The T5 Q&a Thread

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15276831#post15276831 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bubba1170
Grim you seem to be the man when it comes to T5 lighting. So i am coming to the authority on my needs.

I have a 4 x 54W HO New Wave 44 Sunlight Supply fixture for a 60 gallon tank. The tank will be a mix of corals and fish.

when I bought it off a fellow reefer here it came with 4 6500k GE bulbs. I don't have a clue as to how old they are so I plan to replace all four. And that is where my questions comes. what bulbs should I put in that will give me the best spectrum of color wtihout breaking the bank. Also how frequently should the bulbs be replaced?

thanks,
Brian

About once a year on the lamps

For lamps 3 ATI Blue Plus and a GE 6500K Daylight would be good. 2 Blue Plus and 2 GE daylights would look good as well a save a few bucks on the lamps.

 

[Shock130]

I have a 50 breeder, Im putting 2 175 watt 20K bulbs over it, and 2 t5s, what bulb should i supplement with... What bulb will help make the colors pop more?

Thanks!

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15277096#post15277096 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by cham
What are the par numbers on the "ATI Actinic". I just put one in my powermodule and LOVE the color. The only thing the bulb says on it is what is quoted above.

Thanks

No Actinic lamps have a lot of PAR. Don't remember the exact number but they are pretty much in line with the rest.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Re: Two SunPower Questions

Re: Two SunPower Questions

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15277250#post15277250 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by stormrider27
I have a SunPower 6X80W on order to install in a soon to be built custom hood for my 72"L X 18" W X 22"H tank. My questions are:

1. Should I plan on additional fans for cooling (I will be routing out the top of the canopy for the ATI fans to vent out) and if so where should I located the fans?

2. How high should I place the SunPower above the water for a mixed reef tank?

Thanks!

As far as the height anywhere from right on the tank to 8 inches or so above the water should be fine.

The fans will actually draw air into the fixture so you need to make sure the end of the fixture with the vents is where the air will exit. Just make sure those vents arent' blocked.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15277426#post15277426 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by shiveley
Grim, I have a question with regard to the order I should place my lamps in. I have an 8-bulb Tek T5 over a standard 75-gallon RR housing a very diversely mixed reef ( a handful sps, a lot of lps, and spattering of softies such as rbta's, zoas, palua nepthea, etc.)

Here's what I have to work with - I have two UVL 75.25's, two UVL Super Actinics, two UVL Actinic Whites, one UVL 454, two Giesemann Pure Actinics, and one Giesemann Actinic Plus.

Can you help me out with best front to back placement configuration to make the most out of what I have? I've been messing around with different configurations and everything I've done to this point is either too blue or too white. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Front
Super Actinic
UVL 75/25
454
Actinic White
Pure Actinic
Actinic White
Actinic Plus
Super Actnic

You really needs some more blue lamps. I would put an ATI Blue Plus where the super actinic is in the front and the pure actinic in the miiddle.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15278094#post15278094 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Fireworm
I have a 50 breeder with 4X39w IC setup for lights. I have a nice 12k - 14k look to it now, but the bulbs are around 12mos old, and time to start replacing them soon. I would like to get more of a 14K -20K look, with nice color pop. My Frogspawn and green blasto doesn't have much pop to it yet like I had in my older tank.

Also, will I be able to keep clams on the sand with a 14K to 20k look?

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

Should be fine for a clam as long as it's under the lamps.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15278571#post15278571 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Shock130
I have a 50 breeder, Im putting 2 175 watt 20K bulbs over it, and 2 t5s, what bulb should i supplement with... What bulb will help make the colors pop more?

Thanks!

I would try a UVL 75/25 and Super Actinic. The 75/25 will boost the reds a bit and both have actinic kick.

