The T5 Q&a Thread

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15246860#post15246860 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Bioisfuture
what light combination would you recommend for a t-5 8 bulb fixture over a 55, with lps, zoas and some encrusting corals in it.

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

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15247929#post15247929 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 361 m sq km
Hi Grim,



I am building a 96” x 36” x 24” (H x W x D) tank. I plan to mainly keep SPS, but there migh be some LPS on the floor.



1) What fixture would you recommend from the choices below?



a) 4 x ATI Power Modul T5 08 X 54W (Total 32 x 54W bulbs)

b) 2 x ATI Power Modul T5 08 X 54W + 2 ATI Power Modul T5 10 X 54W (Total 36 x 54W bulbs)

c) 4 x Power Modul T5 10 X 54W (Total 40 x 54W bulbs)

d) 4 x Giesemann MATRIX T-5 1200 mm (8 x 54W) (Total 32 x 54W bulbs)

e) 2 x Giesemann MATRIX T-5 1200 mm (8 x 54W) + 2 x Giesemann MATRIX T-5 1200 mm (12 x 54W) (Total 40 x 54W)



2) What would be your choice of bulb arrangements for such fixture?



Thanks in advance, appreciate what your kind contribution to the community.

2 10 lamp Powermodules

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

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15248552#post15248552 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by chercm
i have 2 x reeflux 12k DB bulb and 2 xt5 , may i check what tube should i use for the t5 ?

i am using Solite fixture

2 ATI Blue Plus or Giesemann Actinic Plus is what I would use.

 

[jadeguppy]

Gotta a question for Guru Grim. I have two reef tanks, both mixed reefs. One is a 40g long and the other is a standard 6' 125g.

40g long- current temp. bulbs are two 6500k GE cf 100w with shop reflectors the clip to a make-shift 250w mh "box" with a large reflector.

125g- two 250w 14k mh w/ the large reflectors.

I am half way through building a proper canopy for the 40g.
I have the parts to install 4 T5Ho bulbs on one workhorse ballast. However, I'm having second thoughts in part because the GE bulbs get decent growth and are really inexpensive. If fact, when I change them out I use the "old" bulb for the light fixtures in my house.

Here are some ideas I'm playing with:

A) 40g- stock all four T5 and buy new retro to add two 4' T5 actinics to the 125g.

B) 40g- stock all four T5 and buy new retro to add two 6' T5 actinics to the 125g.

C)Install 2 T5 bulbs on the 40g for actinics and install 3 GE 100w bulbs for growth. Buy a second ballast and use the other two 4' bulbs to hang actinics in the 125g.

Since the reflectors in the 125g are so wide, the best way I have thought of to install T5's is to attach them to a 2"x1" board with three or four chains and eye hooks to hang the at the edge or just inside the mh reflector. (The front I can probably do infront of the reflector, but the back will have to be to the inside.)

I hoep this makes sense. Thanks for the help!

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15248993#post15248993 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jadeguppy
Gotta a question for Guru Grim. I have two reef tanks, both mixed reefs. One is a 40g long and the other is a standard 6' 125g.

40g long- current temp. bulbs are two 6500k GE cf 100w with shop reflectors the clip to a make-shift 250w mh "box" with a large reflector.

125g- two 250w 14k mh w/ the large reflectors.

I am half way through building a proper canopy for the 40g.
I have the parts to install 4 T5Ho bulbs on one workhorse ballast. However, I'm having second thoughts in part because the GE bulbs get decent growth and are really inexpensive. If fact, when I change them out I use the "old" bulb for the light fixtures in my house.

Here are some ideas I'm playing with:

A) 40g- stock all four T5 and buy new retro to add two 4' T5 actinics to the 125g.

B) 40g- stock all four T5 and buy new retro to add two 6' T5 actinics to the 125g.

C)Install 2 T5 bulbs on the 40g for actinics and install 3 GE 100w bulbs for growth. Buy a second ballast and use the other two 4' bulbs to hang actinics in the 125g.

