The T5 Q&a Thread

[b_s_c1]

Any thoughts on this fixture. I noticed it was mentioned earlier in this treand but I did not see any comments on it.

48" NovaExtreme Pro 6x54 watt T5 HO Model#1081B W/SLR

Is it a good fixture?

I am looking for a mount on tank fixture. If the NovaExtreme is no worth the money other suggestions would be helpfull.

Would it be a smart move to upgrade from a 4 65watt PC fixture to a fixture like the Nova?

My tank is 18" from top to sand bed. I am wanting to get into SPS, LPS, clams. Which light would be better?

 

[hatfielj]

I'm thinking of adding two 48" daylight bulbs to supplement my Radiums. Which two bulbs would you recommend to add the most growth and color enhancement? Right now I just run two Radium 250 watt 20ks and 4 T5 atinics (2 gieseman pure atinics and two atinic plus) I guess I'm trying to add more par instead of just running actinics all the time. I'm hoping this will add to both growth and color.
Thanks for any suggestions

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15192007#post15192007 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by b_s_c1
Any thoughts on this fixture. I noticed it was mentioned earlier in this treand but I did not see any comments on it.

48" NovaExtreme Pro 6x54 watt T5 HO Model#1081B W/SLR

Is it a good fixture?

I am looking for a mount on tank fixture. If the NovaExtreme is no worth the money other suggestions would be helpfull.

Would it be a smart move to upgrade from a 4 65watt PC fixture to a fixture like the Nova?

My tank is 18" from top to sand bed. I am wanting to get into SPS, LPS, clams. Which light would be better?

The extreme pro would work on that tank but I would change the lamps before too long, 6 months or so

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15192629#post15192629 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by hatfielj
I'm thinking of adding two 48" daylight bulbs to supplement my Radiums. Which two bulbs would you recommend to add the most growth and color enhancement? Right now I just run two Radium 250 watt 20ks and 4 T5 atinics (2 gieseman pure atinics and two atinic plus) I guess I'm trying to add more par instead of just running actinics all the time. I'm hoping this will add to both growth and color.
Thanks for any suggestions

I would do 1 ATI or Giesesmann Aquablue which is an Actinic/daylight mix that is white with slight blue tint and and a KZ fiji purple which is bright with a slight purplish tint. I'd probably run them with the two Actinic Plus lamps rather than the pure actinics.

 

[only1cookie]

Ok Grim, I really appreciate all your input on the T5 lighting.

I know from your posts that the Nova Extreme Pro is not the best choice, I believe you said it was better than TEK lights cause of the fan, but the single reflector was the problem.

I just saw that they have modified the lights to have Individually contoured reflectors now. Is the new reflector any better, does that improve the quality of the lights? If so, it might make it a more affordable option. You can see it at: http://www.current-usa.com/nova_extreme_pro

thank you for all your input.
Jackie

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15194177#post15194177 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by only1cookie
Ok Grim, I really appreciate all your input on the T5 lighting.

I know from your posts that the Nova Extreme Pro is not the best choice, I believe you said it was better than TEK lights cause of the fan, but the single reflector was the problem.

I just saw that they have modified the lights to have Individually contoured reflectors now. Is the new reflector any better, does that improve the quality of the lights? If so, it might make it a more affordable option. You can see it at: http://www.current-usa.com/nova_extreme_pro

thank you for all your input.
Jackie

Still doesn't match the Tek but it is closer. The pro has always had the contoured reflectors, the Nova Extreme was the flat reflector model.

 

[wiltzlan]

Okay Grim,

I've skimmed over this thread trying to see if you've already given a recommendation on a Marineland Deep Dimension tank. I'm looking at getting a Marineland 300 (72 X 36 X 27 in.). Can you suggest lighting for this tank?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Nate32185]

Grim,

I heard from a friend that you are the man to go to when it comes to figuring out good bulb combinations.

So here is the scoop: I am setting up a 40 gallon breeder (36"x18"x16") as a frag tank. I am buying a 36" 6 bulb T5 Tek light. The tank will house mainly SPS and some zoas and acan colonies. I already have a frag tank setup with a 10k halide which is mainly for growth. This new frag tank will be more for show. I mean I am trying to find the right combination that will still give me some good growth while showing off the amazing colors of the frags. Any suggestions for spectrums, brands, and bulb configurations? Thanks.

 

[only1cookie]

Ok, I should have went back & looked for that post in this thread, my mistake trusting my memory. lol

Thanks again for all your knowledge input.
Jackie

 

[Meitzler]

My understanding is that the TEK fixtures shows a difference in colors than some of the other fixtures. What do you recommend for a Tek 6 bulb 46" unit over a standard 100 gal tank. I am thinking 3 ATI aquablues and 3 ATI blue plus. Tanks has rose anenomes, softies, and a few SPS near the top.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15194332#post15194332 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by wiltzlan
Okay Grim,

I've skimmed over this thread trying to see if you've already given a recommendation on a Marineland Deep Dimension tank. I'm looking at getting a Marineland 300 (72 X 36 X 27 in.). Can you suggest lighting for this tank?

