The T5 Q&a Thread

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14860155#post14860155 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 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!!

I'd do the 10 lamp version.

I think #3 and 7 are dusk/dawn, if I am wrong adjust lamp positions so you get a good pair for dusk/dawn.

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

Order an ATI Aquablue and maybe something else for spare lamps so you can play.

 

[Der ABT]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14860211#post14860211 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
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.

That is what i was gathering from the previous posts with ATI being the better bulbs.
Thanks for the input, Ill definately start looking for another T5 fixture, i just have an aqualight pro with the PC built in. I may look at retro fitting in the T5s now.

Thank you much for helping all of us out Grimm, its greatly appreciated.

 

[solareclisped]

some pics of constellation

 

[rtparty]

What is the dark dark blue bulb? That doesn't look right to me.

The fixture and tank look sweet!


edit - That bulb is an actinic. I thought it was a Blue Plus or something and was thinking to myself, "Something ain't right with that Blue Plus! HAHA"

 

[mrpet]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14860162#post14860162 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
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.

hey grimm so far the sps corals have done fine growth is avg and color is as well. corals seem a little on the pastel side. the tank is
in-wall 72"x"48 x 25" im using reef geeks miro reflectors i think bought them a year ago and they are aprox 6" above the water i have just stepped up my h20 changes and im feeding alot more to see if that will help with color. i think i will give the 8 blue plus and the 4 figi purples a shot. as far as the aquablues are you talking about the aquablue specials? thanks again grimm are all these companies paying you yet lol... will try and post some pics later i have some pics in the large tank form just search 375 inwall with pics...

 

[ngn8dogg]

yes hes talking about ati aquablue special

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Yep, ATI Aquablues.

 

[serum153]

RT or Grim. I am replacing my bulbs on my 660 retro which were:
Blue+
Super Actinic
Aquasun
Blue+

On wednesday I will have (Can't wait to see the color)
Blue +
Fiji Purple
Aquablue
Blue+

My old bulbs are only about 6 months old and I will be giving them to my cousin who has a nova extreme pro with stock bulbs. How can he get a good look using the bulbs I am giving him and his current bulbs? This will only be for about 3 or 4 months as he will be getting new bulbs. Thanks in advance.

 

[benmann71]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14860190#post14860190 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
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.

Why do you say the Workhorse ballast?

this is what Greg from Reef Geek said about it when i wanted to buy a retrofit with the workhorse 7 ballast

"but I can't sell you a kit with the Workhorse 7 ballasts as this particular brand of ballast is very hard on T5 bulbs during start-up which causes pre-mature bulb degradation and premature bulb failure."

 

[conradchu]

Hi everyone,

I plan on getting 48" 4-lamp T5 IceCap retrofit, and plan on overdriving the lamps. I have a 60g, and want to get more SPS.

1. Any advice on which bulbs would be good for this?
2. I assume 4 T5 lamps is sufficient for a 60g. Is that enough?

Thanks!

 

[KJAhp098]

Hey guys, I set my lights up for the first time and it seems I have too much white in my tank and not enough blue to make the colors of the SPS really pop. What would you recommend swapping out to get more of a blue pastel effect on the corals? I have the marineland 300 gallon (6 feet long) and I have 8 T-5's running front to back on the left side, and the same thing on the right side. I have a 400w 12k reeflux halide for the middle. Here is the setup order:

Outside
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus
KZ Fiji Purple
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue
KZ Fiji Purple
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue
Inside of tank

Thanks for any help.

 

[benf]

HI,
Gotta a T5 comparison question for ya...i have done several searches and having trouble finding the info...i am swapping out my MH for T5s and am trying to decide between retro or a module. Am i correct that i read ATi has the highest par module? and is there any comparison between a module vs individual retro setup? This is going on a 72 x 27 x 24 tank. The 2 advantages i have with retro; i already own 2 IC660 ballast and i can stagger the 60" lights to give full tank coverage.

Thoughts and any comparisons done against retros?

thanks
Ben

 

[Rockpile]

Hello Grim, etc.

