The T5 Q&a Thread - split

[The Grim Reefer]

What is a good lamp to use in lieu of a KZ New Generation in a 36" 6-lamp fixture with 4 ATI Blue + and 1 ATI Purple plus? Tank is 16" deep with 14" of water and SPS dominant.

I'm having trouble locating the KZ New Generation.

TIA

Aquascience 15k DUO which is probably even harder to find but maybe.....

Perhaps a Coral Plus.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

ATI Coral Plus

ATI Coral Plus

I have one. Have some upheaval in Grim land right now but I will try to get this thing fired up so I can offer an opinion on it as soon as I can

 

[terri_ann]

Thank You, Thank You, Thank You, Grim!!:love2:

Would the Dimmable model be better? Is the Sunpower better than the Powermodule?

Would hanging 2 36" fixtures be better? I'd like as much intank coverage as possible because the DT is in the living room. I see they're only 39w though and either 6 or 8 bulbs.

What would I use to hang it/them? The cables or something that would make them stationary? I wouldn't want them to be banging when I "gently" raise and lower the canopy.

What order do I place the bulbs? Thanks, you're a Sweetheart!!

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Thank You, Thank You, Thank You, Grim!!:love2:

Would the Dimmable model be better? Is the Sunpower better than the Powermodule?

Would hanging 2 36" fixtures be better? I'd like as much intank coverage as possible because the DT is in the living room. I see they're only 39w though and either 6 or 8 bulbs.

What would I use to hang it/them? The cables or something that would make them stationary? I wouldn't want them to be banging when I "gently" raise and lower the canopy.

What order do I place the bulbs? Thanks, you're a Sweetheart!!

2 36's wont fit because you need a gap at the end for the exhaust vent. Even with the lamps right at the top of the tank my 60" retro lit my 72 inch tank end to end with slightly dark corners in the upper ends. Looks cool you just can't place high light critters at the ends. Powermodule is a little better. Hanging on the cables is what I would do so you can swing the fixture out of your way if you need to service the tank. I am assuming a 10" tall canopy opens from the front. If it only opens from the top I dunno. I would probably mount a couple braces just below the lid running front to back and hang the fixture from them, or you could mount them lower and instead of hanging the fixture sit it on the braces. Just be careful you dont deep six your fixture

 

[terri_ann]

Thanks Grim:thumbsup: Just need to decide retro or fixture and then order...Woot!

 

[TropTrea]

Would there be or is there a performance difference between a T5 ATI and Tek Elite fixture? If the ATI has better performance, which fixture would be best for a 40g Breeder with SPS, LPS and softies? If the ATI, why is it better in performance? Thanks! :=0)

You will get much more output of light from an ATI fixture with the same number of bulbs in it. Therefore the ATI fixture is considerably superior. However with a 40 gallon breeder tank the ATI fixture with even just 4 bulbs in it will be way too powerful for you to keep Soft corals.

I myself am using a 6 bulb Tek fixture on a 40 gallon breeder tank and have to be very careful which corals I put in that tank as the light is on the verg of being overly powerful. Softies are a no no, LPS must be on the bottom front with the light pushed to rear, and even some SPS corals do not like the amount of light they get if there located directly under the light fixture.

A shallow tank with a lot of surface area is realy hard to economicly light. The higher you raise the light fixture the more even the light distribution will be and the lower the actual PAR will be. However there is a draw back as a majority of the light produced starts lighting the room rather just the tank.

 

[TruespeedEM1]

I currently have a 120g 48x24x24 and am switching from MH to T5.

Due to hanging restrictions I will have to use the TEK Elite, not unless another one is recommended. I have a mixed reef, but want to be able to keep anything I want.

Do you recommend 6x54 or 8x54? Could you recommend bulbs as well? Thanks, as always.

 

[mightymizz]

Ok Grim (and other grateful helpers!)

It is time to replace my T5 bulbs. Currently running a 40g breeder and this is the bulb combo that I received from Grim last year.

With the new ATI Coral Plus, and another year of insights, I would appreciate insight on whether or not I should change anything from my current bulb combo. I feel that I am satisfied with my combo now, but am open to mixing it up.

Also open to ideas on whether or not I need to change bulb placement as well.

Here is current combo

My display currently runs 6x39.
Front to back:

ATI Blu +
KZ fiji purple
ATI aquablu special
ATI blu +
ATI blu +
ATI blu +

Thanks guys, really appreciate it!!

 

[rtparty]

I currently have a 120g 48x24x24 and am switching from MH to T5.

Due to hanging restrictions I will have to use the TEK Elite, not unless another one is recommended. I have a mixed reef, but want to be able to keep anything I want.

Do you recommend 6x54 or 8x54? Could you recommend bulbs as well? Thanks, as always.

