The T5 Q&a Thread

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14966095#post14966095 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by redhanded77
thanks!! i think i will try a new combo based on what you said. pretty soon i will have every 39w bulb, lol. i was wondering about fixture height because in one reply that you made, you said to make sure the light is above 6" of water, but in my case you said dont go higher than 6". what are the actinic whites good for? also, whats the difference between ge 6500k and mid day bulbs?

here is the order i think im going to try.
FRONT
blue plus
mid day
blue plus
fiji purple
mid day
blue plus

The actinic White brightens things up and adds a little red.

If you need more light you don't want to place the light too high above the water.

Your mix above will look good but I would grab a ATI Aquablue as a spare in case you think the second Midday sucks too much blue out of the mix. The Midday and GE are very close to the same thing.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14966157#post14966157 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by vangoghfish
Getting the 72" soon, with 12 bulbs, color set up recommended? I am either getting it from That Fish Place, or Pet Mountain, would they both have the bulbs you are talking about?
Suggestion on where to get them online, at a good price? When you tell me the recommended colors, please indicate, which if any are original bulbs that come with it.
Thanks.
P.S. figured if I could to order the new suggested bulbs at the same time as the fixture, to save on shipping.

I think those places will carry giesemann and UVL lamps


Get 8 G-mann Actinic Plus (NOT pure actinic) 2 Giesemann Midday and 2 UVL Actinic White. Should look 15K or so and have good PAR. If this is a new tank I would go ahead and use the lamps that come with the fixture (Assuming you are getting the Nova) for a few months anyway but order new lamps with the fixture assuming they will throw in free shipping.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14966499#post14966499 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Jkraft136
I have a 75G with 4X54 T5s. Currently running the stock bulbs with softies and some lps, adding some SPS soon . Looking to change them out for some better color, pop and growth. I don't want alot of blue, but not alot of white either and right now its too white.

2 ATI Blue Plus, 1 UVL Actinic White and a GE 6500K Daylight should get you a 12 to 14K look. That is going to be white with a little blue to it.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14966700#post14966700 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 60Cubed
Being as though I'm gonna have my bulbs DIY in a standard hood, do I need to run fans on them? I keep hearing they need fans. Just wondering..............?

You don't HAVE to but you will get a nice increase in output by doing so.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14967174#post14967174 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by krowleey
what bulb combo would you use in a nova extreme pro 12 x 39 watt fixture? i don't like the 20k look, i want colors to pop out. thank you.

Try 4 rows of ATI Blue Plus, one row of Actinic White and one row of GE 6500K Daylight or Giesemannn Midday. That will be more of a 14~15K look. Picl up a couple of ATI Aquablues, you can use them in place of a row of Blue Plus if you decide you want a little more white look. At the same time they are a reasonable replacement should any of your other lamps fail.

 

[Lyfey]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14971000#post14971000 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rtparty
I personally would run Reeflux 12K bulbs or Phoenix 14K's as the MH. Then for T5's I would 6 ATI Blue Plus and 2 KZ Fiji Purple but the 75/25's aren't a bad choice either.

See the thing is with the DE 250w reeflux's they dont run that great on my current usa stock ballasts. I have two installed at the moment and they are half as bright as the stock current 10k bulb. I put in my order at aquarium specialty for 6 blue +, 2 75.25 and only 1 xm 10k.

I have 2 current usa 10ks at the house and then I would have a full set. I am going to try that out for a little bit then buy another reeflux 12k and I will have a full set of those then.

So I already I have noticed great growth under the stock 10k but little to nothing under the reefluxs thats why I wanted to go to 10k

What kind of look will the blue+ and 75.25 give with the 10k?

the current settup of all the actinic bulbs as t5's. they 10k totally drowns out the actinics.. It looks beautiful under the 12k but I dont have enough PAR

I think with 3x 12k and the 6 blue + and 2 75.25 I would have a great amount of PAR, but with the 10ks I think there owuld be alot more due to the fact that my ballasts dont run the reefluxs very well at all.

