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T-5 users, some help needed

blaze98

By blaze98,
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blaze98 Master Reefer

blaze98

I have a 48" Nova 4 bulb fixture on my frag tank and the time has come to change out the bulbs. Right now I am running the original bulbs that came with the fixture, 2 10k and 2 actinic bulbs. I need suggestions on a good bulb manufacturer and a good website to order from. Also what bulb combo's are you running if you have a t-5 system? I have been checking out these lights on Reefgeek.com and thinking about the following combo.....

 

Geisemann 11k aquablue

 

Geisemann 10k aquasun

 

2 of these

Geisemann Super actinic plus

 

 

Has anyone played with a purple bulb?

Purple

 

Any suggestions or help is appreciated.

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SDBDRZ Master Reefer

SDBDRZ

I was not impressed with the Geisemann bulbs. I am currently running a combination of ATI Aquablue Special, Aquablue Plus and Procolor bulbs, and its probably the best combination I have had.

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djcerna Reefer

djcerna

I was not impressed with the Geisemann bulbs. I am currently running a combination of ATI Aquablue Special, Aquablue Plus and Procolor bulbs, and its probably the best combination I have had.

 

I agree.

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blaze98 Master Reefer

blaze98

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You think the ATI have a better color than the Geisemann? I have considered them, I saw some at Aquaco that caught my eye.

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amay121 Grandmaster Reefer

amay121

I'm running a combo of ATI Aquablue, Pro Color, UVL Auasun and 75/25. Growth is pretty good. If you really want to read up on T5, look it up on reefcentral and you can even ask The Grim Reefer about what bulb combination you'd like. :)

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blaze98 Master Reefer

blaze98

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I'm running a combo of ATI Aquablue, Pro Color, UVL Auasun and 75/25. Growth is pretty good. If you really want to read up on T5, look it up on reefcentral and you can even ask The Grim Reefer about what bulb combination you'd like. :)

 

 

Headed to RC :drink:

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amos Tang

amos

ATIs, Geisemann, and UVLs have good reps for certain of their bulbs. I've used all three. From my research, folks tend to favor the ATI aquablue specials (for aquablue), either the Geisemann or ATI actinics (and have read good things about Sfiligois), and the UVLs 75/25. GE 6500k has a good rep for daylight.

 

I've used all of these, and have been happy with them. If you are interested in PAR, there are some good sites out there with research on the bulbs' specific measurements. I have a link on my home computer I'll dig up this evening. On 4 bulb setups, you need to be careful with the more "specialty" bulbs, as they influence the look of the tank much more (PAR aside). I was recently running daylight, actinic, blue plus, aquable until I was persuaded that I didn't have enough PAR (need to measure). So I swapped an actinic for the UVL 75/25.

 

Honestly, people seem to be happiest with 2 aquablues and 2 blue plus for the 4 bulb system. It looks good and I haven't heard any complaints on growth as expected for such a system. That was my original configuration, and despite all my tinkering, I haven't found anything that much superior to that. My only thing would be to keep a daylight bulb in the mix.

 

For vendors, I use reefgeek most frequently- they have good info and a great selection. Marine Depot has Geiseman and UVL, but I believe they have a 4 bulb minimum purchase and may have extra shipping fees for bulbs. I have used Innovative Lighting Solutions in the past, but I think they carry only Geisemans.

 

Jon

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blaze98 Master Reefer

blaze98

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ATIs, Geisemann, and UVLs have good reps for certain of their bulbs. I've used all three. From my research, folks tend to favor the ATI aquablue specials (for aquablue), either the Geisemann or ATI actinics (and have read good things about Sfiligois), and the UVLs 75/25. GE 6500k has a good rep for daylight.

 

I've used all of these, and have been happy with them. If you are interested in PAR, there are some good sites out there with research on the bulbs' specific measurements. I have a link on my home computer I'll dig up this evening. On 4 bulb setups, you need to be careful with the more "specialty" bulbs, as they influence the look of the tank much more (PAR aside). I was recently running daylight, actinic, blue plus, aquable until I was persuaded that I didn't have enough PAR (need to measure). So I swapped an actinic for the UVL 75/25.

