The T5 Q&a Thread - split - Page 2

bellis31 · 11/21/2011, 01:43 PM

I have a 4 bulb T5 lamp 4x39watt 36" setup.. from what I have been reading I was wondering if this was the best setup for PAR and color on a mixed coral tank? (I have no corals yet..new tank)40 breeder... 16" tall

Front
ATI Blue +
ATI Purple +
ATI Blue +
KZ new gen ?? or ATI Blue +
Back

and is this order right?

Thanks!

Mcagigas · 11/21/2011, 08:23 PM

Hello Grim,

I am about to replace the lamps on my AquaticLife T5 HO 6-Lamp Light Fixture. I am looking to bring out the best colors (pink, purple, blues, green) on my SPS tank and also get some growth going. I was told to either use ATI or Giesemann Powerchrome lamps. Would you provide advice on which lamps and arrangements to go with.

Thank you

____________________________________________
AquaticLife T5 HO 6-Lamp Light Fixture 48" 54W
120 GL SPS, some LPS Reef Tank

FranktheTankTx · 11/21/2011, 08:41 PM

Grim -

Let's hypothetically say that I purchased (3) AI Sol Blue to go over 115g (48lx30wx18h)... What (2) T5 bulbs would you suggest to add a little pop to the pink/reds that the AI doesn't bring out as well due to it's blue/white limitations?

Thinking about ATI Purple Plus... But two? Or throw an ATI Actinic on the back & Purple + on the front?

Thanks for your help!!

The Grim Reefer · 11/21/2011, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drwilliams.52

I'm needing to replace the bulbs on my 8x54w Sunpower. I have a pretty even mix of lps and sps with a couple rbta's in a 5ft x 2ft x 2ft tank. I'd prefer a 14-20k look. What bulbs would you suggest.

5 Blue Plus 2 Purple Plus and a GE6500K

The Grim Reefer · 11/21/2011, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by krzyphsygy

Hi Grim, I hear your the person to talk to about t-5's. If you could please take a look at my question I would be grateful, as I do not have any eperience with these bulbs.
I have a "Current" fixture 2x250watt 13k Geissman HQI's and " Current" 4 54watt t-5s. 2 of the t5's are actinic 420 and the other two are 460 actinic.
I am going to be keep mostly SPS corals. I like a real strong blue look in the tank. But dont want to sacrifice par. Kinda strong 20k feel, really blue. The t5s I have now, seem like they have a light color to them as I used to have 10k hqis and the 10k was super strong and a real green look in the tank. I hated that.

What colors would you suggest? I will have many different colored corals in the tank and just want the SPS corals to pop. Thanks

With the 13K Halides go with 4 ATI Blue Plus lamps. Good Color and a lot of additional PAR.

The Grim Reefer · 11/21/2011, 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ruggerkc

I had 3 giesmann actinc+ and 3 midday. I swithched a midday with a giesmann aquablue+. You were right, I need more help. What would you do with this mess. Fixtrure is a solar flare.

Thanks so much for what you do!

Get it to 4 Actinic Plus or ATI Blue Plus (or Combination of the two) an ATI Purple Plus and the Midday. If you don't want to buy new lamps 2 Midday with 4 of the Plus lamps would look OK

The Grim Reefer · 11/21/2011, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bellis31

I have a 4 bulb T5 lamp 4x39watt 36" setup.. from what I have been reading I was wondering if this was the best setup for PAR and color on a mixed coral tank? (I have no corals yet..new tank)40 breeder... 16" tall

Front
ATI Blue +
ATI Purple +
ATI Blue +
KZ new gen ?? or ATI Blue +
Back

and is this order right?

Thanks!

Either will be fine. The 3rd Blue Plus will make it a more 20K look.

The Grim Reefer · 11/21/2011, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mcagigas

Hello Grim,

I am about to replace the lamps on my AquaticLife T5 HO 6-Lamp Light Fixture. I am looking to bring out the best colors (pink, purple, blues, green) on my SPS tank and also get some growth going. I was told to either use ATI or Giesemann Powerchrome lamps. Would you provide advice on which lamps and arrangements to go with.

