The T5 Q&a Thread - Page 15

The Grim Reefer · 06/02/2008, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Tswifty8
Grim... Here is a question that was asked on my thread regarding the differences in light penetration between an IceCap 6 x 54watt T5 Unit vs The 48" AquaLight unit pictured below.

Any insight? I don't have an answer for it, and would appreciate any feedback that you could offer.

Here's some of the conversation:

If you are talking the VHO T5 Ice Cap against 250 watt halides I would say it would be a draw assuming the halide fixture has good reflectors,

The Grim Reefer · 06/02/2008, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Labman48076
Grim wondering your latest recoondation 72" Aquatinics tank 194 gallons 72"X26H24W 14X39 watt bulbs mainly sps and lps and bulb placement switch 1 6 bulbs, switch 2 4 bulbs, and switch 3 4 bulbs as always thank you for all that you do.

I take it pro color is off the list every time I am ready for new bulbs I check with you not sure where we would be with out people like yourself and Sanjay

I like the Pro Color but I am hesitent to reco it for a first time set up. With 2 Aquasuns or an Aquasun and a UVL 75/25 there is already enough red in the tank so if you add the Pro Color it tends to be a little too red.

The Grim Reefer · 06/02/2008, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by schwenkl
To add to my already long message: I think the Dawn/ Dusk are in the even slots as the switches control every other bulb.

Just use common sense on the lamp placement. You want a Dusk/dawn set with an actinic and the rest blues. Keep the actinic a little front of center and make sure the front lamp is blue. .

Tswifty · 06/02/2008, 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by The Grim Reefer
If you are talking the VHO T5 Ice Cap against 250 watt halides I would say it would be a draw assuming the halide fixture has good reflectors,

Thanks Grim, I believe the AquaLight fixture Capn was talking about is the 150watt model.

scunfcu · 06/02/2008, 07:33 PM

Thanks alot Grim!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by scunfcu
How about this bulb combo to bring out blue,pink, purple, green and red in sps for a TX5 5 bulb combination?

Blue Plus
Fiji Purple
UVL 75/25
Blue Plus
Aquablue
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I think that will do it.

dc_909 · 06/02/2008, 07:51 PM

Anyone have pics of the Figi Purple and Procolor?

Todd March · 06/02/2008, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by The Grim Reefer
I like the Pro Color but I am hesitent to reco it for a first time set up. With 2 Aquasuns or an Aquasun and a UVL 75/25 there is already enough red in the tank so if you add the Pro Color it tends to be a little too red.

So in what circumstances/setups do you recommend a Pro Color over the Aquasun's and vice versa...?

What about the Pro Color do you like, specifically...?

xhappyx · 06/02/2008, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by The Grim Reefer
Yep.

thanks grim, i will go with the 6 bulb ati fixture then. will this combo give me a blue but not to blue look and still have the colors poping especially in my stylo and pink b nest. along with good growth. should i have a whiter bulb in the mix? should i maybe substitute a aqua blue special for a daylight bulb and swap out a blue plus for a pure actinic? and thanks for all your help.

Front
ati Blue Plus
ati Aquablue special
kz Fiji Purple or whatever is comparable?not sure which.
ati Blue Plus
ati Aquablue special
ati Blue Plus

crazyfrog · 06/02/2008, 10:24 PM

hey grim,

need your advice big time.

i currently have a softies 75g tank mostly rics, zoos, shrooms, and trees.

my current lighting is 6x54w DIY t5s
1 actinic and 5 whitish bulbs i forgot the K rating on them.

If i want my tank to be bluish but not sacrificing growth on my sofites what lighting combination would you suggest for optimal growth and that would bring out the color of the corals?

CF

The Grim Reefer · 06/02/2008, 11:09 PM

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Todd March
So in what circumstances/setups do you recommend a Pro Color over the Aquasun's and vice versa...?

What about the Pro Color do you like, specifically...? [/QUOTE

If you are doing a lot of blue lamps the pro color is nice to sneak in or if you are using the GE or Giesemann 6500K. It has a deeper red spectrum than the other lamps. It's not that it looks bad with the other lamps, it just make the light look a bit purple which isn't for everyone. I like it but I am getting the look with the 75/25 and Aquasun right now.

The Grim Reefer · 06/02/2008, 11:13 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by xhappyx
thanks grim, i will go with the 6 bulb ati fixture then. will this combo give me a blue but not to blue look and still have the colors poping especially in my stylo and pink b nest. along with good growth. should i have a whiter bulb in the mix? should i maybe substitute a aqua blue special for a daylight bulb and swap out a blue plus for a pure actinic? and thanks for all your help.

