The T5 Q&a Thread

[Alaska_Phil]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15213226#post15213226 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Bag the GE, go for a 3rd Blue plus and see what you think. If you don't like that use the Aquablue and hold the blue plus back as a spare or until it's time to relamp.

Oops! too late, the order's been sent. If I want a bit more blue I'll give that a try though.

Thanks again Grim.

Phil

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15214379#post15214379 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by atlfishes
What is the going bulb recommendation for a 5x54w mixed reef setup? Goes on a standard 90 gallon tank. Thanks

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

 

[rscotti]

Grim,

I will try make the change.

Thank you very much.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15214428#post15214428 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by vyerous
Thanks Grim.

My biggest concern was adding the anemone. While I think it is ample lighting even on the sand, I just wanted to make sure I could keep the nem as happy as can be. My hope was to do a dynamic lighting as if my tank takes places near an overhanging rock/cliff deal, one side is really blue and one side is a much lighter blue where the sun reaches. My hope was to have the nem stay in the sun =D

Also what order should I put the lights in? Could this color spectrum inhibit coral growth?

Put the UVL lamp in position 2 or 3 and the GE in 4 or 5, whichever will get you a dusk/dawn pair with blue plus lamps. The Blue Pluses are among the highest output T5's so you should get good growth.

 

[vyerous]

Awesome, thank you sir. I don't know how you do it, but you are good at what you do.

 

[jb61264]

Grim, need to buy new bulbs for my 48" TEK 6 lamp fixture. I am starting up a 75 gallon system and want to do some SPS, LPS and softies...also want to keep clams toward the bottom in sandbed and an RBTA.

What should I buy and how to position?

 

[boxerzz]

Long tubes for ATI fixture has better penetration of light ? Therefore, how well can a 6x39W Sunpower be for a 24" deep tank ?

 

[tdawgnjlo]

Grim,

What kind of T5 lighting fixture would you recommend for a 72x30x24 225g Tank? I want to keep anything in the tank. Shoud I go with 60 " bulbs on Icecap 660 retro with Reefgeek reflectors; or an ATI Powermodule or Sunpower, or Aquatinics 72 " Constellation Fixture? I am concerned that the Aquatinics isn't wide enough to provide the proper coverage on and 30 " wide tank, and I heard the 36 " T5 bulbs have less penetration and par than the longer bulbs.

Thanks

 

[atlfishes]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15215119#post15215119 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Front
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Actinic White
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Blue Plus

Just checking, Aquablue is the first bulb.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15215953#post15215953 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jb61264
Grim, need to buy new bulbs for my 48" TEK 6 lamp fixture. I am starting up a 75 gallon system and want to do some SPS, LPS and softies...also want to keep clams toward the bottom in sandbed and an RBTA.

What should I buy and how to position?

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

Grab a AZOO Clamp on fan array from fosters and smith and set it so it blow on the back side of the fixture at the center. Don't blow the air right at the lamps. Gives you a nice little boost in PAR.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15218979#post15218979 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by boxerzz
Long tubes for ATI fixture has better penetration of light ? Therefore, how well can a 6x39W Sunpower be for a 24" deep tank ?

Should be fine. I was getting 302 PAR at the bottom of a 20" tall tank with a 4x39 watt Powermodule.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15219275#post15219275 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tdawgnjlo
Grim,

What kind of T5 lighting fixture would you recommend for a 72x30x24 225g Tank? I want to keep anything in the tank. Shoud I go with 60 " bulbs on Icecap 660 retro with Reefgeek reflectors; or an ATI Powermodule or Sunpower, or Aquatinics 72 " Constellation Fixture? I am concerned that the Aquatinics isn't wide enough to provide the proper coverage on and 30 " wide tank, and I heard the 36 " T5 bulbs have less penetration and par than the longer bulbs.

