The T5 Q&a Thread

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15196134#post15196134 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by wiltzlan
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.

I'd do the 2 6 lamp sunpowers.

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

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

That should give you a 75/25 and blue plus for dusk/dawn on the front and 2 blue plus for D-D on the rear. should look good.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Re: Bulb Choice Help

Re: Bulb Choice Help

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15196257#post15196257 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by cayecaulker
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?

You might have to tweak these to get a good duck/dawn combo

Front
Blue Plus
UVL 75/25
Blue Plus
GE 6500K Daylight
Blue Plus
UVL Actinic White
Blue Plus
GE 6500K daylight
Blue Plus
UVL 75/25
Blue Plus
Aquablue

I like going with more blue lamps and bagging the actinics and 50/50 (Aquablue) lamps and instead using the stronger colored lights like the GE and actinic white as well as the 75/25 to brighten the look and tone down the blue. Once all the lights are on the pure actinic lamps have little or no effect on the look.

 

[b_s_c1]

Grim,

I had asked about this fixture, 48 inch Current USA 6x54W Nova Extreme Pro T5HO, now I am wandering if I could get the same par with a 4x54 watt ATI or Aquactinics fixture.

18'' From top to sand bed.
Not really sure but in the 20" range front to back.

Also what would be the best lamps for it.

Thanks for your help.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15196827#post15196827 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by b_s_c1
Grim,

I had asked about this fixture, 48 inch Current USA 6x54W Nova Extreme Pro T5HO, now I am wandering if I could get the same par with a 4x54 watt ATI or Aquactinics fixture.

18'' From top to sand bed.
Not really sure but in the 20" range front to back.

Also what would be the best lamps for it.

Thanks for your help.

I would do a 6 lamp fixture because you will get better front to back coverage. Look at the Tek 6x54.

Front
Blue Plus
UVL Actinic White
Blue Plus
GE 6500K Daylight
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Blue Plus

 

[cayecaulker]

Thanks for the quick response Grim!

I am looking forward to the combination.
I'll post a pic when I have installed the new bulbs.

 

[JFish180]

Grim,

I have a 48" X 10" tank with (2) 48" T5s. I have an old DD Pure Actinic and a new UV Actinic White currently running. The color looks pretty bad... purple ish.

Can you recommend what two-bulb combo you would go with? This will be a softie tank and I am aiming for a crisp white, with tint of blue color.

Thanks,
Jared

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15197246#post15197246 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by JFish180
Grim,

I have a 48" X 10" tank with (2) 48" T5s. I have an old DD Pure Actinic and a new UV Actinic White currently running. The color looks pretty bad... purple ish.

Can you recommend what two-bulb combo you would go with? This will be a softie tank and I am aiming for a crisp white, with tint of blue color.

Thanks,
Jared

ATI Blue Plus and KZ Fiji Purple would look good together

 

[JFish180]

Thanks for the reply. How would that combo compare to an ATI Blue Plus and ATI Aquablue Special? I definately do not want to have a purple tint anymore.

 

[Laddy]

I'm switching out bulbs over my 65 and was wondering if anyone had thoughts on this combo:

Icecap 660 w/ individual reflectors

Blue +

Aquasun

Aquablue Special

Blue +

Any thoughts with this combo. I'm really sort of looking for growth over color, however, a nice blue hue would be a good change of pace.

Thanks in advance.

 

[corywilson]

Grim,

I had posted awhile back asking for a bulb combo for my 120(4'x2'x2'). At the time I was going to use 4 overdriven in the rear and 4 normally driven bulbs in the front. After installing my canopy I think I need to take two bulbs out as the rear 2 bulbs are only putting light out on top of the overflows and rear of the rockwork. Can you suggest a six bulb combo(rear 4 overdriven) for this tank? I like the blue look and your original suggestion was:

Front blue plus
Actinic white
Super actinic
Blue plus
Blue plus
6500k
Blue plus
Blue olus

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15197984#post15197984 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by JFish180
Thanks for the reply. How would that combo compare to an ATI Blue Plus and ATI Aquablue Special? I definately do not want to have a purple tint anymore.

I doubt you will notice the purple at all except pink and purple colors in the tank will show up.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15198103#post15198103 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Laddy
I'm switching out bulbs over my 65 and was wondering if anyone had thoughts on this combo:

Icecap 660 w/ individual reflectors

Blue +

Aquasun

Aquablue Special

Blue +

Any thoughts with this combo. I'm really sort of looking for growth over color, however, a nice blue hue would be a good change of pace.

Thanks in advance.