I've got a 6 bulb TEK fixture over a 65g (36x18x25). Sits about 5" from the water. SPS dominant (all over halfway up) but also have some zoas and LPS near the bottom in the front. Currently running:

Front:
ATI blue plus
UVL actinic white
ATI blue plus
UVL 75/25
ATI aquablue special
ATI blue plus

still too white for me. Do you think I could run 4 blue plus, 1 aquablue special, 1 GE 6500K. Any suggestions appreciated.

 

[snaza]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14864291#post14864291 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Rockpile
Hello Grim, etc.

I've got a 6 bulb TEK fixture over a 65g (36x18x25). Sits about 5" from the water. SPS dominant (all over halfway up) but also have some zoas and LPS near the bottom in the front. Currently running:

Front:
ATI blue plus
UVL actinic white
ATI blue plus
UVL 75/25
ATI aquablue special
ATI blue plus

still too white for me. Do you think I could run 4 blue plus, 1 aquablue special, 1 GE 6500K. Any suggestions appreciated.

I really like 4 blue+, 1 fiji, 1 aquablue

looks good to me. plenty blue

 

[layer3switchguy]

Guys,

Can someone answer a quick question and take a look at my bulb config?

Front -to- Back

ATI Blue Plus
KZ Fiji Purple
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue
KZ Fiji Purple
ATI Blue Plus

Having said that, I don''t have an ATI Aquablue. Any ideas on a suitable replacement? I have another Blue Plus, a Blue Special, KZ New Gen and a few actinc bulbs. I'd appreciate any ideas!

Thanks,
L3

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14862646#post14862646 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by serum153
RT or Grim. I am replacing my bulbs on my 660 retro which were:
Blue+
Super Actinic
Aquasun
Blue+

On wednesday I will have (Can't wait to see the color)
Blue +
Fiji Purple
Aquablue
Blue+

My old bulbs are only about 6 months old and I will be giving them to my cousin who has a nova extreme pro with stock bulbs. How can he get a good look using the bulbs I am giving him and his current bulbs? This will only be for about 3 or 4 months as he will be getting new bulbs. Thanks in advance.

Try it with 2 of the current 460's, if more PAR is needed yank the Super Actinic and use 1 Current 10K.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14862958#post14862958 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by benmann71
Why do you say the Workhorse ballast?

this is what Greg from Reef Geek said about it when i wanted to buy a retrofit with the workhorse 7 ballast

"but I can't sell you a kit with the Workhorse 7 ballasts as this particular brand of ballast is very hard on T5 bulbs during start-up which causes pre-mature bulb degradation and premature bulb failure."

You wouldn't want to use the 7, too much mojo. Get the 5. Unless you want to use 3 ballasts to run 5 lamps use the Workhorse for 3 of them and put up with the slightly less lamp life. As long as you use good lamps it wont be a huge issue.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14863571#post14863571 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by conradchu
Hi everyone,

I plan on getting 48" 4-lamp T5 IceCap retrofit, and plan on overdriving the lamps. I have a 60g, and want to get more SPS.

1. Any advice on which bulbs would be good for this?
2. I assume 4 T5 lamps is sufficient for a 60g. Is that enough?

Thanks!

3 ATI Blue Plus and 1 UVL Actinic White is what I would try. Overdriven the Blue Plus appear whiter so 3 should look good.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14863669#post14863669 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by KJAhp098
Hey guys, I set my lights up for the first time and it seems I have too much white in my tank and not enough blue to make the colors of the SPS really pop. What would you recommend swapping out to get more of a blue pastel effect on the corals? I have the marineland 300 gallon (6 feet long) and I have 8 T-5's running front to back on the left side, and the same thing on the right side. I have a 400w 12k reeflux halide for the middle. Here is the setup order:

Outside
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus
KZ Fiji Purple
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue
KZ Fiji Purple
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue
Inside of tank

Thanks for any help.

Pull a couple aquablues for Blue Pluses or you could even try a UVL Super Actinic or two.

 

[JohnL]

This thread was automatically split due to performance issues. You can find the rest of the thread here: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=1623490