Front
ati Blue Plus
ati Aquablue special
kz Fiji Purple or whatever is comparable?not sure which.
ati Blue Plus
ati Aquablue special
ati Blue Plus

Front
Blue Plus
Fiji Purple
UVL Aquasun
Blue Plus
Aquablue
Blue Plus

That should be just a little blue.

The Grim Reefer · 06/02/2008, 11:25 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by crazyfrog
hey grim,

need your advice big time.

i currently have a softies 75g tank mostly rics, zoos, shrooms, and trees.

my current lighting is 6x54w DIY t5s
1 actinic and 5 whitish bulbs i forgot the K rating on them.

If i want my tank to be bluish but not sacrificing growth on my sofites what lighting combination would you suggest for optimal growth and that would bring out the color of the corals?

CF

Front
Blue Plus
Super Actinic
Aquasun
Blue Plus
Aquablue
Blue Plus

mcliffy2 · 06/03/2008, 12:26 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by The Grim Reefer
I doubt it. Does the stealth have the fans on it? How many and what typoe of lamps?

Sorry, forgot that info - the stealth has 3 fans (it does active cooling similar to ATI). bulbs are 4 blue plus, 2 Fiji purple, 1 UV aquasun, 1 ati procolor, 2 AS duo, 1 ATI AB special, 1 AS special.

aquaconnect · 06/03/2008, 12:49 AM

Grim,

I was wanting some suggestions for a 65 gallon mixed reef. I have some lps (acan's, chalices, duncan's), but do have a carpet anemone, some sunset monti and a very select few other acros, with a colony of tubs blue zoa's. I recently took down my 180 gallon due to just too many heat issues with halides and chiller issues, so I am down sizing to a 65 gallon, but want to keep my 'rarer' corals. At this point, money isn't too big of an object because I sold off so much of my other stuff while my friends babysit my cool corals.

So what would you suggest for me fixturewise and bulb type/combo? I will have a canopy I can use to go retro, or can go without it and do a fixture. I just want to go for the best, so it doesn't really matter as long as I don't have any heat issues and have to have a chiller. Otherwise, I'll just sell what I have left because I'm tired of messing with heat and chillers! A person can only have so many floods due to those things!

Malifluous · 06/03/2008, 03:42 AM

Hy Grim,
A few years ago you made a suggestion for me that worked out really nice, Like any true reefer I have since upgraded my tank to a 70 gallon. it 36 L X20H X 18 wide. I would like to use four 39 watt t5's. It is a mixed tank. The lights are about 3-4 inches from the top of the tanks so the distance from light all the way to the bottom is 24" . I rreally like the blue look but i am thinking I may need to lean toward aquasuns or 6000 k bulbs to penetrate the deep tank.

I was thinkin about using
1 aquasun
1aquablue
1 actinic plus
1 UVL super atinic

Should I replace one bujb with a aquablue plus. Any help would be lovely. Thanks for all your work grimm

tike · 06/03/2008, 07:32 AM

I am thinking of going with 3 aquablue specials and one blue plus aon a tek 4x 54watter over a 48 x 15 x 18 60 gallon sps heavy tank. Will this be sufficent?

crazyfrog · 06/03/2008, 08:00 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by The Grim Reefer
Front
Blue Plus
Super Actinic
Aquasun
Blue Plus
Aquablue
Blue Plus

thanks buddy awesome! you should have your forum! the best!

labragg1 · 06/03/2008, 08:03 AM

Hey Grim--or anyone who wants to answer this.

I have a 65gal mixed reef. Mostly zoo's, mushrooms, lps, a clam, and a few sps.

Running two Ice660's overdriving 2x 36" bulbs each on SLR reflectors.
Currently running the following:
2x ATI Blue Plus
2x ATI Aquablue Special

Getting ready to order from Reefgeeks as the bulbs are overdue for replacement and was wandering if I should do something different?
I like the color (nice blue)--but wouldn't mind a little more pop--especially from my zoo's.
Any thoughts?

Like I said--I really like the color--but my curiosity has me wandering if there's another combo that I would like even better.

Thanks for all your awesome input!!!

mountaindew · 06/03/2008, 08:13 AM

i use both 4 ft and 2 ft t5 lights on different aquariums.
all fixtures are sunlight supply brand.
the aquariums with the 4ft bulbs act like they start to suffur from spectrum shift after only 4 or 5 months, while the tanks with 2 ft t5s do just fine!
anybody else notice this? or have this problem?

kmacartney · 06/03/2008, 08:50 AM

Grim,
What is the par comparison between the pro-color and the aquasun?

filippo · 06/03/2008, 09:19 AM

sorry the delay grim- thanks

bryman · 06/03/2008, 10:00 AM

So I've been planning to go T5 for my new 90G setup, probably either a Aquatinics Solar Flare or ATI Powermodule. Last Sunday I went to the IMAC conference in Chicago and saw James Fatheree speak, mostly about clams. He did have a few slides on the end that compare MH to T5 setups, which he says he is currently doing research on. He compared a 150x2 MH fixture to a (I think) 6 bulb T5 Aquatinics fixture with PAR ratings. To my suprise, his findings were that the MH destroyed T5 at all depths, sometimes by a factor of 3. Can anyone explain how this would happen? I know bulbs make a difference but still the difference in PAR was quite dramatic. I was really excited to go T5 but now I don't know. Thanks.

bryman · 06/03/2008, 10:02 AM

Oh, and BTW the T5 fixture had individual reflectors.

