The T5 Q&a Thread

[The Grim Reefer]

Originally posted by George Gouveia
thanks for the replay Grim. Only have two more questions Isn't that abit to much midday color? afraid it won't push enough PAR's for the SPS.
And when you say aquablue, you mean the ATI aquablue special right?

Thanks again!

Be fine. The Blue Plus has pretty good PAR and the ATI Aquablue has more PAR that all but the GE Daylight and UVL Aquasun.

And yes, ATI Aqublue

[The Grim Reefer]

Originally posted by Phanman1
Hey Grim,

You had suggested for me to try this bulb config for a 48" constellation fixture

Front
ATI Blue Plus
UVL 75/25
UVL Aquasun
ATI Blue Plus
GE 6500K or ATI Sun Pro
UVL 75/25
Blue Plus

But I was wondering what you thought of this setup? I know you obviously know what your talking about but can you tell me the differences with this setup?

Front
KZ new gen bulb
UVL 75/25
Fiji Purple
KZ new gen bulb
Fiji Purple
UVL 75/25
KZ new gen bulb

Thanks again in advance for your input and explaination.

John

The KZ lamp is about the same as an Aquablue (daylight actinic combo that is a white light with a slight blue tint) but has slightly more blue to it. I still wouldn't call it a blue lamp though. The Fiji Purple is also the same type of lamp but instead of a blue tint it has a more violet tint. The UVL is again like the others a daylight/actinic combo that is basically a white light but have a tint that is slightly red.

That could end up being a very nice combination and your thinking on it is correct as far as threory goes but considering the premium on the KZ pricing not one I would ever try. If you do it be sure and post up pictures

[The Grim Reefer]

Originally posted by roxy25
hey grim another question ,

current usa just released a 20" fixture 6 bulbs

My tank is 20x20x20 would that be good enough for sps ?

I would like to get one for my shallow tank also its 20x20x12 this will only have soft corals

Maybe, my only hesitation is you are married to currents 18" lamps and they only have a couple as far as I know. It will give you enough PAR but you might not get a look you like out of it.

[The Grim Reefer]

Originally posted by JGilvey
Hey Grim,

Looking to outfit a 24x8x9h nano with a 2-bulb 24" HO retro. Could you recommend one along with a pair of bulbs?

Thanks (again),

Jack

Current should have something that will fit. Any of the 24" fitures will work. For lamps do an ATI Blue Plus and Aquablue.

[The Grim Reefer]

Originally posted by Sara B
Grim - Looking for a recommendation for T-5 bulbs on my 92 corner tank. Can't fit a full fixture, so I'm going with IceCap Ballasts and IceCap reflectors. I currently run a 24W and a 39W ATI Blus Plus for supplemental lighting with the 2 MH Pendants. The MH's are going and the new config will be as follows with room for 5 bulbs only:

24W
24W
39W
39W
39W

It's a LPS tank with mostly Acans and Micro's. I'd like to pop some of the reds, purples and pinks on the corals!


Thanks in advance!

Front (39 watt)
Blue Plus
Aquablue
Aquasun
Blue Plus
Aquablue

[The Grim Reefer]

Not sure if there is a question in there or not

Yeas that would be a good combo for the tank listed.

EDIT: Found the question.

You could add another actinic in place of a blue plus and use a blue plus in place of an aquablue if you think the PAR is just too high. Before I switched things too much I would shut down (remove) a couple lamps (Aquablue and Aquasun) for a week or two and see if the critters respond. They may just need to acclimate to the light.

Originally posted by schwenkl
Nova Extreme 8x54 fixture for my setup which is: a basic; softies bottom, LPS middle, few easy level SPS top and possibly some clams on the rocks. 90 gal 48x24x18.

Now with (Your suggestion for the best setup for lamp and critters):
Front:
Blue Plus
Super Actinic
Aquasun
Aquablue (put the Blue Plus back, was really white and bright)
Aquasun (put in Pro Color as suggestion from Reef Geeks)
Blue Plus
Aquablue
Blue Plus

Switched out the Aquablue with a 75/25 that was in that spot previously to tone it down until I can make an order. For more blue, this is the part totally out of my understanding, should I go for the Blue Plus having more PAR or is that what is also adding to things not opening anymore?

Thanks Grim.

[The Grim Reefer]

Originally posted by dsun
Hi 2 quick questions:

1) is there much of a difference between the ATI Blue+ and the Giesemann Actinic+ bulb? The spectral graphs seem to be the same. Your informal PAR readings from the T5 pictures thread seemed to show the Giesemann to be just a little bit higher. Any negatives for them relative to the ATI?

2) Looking at the MD site, I saw the UVL VHO Lamps URI Fluorescent Bulbs. Their wattage is signficantly higher for the length- 75W vs. typical 24W. Can these bulbs be used in a normal fixture? Do I need to overdrive them or use a 75W ballast? How about the 180 degree reflector built in? I got 4x fixture but it doesn't have individual reflectors right now. Wondering if the bulbs with internal ones are something I should consider getting.

Thanks!