Thank you

____________________________________________
AquaticLife T5 HO 6-Lamp Light Fixture 48" 54W
120 GL SPS, some LPS Reef Tank

Front
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Purple Plus
GE 6500K
Blue Plus
Blue Plus

The Grim Reefer · 11/21/2011, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FranktheTankTx

Grim -

Let's hypothetically say that I purchased (3) AI Sol Blue to go over 115g (48lx30wx18h)... What (2) T5 bulbs would you suggest to add a little pop to the pink/reds that the AI doesn't bring out as well due to it's blue/white limitations?

Thinking about ATI Purple Plus... But two? Or throw an ATI Actinic on the back & Purple + on the front?

Thanks for your help!!

Actinic up front and Purple plus behind.

You have learned well grasshopper.

A. Grandis · 11/21/2011, 11:20 PM

Hey Grim, every year I come to this thread to talk about the new bulbs for my 6 bulb ATI PM.

This is what I've got today:
FRONT
ATI Aquablue special
Aquamedic Reef Blue
ATI Blue Plus
Aquamedic Reef White
Aquamedic Reef Blue
ATI Blue Plus

I had the Aquamedic bulbs and used them last year, but won't keep that schedule.
The Aquamedic Reef White makes the tank look a little too yellow.
I want a blue/white balance at this time.

Ok, time to change again and I've got 3 different schedules to choose from for my zoa tank:

#1:
FRONT
ATI Aquablue special
UVL Super Actinic
ATI Purple Plus or UVL 75/25 aquablue
ATI Aquablue special
UVL Super Actinic
ATI Blue Plus

#2:
FRONT
Actinic white
UVL Super actinic
ATI Blue plus
GE 6500K
UVL Super actinic
ATI Blue Plus.

#3
FRONT
UVL Indigo Sun
UVL Super actinic
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Indigo Sun
UVL Super actinic
ATI Blue Plus

Bulb #2 and bulb # 5 (from the front) are the ones for the early morning/ late evening effects.

Please let me know what you think.
Looking for a cleaner white end.
Thanks.

Grandis.

A. Grandis · 11/21/2011, 11:39 PM

Hello again Grim:

Do you have any list of the PAR for most of the bulbs we see listed in this thread?
That would great to see a simple comparison of them.
Thanks again!

Grandis.

jonnybravo22 · 11/22/2011, 12:35 AM

Probably tired of answering this, but it seems you're still actively helping people out here so i'll take a shot:

Getting a giesemann infiniti 1 x 250W MH + 4x 24W T5 fixture. Thinking of the Phoenix 14K MH and not sure on the four T5s.

Suggestions?

Was considering maybe:

1 ATI Blue Plus
1 454 UVL Actinic
1 KZ Fiji Purple
1 Giesmann AquaPink

(but you guys might throw up on that. please let me know)

pwoller · 11/22/2011, 01:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonnybravo22

Probably tired of answering this, but it seems you're still actively helping people out here so i'll take a shot:

Getting a giesemann infiniti 1 x 250W MH + 4x 24W T5 fixture. Thinking of the Phoenix 14K MH and not sure on the four T5s.

Suggestions?

Was considering maybe:

1 ATI Blue Plus
1 454 UVL Actinic
1 KZ Fiji Purple
1 Giesmann AquaPink

(but you guys might throw up on that. please let me know)

I'd run 4 blue plus.

jonnybravo22 · 11/22/2011, 01:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pwoller

I'd run 4 blue plus.

rationale please? thnx

The Grim Reefer · 11/22/2011, 01:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A. Grandis

Hey Grim, every year I come to this thread to talk about the new bulbs for my 6 bulb ATI PM.

This is what I've got today:
FRONT
ATI Aquablue special
Aquamedic Reef Blue
ATI Blue Plus
Aquamedic Reef White
Aquamedic Reef Blue
ATI Blue Plus

I had the Aquamedic bulbs and used them last year, but won't keep that schedule.
The Aquamedic Reef White makes the tank look a little too yellow.
I want a blue/white balance at this time.