MammothReefer · 06/03/2008, 10:57 AM

Any reason why I shouldn't use ATI PRO Color, and ATI Blue Plus as supplemental lights for my x2 400w 14k SE's

I'm thinking the following

ATI Blue Plus 60"
ATI Pro Color 60"
400w SE 14k (x2 in line)
ATI Pro Color 60"
ATI Blue Plus 60"

My 14k is a pretty stark white, so I'm hoping this will make my corals "pop" a bit..the idea of a red t5 seems interesting. I could also do the same combo, but instead of to Pro Color, get a 2x Blue Plus, 1 Pro Color, and 1 ??? Thoughts would be great. Thanks!

scunfcu · 06/03/2008, 12:44 PM

If I only want to stick to the ATI T5 combinations, for Aquactinics TX5 Five bulb combination.

How about this for best colors display.

Front to back

Aquablue special (12000k)
Blue Plus (20000k) 450n
Pro color
Blue Plus (2000k 450n)
Aquablue Special (12000k)

06/02/2008, 11:09 PM	#360
The Grim Reefer Ready for some NOBALL!!! Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Kingman Az Posts: 25,259	Re: Re: Re: Tanks lol [QUOTE]Originally posted by Todd March So in what circumstances/setups do you recommend a Pro Color over the Aquasun's and vice versa...? What about the Pro Color do you like, specifically...? [/QUOTE If you are doing a lot of blue lamps the pro color is nice to sneak in or if you are using the GE or Giesemann 6500K. It has a deeper red spectrum than the other lamps. It's not that it looks bad with the other lamps, it just make the light look a bit purple which isn't for everyone. I like it but I am getting the look with the 75/25 and Aquasun right now.

06/03/2008, 12:49 AM	#364
aquaconnect Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Southwest Missouri Posts: 730	Grim, I was wanting some suggestions for a 65 gallon mixed reef. I have some lps (acan's, chalices, duncan's), but do have a carpet anemone, some sunset monti and a very select few other acros, with a colony of tubs blue zoa's. I recently took down my 180 gallon due to just too many heat issues with halides and chiller issues, so I am down sizing to a 65 gallon, but want to keep my 'rarer' corals. At this point, money isn't too big of an object because I sold off so much of my other stuff while my friends babysit my cool corals. So what would you suggest for me fixturewise and bulb type/combo? I will have a canopy I can use to go retro, or can go without it and do a fixture. I just want to go for the best, so it doesn't really matter as long as I don't have any heat issues and have to have a chiller. Otherwise, I'll just sell what I have left because I'm tired of messing with heat and chillers! A person can only have so many floods due to those things! __________________ Bryopsis is the devil!!!!! I also have a new LE coral called 'The Big VD' that's going to sweep the nation! Current Tank Info: 1 gallon pico with 1,000 watt Helios 20K.

06/03/2008, 08:03 AM	#368
labragg1 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Carthage, MO Posts: 360	Hey Grim--or anyone who wants to answer this. I have a 65gal mixed reef. Mostly zoo's, mushrooms, lps, a clam, and a few sps. Running two Ice660's overdriving 2x 36" bulbs each on SLR reflectors. Currently running the following: 2x ATI Blue Plus 2x ATI Aquablue Special Getting ready to order from Reefgeeks as the bulbs are overdue for replacement and was wandering if I should do something different? I like the color (nice blue)--but wouldn't mind a little more pop--especially from my zoo's. Any thoughts? Like I said--I really like the color--but my curiosity has me wandering if there's another combo that I would like even better. Thanks for all your awesome input!!! __________________ skywalker Current Tank Info: 65gal RR, 29gal Sump, OCT NW-150 Skimmer, T5 Nova Extreme Lighting

06/03/2008, 08:50 AM	#370
kmacartney Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Athens, OH Posts: 1,444	Grim, What is the par comparison between the pro-color and the aquasun? __________________ <--That's my boy! To see my tank, click the...Oh wait! Where did it go? Current Tank Info: 75 gallon display, 20 gallon sump/refugium, 6X54W T5, ASM G2, Mag 9.5 return, 2X Gulf Stream II Maxi-Jet Mods

