The T5 Q&a Thread

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15160005#post15160005 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by PDAlber
Grimm,
Thank you so much for all of the help you provide the Reef Central readers. I know this is a redundant question, but I want to make sure I order the right bulbs. I have a Tek 90 and I just purchased a 6-bulb Tek light. I currently have softies and LPS, but I would like to add a clam and possibly some SPS (particularly a Monte). What bulb combination would you recommend?

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

Grab yourself a AZOO 2 fan clamp on array from dr fosters and smith and clamp it on the rear of the tank so it will blow across the middle of the fixture but not on the lamps. Thats good for a nice boost in output.

 

[trwells]

Sir Reefer,

It seems you are the number one source for t5 lighting information. Sorry for all the redundant questions but thanks for all the great information.

What would you recommend for a standard 90 gallon (48x18x25 tall) if I will be doing mostly sps with some lps and acans etc toward the bottom. I want to be able to keep sps in most areas around the tank but would rather sacrifice some light at the bottom then have corals bleach in the top third of the tank.

I am looking at a 6 bulb retro from reefgeek. Should I run all 6 bulbs on the 660 ballasts or should I run 4 on 660 and 2 on standards ballasts.

What bulb combo do you recommend? I am a fan of the fiji purple.

Thanks!

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15160568#post15160568 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by trwells
Sir Reefer,

It seems you are the number one source for t5 lighting information. Sorry for all the redundant questions but thanks for all the great information.

What would you recommend for a standard 90 gallon (48x18x25 tall) if I will be doing mostly sps with some lps and acans etc toward the bottom. I want to be able to keep sps in most areas around the tank but would rather sacrifice some light at the bottom then have corals bleach in the top third of the tank.

I am looking at a 6 bulb retro from reefgeek. Should I run all 6 bulbs on the 660 ballasts or should I run 4 on 660 and 2 on standards ballasts.

What bulb combo do you recommend? I am a fan of the fiji purple.

Thanks!

Try this
Front
ATI Blue Plus 2 lamp Ice Cap HO retro (Standard Ballast)
Fiji Purple

Blue Plus Ice Cap VHO retro (Ice Cap 660 Ballast)
GE 6500K Daylight
Blue Plus
Blue Plus

Don't leave a gap between the two retros. The blue plus and fiji can keep the acans on the sand happy and the 4 OD lamps with make the SPS back on the rocks happy.

 

[amay121]

Disregard, found my answer in previous posts.

 

[SPStoney]

Hey Gim, I have been out of the hobby for a couple years but decided to come back now that I have a new home. I am going to order a tx5 and was wondering what a good combo would be. I saw a couple posts that you recommended but thought I would ask . I am going to be running only SPS as that was my addiction before. I want alot of pop . I dont know anything about t-5s as I am coming from 250w 14k . I appreciate your help.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15160998#post15160998 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SPStoney
Hey Gim, I have been out of the hobby for a couple years but decided to come back now that I have a new home. I am going to order a tx5 and was wondering what a good combo would be. I saw a couple posts that you recommended but thought I would ask . I am going to be running only SPS as that was my addiction before. I want alot of pop . I dont know anything about t-5s as I am coming from 250w 14k . I appreciate your help.

Front
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Actinic white
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Blue Plus

Should be a good place to stat.

 

[SPStoney]

Thanks alot for your fast response. Is the acinic white a pinkish bulb?

 

[60Cubed]

Hey Grim,

You still need to borrow an IC 660? I got one you can borrow if you need one. LMK

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15161048#post15161048 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SPStoney
Thanks alot for your fast response. Is the acinic white a pinkish bulb?

Yep

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15161064#post15161064 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 60Cubed
Hey Grim,

You still need to borrow an IC 660? I got one you can borrow if you need one. LMK

Thanks, I got a hold of one.

 

[SPStoney]

ok cool. whats the difference between their 75/25 and the actinic white?

 

[A. Grandis]

Hey Grim:
I want to thank you for the tips on place the bulbs. My tank looks great with the new ATI fixture and the new bulbs. I´ll run 2 bulbs for 4 hrs and the other 4 bulbs for 5 hrs for a while. Also the system is 11 inches above the water surface now, to come down after couple of weeks.
Thanks again.
Grandis.

 

[Hirobo]

Looking to add actinic lighting to my 175 reeflux 12k's going to use 2 54 watt t5's the lfs carries uvl bulbs any recommendations on which ones to use to get some pop outta the corals?

 

[BFG]

Hello Grim!

I have 2 sets of 4x54w locally made T5 light set with individual reflector. I want to keep softies, lps as well as would like to try sps. Which ATI/KZ bulb would you recommend and where should I place them?

Thanks!

 

[tatoofr]

Hey Grim,
What fan speed should I run the ati PM on?
Frank

 

[TomRep]

Hey grim. looking to start replacing the bulbs in my 36" NEP. tank is a 50 breeder mixed reef mostly consisting of sps. I am currently running:
F Blue plus
URI Actinic White (50/50?)
URI Aquasun
figi Purple
URI Super Actinic
blue Plus

i like the look of the tank and everything seems to be growing good, but i want a bit more blue. I was thinking of something like this:
F Blue Plus
AquaBlue Special
Figi purple
Blue plus
super Actinic
aquablue special

My questions are: Will this combo add the touch of blue i'm looking for? Is the figi purple considered a "red" bulb? Do you have any numbers/reviews on the KZ next generation (or new gerneration?) bulb and would it give me any perks if i added it to the mix? thanks a lot!
tom

 

[cham]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15160295#post15160295 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Yep, install the lamps so the label ends are on the side where the ducts are between the endcaps and reflectors.

Oh really? I installed the lamps so the label is closest to the fans. I need to switch those around?

 

[jimmy007]

Grim,

I purchase a few Giesemann Aquablue Plus a few month back and would like to use it. What combination work well with this bulb?

Thanks,

Jimmy

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15161088#post15161088 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SPStoney
ok cool. whats the difference between their 75/25 and the actinic white?

50/50 to 75/25 as far as the actinic daylight mixture. The 75/25 is a little more subtle and has less PAR. Better if you want to use 2 of them but not have an overwhelming purple color in the light.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15161803#post15161803 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Hirobo
Looking to add actinic lighting to my 175 reeflux 12k's going to use 2 54 watt t5's the lfs carries uvl bulbs any recommendations on which ones to use to get some pop outta the corals?

1 Super Actinic and 1 454.