Ok, time to change again and I've got 3 different schedules to choose from for my zoa tank:

#1:
FRONT
ATI Aquablue special
UVL Super Actinic
ATI Purple Plus or UVL 75/25 aquablue
ATI Aquablue special
UVL Super Actinic
ATI Blue Plus

#2:
FRONT
Actinic white
UVL Super actinic
ATI Blue plus
GE 6500K
UVL Super actinic
ATI Blue Plus.

#3
FRONT
UVL Indigo Sun
UVL Super actinic
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Indigo Sun
UVL Super actinic
ATI Blue Plus

Bulb #2 and bulb # 5 (from the front) are the ones for the early morning/ late evening effects.

Please let me know what you think.
Looking for a cleaner white end.
Thanks.

Grandis.

I'd do 4 Blue Plus 1 Purple Plus and a ATI Aquablue. The Blue Pluses have all the actinic you need, You could use one in a dusk/dawn position, that's their best use cause once all the lights are on you really can't tell there's one in there.

pwoller · 11/22/2011, 02:05 AM

So do we change out bulbs after a year because the PAR drops off? I guess the real question is if the PAR drops is that the reason to change out bulbs? Or does something else happen with T5's that would make changing them out happen?

jonnybravo22 · 11/22/2011, 02:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonnybravo22

Probably tired of answering this, but it seems you're still actively helping people out here so i'll take a shot:

Getting a giesemann infiniti 1 x 250W MH + 4x 24W T5 fixture. Thinking of the Phoenix 14K MH and not sure on the four T5s.

Suggestions?

Was considering maybe:

1 ATI Blue Plus
1 454 UVL Actinic
1 KZ Fiji Purple
1 Giesmann AquaPink

(but you guys might throw up on that. please let me know)

by the way its all SPS and an anemone. opinions please! thnx

A. Grandis · 11/22/2011, 02:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Grim Reefer

I'd do 4 Blue Plus 1 Purple Plus and a ATI Aquablue. The Blue Pluses have all the actinic you need, You could use one in a dusk/dawn position, that's their best use cause once all the lights are on you really can't tell there's one in there.

Hi Gim,
Thanks a lot for the help.

My ATI PM has the bulbs 2 and 5 connected for dusk/dawn.
So, maybe the correct position for the bulbs would be:

FRONT
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Blue Plus (dusk/down)
ATI Purple Plus
ATI Aquablue Special
ATI Blue Plus (dusk/down)
ATI Blue Plus

Right?

And if I would like to try to add another Aquablue Special I could:

FRONT
ATI Aquablue Special
ATI Blue Plus (dusk/down)
ATI Purple Plus
ATI Aqua Blue Special
ATI Blue Plus (dusk/down)
ATI Blue Plus

Correct?

Yeap, I think the higher PAR will be very welcome by the zoas I've got!!

Thanks again!!!
Grandis.

A. Grandis · 11/22/2011, 02:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A. Grandis

Hello again Grim:

Do you have any list of the PAR for most of the bulbs we see listed in this thread?
That would great to see a simple comparison of them.
Thanks again!

Grandis.

Never mind Grim. I've found the list:

"Aquascience Special:
15K 320*
DUO 15K 334*
22000K Blue 302*

AquaZ:
Sun Pro 285
Ocean Pro 323
Blue Pro 266

ATI:
Sun Pro 357
Aquablue special 336
Blue Plus 311
Actinic 137 (Old Style)
Pro Color 215 vs 300 for a UVL Aquasun in a later test

Current Sun Paq:
Daylight 10K 272
Blue 252

D&D/Giesemann:
Midday 325
Aquablue 324
Actinic Plus 264
Pure Actinic 157

General Electric:
GE Daylight 340
GE3000 319*

Helios:
Daylight 309
Super Blue 225

KZ:
Coral Light 342*
Fiji Purple 330*
New gen is 330 a true 15,000k bulb that burns into a little whiter after 6 months

