The T5 Q&a Thread

[tdawgnjlo]

Originally posted by The Grim Reefer
The aquablue is not nearly as blue as the blue plus. It is more of a white lamp with a blue hue.

I am a little hesitent to reco the GE 3000K in a 6 lamp mix unless people have ran T5's and have a basic understanding of the look. Not everybody likes the additional red. Seems like you're sold on it I am using 2 blues, 1 actinic, 1 super actinic, a 50/50 and a 3000K right now and love it

Thanks Grim,

Do you think the tank will have a little more bluish tint once I get the 3 new ATI Blue +'s to replace the 3 old Geismann Actinic + bulbs, or look about the same as right now?

If someone wants to tone down the reds that you get with the GE3000K, would you go with the following:

UVL Super Actinic
ATI Blue +
UVL Aquasun
ATI Blue +
GE 6500
ATI Blue +

Regarding your lamp selection, do you mean ATI Blue + when you say "blues", Geismann Actinic + when you say "actinic", UVL Super Actinic when you say "super actinic", and ATI Aquablue when you say "50/50"?

[chrismhaase]

GRIM REEFER-- All I have to say is YOU ARE DA BOMB. You are an encyclopedia of info. Thanks for your dedication to this thread and the hobby we all love. I appreciate your help as I am sure everyone else does as well. So thanks man, I know everyone else probably has the same feeling. Keep up the good work. Thanks--Chris

[rsaavedra]

Originally posted by rsaavedra
Grim since you have proven to be the T5 guru at least on my eyes let me tell you what I plan and what I want: I’m looking to wire 2X54W T5’s and 1X110W VHO to the same ballast which it will be 218W and wouldn't to overdrive the bulbs like an icecap 430 ballast would. What ballast you recommend or is it even possible to do.

Right now tank is a 90G running 5X54W T5's B2F:
AB+
Pure Act
Midday
Act+
AB+

All this is going on a 120G which I plan on running 6X54W T5's and 1X110W VHO, B2F:
Act+
AB+
VHO Super Act
Midday
AB+
Pure Act or Act+
AB+

Current tank is Mixed Reef LPS/Softies dominated with an SPS hint. LMK what my options are.

Thanks a million,
Raf

Originally posted by The Grim Reefer
There is only one way to run a T5 on the same ballast as a VHO. Ice Cap. You could prabably do it with a Workhorse 7 but I am not sure. I know you can with the IC 660.

Looks like a nice setup but unless you like a lot of blue you might consider adding in a GE 6500K in place of a Actinic Plus or Aquablue.

Grim Thanks for your answer, after much thought I have taken the VHO out of the equation and going alll T5's, here is my question to you If you had to do a build line up on this tank based on the below what would you do to make everything flouresc at the same time give me good growth, all the bulbs on my setup have always been Giesemann but I'm open to all other brands ix as long as they have good growth rates. I want reds, oranges, greens, yellows, blues to jump-out, I want a blueish tank with a med strenght white. All this is going on a 120G which I plan on running 7X54W T5's B2F:
Act+ -- ?? Super Act? Pure Act?
AB+ -- ?? 12K
Super Act -- ??
Midday -- ??
AB+ -- ?? 12K or maybe a 3K
Pure Act -- ??
AB+ -- ?? 12K?

Help me mix it please.

[The Grim Reefer]

Originally posted by rsaavedra
Grim Thanks for your answer, after much thought I have taken the VHO out of the equation and going alll T5's, here is my question to you If you had to do a build line up on this tank based on the below what would you do to make everything flouresc at the same time give me good growth, all the bulbs on my setup have always been Giesemann but I'm open to all other brands ix as long as they have good growth rates. I want reds, oranges, greens, yellows, blues to jump-out, I want a blueish tank with a med strenght white. All this is going on a 120G which I plan on running 7X54W T5's B2F:
Act+ -- ?? Super Act? Pure Act?
AB+ -- ?? 12K
Super Act -- ??
Midday -- ??
AB+ -- ?? 12K or maybe a 3K
Pure Act -- ??
AB+ -- ?? 12K?

Help me mix it please.

Try this:

Act+ -- ?? Super Act? Pure Act? (((ATI Blue Plus)))
Super Act -- ??(((Super Actinic)))
AB+ -- ?? 12K or maybe a 3K (((Aquablue)))
(((GE 3000K or UVL Aquasun)))
Pure Act -- ??
((((ATI Blue Plus)))
AB+ -- ?? 12K?(((ATI Aquablue)))

[Tony25]

Im thinking of getting this kit http://www.reefgeek.com/manufacturer...unlight_Supply what bulbs would you get ? Its my my 55 gallon tank.

[The Grim Reefer]

Try this

Front
Blue Plus
Super Actinic
UVL Aquasun
Blue Plus

Or
Blue Plus
Super Actinic
GE 6500K
Aquablue

[casingbill]

so, would you go with just t5's are a mh t5 combo?....all things considered

[Tony25]

Whats the dif between the 2 setups? All these dif bulbs realy confuse me.

