The T5 Q&a Thread

[The Grim Reefer]

Originally posted by drtrash
Can anyone fill me in on light acclimation. New to T-5 and bright light system. Last system was 180 watt PC and it is dim compared to new T-5.
Thanks

You can throw a couple layers of window screen over the tank. Just pull a layer each week.

[The Grim Reefer]

Originally posted by roshan
Hi Grim,

Many thanks for the reply. The fixture(s) I'll be using are deltec twin t5 units and one 1 single deltec retro unit - so in total 3xtwin deltec 54w retro units and 1x54w deltec single retro unit. Would these be sufficient or would you recommend something like a ati sunpower 6/8 bulb unit. I'd prefer to get away with the deltec's as I already have them. Many thanks in advance.

Roshan

They should be fine. Those look to have a decent reflector

[The Grim Reefer]

Originally posted by jshepherd
quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by jshepherd
Yet another suggestion please. I already have a Nova extreme PRO 72" 12x 39w bulb. I wanted the tek but wanted one fixture. I am on a 150 long 72x18x28

I am running a fowlr tank and do not intend to get into reef or at least not for a long time.

I seen this combo suggested

Front
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Super Actinic
UVL Aquasun
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Aquasun
ATI Blue Plus

If this will work which ones should be on which switch. Thanks and sorry for another repetitive question.



Thanks so much Grim. I will just swap the Uvl superactinic for the Ati aqua blue.

Has any one swapped the stock bulbs on the nova extreme pro to better bulbs like these? The bulbs are only 2 months old I just am trying to decide if it is worth swapping them now ow waiting till a bulb swap is required..

Honestly it's never too soon to get rid of the cheap lamps but they should be alright for 6 months or so. Move the lamps so you get 2 blue plus and an actinic on one switch for dusk/dawn

[The Grim Reefer]

Originally posted by jerome736
Hi Grim,

I currently am using your suggested bulbs with my 4x39w setup and I'm loving it. However, I am upgrading from a 40 breeder to a 36x24x18 (roughly 67 gallons). Roughly an additional 6 inches of front to back depth. I'm planning on adding 2 more bulbs to the current setup.

The current bulbs I have are:

ATI Super Actinic
ATI Blueplus
UVL Aquasun
ATI Blueplus

What would you suggest for 2 additional bulbs and what order to place them?

Thanks!

Throw a blue plus infront of the actinicf and put an Aquablue between the aquasun and rear Blue Plus

[The Grim Reefer]

Originally posted by jlwagner
Hello,

I am starting to get back into saltwater after a long while away and recently found this forum. I had already purchased a T5 retrofit kit off of Ebay when I found this thread, and wanted to know if anyone had seen this kit, and if these ballasts drive the bulbs at 39 watts or if they overdrive them.



Here is a picture of the kit itself. It is going over a Oceanic 58. I am just looking to keep LPS, a pistol shrimp and goby, and possibly an anemone with clowns once the tank is established and mature(over a year old and stable). I have really slowed down the process since I found the forum, and really just want to set everything up correctly the first time.



Also, recommendations on bulbs would be helpful, as right now I just have what came with the light which is :

4x39 TOTA Sunbright 10k

4x39 CA 6500K

8 dimmable moonlights.

The kit comes with 4 ballasts, I assume each running 2 bulbs, and 3 cords. 4 T5's on each cord, and a separate cord with dimmer switch for the moonlights.

Thanks for any help and information you can give me on this setup.

Pretty "budget minded" system. Good lamps will help some.

Get 4 Blue Plus 2 UVL Aquasuns 1 UVL Super Actinic and 1 UVL 75/25

[The Grim Reefer]

Originally posted by BubbaPhish
Grim sorry to post again with a question that may have been answered before.......... I have honestly tried to read all post on this discussion, but here goes:

I have been put on a wait list for 2 10x39 watt PowerModules for my 72x24x29 tank.
Bulb wise I was thinking for each fixture:
3 blue plus
3 aquablues
2 super actinics
1 fiji purple
1 pro color

Any thoughts on this bulb combo? Tank will be mixed reef.
Thanks in advance

Should be pretty much white with a slight purplish blue tint to the light.

