Wow! T5's have got the juju!!

Saltysteele · Feb 14, 2009

Well, it's probably been about a month now since i changed from four 60" vho's to three 48" T5's. Was running two actinic whites and two superactinic VHO's.

My gosh, these T5s are strong!! I've got a 10K Coralvue, an aquablue ATI and another blue ATI (forget which).

I've had to move all my acans off to the side (another reason I'm glad I went with the 48"ers), I had a frag of PE's just totally melt, and they're bleaching a couple other corals.

Another reefer suggested to take out the 10K (because I'm not happy with the look, after having vho's) and put in a true actinic.

My tank is a 100 or 110 gallon flatback hex, 5' x 23-1/2" x 18-1/2"

I had planned on putting another 48" in there, but now I'm not sure I really need to, as everything is getting beat down

Any thoughts? Suggestions?

JuniorMC8704 · Feb 15, 2009

throw an ATI true actinic, and a aquascience 22k....

Poseidon · Feb 15, 2009

Are these on an IceCap ballast? If so, YES they do rock! And YES They do melt Acans. I really like the Geismann Aqua blue +, the ATI Aquablue Special, or the Aquascience 15K for a white bulb.

Right now I am running almost all UVL bulbs though, with one Geismann Actinic + in the middle.

Saltysteele · Feb 15, 2009

yes, i'm running them on an icecap 660

right now, i'm having a difficult time locating anything but coralvue or glo bulbs at any of my lfs

paul, how do your aquascience 22k's relate to a true actinic? (more blue, less blue)

mike, do you have any pic's of the fixture you made posted anywhere?

Poseidon · Feb 15, 2009

The aqua science bulbs are very blue. Similar to an Actinic + from Geismann.

Yes, I have a DIY thread somewhere....

Here you go Bret- https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/showthread.php?t=14410

Saltysteele · Feb 15, 2009

WOW, Mike! That turned out great!! Awesome job!

JR, i'll check out the aquascience bulbs, see if anyone close has them. will also check out the geissmans

Azurel · Feb 15, 2009

Saltysteele said:
WOW, Mike! That turned out great!! Awesome job!

JR, i'll check out the aquascience bulbs, see if anyone close has them. will also check out the geissmans

Hey Brett

Mothers can get you geissmans.....

Saltysteele · Feb 15, 2009

cool! thanks, james! i didn't even think to ask them. that's probably what i'll do. haven't been there in a while, i need to get over there (i love that place :D )

btw, haven't seen much from ya in a while, hope everything's cool

Poseidon · Feb 15, 2009

Thanks Bret! It really needs to be seen to appreciate how flippin BRIGHT this thing is.

Azurel · Feb 15, 2009

Saltysteele said:
cool! thanks, james! i didn't even think to ask them. that's probably what i'll do. haven't been there in a while, i need to get over there (i love that place :D )

btw, haven't seen much from ya in a while, hope everything's cool

I have been good, got two sick girls here at home(wife and daughter) so I have been on when I can but not much this past week. On vacation this week so I should be on more, I will be down to Mothers at some point this week I want to pick up a couple firefish for the tank. Looking at getting 5 I think. I think that would look cool, maybe take some stuff down there to trade.....

I might have a pink Florida ricordea ready for trade for you let me know what you got to trade...This rock is geting so full that there isn't much room left for them to split any more....PM me....

Saltysteele · Feb 16, 2009

cool! i'll pm ya

zestay · Mar 9, 2009

cut back your light cycle or try using several layers of window screen over your tank to help with the sun burn that t5s can give. each week pull one layer of screen off.