I have already put my comments into the current USA orter orbit threads and Im coming up with mixed answers on why some bulbs burn brighter than others, and not many people have anything good to say about the 10k / 12k reefluxs at all..

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14967179#post14967179 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Black Mammoth
Hi Grim,

I was hoping to get some opinions/help from you. You helped me out on my 90g a couple years ago. Now I just upgraded and I'm looking for some help again

I just got a 96x30x26 tank. I've decided to stay with T5s. Anyway, I plan on using 2 racks of 48" T5s. I know that the par in the middle won't be ideal because of the ends in the middle. However, I don't plan on having a lot of corals in the middle. I plan having two islands. Anyway, this will be a mixed reef, but mainly SPS.

I'm trying to get away with 8 bulb setup on each side for a total of 16 bulbs. I will be using IC 660s to overdrive and IC reflectors. I could probably add 2 more bulbs on each side if that isn't enough, but I want to see if I can get away with this configuration.

Anyway, I would like a blue tint...not a very heavy one...pretty light actually (I just don't want a white tank). What would you suggest? I have an idea of a setup, but I want to see if it matches what you are thinking.

Thanks!

If you are overdriving you want a whole lot of blue lamps.
I would do 5 rows of ATI Blue Plus, one Row of UVL Actinic White, one row of GE 6500K Daylight or Giesemann Midday and one row od ATI Aquablue. That should give you a 15K look at most as far as how blue it will look.

That will give you enough light to grow anything in that tank. Make sure you use fans to cool the lamp ends. One at each end and one in the middle blowing in from the back to cool the endcaps/lamp ends should do it.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14967881#post14967881 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Slick Fork
Hi there,

I'm having some supply issues and the advance ballast (4x54watt) may or may not be available to me so I'm working on plan B this morning while the store see's if Plan A is still a go.

I saw on a different webstore an Icecap 660 listed for way below (like half of) what other retailers are looking for and only a small ($20ish) jump from other Program Start Ballasts I'm looking at so I'm thinking there's three possibilities 1) maybe an opened/returned item 2) maybe it's a 430 and they posted the wrong product description or 3) The just got the wrong price on the website.

So, my questions would be: If it is a 660 for that price i'd probably grab it, but how much shorter a life do bulbs have when they're overdriven like that?

And second, if it's a 430 will it drive 4 54 watt bulbs?

Thanks

430 only drives 2 54 watt T5's. As long as you run fans I wouldn't assume you get any less life out of good T5's running on the IC Ballasts.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14968484#post14968484 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by benf
OK, gotta ask...with the lights so close to the water, how do u do any maintenance to the tank?

Move them




You can mount them so the swing up with the lid on a canopy or just move the fixture.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14969796#post14969796 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Lyfey
Grim I know that your answering a ton of these questions but I think you give great advice and I give you many props for your dedication to helping others

Planning on an upgrade to a 180 gal from my 125 gal 6' tank

Using 72" Outer orbit pro 8x39w t5 w/ 3x 250w DE "hqi's"

Right now all bulbs are stock t5.. 4x 420nm actinic 8x 460nm actinic and 2x 12k reeflux and center is a 10k current bulb..

I want to replace all my t5's with good bulb combo but for the life of me I cannot figure a good combo out because its 4 bulbs on each side so I figured that this would be ok
Front
Blue+
Blue+
UVL super actinic
BLue+
Back

for each side..

I want really good growth and that super sick t5 look that mcliffy2 has in the SPS forum..

I dont know what to run really.. Can I run a bulb on one side and not the other? Like a fiji purple on the left 36"s and something different on the right?

I just bought this light 2 weeks ago and Im still acclimating my corals..

I badly want to buy new bulbs for a beautiful poppin bright vivid t5 colors but right now its not doing it, far from doing it.

