The T5 Q&a Thread

[rtparty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14740327#post14740327 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by dan223
Is this simular to a blue+ bulb?

From what I know, yes. I have not seen one in person yet however. If Grim gets higher PAR with them I will be switching to them when needed.

 

[jbarnaby]

I have a quick question, I know you should replace these T5 tubes on some kind of schedule, like 6 months or 1 year or 1.5 years...but my real question is, if I purchase extra T5 bulbs, do they have a storage life? I was thinking on buying bulk but if they dont keep then it is not worth it....

Thx,
Jeff

 

[rtparty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14740936#post14740936 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jbarnaby
I have a quick question, I know you should replace these T5 tubes on some kind of schedule, like 6 months or 1 year or 1.5 years...but my real question is, if I purchase extra T5 bulbs, do they have a storage life? I was thinking on buying bulk but if they dont keep then it is not worth it....

Thx,
Jeff

Change every 9 to 12 months and if you buy extra bulbs make sure to store them horizontally. I don't know how long they will last but I was told they will last a long time like that.

 

[96p993]

Just got my bulbs in from reefgeek and had a question...

I bought the following
FRONT
Blue Plus
UVL 75/25
Blue Plus
GE 6500K Daylight
UVL Actinic White
Blue Plus

I also had these bulbs in the fixture when I bought the lights

3 current actinic 460nm
2 current 10k
1 TRU 10k
(not sure how they were placed)

I have installed all new bulbs in the order above but would like to get a bit more of a blue look (closer to 14-16k) I took out my GE bulb and put in one of the Current actinic bulbs...Im wondering with the 12 bulbs I have what would be recommended to get the 14-16K look without sacrificing growth??

Tank is 36 long 24 tall 24 deep

Hope this makes sense...

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Be on the UVL soon. Had to make a little money for a change (I hope) by modding the Fauna Marin fixture so it works good to hopefully sell. Amazing what adding good reflectors did for it.

 

[pro sn95]

Hey guys i have a new nova extreme pro 12 x 39watt T5 fixture. It comes with current bulbs but would like to have suggestions on a good combo of good bulbs for good look and growth. I would like to use some of the bulbs it comes with if possible(6x10k and 6x450nm actinics) thanks

 

[pro sn95]

Hey guys i have a new nova extreme pro 12 x 39watt T5 fixture. It comes with current bulbs but would like to have suggestions on a good combo of good bulbs for good look and growth. I would like to use some of the bulbs it comes with if possible(6x10k and 6x450nm actinics) thanks

 

[dvleemin]

Re: Re: Bulb reccomendation please . . .

Re: Re: Bulb reccomendation please . . .

Originally posted by dvleemin
I'd appreciate some reccomendations for 4 more T5 bulbs for my 135G. What I have is an IceCap 660 which will run 4 48"T5's and then 4 more 48" T5's run on standard electronic ballasts. All bulbs have Tek II reflectors.

Here's the bulbs I currently have:
3 Giesemann AquaBlue +
1 Giesemann Midday

So I need help with the following:
1) What bulbs would you reccomend for the last 4? I can get Giesemann or UV bulbs.
2) what bulbs should I run with the IceCap, and which bulbs should I run with the standard ballasts.

I'd also like to know what you think I could keep with this setup? Do yuo- think I could keep SPS's and clams?

Thanks,

Darryl

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14740076#post14740076 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
I would run 3 UVL 454 and 1 75/25 lamps. Overdrive the existing lamps you have now. Assuming you are using fans to cool the lamps ends/end caps you can raise anything under the lamps.

OK,
I just did some measuring, and realized that I will not be able to fit 8 bulbs with the reflector - just 6. So given the 4 I have, what additional 2 would you recommend? 1 454 and 1 75/25?

Darryl

 

[benmann71]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14741156#post14741156 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Be on the UVL soon. Had to make a little money for a change (I hope) by modding the Fauna Marin fixture so it works good to hopefully sell. Amazing what adding good reflectors did for it.

where do you get all the bulbs that you test. do you pay for them all your self?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14741109#post14741109 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 96p993
Just got my bulbs in from reefgeek and had a question...

I bought the following
FRONT
Blue Plus
UVL 75/25
Blue Plus
GE 6500K Daylight
UVL Actinic White
Blue Plus

I also had these bulbs in the fixture when I bought the lights

3 current actinic 460nm
2 current 10k
1 TRU 10k
(not sure how they were placed)

I have installed all new bulbs in the order above but would like to get a bit more of a blue look (closer to 14-16k) I took out my GE bulb and put in one of the Current actinic bulbs...Im wondering with the 12 bulbs I have what would be recommended to get the 14-16K look without sacrificing growth??