 

Honestly, people seem to be happiest with 2 aquablues and 2 blue plus for the 4 bulb system. It looks good and I haven't heard any complaints on growth as expected for such a system. That was my original configuration, and despite all my tinkering, I haven't found anything that much superior to that. My only thing would be to keep a daylight bulb in the mix.

 

For vendors, I use reefgeek most frequently- they have good info and a great selection. Marine Depot has Geiseman and UVL, but I believe they have a 4 bulb minimum purchase and may have extra shipping fees for bulbs. I have used Innovative Lighting Solutions in the past, but I think they carry only Geisemans.

 

Jon

 

 

Thanks for the very informative post. I am trying to avoid having that yellow look to the tank that the 10k's give while still maintaining good growth on my corals. I am leaning towards the 2 blue plus an aqua blue, and a 75/25. I hope this will be good for growth while minimizing the yellow tint.

 

I think I am going to check with Sean at Aquaco to see if he has the bulbs I am looking for, I don't mind paying a little more to get them in my hands quicker, besides, I love his store :)

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jamesbuf Oracle Reefer

jamesbuf

I was not impressed with the Geisemann bulbs. I am currently running a combination of ATI Aquablue Special, Aquablue Plus and Procolor bulbs, and its probably the best combination I have had.

 

 

I also agree. I had one of the 72" Aquactinics fixtures on my old 180 and I was not pleased at all with the geisemans, both actinic and regular bulbs. The URI superactinic T5s gave a much better actinic look. I read through that T5 link and its definitely the clearest, most condensed information I've seen on T5s. Thanks to Jon for posting it.

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blaze98 Master Reefer

blaze98

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I posted the same thing over at RC and the grimm reefer suggested:

ATI Blue Plus

UVL Super Actinic

UVL Aquasun

ATI Blue Plus

 

Should look 14K ish, good PAR

 

I think I am going to go with Aquarium Specialty for the order....now who's up for a group buy? I have already had one person approach me about doing one.....Does anyone else need bulbs? I can arrange the group buy and we will all split shipping. If there is interest, I will contact Aquarium specialty tomorrow to see about a discount. :cheers:

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dano Master Reefer

dano

I would join a group buy but I live in Falls church and work in Bethesda and would need someone to drop it off closer. I enjoyed reading this thread as i also have a 4 x54 w t5. Any thoughts about raising a maxima clam under this lighting? Thanks. dano

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blaze98 Master Reefer

blaze98

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(edited)

I would join a group buy but I live in Falls church and work in Bethesda and would need someone to drop it off closer. I enjoyed reading this thread as i also have a 4 x54 w t5. Any thoughts about raising a maxima clam under this lighting? Thanks. dano

 

My wife works in West Bethesda, I am sure we can arrange some kind of pick up. I have read that as long as the tank is not very deep you can keep a clam under t-5's. I don't personally have experience with this, but I am hoping the bulb combo suggested will offer very good lighting for all types of corals

Edited by blaze98
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dano Master Reefer

dano

Thanks... so count me in and I will get whatever configuration you decide since I'm sure you are paying more attention to it. Dano

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amay121 Grandmaster Reefer

amay121

Dano,

 

Depends on how deep your tank is. If you read up on RC, a lot of folks have clams on the sand and they're doing ok with T5s, but most won't suggest doing it with 4 bulbs on a 120 or 90. But it's possible. Rioreef is doing a IC660 with 6 or 5 bulbs and he has a gorgeous clam (also huge). There are a few other folks on here that I've heard have T5 (Big Country I believe).

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dano Master Reefer

dano

thanks... I have a 72 gallon and was planning on putting it pretty high up. I just bought some bulbs from Dr. Fosters but think that especially if I am going to get a clam, I am better off getting some better bulbs as listed in this thread.

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blaze98 Master Reefer

blaze98

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I sent an email to Aquarium Specialty this morning and the owner is out of town until Monday. I was informed to resend the email inquiring about a discount on Monday, but I may just give them a call, I called this morning but didn't get an answer, I guess because the guy is gone. You can post up here if you are interested in joining in on this. Once I get a definitive answer about a discount I will start a thread in the group buy section.

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