[The Grim Reefer]

Originally posted by rs1831
Hello Grim,
I have 2 tanks and its time to purchase new bulbs and I was hoping that you could suggest some combinations. My first tank is a 40 gallon mixed sps and lps and I'm using a 5 bulb aquactinics and then other is a 4 bulb unit over a 29 mostly softy tank.
thanks,
Roland

TX5

front
Blue Plus
Super Actinic
Aquasun
Blue Plus
Aquablue

4 lamp

Blue Plus
Super Actinic
Aquasun
Blue Plus

[The Grim Reefer]

Originally posted by dphins
I am running 6 T-5's in this order. Do I need some actinic or a blue+ to get more pop?
Front to back.
Fiji Purple
AquaScience 22k
AquaScience Duo
Giesemann Aquablue Plus
AquaScience 22k
Fiji Purple

Get a SUper Actinic and a blue plus and start playing with the mix and see what you get.

[rs1831]

Originally posted by The Grim Reefer
TX5

front
Blue Plus
Super Actinic
Aquasun
Blue Plus
Aquablue

4 lamp

Blue Plus
Super Actinic
Aquasun
Blue Plus

Hey Grim,
Thanks Grim. What does Fiji Purple do? Would it add anything to my tank that another bulb would not?
Thanks,
Roland

[The Grim Reefer]

I havent been a fan of the Fiji lamp but judging by a picture I saw of one they may have changed it. You could try it in place of an Aquablue

[Klownfish]

It's that time... To change out my T-5's.

I'm intrested in what you might advise. I have a 75g (48"L X 20"D X 16"W main viewing) or (150g system) with RBTA and Purple LTA anemones, 4 large clams, some LPS and a few monties and digi's. I like lots of light, with a nice blue-ish tint, but I don't like to have to worry about starving my anemones of light. I have a 3" DSB in the main display. The lights are a few inches off the water, total height in the canopy is 6"inches.

I overdrive (4) T-5's on an Icecap ballast 660. I have one TEK ballast dedicated for dawn to dusk actinic. I have 2 Icecap 3" variable speed fans in the canopy, with IC individule reflectors for each lamp.

What's the best color combo for my needs? How should I arrange them front to back? Thanks in advance, Robyn.

Front of Tank

Icecap OD
Icecap OD
Icecap OD
TEK- regular
Icecap OD

Back of Tank

[zmar84]

Hey Grim,

I need your expert advice.

I have a 70 gal cube (30" x 30" x 20") with a 175W Iwasaki 14,000K in a Lumenarc Mini as the single source of light. It is hanging from the ceiling and the tank is open top.

I would like to add some fluorescent supplementation. The Iwasaki provides the perfect white light but the colors on my corals are lacking. Purples are fading to brown and blues are barely there.

I already have two ARO AS220 ballasts so I was thinking of using one to power two 18" URI actinics and mount them in front and back of the Lumenarc.

Then, I was thinking about getting a Workhorse 5 to run 2 or 4 24" T5HO to mount on the sides of the Lumenarc. I want to keep the tank as an open top.

I was considering running 2 or 4 ATI blue plus or 2 ATI blue plus and 2 Procolor but I am not sure. I was hoping you could offer some advice as to what would provide better color in my corals. I like the Iwasaki and don't want to switch to a 20,000K bulb.

Thanks

[jlwagner]

Originally posted by The Grim Reefer
Pretty "budget minded" system. Good lamps will help some.

Get 4 Blue Plus 2 UVL Aquasuns 1 UVL Super Actinic and 1 UVL 75/25

When you say good lamps will help some, are you basically saying this lighting setup is not worth having at all? It is supposed to go on a 58 oceanic - 36x18x21.5, but if it is inadequate, I can just take the loss now and get a lighting system that will work on my system.

Also, considering the tank, LPS and anemomes, what T5 lighting would you suggest, and what order of bulbs?

Thanks for your help.

[roshan]

Originally posted by The Grim Reefer
They should be fine. Those look to have a decent reflector

Thanks Grim for the reply - very much appreciated!

