The T5 Q&a Thread

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15161972#post15161972 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 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!

ATI Blue Plus
Fiji Purple
Koral Light (the other KZ lamp
ATI Blue Plus


If you are running 8 lamps over one tank just repeat the above but place the lamps so you can get a good dusk/dawn pair using the blue plus lamps.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15162102#post15162102 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tatoofr
Hey Grim,
What fan speed should I run the ati PM on?
Frank

7.5 should be good. If the noise doesn't bother you go for 9 just to have a cushion for hot days..

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15162152#post15162152 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 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

Front
Blue Plus
Fiji Purple
Blue Plus
Aquablue
UVL 75/25
Blue Plus

is what I would do if you like the current color but want more blue. You have 3 red biased lamps now, dropping to just one is going to completly change the look. The 75/25 will give you actinic mojo plus some red to help the fiji do it's thing.

You could also try

Blue Plus
Fiji
Blue Plus
Aquablue
Fiji
Blue Plus

Be fairly blue and have lotsa PAR.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15162268#post15162268 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by cham
Oh really? I installed the lamps so the label is closest to the fans. I need to switch those around?

The fans blow air out the holes between the reflectors and endcaps. Place the labels there.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15163097#post15163097 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 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

These are a crisp white lamp with a slight blue tint. It really depends on what look you want and the number of lamps your lighting system uses.

 

[Hirobo]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15163290#post15163290 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
1 Super Actinic and 1 454.

Thank you for the suggestion. Thats what i will use

 

[tatoofr]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15163308#post15163308 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
7.5 should be good. If the noise doesn't bother you go for 9 just to have a cushion for hot days..

Would higher speed ware the fans out?
Thanks grim

 

[TomRep]

Hey Grim, sorry to be a bother but when you say an aquablue, what brand would you recommend?
Tom

 

[jimmy007]

Grim,

I'm using 4 bulbs setup and looking for 14k to 20k looks.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15163358#post15163358 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
These are a crisp white lamp with a slight blue tint. It really depends on what look you want and the number of lamps your lighting system uses.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15163410#post15163410 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tatoofr
Would higher speed ware the fans out?
Thanks grim

No, they are designed to run at 12V, Running them slightly slower would probably be better on them than running them really slow.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15163560#post15163560 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by TomRep
Hey Grim, sorry to be a bother but when you say an aquablue, what brand would you recommend?
Tom

ATI is my first choice but the Giesemann is fine too. Just not the UVL 75/25 "Aquablue" which is a different look.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15164509#post15164509 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jimmy007
Grim,

I'm using 4 bulbs setup and looking for 14k to 20k looks.

3 ATI Blue plus and the Aquablue

 

[jimmy007]

Thanks Grim, I will try that out.

 

[arctictwist]

Hey grim, quick question, im setting up my new system and theres a 20 gallon long frag tank. 6 inches of it is baffled off for where the water enters the tank. It was already there so i just left it. so i planned on using a 24 inch fixture for lighting. would a 4 bulb t5 be enough to grow out everything? Or would i need more bulbs than that? Theres a local guy with a deal on a current sundial 24" 4 bulb that needs new bulbs. What would you recommend for bulbs, if 4 is enough. if 4 is not enough how many would you recommend and what bulbs? thanks alot!

ken.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15165889#post15165889 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by arctictwist
Hey grim, quick question, im setting up my new system and theres a 20 gallon long frag tank. 6 inches of it is baffled off for where the water enters the tank. It was already there so i just left it. so i planned on using a 24 inch fixture for lighting. would a 4 bulb t5 be enough to grow out everything? Or would i need more bulbs than that? Theres a local guy with a deal on a current sundial 24" 4 bulb that needs new bulbs. What would you recommend for bulbs, if 4 is enough. if 4 is not enough how many would you recommend and what bulbs? thanks alot!

ken.

Yeah, grab that fixture. I would probably do 3 Blue Plus and a Aquasun UVL lamp. The shorter lamps only decrease the area you get strong light . They are a bit less intense but you don't have to worry bout it on a 20.

 

[arctictwist]

sweet thanks.

 

[Mark426]

Grim,

Running a TX5 with:

3 Blue+
1 GE6500
1 Fiji Purple

Overall I am fairly happy with the color. Like the Fiji and what it does, however it is just a tiny bit too red/purple for my taste. What lamp would be an ever so slight step down (less red) than the Fiji? Any ideas?

Thanks pal,
Mark

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15167735#post15167735 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Mark426
Grim,

Running a TX5 with:

3 Blue+
1 GE6500
1 Fiji Purple

Overall I am fairly happy with the color. Like the Fiji and what it does, however it is just a tiny bit too red/purple for my taste. What lamp would be an ever so slight step down (less red) than the Fiji? Any ideas?

Thanks pal,
Mark

The fiji is the most subtle of the red lamps. You could try playing with the position of the lamp. Another possibility would be to pull the GE and use another blue. If none of that works I would use 4 Blue Plus and a Aquasun next round of lamps. The sun has more red but also a lot of the other spectrum you lose by pulling the GE, that lamp with 4 blue pluses wouldn't look as blue as the Fiji and 4 Blues.

 

[brucem]

Hey Grim, I am sure this has been already asked. I am trying to figure out the best way to cool t5 bulbs from what I can see from the power module is that they draw the air in from the sides and blow it out the top is this correct? If so does the bottom of the fixture need to be covered so to be able to control the air flow. I will have 8x24 bulbs and two icecap 660's in the fixture I am going to build. Any help would be greatly appreciated

 

[eros]

Grim, I apologize if you have already talked about this but do you have any info on the new Icecap bulbs? They are apparently made by UVL and optimized to be overdriven on the Icecap ballasts. I'm running a 660 and need to get new bulbs soon so I was looking at these. Are any of the new bulbs similar to a Blue+? When I upgrade I want to get something equivalent to 3 blue+ and 1 10k. I would love to see some par readings on these bulbs on Icecap ballasts!