I think you are confusing T12 VHO lamps which have internal reflectors (some at least) and the T5 VHO lamp which is really just a beefed up HO T5 that will better withstand being overdriven by an Ice Cap ballast.

[The Grim Reefer]

Originally posted by solitude127
Hello all,
I’ve been reading a lot of these post and I can’t seem to find any suggestions for a 54 watt 5 bulb configuration. I have a 90 gallon 48l x 18d x 24h. 4 of the bulbs are being OD by an IceCap 660 and 1 bulb is on a normal ballast. Currently I have a lot of LPS, a few acros and a couple of clams. I’m looking more of bluish look as opposed to the 10k look. Any suggestions? Thanks

Run a UVL Super Actinic on the Normally driven ballast, 2 Blue Pluses, 1 UVL Aquasun and a ATI Aquablue on the Ice Cap

[dsun]

Originally posted by The Grim Reefer
I think you are confusing T12 VHO lamps which have internal reflectors (some at least) and the T5 VHO lamp which is really just a beefed up HO T5 that will better withstand being overdriven by an Ice Cap ballast.

Ah yea I think I was overlooking an important detail...

How about my first question-
1) is there much of a difference between the ATI Blue+ and the Giesemann Actinic+ bulb? The spectral graphs seem to be the same. Your informal PAR readings from the T5 pictures thread seemed to show the Giesemann to be just a little bit higher. Any negatives for them relative to the ATI?

Thanks!

[The Grim Reefer]

Yeah, just noticed I missed the first question/

After a 100 hour burn in the blue plus had a little more PAR than the Actinic Plus.

Previously the ATI had done much better than the Giesemann and It still might. I will be taking another PAR reading next week for a two month reality check. The look of the lamps is the same.

[hapka16]

Hi Grim. I had a quick question for you. I am running 6 x 39 watt T5HO lights on my 29 gallon mixed reef tank. How long should i be running the lights for. I have two seperate timers, one for the actinics and one for the 10K lights. Thanks in advance for the help...i just want to know what would be overkill and what would be too little. Peace!

[The Grim Reefer]

Run the actinics for around 12 hours, the others around 10 hour.

[teetimefun]

Grim,

After installing the bulb combination you recommended I am seeing much faster growth than with the old combo. The slight bit of red brings out the color in my SPS much more and the overall look went from about a 10k bulb to a 14k which is perfect for me. Thank you for taking the time to look over my choices and recommending a combination I like. The added grwth rate is a big plus too thanks again.

Paul

[SunnyX]

UPDATE:

Well the Aquactinic Constellation 7x54W fixture came it today and i must say it is very well built. I first put in the aquablues and Blue+'s only and WOW was it bright! It gives off a really nice, clean white with a dash of blue. It looks perfect.

I them took one of the Aquablues out and put in the ATi Pro Color. The bulb is pure red, almost a dark orange. The other bulbs around it and so bright that the pro color makes no difference. Maybe I will see a difference when the tank is setup. I lit up the fixture over the empty stand after hanging it. I also took some pics.

One thing I did notice was the Pro Color was very dim. The edges of the bulb were twice as bright as the rest of the bulb. Is this normal?

All said I am very happy with the fixture and bulb combo.

This is how I have them running:

Front
Aquablue
Blue Plus
Aquablue
Blue Plus
Aquablue
Blue Plus
Aquablue

[footbagger311]

I don't feel like reading through all of these pages so I'll ask here, I bought a Nova Extreme/Pro? 72" T5 HO 12x39 fixture. Anyone have one and have any comments about it?

[lastlight]

I'm thinking of all T5's for my 225 gallon (72L x 30W x 24H)

I want to user the iceap/slr retrofit or the aquactinics constellation.

Retro: Either 2 sets of rows of 39w or just a single set of rows of the 80w which wouldn't quite cover my 6 foot tank. I've been told this wouldn't be a big deal.

I want to keep mostly SPS with some LPS.

Which option do you recommend for retro, how many bulbs should I use front-to-back and which combination of bulbs? I like a crisp white/blue look.

Or should I just buy the fixture? Either option will be in an open top floating canopy...


Thanks!

Brett

[chowtownreefer]

hi all i have a 210 gal and wanting to go over to T5s would a 72" Nova Extreme Pro 12x39watt.. would i be able to keep sps with this? tanks 29 inch tall. any help would be great

[The Grim Reefer]

Originally posted by SunnyX
UPDATE:

Well the Aquactinic Constellation 7x54W fixture came it today and i must say it is very well built. I first put in the aquablues and Blue+'s only and WOW was it bright! It gives off a really nice, clean white with a dash of blue. It looks perfect.

I them took one of the Aquablues out and put in the ATi Pro Color. The bulb is pure red, almost a dark orange. The other bulbs around it and so bright that the pro color makes no difference. Maybe I will see a difference when the tank is setup. I lit up the fixture over the empty stand after hanging it. I also took some pics.

One thing I did notice was the Pro Color was very dim. The edges of the bulb were twice as bright as the rest of the bulb. Is this normal?

All said I am very happy with the fixture and bulb combo.