One final Q from me and perhaps someone has alreday asked this but I couldnt find it within the thread. How do you rate the ATI Procolor T5 with the KZ figi. As mentioned earlier I use the KZ and quite like it but would love to know how the ATI compares. Oh and do you think having both these within a 7/8 bub combo woulld be too much???

Cheers Grim and thanks again..
Roshan

[rholguin]

I have a 6 lamp fixture and was thinking of these lamps, tank holds sps and clams
3 ATI blue plus
1 Fiji purple
1 ATI blue special
1 UVL 12k actinic white
Will these lamps be ok if so in what order would be good.
TIA.

[rs1831]

Hey Grim,
Sorry to bother you again. I searched back and realized that I am using the combination that you just gave me and I feel like my tank is missing something. Some of the colors don't seem to pop like I would like them to. Are there any differences that you think would help?
Aquablue Special
2 Blue Plus T5
AquaSun T5
Super Actinic T5
thanks,
Roland

[belgian_waffleman]

Is it possible to keep sps in a 75G with a 4x54W SLR retro kit?
I assume that LPS and softies would be fine, even on the bottom.


Waffleman

[Klownfish]

I had a few more quick questions, and I can't find exact answers.

1) I overdrive T-5's (54w) on Icecap ballasts. Does this just change the PAR, or the color of the bulb also? Do the blue bulbs appear more white, and the white more yellow? What could I expect from the Figi Purple, or the ProColor?

2) I have a TEK with just 1 bulb running, for dawn to dusk effect. If I'm just running 1 actinic bulb, will the color enhancement just get drownded out by the 4 OD bulbs on the IC ballast?

3) Do the new LED's for shimmer lines added to T-5's increase PAR value to a T-5 setup? Or are these just for looks only?

4) I understand how different reflectors, bulbs, and ballasts can + /- PAR. How is color affected by these combinations, or is it?

5) Your T-5 Q and A is the best. I think you're great *)

[LostinTime]

Grim,

Please help me with the following (Please read closely.):

I have a very tall tank (height is 37.5 water level is 36) but my problem is the following I'm limited to exactly ten inches in width where my lights will go. ( The length of the opening is 30 inches so I'll have to use 24 inch bulbs.) My plans are to use the advance ballasts rather than the Icecap. (Using either two or three depending.)

So I can use 4 SLR s with 4 bulbs with the regular waterproof sockets

or

I can use those rubber boot type sockets without reflectors and put either 5 or 6 bulbs, using only bulb clips to hold the bulbs. (Just white paint inside canopy for some reflection.) (I'm favoring 5 if I do this but could do 6 for just the cost of a extra pair of sockets and a bulb. I'm favor 5 for the electricity savings.)

Which would you do and which bulbs in each instance and in what order starting from the front of the aquarium to the back.

Thanks in advance.

[tsouth]

Grim whats goin on man. Thanks again for what your info here. I've just ordered a new tank (Rimless 65 gallon:48Lx18Wx16H) and I asked you before about a bulb combination for 4x54's on a standard 55 for some sps. You reccommended
Blue+
Aquasun
75/25 Ablue
Blue+
I've been running this setup for 2 months now and am looking for something more blue. To me it seems a little on the violet side for some reason. My eyes are playin tricks or something.
Anyways for this new setup I am hoping for a color range of 20K w/ 2 of the bulbs being superactinics. Do you think 4 bulbs total is good enough for the new tank? I have a feeling that it won't be sufficient enough for a handful of sps corals and a clam or two even though they would be in the upper ladder of the aquarium. Here's 143gadgets tank running 20k radiums and superactinics and is the temp/color I'm aiming for. Can you help me out here por favor!
Radiums and super acts

Super acts only

[The Grim Reefer]

Originally posted by Klownfish
It's that time... To change out my T-5's.

I'm intrested in what you might advise. I have a 75g (48"L X 20"D X 16"W main viewing) or (150g system) with RBTA and Purple LTA anemones, 4 large clams, some LPS and a few monties and digi's. I like lots of light, with a nice blue-ish tint, but I don't like to have to worry about starving my anemones of light. I have a 3" DSB in the main display. The lights are a few inches off the water, total height in the canopy is 6"inches.