Thanks in advance.

You are going to want 10 rows of lamps at least. You could throw a 10 x 80 watt ATI Powermodule at it or I think Sfigiloi has a 12 lamp unit that might be better if you plan SPS and clams. You could save a little coin going with 2 6 x 80 watt ATI Sunpower Fixtures.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15194335#post15194335 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Nate32185
Grim,

I heard from a friend that you are the man to go to when it comes to figuring out good bulb combinations.

So here is the scoop: I am setting up a 40 gallon breeder (36"x18"x16") as a frag tank. I am buying a 36" 6 bulb T5 Tek light. The tank will house mainly SPS and some zoas and acan colonies. I already have a frag tank setup with a 10k halide which is mainly for growth. This new frag tank will be more for show. I mean I am trying to find the right combination that will still give me some good growth while showing off the amazing colors of the frags. Any suggestions for spectrums, brands, and bulb configurations? Thanks.

I would do 1 UVL Actinic White and 5 ATI Blue Plus. Blue Plus has among the best PAR and the AW ain't half bad either. Should give you great color. Place the AW lamp just front of center, 2nd or 3rd slot back. I assume you want to show off the color, that will do it. Grab an ATI Aquablue as a spare so if you want to brighten up the look you can replace a blue plus with it.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15194627#post15194627 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Meitzler
My understanding is that the TEK fixtures shows a difference in colors than some of the other fixtures. What do you recommend for a Tek 6 bulb 46" unit over a standard 100 gal tank. I am thinking 3 ATI aquablues and 3 ATI blue plus. Tanks has rose anenomes, softies, and a few SPS near the top.

Id do 4 ATI Blue Plus, 1 Aquablue and a UVL Actinic White. The Red in the AW lamp should make the RTBA look sweet. Grab an extra Aquablue just in case you think it's too blue, you need a spare anyway

 

[Meitzler]

Thanks, I am going for it.

 

[Milhouse]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15194776#post15194776 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Id do 4 ATI Blue Plus, 1 Aquablue and a UVL Actinic White. The Red in the AW lamp should make the RTBA look sweet. Grab an extra Aquablue just in case you think it's too blue, you need a spare anyway

So are you leaning towards the actinic white over the 75/25 nowadays? What's the difference between the two? Looks like I'm gonna have to get some extra bulbs to play with.

 

[ngn8dogg]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15173252#post15173252 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
I would say opposite of the fan. The fan sucks the air out so the cool air will be drawn in the opposite side.

Does it really matter what side the label should be on in the fixture?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15194872#post15194872 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Milhouse
So are you leaning towards the actinic white over the 75/25 nowadays? What's the difference between the two? Looks like I'm gonna have to get some extra bulbs to play with.

'

Depends on the setup. Both are essentially the same lamp. The 75/25 is a more mellow version with more actinic in the output, It is better if you only have like 4 lamps and don't want too blue of a look the 75/25 can be used with say a couple blue plus and a daylight without getting an overly purple look but still having a nice boost in the reds, In that situation an actinic white would probably be over powering but If you wanted a 20K look using 3 blue plus with the actinic white gives a nice look, The AW is a little brighter and has more red to it so while it willbrighten the look and add more red/yellow light to the heavy blue green of the blue plus lamps the 3 to 1 ratio of blue lamps to the red (actually Pepto pink) the purple will easily be toned down so you will get the additional color and PAR but the look will be blue. The 75/25 used with 3 blues might look OK but the overall look is going to be more like using just blue plus lamps which is beyond a 20K halide, at least more blue than any 20K halide I have ever seen,

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15194999#post15194999 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ngn8dogg
Does it really matter what side the label should be on in the fixture?

Depends on the lamps. Giesemann yes, ATI doesn't appear to be so. Some brands use a dedicated cold spot which is placed at the label end of the lamp and cooling that area is what regulates the internal pressure of the lamp. Cooling that end will be most effective so having the fresh cool air pulled across that end should get you the best results.

 

[wiltzlan]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15194749#post15194749 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
You are going to want 10 rows of lamps at least. You could throw a 10 x 80 watt ATI Powermodule at it or I think Sfigiloi has a 12 lamp unit that might be better if you plan SPS and clams. You could save a little coin going with 2 6 x 80 watt ATI Sunpower Fixtures.

Out of the 2 ATI options, which one do you prefer? Also, do you have a 10 and 12 bulb recommendation?

Thanks again for the help.

 

[cayecaulker]

Bulb Choice Help

Bulb Choice Help

I have a Giesemann Matrix 12 x 54 Watt T5 Fixture that needs bulb replacement. The pendant operates in banks of 4 bulbs (3 x 4 bulbs).

I am running a combination of Giesemann Actinic+, Pure Actinic, and Aquablue.

I have a SPS dominate tank. The dimensions of the tank are 48"L X 30"D x 20"T.

This is a fairly accurate photo of the color:

I would like to bring out a bit more fluorescence from the LPS on the sand bed and if possible, through new bulb combination's, bring out better color and growth from the SPS.

Any suggestions?