The T5 Q&a Thread

[ngn8dogg]

Grimm,
I have an aquactinics tx5 and am running
blue +
super actinic
aquasun
blue +
aquablue --- It looks ok but my sps don't have that POP I see in some of these TOTM tanks running t-5. What would you suggest I run for more pop?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15055316#post15055316 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by chasekwe
Are these the Icecap SLR Retrofit kits? I didn't see anything on Reekgeek that said "These are Reefgeek brand T5 Retros!".


Thanks!

They don't have them listed on the web yet, you haqve to call about them

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15055317#post15055317 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mandm25254
What would that give me better growth then color? what would you think about using these bulbs on my ATI sunpower

Giesemann 39W Pure Actinic 03 T5 HO Fluorescent
Giesemann 11000K Aquablue Plus T5 HO Fluorescent
Giesemann 6000K Midday Sun T5 HO Fluorescent
Korallen Zucht Fiji Purple T5 HO Fluorescent
Giesemann 11000K Aquablue Plus T5 HO Fluorescent
Giesemann 39W Pure Actinic 03 T5 HO Fluorescent

Would that bulb give me good growth a ok color?

Fair growth. As far as color it would be 10K. Nice if you like a bright look.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15055566#post15055566 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Avgou
Hey Grim, I copied SunnyX light sequence about 5 months ago from his thread on the Aquactinics forum. I have the Constellation on a 75 Gallon 48x18x21. Here is the combo of ATI Blue Plus and AquaBlues:

Front
(1) Ati Aquablue Special
(3) Ati Aquablue Special
(2) Ati Blue+
(1) Ati Aquablue Special
(2) Ati Blue+
(3) Ati Aquablue Special
(1) Ati Blue+

Light Schedule is:

Switch 2 11:30 to 11:00
Switch 3 2:30 to 7:30
Switch 1 3:30 to 8:30

After reading your thread for awhile and reading some info that RJ posted about ATI Blue Plus and Aquablues, I'm torn that I may not be bringing out the most in colors and I don't want to sacrifice growth at all. I have about 20+ SPS and they mostly ORA and a few Greg Hiller corals. The color is great but I notice that I have an intense amount of light on my tank. I even put the Constellation on riser brackets direct from Tom to add a little more height.

Do I have too many AquaBlues? I have an amazing amount of coralline algae on my rocks, a couple red planets and a couple sun corals, a rainbow blasto and a orange digitata...I have an AquaDelight from Greg Hiller that's amazing. Maxima Clams on the sand bed seem to be just fine.

Any suggestions? Do you think I'm running my lights (switch 3 and 1) too short?

A pic of the lights, from the end of March. Sorry so long of a post. Just looking for suggestions.

If you like the look what you have is fine. I would pull the #2 Aquablue and try a UVL actinic White in there to see what you think. There or in the #4 slot. If you have pink or purple colors in the tank it will make a big difference

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15055731#post15055731 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by vangoghfish
hey grim, not sure as far as timing hours on your recommendation, can you give me actual times as an example for(ex. 5am to 8pm):
3 and 5 dusk/dawn
1, 4 and 7 phase 2
2 and 6 phase 3.

3, 5 11AM to 11PM
1, 4, 7 1PM to 9PM
2, 6 3PM to 7PM

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15055771#post15055771 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by benmann71
is there a bulb i can replace the Fiji purple with. i just don't see why that bulb cost so much more than other bulbs.

ATI Pro Color will work.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15055969#post15055969 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ngn8dogg
Grimm,
I have an aquactinics tx5 and am running
blue +
super actinic
aquasun
blue +
aquablue --- It looks ok but my sps don't have that POP I see in some of these TOTM tanks running t-5. What would you suggest I run for more pop?

Blue Plus
UVL 75/25
Aquablue
Blue Plus
Blue Plus

The 75/25 will give you the red of the Aquasun plus a bunch of actinic and the extra blue plus will help pop colors too.

 

[Varanus37]

So I've got a standard 75 and I'm running an 8x54w setup. It's a mixed reef with a bit of everything and a fairly wide variety of colors. I like the 14k Phoenix look personally and used to run dual 250's over this tank. I'm a total noob to T5's so I thought I'd come to the likely place for answers.

Front
Aquablue Special
Blue +
KZ Figi
Blue +
Aquablue Special
Blue+
KZ Figi
Blue +
Back

I thought about maybe swapping one of the KZ's for an ATI Pro Color but I wasn't sure. I was under the impression that both were good bulbs for red colors. Is that correct?

On a side note, is that Aurora IL? If so, I'm just south of you.

Thank you,

Bill

 

[ngn8dogg]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15056285#post15056285 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Blue Plus
UVL 75/25
Aquablue
Blue Plus
Blue Plus

The 75/25 will give you the red of the Aquasun plus a bunch of actinic and the extra blue plus will help pop colors too.