06/03/2008, 10:00 AM	#372
bryman Aquascape Destroyer Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Carol Stream, IL Posts: 1,104	So I've been planning to go T5 for my new 90G setup, probably either a Aquatinics Solar Flare or ATI Powermodule. Last Sunday I went to the IMAC conference in Chicago and saw James Fatheree speak, mostly about clams. He did have a few slides on the end that compare MH to T5 setups, which he says he is currently doing research on. He compared a 150x2 MH fixture to a (I think) 6 bulb T5 Aquatinics fixture with PAR ratings. To my suprise, his findings were that the MH destroyed T5 at all depths, sometimes by a factor of 3. Can anyone explain how this would happen? I know bulbs make a difference but still the difference in PAR was quite dramatic. I was really excited to go T5 but now I don't know. Thanks. __________________ PVITAWA! Current Tank Info: 90G Tech

06/02/2008, 07:33 PM	#355
scunfcu Registered Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: NY Posts: 422	Thanks alot Grim! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Originally posted by scunfcu How about this bulb combo to bring out blue,pink, purple, green and red in sps for a TX5 5 bulb combination? Blue Plus Fiji Purple UVL 75/25 Blue Plus Aquablue -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I think that will do it.

06/02/2008, 07:51 PM	#356
dc_909 Moved On Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Murrieta, CA Posts: 3,260	Anyone have pics of the Figi Purple and Procolor?

06/02/2008, 10:24 PM	#359
crazyfrog Moved On Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 109	hey grim, need your advice big time. i currently have a softies 75g tank mostly rics, zoos, shrooms, and trees. my current lighting is 6x54w DIY t5s 1 actinic and 5 whitish bulbs i forgot the K rating on them. If i want my tank to be bluish but not sacrificing growth on my sofites what lighting combination would you suggest for optimal growth and that would bring out the color of the corals? CF

06/03/2008, 03:42 AM	#365
Malifluous Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Hawaii Posts: 417	Hy Grim, A few years ago you made a suggestion for me that worked out really nice, Like any true reefer I have since upgraded my tank to a 70 gallon. it 36 L X20H X 18 wide. I would like to use four 39 watt t5's. It is a mixed tank. The lights are about 3-4 inches from the top of the tanks so the distance from light all the way to the bottom is 24" . I rreally like the blue look but i am thinking I may need to lean toward aquasuns or 6000 k bulbs to penetrate the deep tank. I was thinkin about using 1 aquasun 1aquablue 1 actinic plus 1 UVL super atinic Should I replace one bujb with a aquablue plus. Any help would be lovely. Thanks for all your work grimm

06/03/2008, 07:32 AM	#366
tike Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Tacoma Posts: 184	I am thinking of going with 3 aquablue specials and one blue plus aon a tek 4x 54watter over a 48 x 15 x 18 60 gallon sps heavy tank. Will this be sufficent?

06/03/2008, 08:13 AM	#369
mountaindew Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Pueblo, Colorado Posts: 98	i use both 4 ft and 2 ft t5 lights on different aquariums. all fixtures are sunlight supply brand. the aquariums with the 4ft bulbs act like they start to suffur from spectrum shift after only 4 or 5 months, while the tanks with 2 ft t5s do just fine! anybody else notice this? or have this problem?

06/03/2008, 09:19 AM	#371
filippo Moved On Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Milano, Italy (Tempe, AZ) Posts: 623	sorry the delay grim- thanks

06/03/2008, 10:02 AM	#373
bryman Aquascape Destroyer Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Carol Stream, IL Posts: 1,104	Oh, and BTW the T5 fixture had individual reflectors. __________________ PVITAWA! Current Tank Info: 90G Tech

06/03/2008, 10:57 AM	#374
MammothReefer Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Mammoth Lakes, CA Posts: 3,442	Any reason why I shouldn't use ATI PRO Color, and ATI Blue Plus as supplemental lights for my x2 400w 14k SE's I'm thinking the following ATI Blue Plus 60" ATI Pro Color 60" 400w SE 14k (x2 in line) ATI Pro Color 60" ATI Blue Plus 60" My 14k is a pretty stark white, so I'm hoping this will make my corals "pop" a bit..the idea of a red t5 seems interesting. I could also do the same combo, but instead of to Pro Color, get a 2x Blue Plus, 1 Pro Color, and 1 ??? Thoughts would be great. Thanks! __________________ Reefin @ 8298' Current Tank Info: 105 Peninsula

06/03/2008, 12:44 PM	#375
scunfcu Registered Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: NY Posts: 422	ATI T5 only If I only want to stick to the ATI T5 combinations, for Aquactinics TX5 Five bulb combination. How about this for best colors display. Front to back Aquablue special (12000k) Blue Plus (20000k) 450n Pro color Blue Plus (2000k 450n) Aquablue Special (12000k)