The T5 Q&a Thread

[fishyheaven]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14849682#post14849682 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mattiej
Grim,
Any ideas of where I can find the ATI fixtures? Most places I've looked either are out of stock or a waiting list for upwards of a month. The only good fixture I can find right now is the Constellation.

i think reefgeek have them in stock.

 

[cobra2326]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14848866#post14848866 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
4 lamp Ice Cap HO retro (with standard ballasts).

Front
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Actinic White
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue

Should be good enough for any SPS on the rocks with LPS and zoas on the sand or lower rocks.

Ok, great. I suppose I can always upgrade to the IceCap Ballast if I decide I need more. Would I still be able to have a clam on the SB?

Also, for lighting I don't want it to be too blue. I like a balanced light that keeps things mostly natural looking, but with some extra pop for the colors. Will the lighting you recommended be good for that?

Thanks again, you guys are one efficient machine in here

 

[cobra2326]

Sorry, one more thing... Will I still need some type of cooling inside the canopy to get the most out of the setup?

 

[mattiej]

fishy-unfortunately not according to their website. It says delivery of 6-8 weeks and I would like to get the lights on the tank fairly soon.

 

[Elan L.]

So grim, what do you think is best for my mixed (going more sps but i will still have zoas) 75 with my TEK HO 48''?
This is what rtparty suggested:
ATI Blue Plus
KZ Fiji purple or UVL Actinic White
ATI Blue Plus
GE 6500K
ATI Aquablue
KZ Fiji Purple or UVL Actinic White
ATI Blue plus
ATI Blue Plus

I apreciate you input on the KZ over the UVL but is till dont really know what it looks like. Can anyone show me a tank with these? Grim, are you saying you would go with the UVL?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14849682#post14849682 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mattiej
Grim,
Any ideas of where I can find the ATI fixtures? Most places I've looked either are out of stock or a waiting list for upwards of a month. The only good fixture I can find right now is the Constellation.

Reefgeek and aquarium specialties are your best bets. Unfortunately when a good product comes along the demand often outpaced supply but these are well worth the wait.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14849827#post14849827 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by cobra2326
Ok, great. I suppose I can always upgrade to the IceCap Ballast if I decide I need more. Would I still be able to have a clam on the SB?

Also, for lighting I don't want it to be too blue. I like a balanced light that keeps things mostly natural looking, but with some extra pop for the colors. Will the lighting you recommended be good for that?

Thanks again, you guys are one efficient machine in here

Lower light clam on the sand would be OK but not Croceas or maximas unless they are big.

The actinic White lamp is kinda pink and the Aquablue is white with a slight blue tint so the mix of lamps wont look as blue as you might think. You could order a spare Aquablue lamp to have so you can swap out a blue plus if you decide you want a more white look, you should have a spare lamp anyway. You could do a GE if the budget is tight, they are less expensive. Using the GE instead of the Aquablue would whiten things up a bit.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14849834#post14849834 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by cobra2326
Sorry, one more thing... Will I still need some type of cooling inside the canopy to get the most out of the setup?

A fan at each end of the canopy blowing in down the rows of endcaps from the rear will work wonders.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14849896#post14849896 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Elan L.
So grim, what do you think is best for my mixed (going more sps but i will still have zoas) 75 with my TEK HO 48''?
This is what rtparty suggested:
ATI Blue Plus
KZ Fiji purple or UVL Actinic White
ATI Blue Plus
GE 6500K
ATI Aquablue
KZ Fiji Purple or UVL Actinic White
ATI Blue plus
ATI Blue Plus

I apreciate you input on the KZ over the UVL but is till dont really know what it looks like. Can anyone show me a tank with these? Grim, are you saying you would go with the UVL?

I would do the UVL.

