The T5 Q&a Thread - Page 11

The Grim Reefer · 02/02/2008, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by snaza
Hi Grim,

you mentioned the Aquaz Blue pro bulbs are Blue and not actinic. Would they be comparable to the ATI Blue plus? the Aquazs are less than half the price in Australia. Would 2 aquaz blue pros be ok in a 6 bulb combo with a fiji purple, ati blue plus, bluespecial and a 10k? or to something else.

Thanks

Aaron

Yeah, they should be fine. Not sure about lamp life but they look nice

The Grim Reefer · 02/02/2008, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by James77
I'm considering/researching switching from MH to T5. I Have a 175 bowfront, the ends are 18", and bow is 24"- with a water depth of 27". I currently run 3 250 watt reeflux 10K's 11" off the water with 2x160 VHO supp.
Would T5's work for me?-It is/wil be a predominately sps, and I prefer a crisp white with tint of blue. I am considering the following setups from reefgeek, all with Icecap ballasts
and reflectors, retrofit:
6x60"- easily fit-I dont mind the 6" on either side-not noticeable
12x39-easily fit
8x60- can fit, with some overhang on front sides

I'd do the 12x39. You could mount the front row in a bit of a V shape to cover the bow sandbed if you keep critters there.

For lamps

Front
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Aquasun
ATI Blue Plus
GE 6500K Daylight
ATI Aquablue
Blue Plus

Larry Waughon · 02/02/2008, 03:16 PM

Hey Grim, This is a recap : I have a 120 gal(4x2x2) SPS reef under 400 w MH. I want to be able to keep sps and a carpet anemone in the tank. I will be going with the solar flare fixture hanging 4-6 inches above my tank. Last question I hope! Which bulbs and in what order?
Thanks so much, Larry

dsn112 · 02/02/2008, 10:21 PM

grim, would a 4 bulb tek outperfom a 6 bulb nova extreme pro if using all new bulbs on the nova?

snaza · 02/03/2008, 02:15 AM

Hi again grim,

ok i finally have my 6 bulbs and after a bit of bulb placement advice. my tank is 48x20x20. bulbs are 54w with individual reflectors. Mainly soft corals but starting a few SPS corals. the SPS are up high in the tank and will be sitting directly under the 4th bulb from the front(fiji purple at the moment). which bulbs would be best for the SPS frags? the order i have my bulbs now are

Front

Aquaz blue pro
Aquaz ocean pro (white 20k)
ATI Blue plus
KZ Fiji purple ( SPS are sitting here)
ATI aqua blue special
20k blue bulb (australian brand)

Is that order ok or would other bulbs be best over the SPS for growth and generally coral happiness

thanks heaps for your time grim.

The Grim Reefer · 02/03/2008, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Larry Waughon
Hey Grim, This is a recap : I have a 120 gal(4x2x2) SPS reef under 400 w MH. I want to be able to keep sps and a carpet anemone in the tank. I will be going with the solar flare fixture hanging 4-6 inches above my tank. Last question I hope! Which bulbs and in what order?
Thanks so much, Larry

Front
ATI Blue Plus
UVL 75/25
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Aquasun
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue

The Grim Reefer · 02/03/2008, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by dsn112
grim, would a 4 bulb tek outperfom a 6 bulb nova extreme pro if using all new bulbs on the nova?

Gonna be close one way or the other. If you use one of those clamp on tank fan arrays to cool the Tek I would put my money on it.

The Grim Reefer · 02/03/2008, 11:01 AM

You're probably good like you have it. The Aquablue and Ocean pro are likely the strongest lamps followed by the FP then Blue Plus.

Quote:

Originally posted by snaza
Hi again grim,

ok i finally have my 6 bulbs and after a bit of bulb placement advice. my tank is 48x20x20. bulbs are 54w with individual reflectors. Mainly soft corals but starting a few SPS corals. the SPS are up high in the tank and will be sitting directly under the 4th bulb from the front(fiji purple at the moment). which bulbs would be best for the SPS frags? the order i have my bulbs now are

Front

Aquaz blue pro
Aquaz ocean pro (white 20k)
ATI Blue plus
KZ Fiji purple ( SPS are sitting here)
ATI aqua blue special
20k blue bulb (australian brand)

Is that order ok or would other bulbs be best over the SPS for growth and generally coral happiness

thanks heaps for your time grim.

