generation
KZ fiji purple
KZ bulbs are actually the easiest bulbs to pick up for me and we have no ATI dealers up here that i know of. Besides that I can get aqua science and Gmann as well.Oh and the fixture is a 6 bulb TEK.
sailfintang
Member
WOW what a huge thread!!!
I jsut have a few questions about what T5 bulbs would be best for supplemental lighting. I currently have an 10K (UVL) and a 460 NM (NOVA Extreme) 54 T5HO bulbs running for dawn dusk simulation. The bulbs are just about a year old and need to be replaced.
What do you think would ben a better dawn dusk replications?
Option 1
Giesmann 60/40 Actinic Plus
Giesmann Aquablue
option 2
KZ Fiji Purple
Giesmann Mid-day
Let me know what you are doing with your actinics?
I jsut have a few questions about what T5 bulbs would be best for supplemental lighting. I currently have an 10K (UVL) and a 460 NM (NOVA Extreme) 54 T5HO bulbs running for dawn dusk simulation. The bulbs are just about a year old and need to be replaced.
What do you think would ben a better dawn dusk replications?
Option 1
Giesmann 60/40 Actinic Plus
Giesmann Aquablue
option 2
KZ Fiji Purple
Giesmann Mid-day
Let me know what you are doing with your actinics?
Ok, so im about to order the TEK 4 bulb 48" fixture. I am wanting to know with this setup on my 55G. Ill be using the tank stands and removing the middle bar off of the tank.
ATI Blue Plus
UVL 75/25
GE 6500K
ATI Blue Plus
if i change out one of these with a UVL Actinic White if it would be better?
Also, im reading it may be too blue? Should i change out 1 Blue plus with an aquablue?
Thanks!
Im doing mixed reef with a few fish and clams.
Also looking for a dran lip for the top for splashes etc if you can help, thanks!
ATI Blue Plus
UVL 75/25
GE 6500K
ATI Blue Plus
if i change out one of these with a UVL Actinic White if it would be better?
Also, im reading it may be too blue? Should i change out 1 Blue plus with an aquablue?
Thanks!
Im doing mixed reef with a few fish and clams.
Also looking for a dran lip for the top for splashes etc if you can help, thanks!
I went with your advice and purchased a used TX5 (figure I might as well spend the money up front rather than having to upgrade down the road)
The bulbs included are:
1 ATI Aquablue Special, 2 ATI Blue Plus, 1 URI Super Actinic and 1 URI Aquasun 10k
Just wondering if this looks good to you? I'm slowly learning more about fixture but the lamps I'm still a little
on.Thanks again
Ok nevermind, I see that the 75/25 will have enough actinic in it. So ill use the setup..
54W Blue Plus T5 HO Fluorescent
54W 75/25 14000K AquaBlue T5 HO Fluorescent
54W 6500K Daylight T5 HO Fluorescent
54W Blue Plus T5 HO Fluorescent
first 2 for dusk/dawn and last 2 for mid day. Ill add lunar LEDs later. May get the aquacontroller package later down the road and control with computer
54W Blue Plus T5 HO Fluorescent
54W 75/25 14000K AquaBlue T5 HO Fluorescent
54W 6500K Daylight T5 HO Fluorescent
54W Blue Plus T5 HO Fluorescent
first 2 for dusk/dawn and last 2 for mid day. Ill add lunar LEDs later. May get the aquacontroller package later down the road and control with computer
freddy4130
In Memoriam
Nick, any 4 bulb fixture wit the UVL 75/25 is not going to be too blue: it's a very pink bulb. If you're looking for a crisp white color stay away from that bulb. It is not a blue bulb and has no int of actinic.
rtparty
Raise The Reef!
If you are looking for a crisp white run straight Aquablues. Your colors may suffer but you will have a white tank. If you are looking for white than none of the UVL bulbs will help too much. They all have a pink/purple look to them. Try this
ATI Blue Plus
GE 6500K
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus or Aquablue
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