The T5 Q&a Thread
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The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
The Ushio lamp isn't bad but I am not sure if it is the same. I went by Sanjay Joshi's tests,
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
Either the 6 lamp Tek or ATI Sunpower
Front
Blue Plus
UVL 75/25
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Actinic White
Blue Plus
ATI Acua blue
Hi Grim,
I just bought a 48" 6x54w Tek Fixture for my 75 gal and I'm planning to start with a couple of softies but eventually adding lps, sps and a clam.
I would like to know what bulb would be the best. I was looking at Gmann, UVL and Korallen bulbs, but don't really know what I should get.
Also I was wondering how high above the tank should my fixture be since ill be using the legs made for Tek and should I add some cooling fans or shields for my reflectors ? Thx for help !
I just bought a 48" 6x54w Tek Fixture for my 75 gal and I'm planning to start with a couple of softies but eventually adding lps, sps and a clam.
I would like to know what bulb would be the best. I was looking at Gmann, UVL and Korallen bulbs, but don't really know what I should get.
Also I was wondering how high above the tank should my fixture be since ill be using the legs made for Tek and should I add some cooling fans or shields for my reflectors ? Thx for help !
phunkie99
New member
It's time to replace my T5 bulbs (way overdue). Here is my setup right now:
I have an Aquactinics TX5 fixture which holds 5 54watt bulbs
From front to back:
ATI Blue plus
UVL Super Actinics
UVL Aquasun
ATI Blue Plus
Giesemann Aquablue +
I like the look but I wish it was just a little less pink. I’m not a light guy and use RC to help in areas I am less knowledgeable so any help would be appreciated.
I have an Aquactinics TX5 fixture which holds 5 54watt bulbs
From front to back:
ATI Blue plus
UVL Super Actinics
UVL Aquasun
ATI Blue Plus
Giesemann Aquablue +
I like the look but I wish it was just a little less pink. I’m not a light guy and use RC to help in areas I am less knowledgeable so any help would be appreciated.
rtparty
Raise The Reef!
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14700710#post14700710 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by phunkie99
It's time to replace my T5 bulbs (way overdue). Here is my setup right now:
I have an Aquactinics TX5 fixture which holds 5 54watt bulbs
From front to back:
ATI Blue plus
UVL Super Actinics
UVL Aquasun
ATI Blue Plus
Giesemann Aquablue +
I like the look but I wish it was just a little less pink. I’m not a light guy and use RC to help in areas I am less knowledgeable so any help would be appreciated.
ATI Blue Plus
KZ Fiji Purple or UVL Actinic White
ATI Aquablue
GE 6500K
ATI Blue Plus
coralfragger101
Gone Postal
OK Grim - I'm going with you.
It's several pages back now (this thread moves quick) so I'll refresh.
My tank is a 48 x 24 x 30 and don't have to grow SPS on the bottom.
As per Grim's recommendation:
"An 8 lamp 54 watt ATI Sunpower would be great over that tank. You are looking at about 16" of reflector area so it would fall right into your opening size. It would also allow you to keep anything you want from SPS anywhere in the top half of the tank so shrooms in the lower corners.
For lamps
Front
ATI Blue Plus
UVL 75/25
ATI Aquablue
UVL Actinic White
ATI Blue Plus
GE 6500K Daylight
UVL 75/25
ATI Blue Plus
Should look 12 to 14Kish. The Actinic White (and to a lesser extint the 75/25) are a little pink and the GE is kinda ivory with a little green to it. If you swap the position of the GE and the Actinic White it will change the look slightly/ The Blue Plus/75-25 combo makes for a cool dusk/dawn look.
-----------------------------------------
I just placed an order with ReefGeek for the 48" 8 bulb PowerModule with the above recommended lamps.
You were right Dustin - they are on back order but at least my unit will be one of the first one's in. Sometime next week.
I'll let you know how I like it in a couple of weeks.
It's several pages back now (this thread moves quick) so I'll refresh.
My tank is a 48 x 24 x 30 and don't have to grow SPS on the bottom.
As per Grim's recommendation:
"An 8 lamp 54 watt ATI Sunpower would be great over that tank. You are looking at about 16" of reflector area so it would fall right into your opening size. It would also allow you to keep anything you want from SPS anywhere in the top half of the tank so shrooms in the lower corners.
For lamps
Front
ATI Blue Plus
UVL 75/25
ATI Aquablue
UVL Actinic White
ATI Blue Plus
GE 6500K Daylight
UVL 75/25
ATI Blue Plus
Should look 12 to 14Kish. The Actinic White (and to a lesser extint the 75/25) are a little pink and the GE is kinda ivory with a little green to it. If you swap the position of the GE and the Actinic White it will change the look slightly/ The Blue Plus/75-25 combo makes for a cool dusk/dawn look.
-----------------------------------------
I just placed an order with ReefGeek for the 48" 8 bulb PowerModule with the above recommended lamps.