EvilE · 02/03/2008, 12:19 PM

Grim should be paid for all this advice and being the "T5 guru"!!!

emoore · 02/03/2008, 12:48 PM

Hi Grim. Thanks for all the advice you give out here. I have a question. I am setting up a 90 gallon that will be mostly SPS with some LPS. I am planning on a six bulb T5 retro. 4 of the bulbs will be overdriven with an IceCap 660 and 2 will be on the Triad balast. I am looking for recommendations for bulbs. I do prefer a slight blue tint (probably around 14K) Thanks.

The Grim Reefer · 02/03/2008, 01:30 PM

Front
ATI blue plus NO
UVL 75/25 OD
ATI Blue Plus OD
UVL Aquasun OD
ATI Aquablue OD
ATI Blue Plus NO

Larry Waughon · 02/03/2008, 02:07 PM

Thanks Grim for all the advise.

jadeguppy · 02/03/2008, 03:07 PM

Grim, I am getting a 4 bulb, individual reflector system with a sylivana (sp?) ballast. I want the colors on the corals to really pop, but still have decent growth. I currently don't like how yellow my mh bulb is. I will be choosing between these brands for bulbs: UVL. Sylvania, and AquaZ. What combination do you suggest?

EvilE · 02/03/2008, 03:15 PM

Grim, so is this the combo of bulbs you recommend for my new retro kit?
Front
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Super Actinic or ATI true blue Actinic
UVL Aquasun
ATI Blue Plus (or Aquablue if you want a brighter, more white look)

and which of these would I have come on first and last? (dusk to dawn) Thanks

AwkwardParrot · 02/03/2008, 11:10 PM

I was directed to this post from another RC member, I'm looking for a PC or T5 set-up for a 75g tank. What do you guys think?

My Thread

Reefbound1 · 02/04/2008, 07:22 PM

Hey Grim, I think all the help you give is great...
I was wondering what you recommend for my mixed reef. I have purple tip acro's,Yellow leather's, pink birbnest, galaxia and torch coral, rose anemone, mixed shrooms reds and blues, pink and blue rics, orange and purple digi's just to name a few...
I have a Nove extreme 8 x 54 (432watt) unit on my tank with the 4 10,000k and 4 actinic bulbs it came with. What bulbs would you recommend for this unit. It thows an enormous amount of light and all is growing and thriveing but some of the colors just dont "pop" out at you. and thanks.

Doc_B · 02/04/2008, 07:28 PM

Hi Grim,
I was woundering, I just got 4 of the new GLO T-5 54w HO for my tank and they did not come with reflectors. How much diffrence does this make?

The Grim Reefer · 02/04/2008, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jadeguppy
Grim, I am getting a 4 bulb, individual reflector system with a sylivana (sp?) ballast. I want the colors on the corals to really pop, but still have decent growth. I currently don't like how yellow my mh bulb is. I will be choosing between these brands for bulbs: UVL. Sylvania, and AquaZ. What combination do you suggest?

If Sylvania has blue lamps do 3 of those and a super actinic UVL. Otherwise use the AquaZ blue Pros for the blue lamps.

The Grim Reefer · 02/04/2008, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by EvilE
Grim, so is this the combo of bulbs you recommend for my new retro kit?
Front
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Super Actinic or ATI true blue Actinic
UVL Aquasun
ATI Blue Plus (or Aquablue if you want a brighter, more white look)

and which of these would I have come on first and last? (dusk to dawn) Thanks

Yeah, Use a Blue Plus and the actinic for Dusk/Dawn

ahullsb · 02/04/2008, 09:57 PM

Hey Grim I had another quick question for you. I am using t5's for supplementation. I just added two ATI blue + bulbs and two KZ Fiji Purples. I didn't realize how red the fiji's seem to be. The dawn/dusk looks more red than anything else. Is this normal? What would you suggest to fix it? 1 more ATI blue? Thanks in advance!

ahullsb · 02/04/2008, 09:58 PM

I forgot to mention that it is a 4 bulb t5 system supplementing two 150 watt Ushio 14k's...

The Grim Reefer · 02/04/2008, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Reefbound1
Hey Grim, I think all the help you give is great...
I was wondering what you recommend for my mixed reef. I have purple tip acro's,Yellow leather's, pink birbnest, galaxia and torch coral, rose anemone, mixed shrooms reds and blues, pink and blue rics, orange and purple digi's just to name a few...
I have a Nove extreme 8 x 54 (432watt) unit on my tank with the 4 10,000k and 4 actinic bulbs it came with. What bulbs would you recommend for this unit. It thows an enormous amount of light and all is growing and thriveing but some of the colors just dont "pop" out at you. and thanks.