UVL:
Aqua sun 345
Actinic White 293
Super Actinic 210
75/25 "Aquablue" 254 vs 300 for an Aquasun in a later test. "

Thanks again!!!

rtparty · 11/22/2011, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonnybravo22

by the way its all SPS and an anemone. opinions please! thnx

3 ATI Blue Plus and 1 ATI Purple Plus.

It will bring out some colors that all the blue will miss by using one purple bulb. Your mix is terribly pink and will look like...well it will look bad.

rtparty · 11/22/2011, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A. Grandis

Hi Gim,
Thanks a lot for the help.

My ATI PM has the bulbs 2 and 5 connected for dusk/dawn.
So, maybe the correct position for the bulbs would be:

FRONT
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Blue Plus (dusk/down)
ATI Purple Plus
ATI Aquablue Special
ATI Blue Plus (dusk/down)
ATI Blue Plus

Right?

And if I would like to try to add another Aquablue Special I could:

FRONT
ATI Aquablue Special
ATI Blue Plus (dusk/down)
ATI Purple Plus
ATI Aqua Blue Special
ATI Blue Plus (dusk/down)
ATI Blue Plus

Correct?

Yeap, I think the higher PAR will be very welcome by the zoas I've got!!

Thanks again!!!
Grandis.

Do the first mix. The second mix will be a lot whiter than you think.

rtparty · 11/22/2011, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pwoller

So do we change out bulbs after a year because the PAR drops off? I guess the real question is if the PAR drops is that the reason to change out bulbs? Or does something else happen with T5's that would make changing them out happen?

PAR drops off and the spectra of the bulbs will shift.

Non cooled T5s need to be replaced every 6 months.

Semi-cooled T5s can make it to about 9 months.

Properly cooled T5's like those in an ATI fixture, can go 12 months.

E.intheC · 11/22/2011, 09:50 AM

I have an aquactinics fixture with 5 bulbs. Currently, I have 3x blue+ (1st,3rd, and 5th bulb) and a purple+ (2nd) and aquablue (4th position). I'm not a fan of the aquablue or the GE 6500 in this application (have tried both). I'm going for a 20,000K look. Would the addition of a blue+ bulb work here, or should I go with something else? Tank is a mixed LPS/Zoa tank (90 gallon, 2foot depth).

rtparty · 11/22/2011, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by E.intheC

I have an aquactinics fixture with 5 bulbs. Currently, I have 3x blue+ (1st,3rd, and 5th bulb) and a purple+ (2nd) and aquablue (4th position). I'm not a fan of the aquablue or the GE 6500 in this application (have tried both). I'm going for a 20,000K look. Would the addition of a blue+ bulb work here, or should I go with something else? Tank is a mixed LPS/Zoa tank (90 gallon, 2foot depth).

Another blue plus or the kz new generation will work.

Mcagigas · 11/22/2011, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Grim Reefer

Front
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Purple Plus
GE 6500K
Blue Plus
Blue Plus

Thank you Grim, I will order the lghts and will provide pictures of how it looks.

11/21/2011, 01:43 PM	#26
bellis31 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Sacramento, Ca Posts: 1,021	I have a 4 bulb T5 lamp 4x39watt 36" setup.. from what I have been reading I was wondering if this was the best setup for PAR and color on a mixed coral tank? (I have no corals yet..new tank)40 breeder... 16" tall Front ATI Blue + ATI Purple + ATI Blue + KZ new gen ?? or ATI Blue + Back and is this order right? Thanks! __________________ 80g Custom + 29g Sump BM Curve 5 Skimmer - Eheim 1262 Return Pump 2 Vortech MP10wes + 2 Vortech MP40wes 2 Radion G3's + Apex Jr Controller + WXM