Do 3 Blue Plus and the Aquasun. The blue plus has more PAR than the Aquasun.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15198186#post15198186 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by corywilson
Grim,

I had posted awhile back asking for a bulb combo for my 120(4'x2'x2'). At the time I was going to use 4 overdriven in the rear and 4 normally driven bulbs in the front. After installing my canopy I think I need to take two bulbs out as the rear 2 bulbs are only putting light out on top of the overflows and rear of the rockwork. Can you suggest a six bulb combo(rear 4 overdriven) for this tank? I like the blue look and your original suggestion was:

Front blue plus
Actinic white
Super actinic
Blue plus
Blue plus
6500k
Blue plus
Blue olus

I'd pull the Super Actinic and a Blue Plus or the GE,

 

[sweetpea355]

hey grim wondering if a 6 bulb 48" retro would work on a 72"x30"x30" tank, I would like to keep clams and sps. Also how high do they need to be off the water?
thanks
Joe

 

[Milhouse]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15195803#post15195803 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
'

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,

Well, I was planning on doing 3 blue plus, 2 aquablue and 1 75/25. Would you replace the 75/25 with the Actinic White then? Or do that and replace one of the aquablues with another blue plus? I'm just wondering if there is a better option. I use 75/25's on my sons tank but he only has 4 bulbs over it.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15199909#post15199909 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sweetpea355
hey grim wondering if a 6 bulb 48" retro would work on a 72"x30"x30" tank, I would like to keep clams and sps. Also how high do they need to be off the water?
thanks
Joe

If you keep them right under the lamp array and use Ice Cap ballasts. About 4" off the water would be good.

In reality you should use 8 lamps. I think if it were mine I would do 4 54 watt T5's centered to give you a high light area in the center of the tank and 3 60 inch (80 watt) T5's which will also run on a Ice Cap 660 so you can keep coral critters (lower light LPS and softies) in the last foot on each side. I would say 4 60" T5's but you have to use 2 ballasts to run that many, only 3 60" 80 watt lamps per 660 and 2 on a 430. For the extra cost go for the 7 lamps, you can always add more later if you wanna go crazy.

Front
60" ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue
UVL Actinic White
60" ATI Blue Plus
GE 6500K Daylight
ATI Blue Plus
60" ATI Blue Plus

(4 54 watt lamps on Ice Cap 660 ballast)

The 3 60" lamps will be the dusk/dawn set. Your overall color should be 14~15K halide but the cool thing is the center 4 feet will be slightly blue and very bright and the light will become less intense and more blue as you move to the ends.

You still have to make sure the clams and SPS are placed in the area beneath the 54 watt lamps.

I have never seen a tank set up this (I hade a 6 x 80 watt set over a 125) but I think it would look way cool. If you go for it POST UP SOME PICS. I wanna see it.

 

[Andys29]

Its time to replace my bulbs on my 120g. Currently have 2x 250w DE 20k halides and 6 39w T5 bulbs. Bulb config now is 2x ATI blue plus, 2x UVL super actinic, 2x KZ fiji purple. Like the look now but was thinking of switching it up. What do you think about 4x ATI blue plus and 2x UVL super actinic, or would 4x blue plus and 2x fiji purple look better. I like decent growth mainly looking for the color pop. Mixed reef LPS and SPS. Tank viewable from 3 sides so bulbs must be even on each side. What are your thoughts?

 

[jimmycent]

Just purchased an ATI sunpower and wondering what bulbs to choose for a 6x54 fixture. Wondering what bulb choices and in what order would make a nice color. Choice of ATI and Korallen-Zucht bulbs. Any ideas would be appreciated. Also If I could get an ATI bulb only combo to would be good also!Thanks

 

[nanojg]

Just got a REALLY good deal on a Tek 4 x 39 fixture that I couldnt pass up on, this will be for a 58 gallon tank (36 x 18 x 21). I will use this until I can upgrade to a PM or Sunpower (probably a year or two after I buy everything else I want, controller, vortech...).

I like a more crisp white look with not that much blue, what bulbs would you recomend? I guess I could probably keep anything as long as I put high light demanding corals under the bulbs right? Clam on the sand bed if it was under a bulb?

thanks

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15199914#post15199914 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Milhouse
Well, I was planning on doing 3 blue plus, 2 aquablue and 1 75/25. Would you replace the 75/25 with the Actinic White then? Or do that and replace one of the aquablues with another blue plus? I'm just wondering if there is a better option. I use 75/25's on my sons tank but he only has 4 bulbs over it.

Flip a coin. If you want a more 20K look the 75/25 is good. If you want a brighter "warmer" look the AW is good. Using the Aquablues the 75/25 is probably a better choice unless you want to get a more 10K with actinic look. I would do 4 Blue Plus, the AW and 2 Aquablues so you got a spare. I'd hold back the 2nd Aquablue for a spare and see what you think changing out a blue plus with it but I think the 4, 1 and 1 will look really nice.