Try this

Front
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Aquasun
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Pro Color
ATI Blue Plus
UVL 75/25
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus

The Grim Reefer · 02/04/2008, 10:06 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Doc_B
Hi Grim,
I was woundering, I just got 4 of the new GLO T-5 54w HO for my tank and they did not come with reflectors. How much diffrence does this make?

Reflectors will about double the amount of light making it into the tank.

The Grim Reefer · 02/04/2008, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ahullsb
Hey Grim I had another quick question for you. I am using t5's for supplementation. I just added two ATI blue + bulbs and two KZ Fiji Purples. I didn't realize how red the fiji's seem to be. The dawn/dusk looks more red than anything else. Is this normal? What would you suggest to fix it? 1 more ATI blue? Thanks in advance!

Yeah, try another blue.

anin · 02/05/2008, 12:03 AM

hey grim, you told me about this setup about a year and half ago
blue Plus
Super Actinic
GE 3000k
Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue
Blue Plus

now my super actinic and my 3000k seems like they faded out, what would you recommend now? I liked my setup before but would like a lil bit blue look but still have the pink pop thanks

02/02/2008, 03:16 PM	#253
Larry Waughon Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Pingree Grove, IL Posts: 1,872	Hey Grim, This is a recap : I have a 120 gal(4x2x2) SPS reef under 400 w MH. I want to be able to keep sps and a carpet anemone in the tank. I will be going with the solar flare fixture hanging 4-6 inches above my tank. Last question I hope! Which bulbs and in what order? Thanks so much, Larry __________________ Larry

02/02/2008, 10:21 PM	#254
dsn112 Premium Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: South Jersey Posts: 1,139	grim, would a 4 bulb tek outperfom a 6 bulb nova extreme pro if using all new bulbs on the nova? __________________ I'm disturbed! I'm depressed! I'm inadequate! I got it all!! Current Tank Info: Fluval Edge w LED freshwater. Looking at doing a 20-40g long penninsula fowlr soon

02/03/2008, 02:15 AM	#255
snaza Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Australia Posts: 1,393	Hi again grim, ok i finally have my 6 bulbs and after a bit of bulb placement advice. my tank is 48x20x20. bulbs are 54w with individual reflectors. Mainly soft corals but starting a few SPS corals. the SPS are up high in the tank and will be sitting directly under the 4th bulb from the front(fiji purple at the moment). which bulbs would be best for the SPS frags? the order i have my bulbs now are Front Aquaz blue pro Aquaz ocean pro (white 20k) ATI Blue plus KZ Fiji purple ( SPS are sitting here) ATI aqua blue special 20k blue bulb (australian brand) Is that order ok or would other bulbs be best over the SPS for growth and generally coral happiness thanks heaps for your time grim. __________________ T5 SPS 60x33x20 Display Tank + 50x16x8 Frag Tank - 10x54W ATI Powermodule \| 2 x Tunze 6205 \| Tunze 6105 \| 2 x modded Tunze 6025 \| Polario 15ML (Frag Tank) \| ATB white cone Skimmer with Airstar 1500 \| WM Ecobak in TLF 550 Current Tank Info: 60x33x20 SPS T5 DT + 52x16x8 FT, 4x2x2, 30x10x8 Last edited by snaza; 02/03/2008 at 02:50 AM.

02/03/2008, 12:19 PM	#259
EvilE Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Mesa, AZ Posts: 2,944	Grim should be paid for all this advice and being the "T5 guru"!!! __________________ Targzissians Are Obviously Reptilian Current Tank Info: 55 gallon african cichlid FW, 55 Gallon mixed reef SW

02/03/2008, 01:30 PM	#261
The Grim Reefer Ready for some NOBALL!!! Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Kingman Az Posts: 25,259	Front ATI blue plus NO UVL 75/25 OD ATI Blue Plus OD UVL Aquasun OD ATI Aquablue OD ATI Blue Plus NO __________________ America, the way it outta be! Current Tank Info: 120 Starphire with Illudium Q-288 Photon Regurgitator DIY LED lighting

02/03/2008, 12:48 PM	#260
emoore Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Littleton, CO Posts: 570	Hi Grim. Thanks for all the advice you give out here. I have a question. I am setting up a 90 gallon that will be mostly SPS with some LPS. I am planning on a six bulb T5 retro. 4 of the bulbs will be overdriven with an IceCap 660 and 2 will be on the Triad balast. I am looking for recommendations for bulbs. I do prefer a slight blue tint (probably around 14K) Thanks.

