The T5 Q&a Thread

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14907107#post14907107 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by akbuuur
Hey Grim, I'm buying a NOVA extreme pro 36" for a 46 bowfront. I saw you're configuration on you're website of "Blue Plus, Super Actinic, UVL Aquasun, Blue Plus, UVL 75/25, Blue Plus". where do you suggest buying bulbs from and is there a specific brand you would suggest with these bulbs?
Thank you in advance

UVL is a brand. The Blue Plus are ATI Brand.

Instead of that combo use this

ATI Blue Plus
UVL 75/25
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Actinic White
ATI Blue Plus

Reefgeek should have all the lamps.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14907149#post14907149 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kkris
Any bulb combo suggestions for a 6 bulb setup over an sps tank. I just switched over from Phoenix bulbs on MH and can't quite get the crisp look I was hoping for. Not sure if it's the order or comination of bulbs. Tried the CoralPro but it was too pink. Ditch the 6500? Any suggestions? Thanks in advance.

Blue Plus
Aquablue
Blue Plus
LED Moonlights
GE 6500K
Blue Plus
Aquablue

If you want things to look more white try swapping the position of the Aquablue at the second from the front slot with the GE lamp.

 

[Troy the Nomad]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14908252#post14908252 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
I would probably use 4 Blue plusses or 22K blues for dusk/dawn but what you listed is fine.

Thanks again!

 

[Tater11]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14908236#post14908236 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Use 5 Blue Plus and the Actinic White, I would grab an ATI Aquablue as a spare, that would allow you to brighten up the look just a little if you find 5 blues a little too subdued.

thank you grim reefer

 

[jb61264]

I'm looking for suggestions on bulbs for a TEK 6 lamp fixture. I have a standard AGA 75 gallon which is 21" tall. I plan to have a 1-2" sandbed and want to be able to do some clams and SPS eventually...will start with some of my existing softies and LPS.

Thanks in advance for the suggestions

 

[akbuuur]

I appreciate it alot, thank you much.
Akbar

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14908362#post14908362 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
UVL is a brand. The Blue Plus are ATI Brand.

Instead of that combo use this

ATI Blue Plus
UVL 75/25
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Actinic White
ATI Blue Plus

Reefgeek should have all the lamps.

 

[Slick Fork]

Hi All,

I am considering switching from my current light (2x250 watt MH, 2x54 watt T5) to a pure T5 set up and am looking for input on product selection. (all prices in Canadian $) My tank is 48"X24"x22" eurobraced and sps dominated with most light hungry SPS's in the top half and a few LPS's and clams on the sand bed.

I was thinking of an 8 bulb unit with 1 dimmable ballast to start with the others just regular on/off switching.

I am planning a DIY setup so lets start with Ballasts. Readily available to me I have the sunlight supply brand 4x54 watt for $84.95, advance 4x54 watt for $94.95, workhorse 7 4x54 watt for $50, Giesemann 2x54 watt for 59.95, and the Dimmable will probably be the Advance 2x54 watt Dimmable (for lack of selection otherwise)

For reflectors I have the choice of Ice-Caps (30), Giesemanns(40), or the SLS TekII's($25)

I plan to have this suspended above the tank (as opposed to firmly mounted with brackets) what kind of material should a guy use as a splash shield? Acrylic or Glass? Can I just screw the reflectors to a plywood backing or will there be enough heat in there that I should consider something a little less flammable? Any thoughts/tips from others who have retro'd would be very much appreciated.

Cheers

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14909088#post14909088 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jb61264
I'm looking for suggestions on bulbs for a TEK 6 lamp fixture. I have a standard AGA 75 gallon which is 21" tall. I plan to have a 1-2" sandbed and want to be able to do some clams and SPS eventually...will start with some of my existing softies and LPS.

Thanks in advance for the suggestions

Front
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue
UVL 75/25
ATI Blue Plus
GE 6500K Daylight
ATI Blue Plus

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14909661#post14909661 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Slick Fork
Hi All,

I am considering switching from my current light (2x250 watt MH, 2x54 watt T5) to a pure T5 set up and am looking for input on product selection. (all prices in Canadian $) My tank is 48"X24"x22" eurobraced and sps dominated with most light hungry SPS's in the top half and a few LPS's and clams on the sand bed.

I was thinking of an 8 bulb unit with 1 dimmable ballast to start with the others just regular on/off switching.

I am planning a DIY setup so lets start with Ballasts. Readily available to me I have the sunlight supply brand 4x54 watt for $84.95, advance 4x54 watt for $94.95, workhorse 7 4x54 watt for $50, Giesemann 2x54 watt for 59.95, and the Dimmable will probably be the Advance 2x54 watt Dimmable (for lack of selection otherwise)

For reflectors I have the choice of Ice-Caps (30), Giesemanns(40), or the SLS TekII's($25)

I plan to have this suspended above the tank (as opposed to firmly mounted with brackets) what kind of material should a guy use as a splash shield? Acrylic or Glass? Can I just screw the reflectors to a plywood backing or will there be enough heat in there that I should consider something a little less flammable? Any thoughts/tips from others who have retro'd would be very much appreciated.

