The T5 Q&a Thread

[The Grim Reefer]

Originally posted by flaco626nj
ok i was running 2 reef optix lll pendents on a dual 250 electronic ballast .....4 inces above the surface of the water ...and two 54w t5 actinc +..oh and 250 watt 20k hqi bulb .......see the great drop it par

If you measure PAR 10" away from the lamps and then 20" away going in a straight line directly below the lamp the intensity will be less than half at 20" than at 10 inches.

[The Grim Reefer]

Originally posted by angieg1123
Would T5's penetrate to the bottom of a 36" deep tank? (1 inch sandbed) The 36" fixture does NOT have individual reflectors This is a seahorse tank so there will only be softies in it. I've been trying to figure out which lights to put on this tank. I'm more of a MH kinda gal....too bad they are too bright for my seahorses.

Thank you.
Angie

You would at least want to use one of the good fixture. Something like a Nova might put enough light to the bottom to grow shrooms. Don't know if i would try much else.

[Robb in Austin]

Yet another question for Grim,

Got a 58g I'm setting up, 36x18x21. Long term plans include an
anemone of some type, a clam or two, and perhaps some LPS.

I have a TX5 and need bulbs. After reading through this thread
and the Fiji purple vs Procolor thread I have arrived at the conclusion that I am confused.

My initial thought was:

front
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Actinic
UVL Aquasun
ATI Actinic
ATI Aqua Blue

Now I am thinking:

front
blue special
blue +
procolor
blue +
blue special

Which combo will get me closest to fijiblues setup?

Thanks in advance!
Robb

[The Grim Reefer]

Second one should be close

[ch0daboy]

i have a ATI PowerModule
I think my white is a little on the pale (yellow) side and could be more crisp. Maybe subbing in procolor or another bulb for the GE?


front:

Super Actinic +
Actinic +
GE Daylight (Daylight)
Actinic +
Aquablue Special
AquaSun (Daylight)
Actinic Plus
Super Actinic +

Also, should i switch my config up

[The Grim Reefer]

Yeah, I would try the procolor for the GE

[Gooli]

Hey Grim....when i asked you about drowning out the yellow with three XM 250w 10k over a 6 foot tank you recommend the below...but after measuring some stuff i think i'll have only room for 2 bulbs...will 2x80w not be effective here? still yellow?

Originally posted by The Grim Reefer
do 4 80 watt lamps. I'd do this

Front
Blue Plus
ATI Actinic
Halide
Blue Plus
Blue Plus

[JimmyS]

I just purchased a 48" 8 lamp TEK fixture that will be going over a 120g rr tank. It will be a mixed reef, SPS up top/mid and LPS, zoas and rics down bottom. I like a good blue look, but am also concerned about growth rates. Would the below lamp config work to my tastes and coral growth?

Front
Super actinic
Blue plus
Actinic
GE
Super actinic
Blue plus
actinic
blue plus

Will this have a good blue tint to it and will it give good growth at the same time? What are considered the better brand of lamps now?

[Mikigo]

Grim

Thanks for the help previously.
Now I am looking for recommendation on the fixture and the light bulbs. 7.5'x5'x30" h. Back with 3x 400w eballasts on L3.
Front with 2x36" T5 fixture. Mainly for LPS and polyps. Which company? and types of bulbs?

Thanks

[Mikigo]

Recommendations for the T5 fixture and bulbs.
Thanks

[flaco626nj]

if i had the money i would go with the ati power mod.since i didnt have enough money and had two rows i went with 4 more rows on an icecap 660 ....as far as bulbs still deciding but im likeing the new config thanks grim ...gonna see how that actinic _ looks tomorrow after i trade in one of the aquablue +

[JBG]

I have a question on a 36 " tek light with 4 x 39w bulbs over a 36 x 15 x 16 tall tank . Will the 4 lamp configuration work well for SPS and clams ? Also what Lamps and configuration of them do you recommend ?

[Ph0ton]

Hey Grim,

I have a 36x18x25 tank that I am setting up for SPS mainly. I am going to go with a Icecap 6x 39W retro. I will probably run something like:


ATI Blue Plus
UVL Super Actinic
UVL Aquasun
ATI Blue Plus
GE 6500K Daylight
ATI Blue Plus

I was initially planning a T5HO, but do you think I should overdrive to T5VHO?