02/03/2008, 02:07 PM	#262
Larry Waughon Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Pingree Grove, IL Posts: 1,872	Thanks Grim for all the advise. __________________ Larry

02/03/2008, 03:07 PM	#263
jadeguppy Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: nw Florida Posts: 2,611	Grim, I am getting a 4 bulb, individual reflector system with a sylivana (sp?) ballast. I want the colors on the corals to really pop, but still have decent growth. I currently don't like how yellow my mh bulb is. I will be choosing between these brands for bulbs: UVL. Sylvania, and AquaZ. What combination do you suggest?

02/03/2008, 03:15 PM	#264
EvilE Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Mesa, AZ Posts: 2,944	Grim, so is this the combo of bulbs you recommend for my new retro kit? Front ATI Blue Plus UVL Super Actinic or ATI true blue Actinic UVL Aquasun ATI Blue Plus (or Aquablue if you want a brighter, more white look) and which of these would I have come on first and last? (dusk to dawn) Thanks __________________ Targzissians Are Obviously Reptilian Current Tank Info: 55 gallon african cichlid FW, 55 Gallon mixed reef SW

02/03/2008, 11:10 PM	#265
AwkwardParrot Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Vernon Posts: 1,368	I was directed to this post from another RC member, I'm looking for a PC or T5 set-up for a 75g tank. What do you guys think? My Thread __________________ ```__\|__' ' ' ---o0o---

02/04/2008, 07:22 PM	#266
Reefbound1 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Kingston,Pa Posts: 58	Hey Grim, I think all the help you give is great... I was wondering what you recommend for my mixed reef. I have purple tip acro's,Yellow leather's, pink birbnest, galaxia and torch coral, rose anemone, mixed shrooms reds and blues, pink and blue rics, orange and purple digi's just to name a few... I have a Nove extreme 8 x 54 (432watt) unit on my tank with the 4 10,000k and 4 actinic bulbs it came with. What bulbs would you recommend for this unit. It thows an enormous amount of light and all is growing and thriveing but some of the colors just dont "pop" out at you. and thanks.

02/04/2008, 07:28 PM	#267
Doc_B Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Wallingford PA Posts: 62	Hi Grim, I was woundering, I just got 4 of the new GLO T-5 54w HO for my tank and they did not come with reflectors. How much diffrence does this make?

02/04/2008, 09:57 PM	#270
ahullsb Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: sacramento, ca Posts: 2,729	Hey Grim I had another quick question for you. I am using t5's for supplementation. I just added two ATI blue + bulbs and two KZ Fiji Purples. I didn't realize how red the fiji's seem to be. The dawn/dusk looks more red than anything else. Is this normal? What would you suggest to fix it? 1 more ATI blue? Thanks in advance! __________________ Andy Sacramento, CA Current Tank Info: 55 gallon reef w/20 gallon sump/ER135/ 75 pounds of live rock, 4 in sandbed, 2 b&w ocellaris clowns, yellow watchman/pistol, rosy scaled wrasse, Mystery wrasse, Copperbanded Butterfly, Lighting 48" outer orbit 2 150 mh/ 4 t5 actinics

02/04/2008, 09:58 PM	#271
ahullsb Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: sacramento, ca Posts: 2,729	I forgot to mention that it is a 4 bulb t5 system supplementing two 150 watt Ushio 14k's... __________________ Andy Sacramento, CA Current Tank Info: 55 gallon reef w/20 gallon sump/ER135/ 75 pounds of live rock, 4 in sandbed, 2 b&w ocellaris clowns, yellow watchman/pistol, rosy scaled wrasse, Mystery wrasse, Copperbanded Butterfly, Lighting 48" outer orbit 2 150 mh/ 4 t5 actinics

02/05/2008, 12:03 AM	#275
anin Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: NJ Posts: 184	hey grim, you told me about this setup about a year and half ago blue Plus Super Actinic GE 3000k Blue Plus ATI Aquablue Blue Plus now my super actinic and my 3000k seems like they faded out, what would you recommend now? I liked my setup before but would like a lil bit blue look but still have the pink pop thanks