The T5 Q&a Thread - split

I just got myself a 6x80W ATI Sunpower. To replace 3x Radions. My local LFS only had 4x80W tubes in stock. They were:
B+
B+
C+
P+

This combo looks quite bright and white. Very clear though! I do like it so far.

I am not sure what to add as the last 2 bulbs... I would like much more "pop"

Should I add another Blue + and a True Actinic or 2 x True Actinic?

Also what kind of hours should I be running the ATI?

I am also considering just adding a DIY strip of RB + a couple of UV like the set-up that Sahin built.

Thanks
 
Jumping on in hopes that someone will have a suggestion. This will be my first time using T5s.

Adding 2 x 54W T5 to my 120 (4x2x2) for extra "oomph". Using LED for main light source.

Suggestions for best bulb color? Coral+, purple+? The two bulbs will "straddle" the LED units so one will be closer to back, one closer to front. I'm not sure if they should therefore be the same color or if they will spread enough that you wouldn't notice. Height will be about 10" off the water... can't really be any lower or they'll shade the LEDs.

Thanks in advance!!
 
fessoclown said:
I just got myself a 6x80W ATI Sunpower. To replace 3x Radions. My local LFS only had 4x80W tubes in stock. They were:

B+

B+

C+

P+



This combo looks quite bright and white. Very clear though! I do like it so far.



I am not sure what to add as the last 2 bulbs... I would like much more "pop"



Should I add another Blue + and a True Actinic or 2 x True Actinic?



Also what kind of hours should I be running the ATI?



I am also considering just adding a DIY strip of RB + a couple of UV like the set-up that Sahin built.



Thanks
Click to expand...


What's the front to back measurement of your tank?

If you do some reading on this thread, there are countless examples of good bulb combos. Most avoid pure actinic unless the fixture is 8+ bulbs to keep par numbers high.

Personally, I would add 2 more blue + bulbs. I didn't like the purple+ coral+ combo. It came out very pink.

My last set of bulbs was 4 blue+ and 2 coral+ but this time around I'm playing around with a few of the new giesemann bulbs and I like them a lot as well.
 
Hey all would like to hear a couple recommendations for bulbs. I have a 75g tank with a 8x54w ATI Sunpower above it. Right now I am running:

FRONT
Blue+
Blue+
Coral+
Blue+
Purple+
Blue+
Coral+
Blue+

Couple things I would like to change.. I think the Coral+ bulbs put out a bit too much white for my liking (just how it looks). At the same time, I am having a problem with Cyano and I think the Coral+ bulbs are also adding to it by giving the cyano the spectrum it wants to be happy. I am not sure if I am making this up or not, but it feels this way.

So what would you guys recommend? Keep in mind that this 8 bulb fixture is entirely too strong for my tank. I have the lights dimmed at hit a maximum of 50% through the day and its still enough light. So PAR isnt an issue that needs to be considered.

Should I just replace one Coral+ with another Blue+?? Or is there something else that would fit well?
 
Has anyone tried a coral+ heavy lineup. I've been running

c+
b+
c+
c+
b+
c+

in my 6 bulb fixture and I like it. If I add a purple+ in place of a coral+ it's too pink, and if I add a blue+ it looks too dark. PAR is good in all cases, not differing by more than 50 or so.
 
I used to use exactly the same combination before switching to a 8-tube power module. I got good coloration and excellent growth. In my current set up, I have 5 B + and 3 C +. it is slightly blue, but I like it.
 
jimrawr said:
Hey all would like to hear a couple recommendations for bulbs. I have a 75g tank with a 8x54w ATI Sunpower above it. Right now I am running:

FRONT
Blue+
Blue+
Coral+
Blue+
Purple+
Blue+
Coral+
Blue+

Couple things I would like to change.. I think the Coral+ bulbs put out a bit too much white for my liking (just how it looks). At the same time, I am having a problem with Cyano and I think the Coral+ bulbs are also adding to it by giving the cyano the spectrum it wants to be happy. I am not sure if I am making this up or not, but it feels this way.

So what would you guys recommend? Keep in mind that this 8 bulb fixture is entirely too strong for my tank. I have the lights dimmed at hit a maximum of 50% through the day and its still enough light. So PAR isnt an issue that needs to be considered.

