The T5 Q&a Thread

[TandN]

with my halides Im a big 20k guy

 

[volcom69]

Anybody know is the aquascience duo 15k a little more blue then the aquablue special can you even tell the difference between them.

 

[rtparty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14871499#post14871499 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by TandN
with my halides Im a big 20k guy

So you want like really blue. Order some extra blue pluses and play around. I am sure Grim will give you a reco that will be 20k. I would try like 7 Blue Plus, 2 KZ Fiji Purple and 1 GE 6500K. That way all spectrums are hit.

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

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14871510#post14871510 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by volcom69
Anybody know is the aquascience duo 15k a little more blue then the aquablue special can you even tell the difference between them.

Barely more blue with less par but not a lot. I wouldn't go out of my way yo use one but if they are convenient and you think an aquablue is a little too white why not.

 

[TandN]

I have some coral light 14k's i bought that I never used since I decided on VHO's as my actinics could I replace something with them ?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14871734#post14871734 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by TandN
I have some coral light 14k's i bought that I never used since I decided on VHO's as my actinics could I replace something with them ?

They are the same as an Aquablue.

 

[austin93]

I need to replace 2 bulbs in my 6 bulb setup on a 75. I have currently 2 ab specials and 2 b+. I need to replace the other 2. I really like the radium look on the luminark ballast. I have a lot of red, blue, green, and purple sps and would like to see their colors brought out. I have read this forum a bunch, but struggle to find the best coloration for my tank. People should put their pix up after they use the suggestions they get. I am thinking about maybe an actinic, but not sure if I want to lose the par. I am also interested in the fuji purple to help bring out the colors on corals like birdsnests and the like. I am currently narrowing it down to 2 choices.....

1. Fiji Purple and B+
2. AB Special and B+

Any advice is appreciated, thanks.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14872060#post14872060 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by austin93
I need to replace 2 bulbs in my 6 bulb setup on a 75. I have currently 2 ab specials and 2 b+. I need to replace the other 2. I really like the radium look on the luminark ballast. I have a lot of red, blue, green, and purple sps and would like to see their colors brought out. I have read this forum a bunch, but struggle to find the best coloration for my tank. People should put their pix up after they use the suggestions they get. I am thinking about maybe an actinic, but not sure if I want to lose the par. I am also interested in the fuji purple to help bring out the colors on corals like birdsnests and the like. I am currently narrowing it down to 2 choices.....

1. Fiji Purple and B+
2. AB Special and B+

Any advice is appreciated, thanks.

I would do a blue plus and either Fiji Purple or UVL Actinic White.

 

[McMax]

Ok so Im currently using this bulb config and it's petty nice but I do find it a little bit too red and missing some blue :

Aquascience Blue 22k
Fiji Purple
Aquascience Special 15k
Aquascience Blue 22k
UVL Actinic White
Aquascience Blue 22k

The Aquascience Blue 22k seems a little less blue than the ATI Blue Plus so i was thinking maybe adding a 4th one and removing one of my red bulbs either Purple Fiji or UVL Actinic White.

I think I should only keep one red light bulb so which one would be the best to have ? Fiji purple, UVL 75/25 or UVL Actinic White ? Which one is better at popping red and green from corals ?

And would this be good to get a more bluer look with less red :

Aquascience Blue 22k
Fiji Purple or UVL 75/25 or UVL Actinic White
Aquascience Blue 22k
Aquascience Special 15k
Aquascience Blue 22k
Aquascience Blue 22k or maybe Gisemann Aquablue

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14872645#post14872645 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by McMax
Ok so Im currently using this bulb config and it's petty nice but I do find it a little bit too red and missing some blue :

Aquascience Blue 22k
Fiji Purple
Aquascience Special 15k
Aquascience Blue 22k
UVL Actinic White
Aquascience Blue 22k

The Aquascience Blue 22k seems a little less blue than the ATI Blue Plus so i was thinking maybe adding a 4th one and removing one of my red bulbs either Purple Fiji or UVL Actinic White.

I think I should only keep one red light bulb so which one would be the best to have ? Fiji purple, UVL 75/25 or UVL Actinic White ? Which one is better at popping red and green from corals ?

And would this be good to get a more bluer look with less red :

Aquascience Blue 22k
Fiji Purple or UVL 75/25 or UVL Actinic White
Aquascience Blue 22k
Aquascience Special 15k
Aquascience Blue 22k
Aquascience Blue 22k or maybe Gisemann Aquablue

Play with using either the fiji or Actinic White with the blue lamp replacing the other slot. Just decide which looks better to you between those 2 lamps

 

[kkris]

What's the maximum distance I can space reflectors apart in a retrofit and still have good light spread? I'm using a 6 bulb retro setup with a row of Powerbright LED 460's down the middle.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14873578#post14873578 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kkris
What's the maximum distance I can space reflectors apart in a retrofit and still have good light spread? I'm using a 6 bulb retro setup with a row of Powerbright LED 460's down the middle.

I wouldn't place them more than a couple inches apart if you want good intensity all the way across.

 

[kkris]

Thanks Grim. They're all 1/4" apart with the exception of a 2" gap down the middle for the Powerbrights. The LED's and T'5's should be a good combo.

 

[McMax]

Is it just me or the Fiji Purple is almost like a daylight bulb o.0 mine I can barely see it has some purple/pink in it... Or maybe it's because it has only been on for like 8 hours ??

How would a 75/25 compare to a Fiji Purple, would it be more purple and pop red and green better ?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14874875#post14874875 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by McMax
Is it just me or the Fiji Purple is almost like a daylight bulb o.0 mine I can barely see it has some purple/pink in it... Or maybe it's because it has only been on for like 8 hours ??

How would a 75/25 compare to a Fiji Purple, would it be more purple and pop red and green better ?

The 75/25 has more red to it. They really don't have a big impact on reds, more on pink and purple colors.

 

[RRaider]

I have t5's overdriven on my 29g tank which is 18 inches tall and often it seems like too much light. I recently acquired a 21 inch tall 100g tank and plan on using t5's on it as well. I'm wondering though if I should overdrive them or not. If it makes a difference I'm planning on starting out with 6 60" bulbs and have mostly sps.

 

[McMax]

Fiji Purple is suppose to be really purple right ? Because mine looks almost like a white bulb... Is it because it's too early yet since I only have it for like 12 hours ?

 

[serum153]

I just received and put in my new bulbs
blue+
75/25 (fiji purple out of stock)
aquablue
blue+

I am not impressed with the combo as I feel it is too much of a bright white with a hint of blue. Maybe after the bulbs burn for a little bit, it will grow on me. My previoius combo I thought was a good overall color..blue+superactinic+aquasun+blue+, but after reading...the gurus didn't like the superactinic and I wasn't going to go against what Grim and rt recommend.

Any thoughts on how to get a more blue look? This is on an ic660 retro. Thanks Grim and RT

 

[philagothos]

What's the best 60" actinic? I'm looking for something to go with 2 Blue+ for the dusk/dawn portion to help make the corals pop. I am running 3 Blue+ right now, but it feels like too much blue, even once the daylights (2 Fiji Purple & an Aquablue) come on. Btw, these are being driven by IC660s.

Thanks.

 

[takayan]

Grim,
I will set up 48 x 12 x 16 tank for Acan and Zoa. I am thinking to use 4 bulbs, but I would like to have your advice of T5 bulb combination.