 

[450reef]

grim , what fixtures would you run on a 96l x 36w x 27h, 2 ati power modules ? 36 in or 48 in, there is a canopy that i could use or not but would like to if possible ten bulb or 8 bulb? or could i use the sunpowers? there is a light mover in the canopy now could i use it too? thats why i was thinking 36 inches on the movers, i want sps and lps thanks in advance

 

[bubba1170]

Grim thank you for the advice. any recommendations on a good place to buy the bulbs at?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15278836#post15278836 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 450reef
grim , what fixtures would you run on a 96l x 36w x 27h, 2 ati power modules ? 36 in or 48 in, there is a canopy that i could use or not but would like to if possible ten bulb or 8 bulb? or could i use the sunpowers? there is a light mover in the canopy now could i use it too? thats why i was thinking 36 inches on the movers, i want sps and lps thanks in advance

As Long as you have the light mover I would think you could pull it off with a single 10x48" PM. Or you could also do something like this

Front
48" retro 48" retro
48" Retro 48" retro

6x36 or 48 powermodule on light mover

48" retro 48" retro
48" retro 48" retro

Maybe even a shorter unit on the mover. Use Blue Plus lamps in the retros on a 12 hour cycle and use more white lamps in the fixture on like a 6 or 8 hour cycle.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15279366#post15279366 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bubba1170
Grim thank you for the advice. any recommendations on a good place to buy the bulbs at?

Reefgeek tends to have the best selection and good prices. DIY reef and Aquarium Specialtys too.

 

[shiveley]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15278648#post15278648 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Front
Super Actinic
UVL 75/25
454
Actinic White
Pure Actinic
Actinic White
Actinic Plus
Super Actnic
You really needs some more blue lamps. I would put an ATI Blue Plus where the super actinic is in the front and the pure actinic in the middle.

so, you're saying that you'd recommend the following?

Front-
ATI Blue Plus
UVL 75/25
454
Actinic White
ATI Blue Plus
Actinic White
Actinic Plus
Super Actnic

by the way, I'm not sure if you've used or seen these, but that 454 is almost identical to the Giessman Actinic Plus, as far as blue spectrum goes...

Thanks again, I reallly appreciate the advice!

 

[450reef]

thanks, what about the 60 inch? is it a bulb selection thing ? also sunny your using a aquatinics right ? would you say go with that or ati if ya had to do it again? thanks alot

 

[Toolguy942]

Grim, Did you ever get a chance to test the new Ice Cap bulbs? I don't remember seeing it posted. Also, which cooling fans run the quietest? I haven't found any good info on that. Thx!

 

[SPStoney]

Hey Grim,
Its time for us to get new bulbs and I asked a couple weeks ago and you suggested

aquablue
blue +
Actinic White
blue +
Blue +

I do want my reds , oranges, purples to pop more and was wondering what you thought about this? I know the dusk might look wierd but I can care less about the dusk

Blue +
acinic white
blue +
actinic white/ or Fiji?
blue +........... How would you think this would look? thanks for all your help !

 

[pmoneyt]

Grim how much would a IC 660 over drive 4 39W T-5

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15280831#post15280831 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by shiveley
so, you're saying that you'd recommend the following?

Front-
ATI Blue Plus
UVL 75/25
454
Actinic White
ATI Blue Plus
Actinic White
Actinic Plus
Super Actnic

by the way, I'm not sure if you've used or seen these, but that 454 is almost identical to the Giessman Actinic Plus, as far as blue spectrum goes...

Thanks again, I reallly appreciate the advice!

Yep.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15281710#post15281710 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 450reef
thanks, what about the 60 inch? is it a bulb selection thing ? also sunny your using a aquatinics right ? would you say go with that or ati if ya had to do it again? thanks alot

isn't the tank 96 inches long? Why use 60 inch lamp.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15282975#post15282975 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Toolguy942
Grim, Did you ever get a chance to test the new Ice Cap bulbs? I don't remember seeing it posted. Also, which cooling fans run the quietest? I haven't found any good info on that. Thx!

The IC lamps are just UVL lamps with a little better electrode. No idea on fans other than a bigger fan with lower RPM's usually will not make as much noise.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15283404#post15283404 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SPStoney
Hey Grim,
Its time for us to get new bulbs and I asked a couple weeks ago and you suggested

aquablue
blue +
Actinic White
blue +
Blue +

I do want my reds , oranges, purples to pop more and was wondering what you thought about this? I know the dusk might look wierd but I can care less about the dusk

Blue +
acinic white
blue +
actinic white/ or Fiji?
blue +........... How would you think this would look? thanks for all your help !

It's worth a try. Might be a little more purplish than some would like but if you have a bunch of stuff that will look better with the extra red why not.