The T5 Q&a Thread

[Logzor]

I just got my new bulbs in. The new color is stunning. I am running the 7 bulb constellation.

Blue+
Blue+
Aquablue special
Fiji Purple
Aquablue special
blue+
blue+

This look is super-crisp! ++++

Previously I had an aquasun in place of the fiji and an aquablue special in place of one of the blue+ bulbs. The previous look was major washed out by the aquasun bulb. This new combo is perfect. If you like more popping colors/blue you could swap out a aquablue special for an actinic.

Does anyone have an issue with pins on the UV brand bulbs getting bent inward? I have even had an issue with the metal ends becoming loose. The build quality is very poor in my opinion...I doubt I will buy this brand again.

 

[slider162]

Just ordered my 6 bulb 60" T5 retro today. I asked for:

ATI blue +
UVL 75/25
ATI blue +
UVL Actinic White
ATI blue +
ATI blue +

It turns out that UVL doesn't make 80w bulbs yet, or at least the vendor didn't have them. What was suggested was:

3-ATI Blue plus,
1- ATI- 03 actinic
2- ATI Aqua Blue specials

I hope I didn't make a mistake. Any idea what order these should go in? They are for a 150 that is 27" tall. I'm thinking about the 72" 2 bulb VHO for the actinics at a later date. I do have an anemone that has thrived under an old 8 bulb Nova Extreme in my 75.

 

[rtparty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15059899#post15059899 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by slider162
Just ordered my 6 bulb 60" T5 retro today. I asked for:

ATI blue +
UVL 75/25
ATI blue +
UVL Actinic White
ATI blue +
ATI blue +

It turns out that UVL doesn't make 80w bulbs yet, or at least the vendor didn't have them. What was suggested was:

3-ATI Blue plus,
1- ATI- 03 actinic
2- ATI Aqua Blue specials

I hope I didn't make a mistake. Any idea what order these should go in? They are for a 150 that is 27" tall. I'm thinking about the 72" 2 bulb VHO for the actinics at a later date. I do have an anemone that has thrived under an old 8 bulb Nova Extreme in my 75.

Your reds won't really pop as you have no real red bulb to help pop the colors. I would replace the Actinic with an ATI Pro Color or KZ Fiji Purple.

 

[Limerboy]

Hi grim was told you were the man to talk to about T5 lighting advice.

I have a 36x18x18 inch aquarium and i recently aqauired a tek 4 bulb system. I wanted to grow a mixed reef and was considering this array of bulbs. Can you tell me if im on the right track or if you would recommend an entirely new selections as im new to the hobby...

Option 1
2 ATI Blue+
1 UVL Actinic White
1 UVL Super Actinic

Option 2
2 ATI Blue+
1 KZ Fiji Purple
1 UVL Super Actinic

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15058633#post15058633 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 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?

8 will be fine. If you were doing SPS in back and clams out to the front it might be an issue.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15058650#post15058650 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Logzor
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.

Middle should be good

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15059324#post15059324 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Lyfey
Current reflectors aren't that effective or uvl internals ?

Current reflectors aren't that effective. The UVL reflector gives a nice gain over a flat surface but hurts the output of a good reflector. Hard to say what the result would be in a current Pro fixture.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15059899#post15059899 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by slider162
Just ordered my 6 bulb 60" T5 retro today. I asked for:

ATI blue +
UVL 75/25
ATI blue +
UVL Actinic White
ATI blue +
ATI blue +

It turns out that UVL doesn't make 80w bulbs yet, or at least the vendor didn't have them. What was suggested was:

3-ATI Blue plus,
1- ATI- 03 actinic
2- ATI Aqua Blue specials

I hope I didn't make a mistake. Any idea what order these should go in? They are for a 150 that is 27" tall. I'm thinking about the 72" 2 bulb VHO for the actinics at a later date. I do have an anemone that has thrived under an old 8 bulb Nova Extreme in my 75.

I don't know about a mistake but I would run a KZ Fiji Purple in Place of the actinic. More PAR and it will give you some red spectrum.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15063458#post15063458 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Limerboy
Hi grim was told you were the man to talk to about T5 lighting advice.

I have a 36x18x18 inch aquarium and i recently aqauired a tek 4 bulb system. I wanted to grow a mixed reef and was considering this array of bulbs. Can you tell me if im on the right track or if you would recommend an entirely new selections as im new to the hobby...

Option 1
2 ATI Blue+
1 UVL Actinic White
1 UVL Super Actinic

Option 2
2 ATI Blue+
1 KZ Fiji Purple
1 UVL Super Actinic

Either would work fine. I would suggest buying a GE 6500K Daylight and try it in the mix as well, just play and see what you like. It is a good thing to have a spare lamp just in case. I would probably go with the top mix myself.

