The T5 Q&a Thread - split

[TropTrea]

I just got a tek 6x39 watt fixture that's gonna go over a 40 breeder. Its gonna be a mix reef but probably more sps then anything.
What light combo do you suggest and how high should I have the fixture?

I have 3 40 breeder Frag tanks. Originally two were lighted with quad T=-5 and the third was lighted with a 6 bulb T-5 fixture. Today 2 are light with LED's and one with the 6 bulb T-5 fixture. With 234 watts of T-5 lighting on one the othe two are in the range of 72 to 96 watts and I'm getting simular results.

On the T-5 lighted fixture I'm running 1 ATI Aqua Blue Special, 1 ATI Purple Plus, and 4 ATI Blue Plus bulbs. The Aqua Blue Special is front of center and the purple plus is to the rear of center. I did have a GE 6,500K in there but did not like the color since my taste changed to a little more of an emphisis on the bluer end of the spectrum. I tried a single Coral Plus in there and though it lacked strenght in the green/yellow part of the spectrum compared to the Aqua or GE.

 

[jose7878]

I have 3 40 breeder Frag tanks. Originally two were lighted with quad T=-5 and the third was lighted with a 6 bulb T-5 fixture. Today 2 are light with LED's and one with the 6 bulb T-5 fixture. With 234 watts of T-5 lighting on one the othe two are in the range of 72 to 96 watts and I'm getting simular results.

On the T-5 lighted fixture I'm running 1 ATI Aqua Blue Special, 1 ATI Purple Plus, and 4 ATI Blue Plus bulbs. The Aqua Blue Special is front of center and the purple plus is to the rear of center. I did have a GE 6,500K in there but did not like the color since my taste changed to a little more of an emphisis on the bluer end of the spectrum. I tried a single Coral Plus in there and though it lacked strenght in the green/yellow part of the spectrum compared to the Aqua or GE.

Now you mentioned that you had a GE 6500k in their were was your placement Of that bulb. Just in case I think it might be to blue for me.

 

[ReefCowboy]

Grim thanks for the opportunity to hear your thoughts,

I have a 48"x24"x16" with a 6 bulb tek. Have about a 50% of lps and sps. Things are growing well, and from past experience, have used 10k bulbs in my tanks. Was under the impression that temp was needed by sps. I like the sunlight effect, but like everybody else, like better the blue look if that doesnt compromisse the real need of the sps.

Heres my order

Blue+
Purple+
10k
Blue+
10k
Blue+

Wanting to stick with ati bulbs, what conf would you recommend to keep these corals in health and good color?
Thanks

 

[TropTrea]

Hi Dennis, thank you! I'm still needing 2 more bulbs because the lamp is an 8 bulb fixture. I like the combo you are suggesting I would just need 2 more bulbs.

You can add two more Blue Plus bulbs.

 

[TropTrea]

Grim thanks for the opportunity to hear your thoughts,

I have a 48"x24"x16" with a 6 bulb tek. Have about a 50% of lps and sps. Things are growing well, and from past experience, have used 10k bulbs in my tanks. Was under the impression that temp was needed by sps. I like the sunlight effect, but like everybody else, like better the blue look if that doesnt compromisse the real need of the sps.

Heres my order

Blue+
Purple+
10k
Blue+
10k
Blue+

Wanting to stick with ati bulbs, what conf would you recommend to keep these corals in health and good color?
Thanks

I would substitute one GE 6,500 K and one ATI Pirple Plus for your two 10 K's. Put the 6,500K just to the front oc center.

 

[bdevillier]

im looking at putting a 4X24" t5 over my 20 gallon long. what combo would be recommended for a mixed reef with sps 4-5" below the surface. how high should i hand the fixture? i think i saw somewhere 2 blue+, 1 coral+, and 1 purple+ is a good combo? looking for a good 14-20k look but still good growth. thanks

 

[TropTrea]

Now you mentioned that you had a GE 6500k in their were was your placement Of that bulb. Just in case I think it might be to blue for me.

With 8 Bulbs I'm running
Front
1 ATI Blue Plus
2 ATI Purple Plus
3 ATI Blue Plus
4 GE 6,500K
5 ATI Blue Plus
6 ATI Purple Plus
7 ATI Blue Plus
8 ATI Blue Plus
Rear

For a six bulb fixture I would go
Front
1 ATI Blue Plus
2 ATI Blue Plus
3 GE 6,500K
4 ATI Blue Plus
5 ATI Purple Plus
6 ATI Blue Plus
rear

 

[TropTrea]

im looking at putting a 4X24" t5 over my 20 gallon long. what combo would be recommended for a mixed reef with sps 4-5" below the surface. how high should i hand the fixture? i think i saw somewhere 2 blue+, 1 coral+, and 1 purple+ is a good combo? looking for a good 14-20k look but still good growth. thanks

I would go with two Blue Plus and two Corals Plus bulbs. Adding a purple Plus to the mix with just 4 bulbs would move it more purple than blue since the coral plusalready have a strong red element.

