The T5 Q&a Thread

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14855117#post14855117 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by allykahn
Grim,

For my 180, you suggested this for 80W T5s:
You can do good things with the 80's

ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue
KZ Fiji Purple
ATI Blue Plus
GE 6500K Daylight
ATI Blue Plus

Arrange them so you get 2 blue plus and the fiji on dusk/dawn, looks cool

While reading, I saw you suggest this combo with VHO:

Front
VHO Actinic
ATI Aquablue
GE 6500K Daylight
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue
VHO Actinic

Since I have most of these bulbs, except the KZ and 1 Aquablue (I'll order), which would provide a better look for a mixed reef? The top combo I could use my two 660 ballasts. For the bottom, I would have to use the two 660's and my workhorse 7, unless I run 2 vho and 1 T5 on a 660. I have mixed T5 and vho before but it was only two bulbs on a 430.

Also, there is a 120w difference between the two setups.

What do you think? As always, Thanks for you help!

I think I would do the bottom combo except I would do 1 VHO Actinic and run it on a 660 with 2 blue pluses.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14855254#post14855254 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by cobra2326
Does anyone know if the IceCap SLR Reflectors become stained from salt spray or do they clean easily?

It's been my experience that they clean really easy

 

[jh2pizza]

What is sleep?

You have been a huge help to many. A huge thanks for devoting your time and energy to assisting all of us.

 

[rino0987]

what would be a good mix? I dont care that much about my prefences but what about 2 20watt and 2 10watts? would that be enough for stony corals? i can also put in some huge 100 watt out door lights. basicly i can screw in any household bulbs but would these work?
thanks so much

 

[rino0987]

i forgot to tell you the bulbs i was talking about what abouth these? http://www.aquariumguys.com/minicompact3.html

 

[Nap]

Grim I want to start by saying thanks for all the T5 info.

About a year ago you gave me some good advice and I went with the following bulb setup for my Constellation...

4 - Blue Plus
1 - 75/25
1 - Aquablue
1 - Aqua sun

The growth has been good and I like the look of the tank but my corals have never been quite right. Most of my colors are washed out and where my corals should be brown they are creamy white. I was thinking of backing off the par a bit by putting in some actinics. (I prefer a white/blue look to the tank similar to 20k)

Would two or three actinics work? Maybe 2 blue plus and 2 actinics or what would you recommend?

 

[Nap]

Oops, accidental double post.

 

[90g-reefer]

Hello Grim I have a question for you. I have 90 gallon with an 8 bulb nova extreme. I want to chance out my current usa brand bulbs for better bulbs but my question is how many "day light" bulbs do I have to run to get good growth. I have a variety of corals including a clam, and the tank is 23" deep. What I am looking for is GREAT COLOR and good growth. Do I have to run 3-4 daylight bulbs to get good growth?

 

[mrpet]

hello grimm its bulb change time want a to change it up its a 375 gal tank 25" deep i run 12 80w lamps on ic 660s 6 blue+ 4 aqua blue specials and 2 ge 6500k bulbs i would like it a little more on the blue side should i try some actinic? tank is 80% sps so any suggestions on new bulbs would be great. thank you

 

[plancton]

Which ballasts would you use to light 5x 24watt t5 bulbs, 3 and 2 swith independently.

Would you use ICECAP?, that would give me the confidence of knowing I am having enough light for this nano.
Remember I want to light 3 and 2 independently.

 

[Elan L.]

This Question is really about bulbs i guess (right?). How high should my 48'' TEK 8 bulb be from the surface of my 75g?

Thanks, Elan

 

[Der ABT]

Having an issue with yellowing in my tank and would like to get some more blue to pop.
75g
I have 2x150 12k aqualine MH
2x96w Actinic PC
just came accross a cheap 2x54w T5 and was just going to try to add it as well to bring some more blue in just need help deciding on bulbs
thinking of getting 2 Giesman Actinic+ or 2 ATi Blue Plus

any input would be appreciated.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14857088#post14857088 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rino0987
what would be a good mix? I dont care that much about my prefences but what about 2 20watt and 2 10watts? would that be enough for stony corals? i can also put in some huge 100 watt out door lights. basicly i can screw in any household bulbs but would these work?
thanks so much

I would use 10K if they have them available. DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT TRYING STONIES UNDER THOSE CRAP LIGHTS. LPS on the rocks might be OK

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14857728#post14857728 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Nap
Grim I want to start by saying thanks for all the T5 info.

About a year ago you gave me some good advice and I went with the following bulb setup for my Constellation...

