The T5 Q&a Thread

[layer3switchguy]

Hi Grim and company,

Question for everyone, if you were willing to make a compromise between growth, for eye popping SPS coral color, what would the suggested bulb config be? I have a 6 bulb, overdriven Solar Flare, and I'm willing to accept slower growth for amazing color. Any ideas?

Thanks!
L3

 

[siskiou]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14900409#post14900409 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
No, the Giesemann Actinic Plus is their blue lamp. The aquablue is about the same as the ATI Aquablue.

Ah, okay!

So, ATI Blue+ equals Giesemann Actinic +?

And ATI Aquablue = Giesemann Aquablue +?

Is there any reason to prefer one brand over the other, regarding overall quality and performance?

 

[scunfcu]

Two Actintics

Two Actintics

I have a TX5 Five bulb lighting unit for a 75 gallon. If I want to use two Actintics would it still leave me with enough PAR? I have SPS ( high placement ), LPS and Softies.

Front to Back
- ATI Blue Plus
- UVL Super Actintics
- ATI AquaBlue
- UVL Super Actintics
- ATI AquaBlue

Reason for two Actintics is to bring out some colors in my LPS.

 

[Fishingpcola]

Who has the cheapest Icecap prewired T5 retro without bulbs? Champion has it for $224.99 Anybody cheaper?

 

[Troy the Nomad]

8 lamp fixture going to go over a 125, mostly lps and softies with some sps.

What would this combo give me as far as color?


Aqua Science Blue 22K
ATI Blue Plus
K Z Fiji Purple
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue Special
Aqua Science Duo
ATI Blue Plus
Aqua Science Blue 22K

I was hoping to hit some different color spectrum's by using both the Blue Plus and the AS Blue 22K. Is that a waste of time?

Thanks, Troy

 

[reefboy12]

grim,

Anything on the uvl indigosun yet?? what does it look like??

ron

 

[siskiou]

Well, my LFS only had the Giesemann midday bulbs in, so I'm back to shopping online.

I have an 8 bulb TEK light for my 120G tank, and 6 of my current bulbs really need replacing soon.

The only ones that are fairly new are a UVL 25/75, and a UVL superactinic.

What should I add to achieve nice coloration for SPS, LPS and softies.
Color is more important than fast growth for me, and I prefer a slightly more bluish look.

Would 3 ATI Blue + and another UVL superactinic be good choices?
And that leaves two more slots open. More actinics, or aquablues? A 6500K? Or is there something new coming out I should give a try?

 

[jh2pizza]

Just so everyone is aware, Reef Geek carries Aqua Science bulbs as well. You just need to ask. They are not listed on their website.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14900667#post14900667 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by reefboy12
Grim,

Any info on the use of all blue plus bulbs longterm? Increased color, poor health,slow growth ....etc

Thanks in advance,
Ron

I've had good luck with them, I know a few SPS people who have had there colors shift a little more pastel under T5's but I don't think it was related to any particular lamp

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14900672#post14900672 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by layer3switchguy
Hi Grim and company,

Question for everyone, if you were willing to make a compromise between growth, for eye popping SPS coral color, what would the suggested bulb config be? I have a 6 bulb, overdriven Solar Flare, and I'm willing to accept slower growth for amazing color. Any ideas?

Thanks!
L3

Go 5 ATIBlue Plus and a KZ Fiji Purple, looks and growth, no compromise.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14900755#post14900755 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by siskiou
Ah, okay!

So, ATI Blue+ equals Giesemann Actinic +?

And ATI Aquablue = Giesemann Aquablue +?

Is there any reason to prefer one brand over the other, regarding overall quality and performance?

I have gotten better PAR with the ATI but not by a huge amount. Looks are about the same.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Re: Two Actintics

Re: Two Actintics

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14900927#post14900927 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by scunfcu
I have a TX5 Five bulb lighting unit for a 75 gallon. If I want to use two Actintics would it still leave me with enough PAR? I have SPS ( high placement ), LPS and Softies.

Front to Back
- ATI Blue Plus
- UVL Super Actintics
- ATI AquaBlue
- UVL Super Actintics
- ATI AquaBlue

Reason for two Actintics is to bring out some colors in my LPS.

I think you will be fine. You might try a UVL Actinic White in place of an Aquablue to help bring out pink and yellow colors better.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14901593#post14901593 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Fishingpcola
Who has the cheapest Icecap prewired T5 retro without bulbs? Champion has it for $224.99 Anybody cheaper?

Check Reefgeek, DIY reef and Reef Specialties too .

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14901852#post14901852 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by reefboy12
grim,

Anything on the uvl indigosun yet?? what does it look like??

ron

I have just seen pictures, looks like a whiter version of an Aquablue. It gives UVL a full line of lamps now which is nice but I have no idea on the output.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14901607#post14901607 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Troy the Nomad
8 lamp fixture going to go over a 125, mostly lps and softies with some sps.

What would this combo give me as far as color?


Aqua Science Blue 22K
ATI Blue Plus
K Z Fiji Purple
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue Special
Aqua Science Duo
ATI Blue Plus
Aqua Science Blue 22K

I was hoping to hit some different color spectrum's by using both the Blue Plus and the AS Blue 22K. Is that a waste of time?

Thanks, Troy

If you can get the lamps for the same price at the same place why not. That combo will be 20K strong blue but pretty bright. I'd move the Duo to the front, its a more blue version of a Aquablue so you are spreading your brighter lamps out more (Aquablue, DUO and Fiji.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14902765#post14902765 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by siskiou
Well, my LFS only had the Giesemann midday bulbs in, so I'm back to shopping online.

I have an 8 bulb TEK light for my 120G tank, and 6 of my current bulbs really need replacing soon.

The only ones that are fairly new are a UVL 25/75, and a UVL superactinic.

What should I add to achieve nice coloration for SPS, LPS and softies.
Color is more important than fast growth for me, and I prefer a slightly more bluish look.

Would 3 ATI Blue + and another UVL superactinic be good choices?
And that leaves two more slots open. More actinics, or aquablues? A 6500K? Or is there something new coming out I should give a try?

do 4 Blue Pluses, Aquablue and a GE 6500K Daylight or Gmann Midday.

 

[siskiou]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14903344#post14903344 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
do 4 Blue Pluses, Aquablue and a GE 6500K Daylight or Gmann Midday.

Thanks! How would I best line these up front to back?
I currently use the front and back pairs as dusk/dawn, and the middle 4 come on an hour later.

 

[Tater11]

i have a nova extreme pro 6-54watt t-5's.time for a bulb change
what combo would you go with for best color pop and good growth?thanks.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14903355#post14903355 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by siskiou
Thanks! How would I best line these up front to back?
I currently use the front and back pairs as dusk/dawn, and the middle 4 come on an hour later.

Blue Plus
75/25
Blue Plus
GE Daylight
Blue Plus
Aquablue
Actinic
Blue Plus

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14903361#post14903361 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Tater11
i have a nova extreme pro 6-54watt t-5's.time for a bulb change
what combo would you go with for best color pop and good growth?thanks.

4 ATI Blue Plus, 1 UVL Actinic White and 1 GE 6500K Daylight should give you a 15K kinda bluish look.