Originally posted by The Grim Reefer
Try this

Front
Blue Plus
Super Actinic
UVL Aquasun
Blue Plus

Or
Blue Plus
Super Actinic
GE 6500K
Aquablue

[pulpol]

grim

is this a good fixture?http://cgi.ebay.com/T5-HO-Aquarium-l...QQcmdZViewItem

thanks

[The Grim Reefer]

Originally posted by Tony25
Whats the dif between the 2 setups? All these dif bulbs realy confuse me.

The first combo will be a little more blue than the second one. Sorry, didn't notice I didn't add that to the post.

[The Grim Reefer]

Originally posted by casingbill
so, would you go with just t5's are a mh t5 combo?....all things considered

I would do both assuming there were no heat and space issues.

[The Grim Reefer]

Originally posted by pulpol
grim

is this a good fixture?http://cgi.ebay.com/T5-HO-Aquarium-l...QQcmdZViewItem

thanks

No reflectors. I wouldn't spend the $$$ on it unless you absolutly have to have a 60" T5 fixture.

[tdawgnjlo]

Originally posted by tdawgnjlo
Thanks Grim,

Do you think the tank will have a little more bluish tint once I get the 3 new ATI Blue +'s to replace the 3 old Geismann Actinic + bulbs, or look about the same as right now?

If someone wants to tone down the reds that you get with the GE3000K, would you go with the following:

UVL Super Actinic
ATI Blue +
UVL Aquasun
ATI Blue +
GE 6500
ATI Blue +

Regarding your lamp selection, do you mean ATI Blue + when you say "blues", Geismann Actinic + when you say "actinic", UVL Super Actinic when you say "super actinic", and ATI Aquablue when you say "50/50"?

Grim,

I posted above and you missed it. Did you have any more comment on the above questions?

Thanks again for all of your advice.

[The Grim Reefer]

Originally posted by tdawgnjlo
Grim,

I posted above and you missed it. Did you have any more comment on the above questions?

Thanks again for all of your advice.

What you listed would be nice.

If I say actinic I mean the ATI or Giesemann actinic lamps. Aquablue is either brand but I prefer ATI

[franklinbeens]

hello, need some input.
what combo of t5's would i need to light up a 48x48x24?
i have a tek w/ (4) bulbs and maybe need an (8) light fixure.
or do you think i need (4) more for (16) total.
i am going to use my (2) vho's actinics . i plan on a low rock mound for sps + zoos
tia

[hahnmeister]

For those interested in those Current Sunpaq retro kits... you might want to pick something else...

You can see the reflectors here... 3 bend POS reflectors...
http://www.current-usa.com/newsletter/issue1.html

[The Grim Reefer]

Originally posted by franklinbeens
hello, need some input.
what combo of t5's would i need to light up a 48x48x24?
i have a tek w/ (4) bulbs and maybe need an (8) light fixure.
or do you think i need (4) more for (16) total.
i am going to use my (2) vho's actinics . i plan on a low rock mound for sps + zoos
tia

16 sounds about right

[Tony25]

So your saying that the tek reflectors are alot better then the nova retro ones?

Originally posted by hahnmeister
For those interested in those Current Sunpaq retro kits... you might want to pick something else...

You can see the reflectors here... 3 bend POS reflectors...
http://www.current-usa.com/newsletter/issue1.html

[Tony25]

SO the 1st one is more blue. What does that mean for me? Besides looks? WHat ones would my coral like better? I plan on adding some sps and clams to my tank as soon as i get the light. What one would be better for my coral? WOuld being too blue not look good? I just cant choose what to buy.

Originally posted by The Grim Reefer
The first combo will be a little more blue than the second one. Sorry, didn't notice I didn't add that to the post.

[The Grim Reefer]

Originally posted by Tony25
SO the 1st one is more blue. What does that mean for me? Besides looks? WHat ones would my coral like better? I plan on adding some sps and clams to my tank as soon as i get the light. What one would be better for my coral? WOuld being too blue not look good? I just cant choose what to buy.

IMO neither is too blue. Color is very subjective. It is impossible for me to throw out a combo that is going to look the best to you. There really isn't going to be a huge difference in the output between the two but the one with the GE and Aquablue lamp will have a little more PAR.

[Lostmind]

Ok, I have to jump on the bandwagon here.

I am looking to setup an open top tank, 36" by 24" by 24".

I am a big SPS fan, and I've seen all these T5 only tanks with killer sps.

My problem is that the T5 kits I see for 36" length are all quite narrow.

For example, the Aquactinics 36" TX5 Series, which is a 5 x 39w unit, is only 10" wide. Would I be better off to run two of these units side by side over my tank? Total of ~390w ((5x39w)x2) in lighting....

If I use two units, what kinda bulb config should I shoot for?

Or should I just go with a mix of a single 250W DE MH and some T5/actinic lighting in a single unit? (250w + (2x39W) for a total of 330w in lighting...

Up front cost is not so much of a concern, but monthly recurring and heat issues are...

Thanks!

[The Grim Reefer]

Assuming you cant do a canopy I would do 2 4 lamp Tek lights.

[Lostmind]

Thanks Grim!

[skype]

Grim,
What kind of corals can I keep with a 3 x 54W T5 setup running on a icecap 660? My tank height is 16". I think I can only fit 3 t5 bulbs. so what can i keep with this setup?
thanks in advance

[The Grim Reefer]

I wouldn't even overdrive. Just use good reflectors and standard ballasts.