 

[MerDoX]

Hello Grim,

I have a 36" NEP with 6 original bulbs over a 40G tank, which has 13" distance from water level to sand bed. I have mixed SPS, zoas & clam, and they are all thriving great. It's been almost 1 year and it's time to change bulbs.

I was going to order 3 ATI Blue Plus, 1 ATI Aquablue Special, 1 ATI Pro Color, and 1 ULV 75/25 bulbs....as suggested in this thread few months ago. But now, it seems like ULV Actinic White is recommended. Can you recommend a combo for my 6 bulbs NEP? Thank you in advance.

 

[cham]

Hey Guys!
Thank you for what you guys do here! It is a huge help and the reefing community owes you.

I currently have two 250w HQI & two 54w T5's over my 48x24x24 tank. I'm thinking about going all T5.

I've found the 8 bulb TEK fixture for about $250 gently used but I understand the ATI puts out much more light. Obviously there are no ATI's for sale now and I'm having a hard time stomaching a grand to upgrade to an ATI. Is it truly worth the extra cash? Will the TEK 8 bulb fixture work for SPS on the bottom of a 24" tank?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15066837#post15066837 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by MerDoX
Hello Grim,

I have a 36" NEP with 6 original bulbs over a 40G tank, which has 13" distance from water level to sand bed. I have mixed SPS, zoas & clam, and they are all thriving great. It's been almost 1 year and it's time to change bulbs.

I was going to order 3 ATI Blue Plus, 1 ATI Aquablue Special, 1 ATI Pro Color, and 1 ULV 75/25 bulbs....as suggested in this thread few months ago. But now, it seems like ULV Actinic White is recommended. Can you recommend a combo for my 6 bulbs NEP? Thank you in advance.

4 Blue Plus, 1 Aquablue, 1 Actinic White. The 75/25 and actinic white both have some pink in the color so you wouldn't want to run them and a Pro Color which is almost orange. The 75/25 and Aquablue should brighten up thge blue pluses nice and bring in the pink and yellows in the tank.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15067446#post15067446 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by cham
Hey Guys!
Thank you for what you guys do here! It is a huge help and the reefing community owes you.

I currently have two 250w HQI & two 54w T5's over my 48x24x24 tank. I'm thinking about going all T5.

I've found the 8 bulb TEK fixture for about $250 gently used but I understand the ATI puts out much more light. Obviously there are no ATI's for sale now and I'm having a hard time stomaching a grand to upgrade to an ATI. Is it truly worth the extra cash? Will the TEK 8 bulb fixture work for SPS on the bottom of a 24" tank?

I wouldn't use the Tek for a heavily SPS tank that is 24" tall. You could probably get away with it but I am not sure you would get good color with it.

 

[cham]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15067651#post15067651 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
I wouldn't use the Tek for a heavily SPS tank that is 24" tall. You could probably get away with it but I am not sure you would get good color with it.

Ok, thanks for the info.

With the ATI, would you do 8 or 10 bulb?

 

[vangoghfish]

Grim, just got and set up my came with about 25 bulbs, some of which were not the ones needed, per your recommendation, but set it up with the bulbs I got with it, all from another hoobiest. Great fixture...now question, I have a zebra eel in the 155 6' tank, and put white egg crate on top of the tank, was afraid of him trying to get out, although, from what I hear, with them it is 50/50, not like other eels. In any case, needless to say, I see a intense light reflection of colors, on top of the egg crate, visually, I don't think it affects the light of the tank, pretty nice sized openings. Do you think it is pulling too much light, by reflected off, and if so, another suggestion?

 

[vangoghfish]

Sorry, talking about a 72" Aquatinics T5 fixture

 

[A.VOID]

Anyone work with the IceCap bulbs yet?

 

[MerDoX]

Thank for the suggestion Grim. So it's 4 blue +, 1 aquablue & 1 actinic white.

And 1 more questions...is there a bulb that gives out mostly daylight for subs of a Blue Plus (just in case)? I plan to make a DYI panel of 6 3W royal blue LEDs to give shimmering effects and fluoresce my corals like mad. Four Blue Plus and 6 royal blue LEDs may give too much blue. I just want to order extra bulb for sub if needed.

Plan to order this weekend with Hellolights ta take advantage of the 10% off deal.

 

[ngn8dogg]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15057459#post15057459 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
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.

thanks alot. Do you think it will look ok for the dusk dawn hours though? it would be that and a blue plus running ?

 

[Aqua Keepers]

ngn8dogg, I am awaiting a TX5 also. I will probably go with the bulbs that Grimm suggested to you. Could you post a pic when you get them in?