Can you reccomend a good combo for me? My fingers are itching to press submit on some ATI bulbs.

Thanks Grim or anyone else that has knowledge I would appreciate your help also!
Cheers! -Chris

Us a row of Fiji Purples instead of super actinics. Stick with 10 to 12K halides which have a lot of actinic output and with all that blue you will have a killer look.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14970139#post14970139 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mray
How anyone know how much par is lost from an acrylic shield? Does the distance of the acrylic shield to the bulbs affect par?

Assuming you don't have an issue with heating up the lamps a clean acrylic shield blocks less than 5%.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14973693#post14973693 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by reefgeek31
can i get a 10 bulb selection for a 60x30x18 deep. I like the look of a bright 14k. normally driven with slr's. I change my plan from 8 to 10. Sorry to be a pain the neck
Thanks for your time

Front
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Actinic White
ATI Blue Plus
GE daylight or Gmann Midday
Blue Plus
UVL Actinic White
Blue Plus
GE 6500K or Gmann Midday
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14974258#post14974258 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Lyfey
See the thing is with the DE 250w reeflux's they dont run that great on my current usa stock ballasts. I have two installed at the moment and they are half as bright as the stock current 10k bulb. I put in my order at aquarium specialty for 6 blue +, 2 75.25 and only 1 xm 10k.

I have 2 current usa 10ks at the house and then I would have a full set. I am going to try that out for a little bit then buy another reeflux 12k and I will have a full set of those then.

So I already I have noticed great growth under the stock 10k but little to nothing under the reefluxs thats why I wanted to go to 10k

What kind of look will the blue+ and 75.25 give with the 10k?

the current settup of all the actinic bulbs as t5's. they 10k totally drowns out the actinics.. It looks beautiful under the 12k but I dont have enough PAR

I think with 3x 12k and the 6 blue + and 2 75.25 I would have a great amount of PAR, but with the 10ks I think there owuld be alot more due to the fact that my ballasts dont run the reefluxs very well at all.

I have already put my comments into the current USA orter orbit threads and Im coming up with mixed answers on why some bulbs burn brighter than others, and not many people have anything good to say about the 10k / 12k reefluxs at all..

I think you will be glad you went with the 10K's. They tend to have more actinic output than the more blue halides (Go figure) and when you add in the blue plus you will get a nice look. With just the T5's running you will have a blue look with a pinch or purple to it depending where you mount the 75/25. It is a really nice look IMHO.

 

[Nanz]

Hi Grim,

I am looking to change my bulb config for SPS and Clams in a 75 gallon tank. I have a TEK 6x54W fixture. The bulb combo I have now is..

Blue Plus
AquaBlue
ProColor
Blue Plus
AquaSun
Blue Plus

I had a couple bulbs burn out on me (one procolor and 1 aquablue special) Both the bulbs that burned out where only 2 months old I know am using the above setup and some of the bulbs may be used so I need to change them soon. I would like to try using the Fiji Purple and thought this might be the best config.

Blue Plus
12000K Actinic White (50/50)
Fiji Purple
Blue Plus
12000K Actinic White (50/50)
Blue Plus

Also My Tek fixture has no fans. Should I try to run a fan across the fixture? If so what fan do you suggest and where should I place it?

Hope my colors don't blind you, hehe

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14974550#post14974550 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Nanz
Hi Grim,

I am looking to change my bulb config for SPS and Clams in a 75 gallon tank. I have a TEK 6x54W fixture. The bulb combo I have now is..

Blue Plus
AquaBlue
ProColor
Blue Plus
AquaSun
Blue Plus

I had a couple bulbs burn out on me (one procolor and 1 aquablue special) Both the bulbs that burned out where only 2 months old I know am using the above setup and some of the bulbs may be used so I need to change them soon. I would like to try using the Fiji Purple and thought this might be the best config.