Since the reflectors in the 125g are so wide, the best way I have thought of to install T5's is to attach them to a 2"x1" board with three or four chains and eye hooks to hang the at the edge or just inside the mh reflector. (The front I can probably do infront of the reflector, but the back will have to be to the inside.)

I hoep this makes sense. Thanks for the help!

Check and see if Premium Aquatics is still selling the Helios 6 ft T5 units if they are the Super Blue would be cool for the 125. 4 T5's and ther 40 would be good.

 

[bbeakl1]

Grim

Grim

I just got a used nova 6X54 t5 that came with 4 UV aquasuns and 2 super actinic. Well to say the least it looks terrible in my opinion. I really like the look of my 14K phoneix bulbs I had on my other tanks.
SO what do you think I should do, I would like to use some of my bulbs but I figured I would need to buy atleast 4 new bulbs to achieve the look I want. I would prefer to not have a super blue look, like a 20K would be.
Thanks For the help.

 

[JDL]

just a pic of my new bulbs for a 6x54 NEP

Grim suggested:

ATI Blue Plus
UVL Super Actinic
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Actinic White
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus

pic looks more blue then it really is, i like it.

 

[jdmcdowe]

Grim,
Purchased the 6x80 ATI PM. With the following bulbs, Not sure what bulbs should be coming on for the dusk to dawn look. Also it looks a little to white, can I try something else instead of the 65k? Do I need to cool the end caps also, the top is 90% open,

Front:
1 ATI B P
2 Fiji Purple
3 ATI BP
4 GE 6500
5 ATI BP
6 ATI BP

 

[bbeakl1]

JDL

JDL

JDL,
Thanks for your post. that is the look im going for, but u think I could use one of my UV aquasun bulds instead of UV actinic white, or is having one 10k buld gunna make a large difference in the overall color.

so Im thinking

front
blue plus
uv super actinic
blue plus
UV aquasun
aquablue
blue plus

 

[b_s_c1]

I am currently looking for a T5 fixture for my 45 gal bow front.
My aquarium is 48"x16"(to top of sand bed)x 16". On the sides of the aquarium I have 10" before the bow starts.

Should the fixture house 4 or 6 54 watt or 6X39 bulbs to get the best coverage and par.

Wanting to grow it all. SPS, LPS, clams, aussie.

 

[JDL]

Re: JDL

Re: JDL

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15250279#post15250279 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bbeakl1
JDL,
Thanks for your post. that is the look im going for, but u think I could use one of my UV aquasun bulds instead of UV actinic white, or is having one 10k buld gunna make a large difference in the overall color.

so Im thinking

front
blue plus
uv super actinic
blue plus
UV aquasun
aquablue
blue plus

i am a newbie with lights, i pass to Grim :beer:

 

[jadeguppy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15249043#post15249043 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Check and see if Premium Aquatics is still selling the Helios 6 ft T5 units if they are the Super Blue would be cool for the 125. 4 T5's and ther 40 would be good.

They have the bulbs but not the fixtures. Are 6' on the way out? I'd hate to get the fixture and then not be able to buy bulbs. I'm having trouble finding a 6' retro. How big of a deal will it be if I put 4' bulbs in the 125g that is 6' long?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Re: Grim

Re: Grim

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15249655#post15249655 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bbeakl1
I just got a used nova 6X54 t5 that came with 4 UV aquasuns and 2 super actinic. Well to say the least it looks terrible in my opinion. I really like the look of my 14K phoneix bulbs I had on my other tanks.
SO what do you think I should do, I would like to use some of my bulbs but I figured I would need to buy atleast 4 new bulbs to achieve the look I want. I would prefer to not have a super blue look, like a 20K would be.
Thanks For the help.

get 3 ATI Blue Plus and a GE 6500K Daylight and try those with an Aquasun and super actinic.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15249953#post15249953 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by JDL
just a pic of my new bulbs for a 6x54 NEP

Grim suggested:

ATI Blue Plus
UVL Super Actinic
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Actinic White
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus

pic looks more blue then it really is, i like it.