Thanks

[The Grim Reefer]

Originally posted by Gooli
Hey Grim....when i asked you about drowning out the yellow with three XM 250w 10k over a 6 foot tank you recommend the below...but after measuring some stuff i think i'll have only room for 2 bulbs...will 2x80w not be effective here? still yellow?

It should be fine. Use blue plus lamps and it should be fine.

[The Grim Reefer]

Originally posted by JimmyS
I just purchased a 48" 8 lamp TEK fixture that will be going over a 120g rr tank. It will be a mixed reef, SPS up top/mid and LPS, zoas and rics down bottom. I like a good blue look, but am also concerned about growth rates. Would the below lamp config work to my tastes and coral growth?

Front
Super actinic
Blue plus
Actinic
GE
Super actinic
Blue plus
actinic
blue plus

Will this have a good blue tint to it and will it give good growth at the same time? What are considered the better brand of lamps now?

Too much actinic

Front
Super actinic
Blue plus
Aquablue
UVL Aquasun
Blue plus
Super actinic
Aquablue
blue plus

[The Grim Reefer]

Originally posted by Mikigo
Grim

Thanks for the help previously.
Now I am looking for recommendation on the fixture and the light bulbs. 7.5'x5'x30" h. Back with 3x 400w eballasts on L3.
Front with 2x36" T5 fixture. Mainly for LPS and polyps. Which company? and types of bulbs?

Thanks

If your using a canopy use Ice Cap retros. If not then ATI 8x39 watt Powermodules. For lamps it really depends on the look you want. This should pop LPS and Zoos nice. If you want a more subdued look in the fron swap out the UVL Aquasuns for UVL 75/25 lamps instead.

Front

ATI Blue Plus
UVL Super Actinic
UVL Aquasun
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Super Actinic
UVL Aquasun
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue

[The Grim Reefer]

Originally posted by JBG
I have a question on a 36 " tek light with 4 x 39w bulbs over a 36 x 15 x 16 tall tank . Will the 4 lamp configuration work well for SPS and clams ? Also what Lamps and configuration of them do you recommend ?

Be fine

ATI Blue Plus
UVL Super Actinic
UVL Aquasun
ATI Aquablue

[The Grim Reefer]

Originally posted by Ph0ton
Hey Grim,

I have a 36x18x25 tank that I am setting up for SPS mainly. I am going to go with a Icecap 6x 39W retro. I will probably run something like:


ATI Blue Plus
UVL Super Actinic
UVL Aquasun
ATI Blue Plus
GE 6500K Daylight
ATI Blue Plus

I was initially planning a T5HO, but do you think I should overdrive to T5VHO?

Thanks

Yep, Overdrive them Should be good.

[chirocato]

Is the Pro Color bulb basically similar to the GE 3000k, just with less PAR?

[Gooli]

thank you Grim..I and many others sincerely appreciate your help and dedication to this thread

[The Grim Reefer]

Originally posted by chirocato
Is the Pro Color bulb basically similar to the GE 3000k, just with less PAR?

The GE lamp is a lot more orange looking. The Pro Color has a deep red spectrum and not as much yellow light. If PAR is important the GE lamp can be used and it will look OK as long as you use enough blue lamps. The Pro color is a more mellow and wont look as harsh if your not using as many blue lamps.

[chirocato]

Originally posted by The Grim Reefer
The GE lamp is a lot more orange looking. The Pro Color has a deep red spectrum and not as much yellow light. If PAR is important the GE lamp can be used and it will look OK as long as you use enough blue lamps. The Pro color is a more mellow and wont look as harsh if your not using as many blue lamps.

PAR not important, more for color like bringing out pinks, red, oranges...

Thanks.

[JBG]

Thanks for the timely responce Grimm . Its great you can really help people with there T5 issues !

[flaco626nj]

yes grim you are very devoted to this thread i would have gotten tired of answering the same answer over and over again lol thanks for your time

[jennmac415]

I second (or third) those comments... THANKS to Grim for all of his unending help!