Thanks Grim. Isnt the 75/25 a daylight bulb? My 2 and 4 slots are the dawn bulbs so how should I position the bulbs? appreciate your time,
Nate

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Colorado

What you listed looks nice, should be a bright white with slight blue tint.

The Pro Color would pop reds more than the Fiji. I would get one and experiment with it.,

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15056290#post15056290 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Varanus37
So I've got a standard 75 and I'm running an 8x54w setup. It's a mixed reef with a bit of everything and a fairly wide variety of colors. I like the 14k Phoenix look personally and used to run dual 250's over this tank. I'm a total noob to T5's so I thought I'd come to the likely place for answers.

Front
Aquablue Special
Blue +
KZ Figi
Blue +
Aquablue Special
Blue+
KZ Figi
Blue +
Back

I thought about maybe swapping one of the KZ's for an ATI Pro Color but I wasn't sure. I was under the impression that both were good bulbs for red colors. Is that correct?

On a side note, is that Aurora IL? If so, I'm just south of you.

Thank you,

Bill

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15056504#post15056504 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ngn8dogg
Thanks Grim. Isnt the 75/25 a daylight bulb? My 2 and 4 slots are the dawn bulbs so how should I position the bulbs? appreciate your time,
Nate

75/25 is 75% actinic. It's daylight component has more red so it give the lamp a pinkish tint but it is more subdued than say an aquablue which is pretty bright.

 

[mandm25254]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15056236#post15056236 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Fair growth. As far as color it would be 10K. Nice if you like a bright look.

Would 4 ATI Blue Plus, 1 UVL Actinic White and 1 GE 6500K Daylight would be good. give me better growth?

 

[Logzor]

I will be picking up some new bulbs this evening. I run 7x54w Constellation.

Right now I am running (3) Blue+ (3) Aquablue Special (1) Aquasun

I ordered 4 bulbs so I can tweak things a bit. I may only end up swapping out the aquasun.

These will be my choices:
Fiji Purple
Aquascience 22k (2)
An extra Blue+

What would be a better combo. Right now the aquasun is washing things out....

Sorry I realized I should have posted this here after I already started a thread!

 

[Lyfey]

reflectors UVL

reflectors UVL

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15054670#post15054670 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Its a good thing if you don't have external reflectors and a bad thing if you do.

Outer orbit pro .. I just bought 2x UVL super actinic bulbs with the reflectors because I figured that the reflectors on the outer orbit arnt that great.. so it would be better with the internal reflectors. Did I make the wrong choice?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15057918#post15057918 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mandm25254
Would 4 ATI Blue Plus, 1 UVL Actinic White and 1 GE 6500K Daylight would be good. give me better growth?

Yep, better all the way around IMO.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15058152#post15058152 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Logzor
I will be picking up some new bulbs this evening. I run 7x54w Constellation.

Right now I am running (3) Blue+ (3) Aquablue Special (1) Aquasun

I ordered 4 bulbs so I can tweak things a bit. I may only end up swapping out the aquasun.

These will be my choices:
Fiji Purple
Aquascience 22k (2)
An extra Blue+

What would be a better combo. Right now the aquasun is washing things out....

Sorry I realized I should have posted this here after I already started a thread!

Put a 22K in place of an Aquablue. Then try the Fiji in place of the Aquasun. The 22K is about the same thing as a Blue Plus. Just keep tweaking things until you gert a look you like. Hell try all Blue Plus and 22K;'s except for the Aquasun and see what you think.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Re: reflectors UVL

Re: reflectors UVL

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15058290#post15058290 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Lyfey
Outer orbit pro .. I just bought 2x UVL super actinic bulbs with the reflectors because I figured that the reflectors on the outer orbit arnt that great.. so it would be better with the internal reflectors. Did I make the wrong choice?

EDIT

Pro, I assume that has the individual reflectors for the T5's. I really don't know if the internal reflectors will be a plus or minus with the Current reflectors because they aren]t all that effective.

 

[redhanded77]

grim - i need to light a 72x24x24 tank and im not sure if i should go with 8 or 10 bulb fixtures. the units will be (2) ATI 36" fixtures hung side by side. my pockets tell me to get the 8 bulb because it is a few hundred cheaper, but i dont want to find myself wishing i got the 10 bulb.

tank will be all sps and clams. i dont normally place anything in the very front or very rear of the glass. whats your thoughts?

 

[Logzor]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15058501#post15058501 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Put a 22K in place of an Aquablue. Then try the Fiji in place of the Aquasun. The 22K is about the same thing as a Blue Plus. Just keep tweaking things until you gert a look you like. Hell try all Blue Plus and 22K;'s except for the Aquasun and see what you think.

Thanks Grim I appreciate your input. I will give this a try. I think that aquasun bulb is the main issue. My constellation sits right on top of my 90g; I have sps that are within 6" of the surface right under this bulb.

I have high hopes for the fiji purple. Should this go in the middle? I am having trouble deciding which bulbs should go where in the fixture.

 

[Lyfey]

Current reflectors aren't that effective or uvl internals ?