Nice tank.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15250054#post15250054 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jdmcdowe
Grim,
Purchased the 6x80 ATI PM. With the following bulbs, Not sure what bulbs should be coming on for the dusk to dawn look. Also it looks a little to white, can I try something else instead of the 65k? Do I need to cool the end caps also, the top is 90% open,

Front:
1 ATI B P
2 Fiji Purple
3 ATI BP
4 GE 6500
5 ATI BP
6 ATI BP

Fixture has fans built in for cooling.

You could have either 2 blue plus or a blue plus and fiji purple for dusk/dawn. For a little more blue pull the GE for a ATI Aquiablue, for a lot more blue do a Blue Plus.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15251151#post15251151 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jadeguppy
They have the bulbs but not the fixtures. Are 6' on the way out? I'd hate to get the fixture and then not be able to buy bulbs. I'm having trouble finding a 6' retro. How big of a deal will it be if I put 4' bulbs in the 125g that is 6' long?

6 foot T5's are rare.

Reefgeek has 5 foot retrofits and the 5 foot lamps are much more common.

 

[bbeakl1]

Front
ATI blue plus
Uv Super Actinic
UV aquasun
ATI blue plus
GE 6500k
ATI blue plus

would a GE 6500k and an aquasun be alot of white, it seems like alot of people use the ATI aquablue?
Also do you usually only recomend a KZ fiji purple if you have a larger unit to house more lights.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15251805#post15251805 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bbeakl1
Front
ATI blue plus
Uv Super Actinic
UV aquasun
ATI blue plus
GE 6500k
ATI blue plus

would a GE 6500k and an aquasun be alot of white, it seems like alot of people use the ATI aquablue?
Also do you usually only recomend a KZ fiji purple if you have a larger unit to house more lights.

You could use a Aquablue instead of the GE or use another Blue Plus instead of the Actinic

In a 60" lamp the Fiji purple is the best way to bump up the red. The UVL lamps can do the same thing in the shorter lengths but in a 4 lamp setput the Fiji Purple is a better way to go if you don't want to have a purple tone in the light.

 

[RB24D]

ok grimm here's the delema . I have a 90 gal tech tank and already have a ice cap 430 and a 660 .I want to keep some sps at the top but mostly lps and such acan, chalice ect . I will also be running a bank of led's in the middle for shimmer. What reflectors would you reccomend and why Ice cap vs sunlight supply tek 2vs aquatinics. And what bulbs would you run? One last Q stick with 6 bulb or go for 8 I can get another 660 if needed the other 2 are already in my posession.the led's will be 2 50/50 and one actinic power brights(already have), with lunar links between the power brights.I am a fan of flourescents and run mostly blue in my frag tank.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15252846#post15252846 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by RB24D
ok grimm here's the delema . I have a 90 gal tech tank and already have a ice cap 430 and a 660 .I want to keep some sps at the top but mostly lps and such acan, chalice ect . I will also be running a bank of led's in the middle for shimmer. What reflectors would you reccomend and why Ice cap vs sunlight supply tek 2vs aquatinics. And what bulbs would you run? One last Q stick with 6 bulb or go for 8 I can get another 660 if needed the other 2 are already in my posession.the led's will be 2 50/50 and one actinic power brights(already have), with lunar links between the power brights.I am a fan of flourescents and run mostly blue in my frag tank.

I really doubt the LEDs are going to do a thing shimmer wise

Front
ATI Blue Plus on 430
UVL Actinic White
ATI Blue Plus
GE 650K Daylight
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Blue Plus on 430

Ice Cap or Aquactinics reflectors will be fine but if you are mounting LED's too I would use the Aquactinics which are a little narrower.