This is how I have them running:

Front
Aquablue
Blue Plus
Aquablue
Blue Plus
Aquablue
Blue Plus
Aquablue

Until you get some coraline and critters in the tank you wont notice a huge difference witth the pro color. If you have something pink purple or orange, even a piece of paper try putting it in a dark room with just aquablue and blue plus lamps running then add in the pro color and you will see the difference.

The lamp just has to burn in and then it will light even all the wy across.

As far as your lamp placement gos you want to make sure you always have a fan running. The fans are tied into the ballasts that drive lamps 1,4 and 7, 3&5 so I would throw the Blue Pluses into the 3 & 5 pair. You want 2&7 (No fan control) to be the last pair on.

[The Grim Reefer]

Originally posted by footbagger311
I don't feel like reading through all of these pages so I'll ask here, I bought a Nova Extreme/Pro? 72" T5 HO 12x39 fixture. Anyone have one and have any comments about it?

Dude or Dudette

You come off like you have a serious tude problem with the "I don't feel like reading through all these pages". I understand not wanting to look for the needle in the haystack but you could have worded that a lot differently. Sometimes I don't feel like answering the same questions 10 times a day Not trying to bust your chops or nothing.

Anyway I had a chance to play with the 48" version of the Pro Nova and it isn't bad, they are getting closer to the Tek's but they need to improve the reflectors a bit. I don't know that I would try clams under it but properly placed SPS would be fine as long as the tank isn't over about 24" tall. Hopefully someone with a 72" fixture will chime in as well.

Or you can check out this thread

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?

[The Grim Reefer]

Originally posted by lastlight
I'm thinking of all T5's for my 225 gallon (72L x 30W x 24H)

I want to user the iceap/slr retrofit or the aquactinics constellation.

Retro: Either 2 sets of rows of 39w or just a single set of rows of the 80w which wouldn't quite cover my 6 foot tank. I've been told this wouldn't be a big deal.

I want to keep mostly SPS with some LPS.

Which option do you recommend for retro, how many bulbs should I use front-to-back and which combination of bulbs? I like a crisp white/blue look.

Or should I just buy the fixture? Either option will be in an open top floating canopy...


Thanks!

Brett

With the floating canopy the light will be a little higher up off the water I assume.

I would do 8 rows of 2x 39 watt retros overdriven. reefgeek has the Ice Cap T5 retros, The ones they list as T5 VHO are the ones with the ice cap ballasts which will overdrive the lamps. You do need to run a fan blowing in from the rear of the canopy at each end of the lamps to keep them from getting too hot. One at the left and right side and a third larger fan in the center should work.

For lamps

Front
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue
UVL Aquasun
UVL Super Actinic
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Aquasun or GE 6500K Daylight
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus

[The Grim Reefer]

Originally posted by chowtownreefer
hi all i have a 210 gal and wanting to go over to T5s would a 72" Nova Extreme Pro 12x39watt.. would i be able to keep sps with this? tanks 29 inch tall. any help would be great

Nova aint gonna cut it for that tank.

Aquactinics Constellation would let you keep some SPS but if you want to get serious a retro like I reccoed in the above post is the way to go.

[JGilvey]

Originally posted by The Grim Reefer
Current should have something that will fit. Any of the 24" fitures will work. For lamps do an ATI Blue Plus and Aquablue.

Thanks, Grim. ReefGeek has this retro kit that comes with bulbs and they carry ATI...look cool?




On an even smaller nano note, I happened to be in Petco yesterday and saw a 12", 8w, 8000k T5 put out by AGA. Said "Made in Germany" on it. Is there nothing else really in <24" T5's? I'd love to T5 my 12" cube, but nada. What could I use to get a couple of those AGA T5s over my (planted) cube? Think they could be OD?

[m0rg4n]

Originally posted by footbagger311
I don't feel like reading through all of these pages so I'll ask here, I bought a Nova Extreme/Pro? 72" T5 HO 12x39 fixture. Anyone have one and have any comments about it?

I have one and I'm very satisfied. Very good light output with very little heat - and a great price (got it back in January for $584 on sale)! I'm currently running the stock bulbs, but I just got the configuration ordered from reefgeek that Grim advised (bulbs will be here on Thursday, and in the special instructions I paid homage to you Grim!) so I'll post next weekend and let you know what I think of the new bulbs.

[footbagger311]

Originally posted by The Grim Reefer
Dude or Dudette

You come off like you have a serious tude problem with the "I don't feel like reading through all these pages". I understand not wanting to look for the needle in the haystack but you could have worded that a lot differently. Sometimes I don't feel like answering the same questions 10 times a day Not trying to bust your chops or nothing.

Anyway I had a chance to play with the 48" version of the Pro Nova and it isn't bad, they are getting closer to the Tek's but they need to improve the reflectors a bit. I don't know that I would try clams under it but properly placed SPS would be fine as long as the tank isn't over about 24" tall. Hopefully someone with a 72" fixture will chime in as well.

Or you can check out this thread

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?

Sorry about that, it was late when I posted that and I was kind of in a hurry to get to bed. But thank you for your input.

[JohnL]

This thread was automatically split due to performance issues. You can find the rest of the thread here: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...readid=1429542