I overdrive (4) T-5's on an Icecap ballast 660. I have one TEK ballast dedicated for dawn to dusk actinic. I have 2 Icecap 3" variable speed fans in the canopy, with IC individule reflectors for each lamp.

What's the best color combo for my needs? How should I arrange them front to back? Thanks in advance, Robyn.

Front of Tank

Icecap OD
Icecap OD
Icecap OD
TEK- regular
Icecap OD

Back of Tank

Icecap OD Blue Plus
Icecap OD UVL Aquasun
Icecap OD ATI Aquablue
TEK- regular Actinic
Icecap OD Blue Plus

[The Grim Reefer]

Originally posted by zmar84
Hey Grim,

I need your expert advice.

I have a 70 gal cube (30" x 30" x 20") with a 175W Iwasaki 14,000K in a Lumenarc Mini as the single source of light. It is hanging from the ceiling and the tank is open top.

I would like to add some fluorescent supplementation. The Iwasaki provides the perfect white light but the colors on my corals are lacking. Purples are fading to brown and blues are barely there.

I already have two ARO AS220 ballasts so I was thinking of using one to power two 18" URI actinics and mount them in front and back of the Lumenarc.

Then, I was thinking about getting a Workhorse 5 to run 2 or 4 24" T5HO to mount on the sides of the Lumenarc. I want to keep the tank as an open top.

I was considering running 2 or 4 ATI blue plus or 2 ATI blue plus and 2 Procolor but I am not sure. I was hoping you could offer some advice as to what would provide better color in my corals. I like the Iwasaki and don't want to switch to a 20,000K bulb.

Thanks

try 2 Blue Plus and 2 UVL 75/25 lamps. 75/25 has just a little purplish tint to them that should help bring back some of the colors the 14K is missing.

[The Grim Reefer]

Originally posted by jlwagner
When you say good lamps will help some, are you basically saying this lighting setup is not worth having at all? It is supposed to go on a 58 oceanic - 36x18x21.5, but if it is inadequate, I can just take the loss now and get a lighting system that will work on my system.

Also, considering the tank, LPS and anemomes, what T5 lighting would you suggest, and what order of bulbs?

Thanks for your help.

T5's are all about the individual reflectors. on a 21" tall tank you will get enough light out of this system. With a good retro or even a Tek light you could get away with 6 or even 4 lamps. Kibda up to you to decide if it is worth the cost to be able to run fewer lamps. There is an advantage to running more lamps, you can have a better mix of lamps.

Front
Blue Plus
Super Actinic
Aquasun
Blue Plus
Aquasun
Blue Plus
75/25
Blue Plus

[The Grim Reefer]

Originally posted by roshan
Thanks Grim for the reply - very much appreciated!

One final Q from me and perhaps someone has alreday asked this but I couldnt find it within the thread. How do you rate the ATI Procolor T5 with the KZ figi. As mentioned earlier I use the KZ and quite like it but would love to know how the ATI compares. Oh and do you think having both these within a 7/8 bub combo woulld be too much???

Cheers Grim and thanks again..
Roshan

The pro color is a very red lamp, nice but nothing like the Fiji lamp. I have the new Fiji and Koral Light s on the way, wasn't impressed with the earlier versions at all. Having a Fiji and a Pro Color in a 7 lamp mix would probably be fine for some and not for others. It will definatly give you a purple caste to the light, it would really depend on personal preference.

[The Grim Reefer]

Originally posted by rs1831
Hey Grim,
Sorry to bother you again. I searched back and realized that I am using the combination that you just gave me and I feel like my tank is missing something. Some of the colors don't seem to pop like I would like them to. Are there any differences that you think would help?
Aquablue Special
2 Blue Plus T5
AquaSun T5
Super Actinic T5
thanks,
Roland

Dunno, going by the pic it looks pretty good to me. Maybe try a UVL 75/25 in place of the Aquablue and see what happens. That would boost the actinic and red just a little.