4 - Blue Plus
1 - 75/25
1 - Aquablue
1 - Aqua sun

The growth has been good and I like the look of the tank but my corals have never been quite right. Most of my colors are washed out and where my corals should be brown they are creamy white. I was thinking of backing off the par a bit by putting in some actinics. (I prefer a white/blue look to the tank similar to 20k)

Would two or three actinics work? Maybe 2 blue plus and 2 actinics or what would you recommend?

Try this

Front
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Actinic White
UVL Super Actinic
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Super Actinic
GE 6500K Daylight
Blue Plus


That will give you 2 actinics for dusk/dawn, 3 blue plus for early/late afternoon and the Daylight/actinic White for midday. You could try a UVL 75/25 instead of the # 5 position actinic if you want a little purple look to the dusk/dawn

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14858075#post14858075 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 90g-reefer
Hello Grim I have a question for you. I have 90 gallon with an 8 bulb nova extreme. I want to chance out my current usa brand bulbs for better bulbs but my question is how many "day light" bulbs do I have to run to get good growth. I have a variety of corals including a clam, and the tank is 23" deep. What I am looking for is GREAT COLOR and good growth. Do I have to run 3-4 daylight bulbs to get good growth?

The ATI Blue Plus is one of the highest PAR lamps out there. I would go with 5 of those, a UVL Actinic White and 2 ATI Blue Plus lamps. Place the actinic white so it is center or slightly front of center then just place a Aquablue in the 2nd or 3rd slot and 6th or seventh, whatever will leave you with Blue Plus lamps for dusk/dawn.

The Aquablues are crisp white with a slight blue tint and the actinic white is white with a slight pink tint. You might want to try 2 of the actinic whites, they really make pink and purple corals stand out.

 

[ktrandc]

Hi Grim,

I'm getting my new tank this week (yay!!). The dimension is going to be 48"x30"x20". I'm going with an ATI PM unit. Would you recommend I go with the 8 or 10 bulb unit? I'm doing mainly SPS.

Also, what bulb combination would you recommend?

Thanks!!

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14858102#post14858102 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mrpet
hello grimm its bulb change time want a to change it up its a 375 gal tank 25" deep i run 12 80w lamps on ic 660s 6 blue+ 4 aqua blue specials and 2 ge 6500k bulbs i would like it a little more on the blue side should i try some actinic? tank is 80% sps so any suggestions on new bulbs would be great. thank you

If you have the chance post up some pics and details on your tank. Be interested to know how those SPS have done on that monster with T5's. Dimensions of the tank, what reflectors you are using, height above the water. I don't ask for much

I would go with 8 Blue Plus and 4 Fiji Purples and see what you think, Maybe 2 Fijis and 2 Aquablue but I think the blue and purple would look seriously wicked. Maybe gab a couple of Aquablues to mix in if you don't like the look and want to brighten things up some.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14858469#post14858469 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by plancton
Which ballasts would you use to light 5x 24watt t5 bulbs, 3 and 2 swith independently.

Would you use ICECAP?, that would give me the confidence of knowing I am having enough light for this nano.
Remember I want to light 3 and 2 independently.

How tall is the nano? Running IC ballasts on anything less than 20" tall will probably the confidence of knowing your seafood gumbo is fully cooked.

Get a Workhorse 5 ballast (GAG!!!) for 3 24 watt T5's and a standard 2 x 24 watt T5 ballast (VS, Sylvania, Triad etc.) As long as you are using reflectors and the tank is less than 20" tall you will have plenty of light.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14858790#post14858790 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Elan L.
This Question is really about bulbs i guess (right?). How high should my 48'' TEK 8 bulb be from the surface of my 75g?

Thanks, Elan

Assuming you aren't using a splash shield (if you are take it off) a minimum of 4" above the tank should insure that salt spray doesn't cause too much trouble. I wouldn't go over 6" if possible.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14859078#post14859078 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Der ABT
Having an issue with yellowing in my tank and would like to get some more blue to pop.
75g
I have 2x150 12k aqualine MH
2x96w Actinic PC
just came accross a cheap 2x54w T5 and was just going to try to add it as well to bring some more blue in just need help deciding on bulbs
thinking of getting 2 Giesman Actinic+ or 2 ATi Blue Plus

any input would be appreciated.

I prefer the ATI lamps but either would be a good choice. If you could score 2 of those fixtures I would do it and drop the PC's. Even if it is a cheap fixture you will get some nice PAR out of the Blue T5 lamps.