11/21/2011, 08:41 PM	#28
FranktheTankTx Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 2,306	Grim - Let's hypothetically say that I purchased (3) AI Sol Blue to go over 115g (48lx30wx18h)... What (2) T5 bulbs would you suggest to add a little pop to the pink/reds that the AI doesn't bring out as well due to it's blue/white limitations? Thinking about ATI Purple Plus... But two? Or throw an ATI Actinic on the back & Purple + on the front? Thanks for your help!! __________________ Frank the Tank "What, I thought we were in the trust tree... in the nest? Are we not?" Current Tank Info: Custom Rimless 60g (30.5"x24.5"x18.5")

11/22/2011, 09:50 AM	#48
E.intheC Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Long Island NY Posts: 5,373	I have an aquactinics fixture with 5 bulbs. Currently, I have 3x blue+ (1st,3rd, and 5th bulb) and a purple+ (2nd) and aquablue (4th position). I'm not a fan of the aquablue or the GE 6500 in this application (have tried both). I'm going for a 20,000K look. Would the addition of a blue+ bulb work here, or should I go with something else? Tank is a mixed LPS/Zoa tank (90 gallon, 2foot depth). __________________ -Eric

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11/21/2011, 08:23 PM	#27
Mcagigas Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: NJ Posts: 11	Hello Grim, I am about to replace the lamps on my AquaticLife T5 HO 6-Lamp Light Fixture. I am looking to bring out the best colors (pink, purple, blues, green) on my SPS tank and also get some growth going. I was told to either use ATI or Giesemann Powerchrome lamps. Would you provide advice on which lamps and arrangements to go with. Thank you ____________________________________________ AquaticLife T5 HO 6-Lamp Light Fixture 48" 54W 120 GL SPS, some LPS Reef Tank

11/21/2011, 11:20 PM	#35
A. Grandis Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Honolulu Posts: 3,418	Hey Grim, every year I come to this thread to talk about the new bulbs for my 6 bulb ATI PM. This is what I've got today: FRONT ATI Aquablue special Aquamedic Reef Blue ATI Blue Plus Aquamedic Reef White Aquamedic Reef Blue ATI Blue Plus I had the Aquamedic bulbs and used them last year, but won't keep that schedule. The Aquamedic Reef White makes the tank look a little too yellow. I want a blue/white balance at this time. Ok, time to change again and I've got 3 different schedules to choose from for my zoa tank: #1: FRONT ATI Aquablue special UVL Super Actinic ATI Purple Plus or UVL 75/25 aquablue ATI Aquablue special UVL Super Actinic ATI Blue Plus #2: FRONT Actinic white UVL Super actinic ATI Blue plus GE 6500K UVL Super actinic ATI Blue Plus. #3 FRONT UVL Indigo Sun UVL Super actinic ATI Blue Plus UVL Indigo Sun UVL Super actinic ATI Blue Plus Bulb #2 and bulb # 5 (from the front) are the ones for the early morning/ late evening effects. Please let me know what you think. Looking for a cleaner white end. Thanks. Grandis.

11/21/2011, 11:39 PM	#36
A. Grandis Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Honolulu Posts: 3,418	Hello again Grim: Do you have any list of the PAR for most of the bulbs we see listed in this thread? That would great to see a simple comparison of them. Thanks again! Grandis.

11/22/2011, 12:35 AM	#37
jonnybravo22 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 1,128	Probably tired of answering this, but it seems you're still actively helping people out here so i'll take a shot: Getting a giesemann infiniti 1 x 250W MH + 4x 24W T5 fixture. Thinking of the Phoenix 14K MH and not sure on the four T5s. Suggestions? Was considering maybe: 1 ATI Blue Plus 1 454 UVL Actinic 1 KZ Fiji Purple 1 Giesmann AquaPink (but you guys might throw up on that. please let me know)

11/22/2011, 02:05 AM	#41
pwoller Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Indianapolis, Indiana Posts: 1,163	So do we change out bulbs after a year because the PAR drops off? I guess the real question is if the PAR drops is that the reason to change out bulbs? Or does something else happen with T5's that would make changing them out happen?