You were right Dustin - they are on back order but at least my unit will be one of the first one's in. Sometime next week.
I'll let you know how I like it in a couple of weeks.
SkyPapa
Premium Member
Question for anyone.
I have an an advance T5 ballast and 2 x 39W T5 retro kit for actinic with a 250W MH on my 40B.
I was standing there watching my tank when the the 20A GFI tripped.
I traced it down to the T5s.
I checked the wiring and it seems ok.
I know it sounds like the ballast fried but its only 1 year old.
Do both lights stop if 1 burns out?
After checking for loose connections i plugged it into a 15A GFI with nothing else on the line and it doesn't light and it doesn't trip the GFI
What do y'all think?
I have an an advance T5 ballast and 2 x 39W T5 retro kit for actinic with a 250W MH on my 40B.
I was standing there watching my tank when the the 20A GFI tripped.
I traced it down to the T5s.
I checked the wiring and it seems ok.
I know it sounds like the ballast fried but its only 1 year old.
Do both lights stop if 1 burns out?
After checking for loose connections i plugged it into a 15A GFI with nothing else on the line and it doesn't light and it doesn't trip the GFI
What do y'all think?
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
If you can add a fan blowing down slightly from above or sideways from the rear so it strikes the rear side of the fixture it will greatly help the output. Don't use the shield, causes too much heat. Having the fixture about 4" above the water should keep it from getting too much salt spray.
Try to get ATI Blue Plus lamps if possible, otherwise the Gmann Actinic Plus will work.
Front
ATI Blue Plus
UVL 75/25
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Actinic White
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
I'd do an 8 lamp Tek.
Blue Plus
UVL 75/25
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Actinic White
Blue Plus
GE 6500K Daylight
UVL 75/25
ATI Blue Plus
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14700710#post14700710 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by phunkie99
It's time to replace my T5 bulbs (way overdue). Here is my setup right now:
I have an Aquactinics TX5 fixture which holds 5 54watt bulbs
From front to back:
ATI Blue plus
UVL Super Actinics
UVL Aquasun
ATI Blue Plus
Giesemann Aquablue +
I like the look but I wish it was just a little less pink. I’m not a light guy and use RC to help in areas I am less knowledgeable so any help would be appreciated.
You could try a UVL Actinic White instead of the Aquasun.
Plan B would be replace the Super Actinic with a UVL 75/25 and the Aquasun with a GE 6500K Daylight.
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
If it's tripping the breaker the ballast is likely fried. Make sure your AC wires going into the ballast are not arcing. If it now isn't tripping the breaker look to see if either of the lamps flash at the ends when you power it up. Could be that one of the lamps died. If one of the lamps flash and the other doesn't try swapping the positions. If the same position still flashes you have a problem with the wiring or an endcap on the other. If the flashing follows the lamp then the lamp that doesn't flash is the problem.
Last edited:
Ok, reefgeek should have my 48" 4 bulb TEK in on tuesday and ill let you know how it goes! Thanks everyone for all the help!
I do wish i went with 5 bulb, but tek didnt have that and the other ones i found were a little higher in price. and ill be better off with power bill too..
i went with
front
ATI Blue +
UVL 75/25
GE 6500k
ATI Aquablue
hopin this will be enough to at least put some clams higher up, if they dont liek the sand.
I do wish i went with 5 bulb, but tek didnt have that and the other ones i found were a little higher in price. and ill be better off with power bill too..
i went with
front
ATI Blue +
UVL 75/25
GE 6500k
ATI Aquablue
hopin this will be enough to at least put some clams higher up, if they dont liek the sand.
Hey Grimm,
I have two questions. I have been looking at your site and the PAR readings, and maybe I missed it, but can you tell me at what distance the PAR readings were taken from?
Also I have a small anemone tank (40 breeder) I am starting for BTAs and have a 4 bulb fixture for it. I am looking for mostly daylight to max out PAR, and am thinking like an ATI Blue +, UVL Actinic White, and 2 GE 6500 Daylights. Does that sound good, or would you recommend something different?
Thanks
I have two questions. I have been looking at your site and the PAR readings, and maybe I missed it, but can you tell me at what distance the PAR readings were taken from?
Also I have a small anemone tank (40 breeder) I am starting for BTAs and have a 4 bulb fixture for it. I am looking for mostly daylight to max out PAR, and am thinking like an ATI Blue +, UVL Actinic White, and 2 GE 6500 Daylights. Does that sound good, or would you recommend something different?
Thanks
Ok thx a lot ! If possible could you tell me like how much percent are ATI Blueplus performing better compared to Gisemann because I would have to ship from usa to canada and they would probably cost me like 20$ more than the Gisemann I can get here so thats not really worth it right ?
And what would be Gisemann's equivalent to ATI Aquablue ?
And finally lol, if I can buy a fiji purple for the same price then a UVL 75/25 would it be better ?
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