8 bulb and run 5 ATI Blue Plus, 2 ATI Purple Plus and 1 GE 6500k. Grab an ATI Coral Plus as well to play with.

 

[rtparty]

Ok Grim (and other grateful helpers!)

It is time to replace my T5 bulbs. Currently running a 40g breeder and this is the bulb combo that I received from Grim last year.

With the new ATI Coral Plus, and another year of insights, I would appreciate insight on whether or not I should change anything from my current bulb combo. I feel that I am satisfied with my combo now, but am open to mixing it up.

Also open to ideas on whether or not I need to change bulb placement as well.

Here is current combo

My display currently runs 6x39.
Front to back:

ATI Blu +
KZ fiji purple
ATI aquablu special
ATI blu +
ATI blu +
ATI blu +

Thanks guys, really appreciate it!!

Change the Fiji Purple for an ATI Purple Plus and if you want a little more blue, run a Coral Plus in place of the Aquablue.

Move the Aquablue or Coral Plus (whichever you choose) back one slot as well. You will get a more even coverage by not bunching everything together.

 

[terri_ann]

You will get much more output of light from an ATI fixture with the same number of bulbs in it. Therefore the ATI fixture is considerably superior. However with a 40 gallon breeder tank the ATI fixture with even just 4 bulbs in it will be way too powerful for you to keep Soft corals.

I myself am using a 6 bulb Tek fixture on a 40 gallon breeder tank and have to be very careful which corals I put in that tank as the light is on the verg of being overly powerful. Softies are a no no, LPS must be on the bottom front with the light pushed to rear, and even some SPS corals do not like the amount of light they get if there located directly under the light fixture.

A shallow tank with a lot of surface area is realy hard to economicly light. The higher you raise the light fixture the more even the light distribution will be and the lower the actual PAR will be. However there is a draw back as a majority of the light produced starts lighting the room rather just the tank.

Thanks Dennis for the input on the 40B. Having too much light was an initial concern that I had. I'll be very watchful when I set it up and will use the Par meter...that will help me determine about corals and their placement. Again, thanks!!

 

[mightymizz]

Change the Fiji Purple for an ATI Purple Plus and if you want a little more blue, run a Coral Plus in place of the Aquablue.

Move the Aquablue or Coral Plus (whichever you choose) back one slot as well. You will get a more even coverage by not bunching everything together.

Would my current bulbs be considered fairly blue? I am not sure if adding more blue would be too much blue?

What is the Coral Plus supposed to offer if it is a bluer bulb, but not as blue as the Blue +?

Thanks again.

 

[cr reef]

Getting a new tank 60x24x26, would you go ATI 8 bulbs or 10 Currently running an 8 bulbs setup over my 100g but not ATI

Thank You

 

[rtparty]

Getting a new tank 60x24x26, would you go ATI 8 bulbs or 10 Currently running an 8 bulbs setup over my 100g but not ATI

Thank You

8 bulb and I do would the 48" instead of the 60" unless you plan on full blown SPS in every square inch of the tank.

 

[rtparty]

Would my current bulbs be considered fairly blue? I am not sure if adding more blue would be too much blue?

What is the Coral Plus supposed to offer if it is a bluer bulb, but not as blue as the Blue +?

Thanks again.

I would say your current setup is probably around 14k. The Coral Plus will probably bring you up to 16k or so.

The bluer bulbs produce better color for most people.

 

[lxeroxl]

its almost time for me to replace bulbs in my 8x80 ati powermodule wondering what the best light combination would be for growth and color?

 

[TropTrea]

I currently have a 120g 48x24x24 and am switching from MH to T5.

Due to hanging restrictions I will have to use the TEK Elite, not unless another one is recommended. I have a mixed reef, but want to be able to keep anything I want.

Do you recommend 6x54 or 8x54? Could you recommend bulbs as well? Thanks, as always.

You will be much happier with an 8 bulb fixture. But bulb selection is realy a lot dependent upon your personal taste in the level blueness and brightness you like. My personal choine would be from front to back

ATI Blue Plus
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Purple Plus or a KZ Fiji Purple
ATI Blue Plus
GE 6,500K or a KZ New Generation
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Blue Plus

 

[TropTrea]

its almost time for me to replace bulbs in my 8x80 ati powermodule wondering what the best light combination would be for growth and color?

My personal choine would be from front to back

ATI Blue Plus
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Purple Plus or a KZ Fiji Purple
ATI Blue Plus
GE 6,500K or a KZ New Generation
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Blue Plus

 

[rtparty]

My personal choine would be from front to back

ATI Blue Plus
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Purple Plus or a KZ Fiji Purple
ATI Blue Plus
GE 6,500K or a KZ New Generation
ATI Purple Plus
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Blue Plus

I fixed that for you. You only had 7 bulbs so I added another Purple Plus for the 8th bulb.

 

[TruespeedEM1]

Thanks guys will be ordering one shortly