The T5 Q&a Thread

[Beaun]

I have a standard sized 65 gallon mixed reef with a 6 bulb 36" Tek fixture. What would be the best set up for me. Currently I have 2 Giesmann middays, 2 aquablue+, and 2 pure actinics.

 

[cerolost]

Hey guys for 4 bulb 48' should I add the azoo fan and remove the splash shield? Also anybody like the ati procolor bulbs?

 

[jadeguppy]

In one of the prior pages, keeping the shield on was explained to be better for the bulbs, including their par output.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15379880#post15379880 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by acoff87
thanks for the advice grim!
im leaning more towards the 6 lamp Tek with a clamp on 2 fan array (Azoo brand from fosters and smith works well) now that ive run the NEP idea by you. It will be some time before i can purchase it( ill have to do some saving up!). But it definitely seems the better buy in the long run.
so i have a couple questions.
1. i don't want to use a shield on the system because it decrease PAR?( just wipe the bulbs routinely?)

2. what bulb layout would be ideal( keeping mostly LPS, softies, some SPS, a clam)

The sheild doesn't cut much light but the heat it generates will kill the output

Front
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Actinic White
Blue Plus
GE 6500K Daylight
Blue Plus
Blue Plus or ATI Aquablue. Aquablue will give it more of a 12K with actinics look, Blue Plus more of a 15-20K look.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15380228#post15380228 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Beaun
I have a standard sized 65 gallon mixed reef with a 6 bulb 36" Tek fixture. What would be the best set up for me. Currently I have 2 Giesmann middays, 2 aquablue+, and 2 pure actinics.

Front
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Actinic White
Blue Plus
GE 6500K Daylight
Blue Plus
Blue Plus or ATI Aquablue. Aquablue will give it more of a 12K with actinics look, Blue Plus more of a 15-20K look.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15380371#post15380371 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by cerolost
Hey guys for 4 bulb 48' should I add the azoo fan and remove the splash shield? Also anybody like the ati procolor bulbs?

Depends, just removing the shield will give you a nice boost which may be enough depending on the tank height and what you are trying to raise.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15380479#post15380479 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jadeguppy
In one of the prior pages, keeping the shield on was explained to be better for the bulbs, including their par output.

Depends on the fixture. If the fixture has built in cooling fans yu need to leave the shield on. Not with the Tek.

 

[Dubin]

Hey Grim,

I have a 48" Current Nova Extreme Pro fixture with 8x54w bulbs over a 120g tank. What would be a really nice bulb setup for sps and clams?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15380840#post15380840 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Dubin
Hey Grim,

I have a 48" Current Nova Extreme Pro fixture with 8x54w bulbs over a 120g tank. What would be a really nice bulb setup for sps and clams?

8 lamp Pro? I thought they only came with 6.

In any canse

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

I would keep the clams up off the sand a bit, even the Pro nova doesnt have much mojo for a 120. I would be a little concerned about the clams getting enough light unless they are the lower light ones.

 

[Dubin]

Cool thanks. Yeah they come in 8 lamp, not every website has them though. Should I worry about the sps not getting enough light?

 

[somedude]

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.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15194770#post15194770 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
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.

hey grim, i have the same question only i have one of the older tek fixtures with 8x39w bulbs. i also already have a new pair of giesemann actinic bulbs that i got dirt cheap. i want great growth but a darker look to the tank. what bulbs would you suggest, and in what order. thanks for the help.

oh also, i plan on going sps dominant. and i want to keep my 8" maxima.

~alex

 

[drhurtado]

T5 LIGHTNING RECOMMENDATIONS

T5 LIGHTNING RECOMMENDATIONS

I'm starting my project. A 180g 72 x 24 x 24. Interested in T5. I will be using a wood canopy. Any recommendations and bulb selection. Please Thanks

Grim??

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15381004#post15381004 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Dubin
Cool thanks. Yeah they come in 8 lamp, not every website has them though. Should I worry about the sps not getting enough light?

Yeah, be careful how low you place higher light animals. Those reflectors are not all that effective. Better than flat but not in the same league as the good ones.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15381326#post15381326 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by somedude
hey grim, i have the same question only i have one of the older tek fixtures with 8x39w bulbs. i also already have a new pair of giesemann actinic bulbs that i got dirt cheap. i want great growth but a darker look to the tank. what bulbs would you suggest, and in what order. thanks for the help.

oh also, i plan on going sps dominant. and i want to keep my 8" maxima.

~alex

Front
ATI Blue Plus
Actinic
UVL Actinic White
Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue
Blue Plus
Actinic
Blue Plus

The Actinic White, Aquablue and Blue Plus all have strong PAR so you will be fine on PAR

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Re: T5 LIGHTNING RECOMMENDATIONS

Re: T5 LIGHTNING RECOMMENDATIONS

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15382265#post15382265 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by drhurtado
I'm starting my project. A 180g 72 x 24 x 24. Interested in T5. I will be using a wood canopy. Any recommendations and bulb selection. Please Thanks

Grim??

You want 8 rows of lamps, either 60" lamps or 2 36" lamps. If you want SPS packed end to end then go with the 2 36 inch lamps.

If you go with the 80 watt 60" lamps which most do order the retro kits from reefgeek with the Aqua Illumination reflectors which you may have to call to order, not sure that option is listed on their web site. You need that reflector because the only other 60" reflector is the Tek II wich is 2 wide to fit 8 lamps in the canopy.

Front
ATI Blue Plus
KZ Fiji Purple
Blue Plus
GE 6500K Daylight
Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue
Blue Plus
Blue Plus or ATI Aquablue, Aquablue for a slightly brighter look.

 

[JRechcygl]

Grim what about Aquactinics? Their SLRs are only 2"... Thats what I have in my retro...
Just a thought

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15383793#post15383793 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by JRechcygl
Grim what about Aquactinics? Their SLRs are only 2"... Thats what I have in my retro...
Just a thought

Unfortunately they don;'t have a 60" reflector.

 

[mirepa]

My current setup is a Outer Orbit 250w Ushio 20k + 4x 24" T5HO slots.

Only using 2 of the T5HO slots right now and both they have D-D Giesemann Actinic+'s in them. I don't feel like they really fluoresce my corals too much. Any recommendations on what I should run for just the 2 slots or all 4?

For reference on the Ushio 20k, it's less blue then the Phoenix 14k.

Thanks Grim! You've been real cool answering everyone's questions.


*edit*

So I did a little digging and what do you think about this setup? From front to back.

ATI/Giese Actinic
KZ Fiji Purple
20k Ushio
ATI/Giese Actinic
Giese Actinic+

Or just use my extra Actinic+ and not do the KZ Fiji Purple.

 

[Jose Santisteban]

Hi Grim,

I am from Mexico City, my tank specs. are (110"L X 39" W X 43" H) 750 Gallon reef tank.
I have SPS, LPS, and some Soft corals. My Lighting system is home made 10 MH 400 Watts 14000 Ushio and 12 PC actinics. My problem is temperature control and to bring out best colors in SPS.

I am thinking to upgrade with ATI fixture. I dont know if only with T5 It would be enough for the 43". What fixture do you suggest me.


Thanks in advance

 

[cich4fish]

I am going to start a frag tank and will be using t5 lighting.Was wanting suggestions on how many bulbs,colors and height from the water.Tank is 12"hx24"wx48"l and will be growing zoas,lps and sps.I currently have a catalina 6 bulb unit,is this too much?

Eric