Thanks

I'd either do 2 6x80 watt Sunpowers or a 10 lamp Powermodule. The 7 lamp Constellation probably isn't enough to cover 30" well. The Retro would work well to. I'd do 9 lamps, 3 IC 660 ballasts.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15219577#post15219577 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by atlfishes
Just checking, Aquablue is the first bulb.

Yep but you could move it if you want a more blue look.

 

[aquaboy620]

hey grim looks like your the man to ask about T5's since your name is all over this thread and I'm looking for some good advice. so here goes. I have a 240 gallon mixed reef and I currently have 2 x 250 watt metal halides 20k and 4 x 39 watt T5's hagen glo retro kit with hagen actinics. I ordered 2 x 48 inch 8 x 54 watt Tek light fixtures and I want to know what kind of bulbs would be the best combo for a nice blue look that still grows coral. I see ATI is all over this thread but I can get good deals on the giesemann bulbs from my LFS. What do you think of the Giesemann bulbs(if you have any experience with them) compared to the ATI bulbs. Interested in the Powerchrome Aquablue plus bulb which is described by giesemann.

POWERCHROME aquablue + is the ultimate blue/white light spectrum for brilliant colours from your corals and fish. The ideal light for all marine creatures
that live in salt-water and reef aquariums.

A special 60:40 combination of 6000K and 22000K (approx) phosphor blend. It is specifically designed for reef aquariums mimicking sea water to a depth of one to twenty meters. It can be used for growing SPS corals up to 80cm in the aquarium. The tubes can be combined with Aqua Flora for freshwater, tropical fish and planted aquaria.

If I were to go with 16 of these bulbs would I achieve good coral growth or would another combo of giesemann bulbs be better and if so, what?

If ATI is a better brand can you tell me why and what combo of bulbs to get.

thanks for your help and sorry so long. just need to know before I pay 300+ dollars for bulbs.

 

[arctictwist]

Grim, do you know anything about the t5 fixtures at fishneedit.com?

 

[aquaboy620]

just checked out the 72" aquactinics constellation fixture which is 14 x 39 watt t5s. very nice looking. would that be better for my 240 gallon 96x24x24 than 2 x 48" 8 lamp tek fixture from sunlight supply. stupid question considering wattage is way about 546 to 864. Plus I would be missing about 2 feet with the 72". wish somebody made a 96" fixture with 16 x 54 watt t5's. all in all would the 72" fixture be sufficient or would it be underpowered for my 240 gallon. If not what bulbs do you recommend and in what order. please help cause I can tell my LFS to stop the order on the sunlight tek fixtures which I would have to hang side by side to make it look right.

 

[aquaboy620]

just checked out the 72" aquactinics constellation fixture which is 14 x 39 watt t5s. very nice looking. would that be better for my 240 gallon 96x24x24 than 2 x 48" 8 lamp tek fixture from sunlight supply. stupid question considering wattage is way about 546 to 864. Plus I would be missing about 2 feet with the 72". wish somebody made a 96" fixture with 16 x 54 watt t5's. all in all would the 72" fixture be sufficient or would it be underpowered for my 240 gallon. If not what bulbs do you recommend and in what order. please help cause I can tell my LFS to stop the order on the sunlight tek fixtures which I would have to hang side by side to make it look right.

 

[aquaboy620]

oh yeah forgot to mention that I have 6 rose anemones that have made their homes at the top of my tank about 3 to 4" from top of water line will the t5s affect my roses. they are my prize possesions. all about 4" to 8" in diameter.

 

[runningnreefing]

Hi Grim,

I have a 6 x 54w PM fixture, and I wanted a similar look to the Reeflux 12K. You recommended this bulb combination from front to back.

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

The look is a little too white for me so can you suggest a bulb combination that is closer to a 14K look.

Thanks.

 

[aquaboy620]

hey grim I'm all over the place with decisions to make. I was looking at the 10 x 80 watt ATI PM but its only 60" long. my tank is 96" wattage is nice but would it cover the whole tank?