Front
ATI Blue Plus
UVL 75/25
ATI Blue Plus
GE 6500K Daylight
Blue Plus
UVL Actinic White
Blue Plus
Blue Plus

I think that gives you 3 blue plus and a 75/25 for dusk/dawn which will look cool,

This is with a 75/25 an actinic white and 4 blue plus

 

[plancton]

What about if instead of JBL 1500k bulbs they were ATI aquablue special bulbs and you replace these with either KZ fiji or ATI blue plus.

Would you be sacrificing growth in the quest for better coloration?

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14848970#post14848970 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
From what I've heard the JBL stuff is cheap. You would likely get more PAR using either the Aquablue or fiji purple.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14850503#post14850503 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by plancton
What about if instead of JBL 1500k bulbs they were ATI aquablue special bulbs and you replace these with either KZ fiji or ATI blue plus.

Would you be sacrificing growth in the quest for better coloration?

The Aquablue AND Blue Plus are probably the two highest output lamps out there so you will not lose growth using either. The Fiji Purple is decent too.

 

[plancton]

Ok so basically, the only difference between an aquablue special and a blue plus in terms of coral health and growth is the color? So if I want a deeper blue then I should go for blue plus bulbs instad of aquablue specials?.

Another question:
What is the T5 equivalent of the VHO super actinic?

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14850577#post14850577 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
The Aquablue AND Blue Plus are probably the two highest output lamps out there so you will not lose growth using either. The Fiji Purple is decent too.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14850617#post14850617 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by plancton
Ok so basically, the only difference between an aquablue special and a blue plus in terms of coral health and growth is the color? So if I want a deeper blue then I should go for blue plus bulbs instad of aquablue specials?.

Another question:
What is the T5 equivalent of the VHO super actinic?

Pretty much.

UVL Super Actinic is the closest thing to a T5 VHO Actinic.

 

[McMax]

I'd Like to know is UVL Actinic White similar to ATI Aquablue in term of color ? And is the UVL 75/25 kind of a Fiji Purple ?

 

[plancton]

Do you recommend the UVL super actinic?, what does it achieve in terms of coloration and lumens?.
I´ve heard some people say they keep their VHOs and don´t upgrade to T5 because supposedly the VHO super actinic has no match.

 

[MBVette]

Can you guys let me know what the best setup for a 210g 30'' deep setup would be.

I will be keeping mainly softies and mushrooms in here.

I am thinking an 8 bulb 60'' icecap retro. What bulbs would you recommend?

Thanks

 

[rtparty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14851035#post14851035 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by McMax
I'd Like to know is UVL Actinic White similar to ATI Aquablue in term of color ? And is the UVL 75/25 kind of a Fiji Purple ?

No they aren't close to the same. The UVL is a pepto color and the Aquablue is white with a hint of blue. A UVL 75/25 will kind of do the same thing a Fiji Purple does.

 

[rtparty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14851198#post14851198 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by plancton
Do you recommend the UVL super actinic?, what does it achieve in terms of coloration and lumens?.
I´ve heard some people say they keep their VHOs and don´t upgrade to T5 because supposedly the VHO super actinic has no match.

There is no need for actinics if you are running a bulb like the ATI Blue Plus. The blue bulbs have a lot of actinic in them.

If you want to run just straight actinic then the VHO Super Actinics are still the best but I think supplementing MH with ATI Blue Pluses is WAY better.

 

[bshumake]

Above is a quick layout of my bulbs. I'll have (currently building) 8x 54W T5's and 4x other T5's. The 8 54W are in blue and run along the center of the tank. The additional 4 bulbs will be on the sides and are in red (on the pic).
I have an Icecap 430 to power those. Reason I'm thinking about the 4 side bulbs is I have 4 of the 45W's on the tank now and am noticing that the ends of the tank are not getting enough light.
What bulbs woud you recommend for a 24" deep tank keeping mostly SPS, with a few acan's and a clam or two on the sand?
What bulbs for the ends?
Thanks everyone,
B

 

[dan223]

rtparty are you Grims apprentice/ protege?
grims not planning on retiring and passing the torch soon is he?