Strictly T5 thread

[lorenz0]

After seeing another thread with 2 members talking about T5's thought i would start a T5 thread strickly for T5 questions. Bascally people can refer back to the thread to see what is a good choice and what other people are running. So what are you running?


I think alot of people have been mis-informed on bulb choices because seeing someone buy 4 pure actinic's they are just asking for an algae break out.

[parkinsn]

I have a custom canopy that i am running 6 x 54w T5HO's and 250w MH as follows:

KZ True Blue Attinic
KZ New Generation
Hagen Power Glo 18K
Hagen Power Glo 18K
KZ New Generation
KZ True Blue Attinic

250w 10K Ushio MH (will be 14K on my next lamp change)
This lamp arrangement was recommended to me by 2 fellow canreefers as well as my LFS. The 18K are supposed to be similar to Fiji Purple, however i don't think they are.

[Canadian]

I have a 6x24 ATI Sunpower over my new tank now. I'll post some pics and more info tonight.

[Leah]

Perfect timing. I have a T5 and was just going to order new bulbs. At the moment I am
using 4 Actinic+ and 2 Midday. Power chrome. Tank is a FOWLER and I was going to just
order what I had. As I am not to sure what may be better. Any suggestions ? Would be
great as I really am unsure. I have read that people think these bulbs are only so so.

[Treebeard]

Thanks for starting this thread lorenz0.

This is what I was told I would be good for a TEK 8 bulb fixture:

"I like 2 actinics for the dawn dusk, a couple of daylight bulbs and 4 x aqua-blue plus, nice color around 14K."

Does this mean the actinics only need to be on morning and evening?

[TheMikey]

I've got an 24" Odyssea 4 bulb over my nano:

Back to Front:

Aquascience 22K
Odyssea 12K
Aquascience 22K
Odyssea Actnic

I'll try to post a pic later today.

[TheMikey]

I use a 22K and an Actnic for my Dusk/Dawn effect but you leave them on with your daylights unless you want to have a really yellow/white tank.

Originally Posted by Treebeard

Thanks for starting this thread lorenz0.

This is what I was told I would be good for a TEK 8 bulb fixture:

"I like 2 actinics for the dawn dusk, a couple of daylight bulbs and 4 x aqua-blue plus, nice color around 14K."

Does this mean the actinics only need to be on morning and evening?

[lorenz0]

Originally Posted by Leah

Perfect timing. I have a T5 and was just going to order new bulbs. At the moment I am
using 4 Actinic+ and 2 Midday. Power chrome. Tank is a FOWLER and I was going to just
order what I had. As I am not to sure what may be better. Any suggestions ? Would be
great as I really am unsure. I have read that people think these bulbs are only so so.

All depends on what you want to do with the tank. Than again what fixture do you have?

also sounds like you have a good source for Giesemann bulbs. personally this is what I would do:

pure actinic
Fiji purple
aquablue+
actinic+
aquablue+
actinic+

This set up you will still get that blue glow from the tank. Stay away from to many pure actinic's. This is second hand info for me and i have no intentions of finding out but they cause crazy algae outbreaks.

Originally Posted by Treebeard

Thanks for starting this thread lorenz0.

This is what I was told I would be good for a TEK 8 bulb fixture:

"I like 2 actinics for the dawn dusk, a couple of daylight bulbs and 4 x aqua-blue plus, nice color around 14K."

Does this mean the actinics only need to be on morning and evening?

I am starting to stray away from the 10k/midday bulbs. to me they are to white and running to many has been known to bleach out corals. Your on the right path with the aquablue+ (Giesemann or ATI) as they are similar to a 14,000k bulb. for an 8 bulb fixture, i would run the same set up as i listed above but add 1 more actinic+ and aquablue+

[Leah]

I have the Sunlight Supply T5. I have moved in a toadstool mushroom and a leather only
because they have gotten way to big for my reef tank. I think that is what they are!
Anyhow I am using Giesmann bulbs as I order from J&L. Hope I can say that! I really do
want to keep it basically fish only. I have never had an issue with algae using the bulbs
I have. Is your tank preety dark then?

[banditpowdercoat]

I got a 4 tube TEK light. I love it, its bright.

Present Bulbs

Giesmann Actinic+
Giesmann Midday
Giesmann Midday
Giesmann Actinic+


Next month i'm swapping to Korallen-Zucht Fiji Purple and AquaScience 17500K