Cheers

Go with advanced ballasts and Ice Cap reflectors. The way the retrofits work is you get endcaps and standoffs. You would mount the standoffs to the wood and the endcaps mount to those. Once you mount the lamps in the endcaps the reflectors will clip on the lamps, this way heat isn't an issue.

Af long as the fixture is at least 4 inches above the water you shouldn't need a splash shield

 

[reefgeek31]

I have the vho ballast already so it would be easy. Do you think it would be beneficial or just over kill. Where would place them in the line up? Thanks again

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14908305#post14908305 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Front
AtI Blue Plus
UVL 75/25
ATI Blue Plus
GE 6500K Daylight
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue
UVL 75/25
Blue Plus

You could do that plus a couple of VHO actinics and really light things up.

 

[ngn8dogg]

QQ

QQ

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14905975#post14905975 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ngn8dogg
Does UVL actinic white have as much par as the aquablues?

Sorry RTPARTY. I dont want to sound like a **** but my question was to GRIMM . He has answered all my questions perfect so I am wondering , Do actinic whites have as much par as aquablue and what the heck is the difference? i See you are recommending them alot lately. Thanks GRIMM and Rt.
Nate

 

[reefgeek31]

I also wondered about the reds and if they are covered in this config. already. Sorry tried to edit the first post but it had been to long. Thanks for your time

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14909982#post14909982 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by reefgeek31
I have the vho ballast already so it would be easy. Do you think it would be beneficial or just over kill. Where would place them in the line up? Thanks again

 

[iverson387]

I am currently trying to decide on a lighting setup for my new 155 bowfront. (24 inches deep and a 4 inch sandbed) I was thinking of going 3 x250w metal halide but now im thinking t5. I was thinking of getting a 6x60w t5ho retrofit kit. I know im loosing a foot in width but that will be no problem as i will keep 6" on each side open for fish to swim. If this is sufficient which kit is best or will work for my application. Tank will be sps dominated with a few lps and a anemone. I have no problem keeping sps in upper half of tank. Also please reccomend a bulb configuration. Thanks

 

[rtparty]

Re: QQ

Re: QQ

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14910058#post14910058 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ngn8dogg
Sorry RTPARTY. I dont want to sound like a **** but my question was to GRIMM . He has answered all my questions perfect so I am wondering , Do actinic whites have as much par as aquablue and what the heck is the difference? i See you are recommending them alot lately. Thanks GRIMM and Rt.
Nate

Click on the red house in Grim's posts and you can answer the majority of your questions.

 

[reefgeek31]

Never mind i did more reading and understand that the 75/25 will take care of the red spectrum. Thanks for you info on your web site.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14910154#post14910154 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by reefgeek31
I also wondered about the reds and if they are covered in this config. already. Sorry tried to edit the first post but it had been to long. Thanks for your time

 

[mcmxc17]

I have the following combination in my T-5 fixture:
Blue Plus, Super Actinic, UVL Aquasun, Blue Plus, UVL 75/25,
Blue Plus. I have a shared sump between 2 90 gallon tanks. One is fish only with a 10k 250w pendant and the other is a reef that has the 6 bulb T-5 fixture above it. Bulbs are new and the reef has a huge green algae problem yet the other tank has no issues, any suggestions? (BTW water parameters are within normal)

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14909982#post14909982 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by reefgeek31
I have the vho ballast already so it would be easy. Do you think it would be beneficial or just over kill. Where would place them in the line up? Thanks again

Slap them in front and rear if you can. Even if you only use them as dusk and dawn it would be worth it. That makes all your lamps last longer.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Re: QQ

Re: QQ

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14910058#post14910058 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ngn8dogg
Sorry RTPARTY. I dont want to sound like a **** but my question was to GRIMM . He has answered all my questions perfect so I am wondering , Do actinic whites have as much par as aquablue and what the heck is the difference? i See you are recommending them alot lately. Thanks GRIMM and Rt.
Nate

It doesn't have as much PAR but it does bump the reds up some which I like. The PAR difference isn't that big. It isn't a replacement for a Aquablue, just a way of bringing in pink and purple colors when you are using a lot of blue light.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14910154#post14910154 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by reefgeek31
I also wondered about the reds and if they are covered in this config. already. Sorry tried to edit the first post but it had been to long. Thanks for your time

The 75/25's will bring in the reds.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14910260#post14910260 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by iverson387
I am currently trying to decide on a lighting setup for my new 155 bowfront. (24 inches deep and a 4 inch sandbed) I was thinking of going 3 x250w metal halide but now im thinking t5. I was thinking of getting a 6x60w t5ho retrofit kit. I know im loosing a foot in width but that will be no problem as i will keep 6" on each side open for fish to swim. If this is sufficient which kit is best or will work for my application. Tank will be sps dominated with a few lps and a anemone. I have no problem keeping sps in upper half of tank. Also please reccomend a bulb configuration. Thanks

Should be fine. I would use reefgeeks brand reflectors instead of the Teks and make sure to use fans.

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