Tank is 36 long 24 tall 24 deep

Hope this makes sense...

Get More Blue Plus lamps if you want to ad blue. 4 Blue plus with those other two lamps is easily 14K. If you want it even bluer pull one of the UVL Lamps and add another blue plus

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14742396#post14742396 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by pro sn95
Hey guys i have a new nova extreme pro 12 x 39watt T5 fixture. It comes with current bulbs but would like to have suggestions on a good combo of good bulbs for good look and growth. I would like to use some of the bulbs it comes with if possible(6x10k and 6x450nm actinics) thanks

Front
ATI Blue Plus
10K
Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue
10K
Blue Plus


The ATI lamps will give you about the same blue but a lot more PAR than the 460 lamps. The Aquablue will give you a little more blue than you currently have, should look 14K

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Re: Re: Re: Bulb reccomendation please . . .

Re: Re: Re: Bulb reccomendation please . . .

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14742443#post14742443 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by dvleemin
OK,
I just did some measuring, and realized that I will not be able to fit 8 bulbs with the reflector - just 6. So given the 4 I have, what additional 2 would you recommend? 1 454 and 1 75/25?

Darryl

Just the 454's.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14743056#post14743056 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by benmann71
where do you get all the bulbs that you test. do you pay for them all your self?

I buy most. UVL happened to pony up these.

 

[dan223]

can you put t5 fixtures directly ontop of tank with decent results, or do you need them a few inchs off to spread the light out? this would be for a 75g, I didnt really want a canopy or legs do you need them?

 

[LISound]

do you want the blue bulbs on the outside of the fixture. Meaning the first bulb and last bulb in the combo?
I have a 4 light sundial and was reading that it's best to have the real blue bulbs on the ends.

right now I have
Front to back
Blue +
blue special
uv aquasun--switching for fiji purple
Blue +

my dusk/dawn is a blue + and blue special.

prior to this i was running...

uv aquasun
blue+
blue special
blue +

that combo gave me a real good blue dusk/dawn.

Is one combo better than the other or just preference?

why do you want the blue bulbs on the ends?
sorry if this has been covered.

 

[jennmac415]

Grim...
FINALLY got my bulbs changed out to the new ones tonight, been away in Oregon for a funeral of a dear friend for a week, anyway...

how long for the bulbs to burn in to get the true color of them ?

to start off I went with this... may change it up after I have it this way for a bit

Blue plus 2
fiji purple 3
super actinic 1
Aquablue 2
454 1
Pro color 3
Blue plus 2


Does this look ok?

I still have that other 454 I ordered that I may add in in place of the super actinic.. or may try some other combos too...

also, I think I read that you haven't gotten the par # of the 454 yet, right??

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14743495#post14743495 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by dan223
can you put t5 fixtures directly ontop of tank with decent results, or do you need them a few inchs off to spread the light out? this would be for a 75g, I didnt really want a canopy or legs do you need them?

As long as the fixture has a splash shield you can sit it right on the tank.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14743515#post14743515 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by LISound
do you want the blue bulbs on the outside of the fixture. Meaning the first bulb and last bulb in the combo?
I have a 4 light sundial and was reading that it's best to have the real blue bulbs on the ends.

right now I have
Front to back
Blue +
blue special
uv aquasun--switching for fiji purple
Blue +

my dusk/dawn is a blue + and blue special.

prior to this i was running...

uv aquasun
blue+
blue special
blue +

that combo gave me a real good blue dusk/dawn.

Is one combo better than the other or just preference?

why do you want the blue bulbs on the ends?
sorry if this has been covered.

You really just want a blue in front.

Front
Blue Plus
Aquasun
Blue Plus
Aquablue

would be fine if that gets you 2 blue plus for a dusk/dawn

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14743674#post14743674 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jennmac415
Grim...
FINALLY got my bulbs changed out to the new ones tonight, been away in Oregon for a funeral of a dear friend for a week, anyway...

how long for the bulbs to burn in to get the true color of them ?

to start off I went with this... may change it up after I have it this way for a bit

Blue plus 2
fiji purple 3
super actinic 1
Aquablue 2
454 1
Pro color 3
Blue plus 2


Does this look ok?

I still have that other 454 I ordered that I may add in in place of the super actinic.. or may try some other combos too...

also, I think I read that you haven't gotten the par # of the 454 yet, right??

Looks good and no PAR reading yet.

 

[jennmac415]

thanks... how long for the new bulbs to burn in to get a true color of them?