Should I just replace one Coral+ with another Blue+?? Or is there something else that would fit well?
Click to expand...
You could replace a coral plus with a blue plus or a Super Actinic. You certainly don't have too much red in your spectrum so as to encourage Cyano.
 
markalot said:
Has anyone tried a coral+ heavy lineup. I've been running

c+
b+
c+
c+
b+
c+

in my 6 bulb fixture and I like it. If I add a purple+ in place of a coral+ it's too pink, and if I add a blue+ it looks too dark. PAR is good in all cases, not differing by more than 50 or so.
Click to expand...

If you like the look that is a good blend - based on ATI's intention with the Coral plus its supposed to blend the Blue Plus, ABS and Purple Plus in the exact ratio that is ideal. Theoretically you could just go all Coral plus, but I think using a couple blues is pretty much necessary.
 
Reef Reactor said:
I have build a 8 48" bulbs lamp. Here i can only get ati bulbs. What is your recommendation on bulbs to keep sps with good color and grow?
Thanks!
Click to expand...

mhucasey said:
Well thats a bummer:( ATI bulbs are very good and pretty much can't be beat for output, so its not too much of an issue. I would definitely use the ATI bulb Guide linked to a few posts back for combo Ideas.

Here is an 8 bulb combo with all ATI bulbs that you may like, its pretty white but has a lot of pop and good intensity:
B+
ABS
B+
P+
ATI Actinic
B+
ABS
B+
Click to expand...
And do you think 8 bulbs ate enough for my tank? It is 48"×40"×22".
Thanks.
 
Reef Reactor said:
And do you think 8 bulbs ate enough for my tank? It is 48"×40"×22".
Thanks.
Click to expand...

For that size tank, you will get good coverage for about the middle 30 inches. You can keep lower light corals on the fringes or just center the aquascape under the fixture.

I am building a tank with a 36" width, 48" long. One fixture won't cover it so I will use two 36" 6-bulb Sunpower fixtures to cover the tank.
 
mhucasey said:
For that size tank, you will get good coverage for about the middle 30 inches. You can keep lower light corals on the fringes or just center the aquascape under the fixture.

I am building a tank with a 36" width, 48" long. One fixture won't cover it so I will use two 36" 6-bulb Sunpower fixtures to cover the tank.
Click to expand...
Got it. I will try to center everthing under the lamp!
[emoji6]
 
What size sunpower should I look into for a 65g mixed reef? I am trying to decide between a 4x39w or a 6x39w. I am currently keeping soft and lps corals, but want to add a few beginner sps near the top. I used to have a tek fixture before I switched to leds and have no experience with the ati sunpower fixtures. If anybody who has had some experience with either of these would please chime in , I would greatly appreciate it.
 
reefjunkke77 said:
What size sunpower should I look into for a 65g mixed reef? I am trying to decide between a 4x39w or a 6x39w. I am currently keeping soft and lps corals, but want to add a few beginner sps near the top. I used to have a tek fixture before I switched to leds and have no experience with the ati sunpower fixtures. If anybody who has had some experience with either of these would please chime in , I would greatly appreciate it.
Click to expand...

I would go 6 lamps with a 18" wide tank.. For t-5 more lamps mainly means more coverage.

Also look into the Giesemann Matrixx II fixture. I just replaced my ATI fixture with the Matrixx II and like it allot more.
 
shred5 said:
I would go 6 lamps with a 18" wide tank.. For t-5 more lamps mainly means more coverage.

Also look into the Giesemann Matrixx II fixture. I just replaced my ATI fixture with the Matrixx II and like it allot more.
Click to expand...

How is the noise level with the Matrixx fans?
 
mhucasey said:
How is the noise level with the Matrixx fans?
Click to expand...

They are pretty quiet.

Hard to say how they compare to my two ATI fixtures because they were getting noisier as they age but they are much quieter than my ATI fans are now. Actually one of my ATI fixtures the fans dont work, so not as quite as that one :)

I am guessing they are as quite or quieter than a new ATI fixture.
 
Last edited:
Thanks everyone. I will look look into a 6x39 w then. I just Don't want to fry my current corals, but i guess i could always place lower par bulbs on the ends. Any suggestions for a good 6 bulb combo
 
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