Blue Plus
12000K Actinic White (50/50)
Fiji Purple
Blue Plus
12000K Actinic White (50/50)
Blue Plus

Also My Tek fixture has no fans. Should I try to run a fan across the fixture? If so what fan do you suggest and where should I place it?

Hope my colors don't blind you, hehe

Dont use 2 Actinic Whites AND the Fiji Purple, be too pink. Use an ATI Aquablue or blue plus where the first actinic white it.

 

[Black Mammoth]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14974281#post14974281 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
If you are overdriving you want a whole lot of blue lamps.
I would do 5 rows of ATI Blue Plus, one Row of UVL Actinic White, one row of GE 6500K Daylight or Giesemann Midday and one row od ATI Aquablue. That should give you a 15K look at most as far as how blue it will look.

That will give you enough light to grow anything in that tank. Make sure you use fans to cool the lamp ends. One at each end and one in the middle blowing in from the back to cool the endcaps/lamp ends should do it.

Thanks Grim! That is a very similar setup to what I was thinking. The only difference was that I was thinking more ATI Aquablue and not the UVL Actinic White. Anyway, I'll try the configuration you suggested! Thanks!

 

[Lyfey]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14974434#post14974434 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
I think you will be glad you went with the 10K's. They tend to have more actinic output than the more blue halides (Go figure) and when you add in the blue plus you will get a nice look. With just the T5's running you will have a blue look with a pinch or purple to it depending where you mount the 75/25. It is a really nice look IMHO.

Thanks grim, I plan on putting the 75.25 as the second to front bulb of the t5's. I will try the fiji purple at a later date if Im not astounded with the color that this new setup will provide. Is that a good place for the 75.25? I was reading the whole thread and you mentioned putting the bulbs that effect pinks or reds in the front because thats your viewing angle. Also I noticed on my fixture that I only have one switch for the T5's and that the fans for the Halides dont run unless the T5's are on.. Kinda sucky..

Do you think there is a way to modify the fans and the ballasts of the t5's to something better? And also possibly put them on different switches? So I can run 1 set of t'5s at a time? So I could have 5 different light settings?

current setup that I will be using once I acclimate:
from the morning to night

blue led nightlights on 10 am
white led nightlights on at 11 am
actinics all t5 on at 12 noon (6x blue + , 2x 75.25)
Halides on at 2pm (3 10k, 2x current, 1x XM) For now...
Halides off at 8pm
Actinics off at 10pm
White Leds off at 11pm
Blue leds off at 12midnight.

I think with the halides being 10k and the great combo of T5 bulbs that 6 hours halides will be enough along with the 8 hours of T5s

Whats the gallery say?

 

[jdmcdowe]

Grim,
Need your help. Tank setup 72x18x24 3in sand bed, 4x110 48in VHO lighting, mostly softies, polyps, zoo's, would like to move up to T5 lighting and start adding LPS, clams and few SPS. Looking at ATI 6x80 60in, 8x80 60in and constellation 72in. 8 bulbs may be to wide, the inside top of the tank is only 16.5 with the lip. Bulbs setup also is needed. thanks

Thanks Grim for the help. Ordered the 6 lamp Powermodule.
Lamp placement -
Front
Blue +
Blue +
GE
Fiji purple
Blue +
Blue +

 

[benf]

Has anyone made/designed a way to raise and lower the fixture?

I recently got a powermodule and when i do maintenance to the tank i find anything less than 8" above the tank to be in the way.

So, how to raise and lower easily?

 

[krowleey]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14974253#post14974253 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Try 4 rows of ATI Blue Plus, one row of Actinic White and one row of GE 6500K Daylight or Giesemannn Midday. That will be more of a 14~15K look. Picl up a couple of ATI Aquablues, you can use them in place of a row of Blue Plus if you decide you want a little more white look. At the same time they are a reasonable replacement should any of your other lamps fail.

you amazing on the replys, i dont think you miss anyone. thank you for your input and time grim.