 

[bdevillier]

I would go with two Blue Plus and two Corals Plus bulbs. Adding a purple Plus to the mix with just 4 bulbs would move it more purple than blue since the coral plusalready have a strong red element.

OK thanks. I'll give that a try. I also saw a picture of a 4 bulb combo on NR where the guy was using 2 blue+, 1 uvl super actinic, and 1 Fiji purple and it looked pretty good. It was blue but almost like a 20k radium look. Any thoughts?

 

[TropTrea]

I just got a tek 6x39 watt fixture that's gonna go over a 40 breeder. Its gonna be a mix reef but probably more sps then anything.
What light combo do you suggest and how high should I have the fixture?

I still have one of my Frag tanks running this exact fixture. For height I simply put a 2X2 piece of lumber between the tank and the legs that the fixture came with. I believe that puts it about 4" above my water surface.

Through the years I played with bulb combos for it and my best results were with
front
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Blue Plus
ATI AquaBlue Special
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Purple Plus
ATI Blue Plus
rear.

Note I rewred my fixture years ago so the two end bulbscome on fr dawn to dusk and the center 4 bulbs for midday.

 

[TropTrea]

OK thanks. I'll give that a try. I also saw a picture of a 4 bulb combo on NR where the guy was using 2 blue+, 1 uvl super actinic, and 1 Fiji purple and it looked pretty good. It was blue but almost like a 20k radium look. Any thoughts?

To me this may look pretty and make the florescense pop but I would bet on it for fantastic coral growth. Also if you fish with reflective yellow pignements they will not stand out because there is little to no yellow light to pop there yellow coloring.

 

[bdevillier]

To me this may look pretty and make the florescense pop but I would bet on it for fantastic coral growth. Also if you fish with reflective yellow pignements they will not stand out because there is little to no yellow light to pop there yellow coloring.

Yeah it looked really good but from what I understand 20k looks good but 14k grows better correct?

 

[Pdm2476]

Quick question I have a 4 bulb T-5 HO what is the best light combo for it? 30gallon tank mixed reef lps sps and softies..

I plan on using all ATI bulbs would 3 blue+ and a coral+ work? should i drop a blue+ for a purple+ ?

 

[YoungREEFA]

Kelvin related to growth is more related towards halide, you can have 6 blue plus' kne fiji purple and a coral plus and have a 20 k output but par will be absolutely great.

 

[bdevillier]

Kelvin related to growth is more related towards halide, you can have 6 blue plus' kne fiji purple and a coral plus and have a 20 k output but par will be absolutely great.

Gotcha. So my lfs told me that 2 blue+ and 2 aquablue would be better than 2 BP and 2 CP?

 

[YoungREEFA]

Im not sure which bulb has more par but it is only by 25-35 or so par. Aquablue is used more in fixtures with more bulbs as these tend to wash out color without other supplement bulbs, for you i would go either 3b+ and a coral plus or 2b+ a fiji purple and an aqua blue

 

[warnutts]

Do I have too much light over my tank?

Dimensions are 48x24x21 105 gallons

I have an 8 bulb ati powermodule got a good deal on it, but can't seem to get the right color combo. Too much light maybe?

 

[A. Grandis]

This thread is still alive!!!
So good...

Well, I just want to let you all know that I've got the new ATI 6 bulb dimmable fixture today for a 75gal. system.
That fixture is just amazing!! Easy to set up and with only 2 fans for the 6 bulbs!!
It's lighter than my other 2 Power modules and runs very smooth!!!
It has a built in thermometer and shows the temperature of the fixture!

It's so good when we find that type of equipment.
Hope the fixture to run many years, like the others I have running...
I just wanted to share that.

Grandis.

 

[A. Grandis]

Do I have too much light over my tank?

Dimensions are 48x24x21 105 gallons

I have an 8 bulb ati powermodule got a good deal on it, but can't seem to get the right color combo. Too much light maybe?

That's not too much light at all, if you're keeping photosynthetic corals and others.
I have the ATI 8 bulbs and it's only about 18" wide, so...
You can run the bulbs less time, if you don't need too much light or if you're having algae/heat/other problems.

Grandis.

 

[A. Grandis]

If you have to choose between the 2, would you please tell me what bulb do you prefer:
KZ new generation or ATI Coral Plus? Why?

Does anyone know how do the KZ 10000K looks like?
Any other bulb similar, so I can have an idea?

Any bulb comparison chart lately (PAR)?

Thanks,
Grandis.