The T5 Q&a Thread - split

I need some help on bulb selection and maybe some confirmation on fixture choice so here goes. My tank is finally up, just under a week so its still cycling. It is a 150 tall (48Lx24Wx31H) with a 3" sand bottom. I am planning on keeping LPS and softies and a few Monti caps but would not mind being able to get a clam in the distant future. The tank in in a wall so 3 sides are painted blue. Hope thats enough info.

I am planning on buying the Tek 48" 6 bulb but want to make sure that its not overkill vs a 4 bulb. And of course, what bulb combo would work best for that deep of a tank. I do not plan on using MH at all, its too hot for the location. THANKS!!! for the help.
 
TheAquatect said:
I need some help on bulb selection and maybe some confirmation on fixture choice so here goes. My tank is finally up, just under a week so its still cycling. It is a 150 tall (48Lx24Wx31H) with a 3" sand bottom. I am planning on keeping LPS and softies and a few Monti caps but would not mind being able to get a clam in the distant future. The tank in in a wall so 3 sides are painted blue. Hope thats enough info.

I am planning on buying the Tek 48" 6 bulb but want to make sure that its not overkill vs a 4 bulb. And of course, what bulb combo would work best for that deep of a tank. I do not plan on using MH at all, its too hot for the location. THANKS!!! for the help.
Click to expand...

You need an 8 lamp fixture and even with that forget about clams.
 
ati power module 6 bulb

ati power module 6 bulb

Grim , just recently purchased a ati powermodule 6 bulb for a 120 tech running mostly zoas and chalices . was wondering what would be a good bulb selection for what im running ? any info is greatly appreciated i also do like the color that the fiji purple gives out
 
The Grim Reefer said:
You need an 8 lamp fixture and even with that forget about clams.
Click to expand...

Seriously? An 8 bulb monster and forget clams? Even mounted higher up on the rock? That just does not jive with what I've seen from others. But clams are not my immediate concern so no big deal. But 8 seems awful much for lps and softies.
does the bulb configuration have anything to do with it? You never mentioned which bulbs are good to start with.
 
fatboy40 said:
Grim , just recently purchased a ati powermodule 6 bulb for a 120 tech running mostly zoas and chalices . was wondering what would be a good bulb selection for what im running ? any info is greatly appreciated i also do like the color that the fiji purple gives out
Click to expand...

Blue Plus
Fiji Purple
Blue Plus
Coral Plus
Blue Plus
Blue Plus
 
TheAquatect said:
Seriously? An 8 bulb monster and forget clams? Even mounted higher up on the rock? That just does not jive with what I've seen from others. But clams are not my immediate concern so no big deal. But 8 seems awful much for lps and softies.
does the bulb configuration have anything to do with it? You never mentioned which bulbs are good to start with.
Click to expand...

Your tank is 31 inches tall, thats a lot of water for the light to pass through. If you can set the clams like half way up the rock you'd be OK. Some LPS need a lot of light so make sure you do your homework. I'd think about making a rock plateau to set clams at the top and keep thje coral below them. Never seen that done before, be unique for sure.

Blue Plus
Purple Plus
Blue Plus
GE 6500K
Blue Plus
Purple Plus
Blue Plus
Blue Plus
 
The Grim Reefer said:
Your tank is 31 inches tall, thats a lot of water for the light to pass through. If you can set the clams like half way up the rock you'd be OK. Some LPS need a lot of light so make sure you do your homework. I'd think about making a rock plateau to set clams at the top and keep thje coral below them. Never seen that done before, be unique for sure.

Blue Plus
Purple Plus
Blue Plus
GE 6500K
Blue Plus
Purple Plus
Blue Plus
Blue Plus
Click to expand...

Sounds like a plan. I measured the from the sand to the top of the water line at 28" and the top most part of my rock is 18" from the waterline. My waterline is a bit lower than normal to accommodate the full volume of the sump in an emergency to avoid DT overflow so I run my water a bit lower than most would.

Thanks!!
 
TheAquatect said:
Sounds like a plan. I measured the from the sand to the top of the water line at 28" and the top most part of my rock is 18" from the waterline. My waterline is a bit lower than normal to accommodate the full volume of the sump in an emergency to avoid DT overflow so I run my water a bit lower than most would.

Thanks!!
Click to expand...

18" should be safe for clams.
 
The Grim Reefer said:
Yes. Even with just T5's they give pretty good coverage
Click to expand...

Which 2 bulb combo would you go with considering my situation? I'll have one bulb in front and one in back. I'll be using 3 250 watt radiums. I want the T5's mainly for sunrise/sunset application. I may or may not burn them while the Radiums are on. It just depends on the looks.
I appreciate all the info you provide in this thread. People like you make Reef Central an awesome place to learn!!!
 
DownwardDawg said:
Which 2 bulb combo would you go with considering my situation? I'll have one bulb in front and one in back. I'll be using 3 250 watt radiums. I want the T5's mainly for sunrise/sunset application. I may or may not burn them while the Radiums are on. It just depends on the looks.
I appreciate all the info you provide in this thread. People like you make Reef Central an awesome place to learn!!!
Click to expand...

ATI Blue3 plus in front and a Purple Plus in back. It's an almost violet sunset look but would be nice with the halides running. If that doesn't sound appealing use 2 blue plus.
 
hey grim do you think you could help me make a decision as to which light fixture i should get?


So i have exhausted myself trying to research as much as i can regarding my new 40 breeder lighting setup. I have narrowed my search down to these three fixtures:

6x24w ATI Sunpower

4x39w ATI Sunpower

6x39w Tek Elite

My plan for the tank at the moment is for a mixed reef with primarily lps and sps and a clam. At the moment i have no sps as i just moved and i am going to let the tank settle in. I know eventually down the road that the tank will be primarily sps as i progress in this hobby, but i will be taking it slow. My rocks are around 3" from the edges all around and i wont be putting any sps that far out anyways.

I like the six bulb fixture for more bulb choices and i would prefer to hang the light as low as possible as it will be in my living room.

With the four bulb 36" fixture would i get enough coverage from front to back without having to hang it that much higher than the six bulb fixture?

Is it worth it to pay the extra $100 or so for the 6x24w Sunpower over the 6x39w Tek Elite?

Thanks

imagejpeg_2_4.jpg
imagejpeg_2_5.jpg
imagejpeg_2_6.jpg
 
Hi Grim,

I have a 4 foot 8 bulb sfiligoi T5 fixture.
I have 4x blue plus, 2x coral plus, 1x purple plus and 1x aquablue.

(I have two sfiligoi actinic bulbs wasn't planning on using unless you think I should)

What would be a pleasing order to place the bulbs? The inner 4 bulbs are on one switch and the outter (2+2) 4 bulbs are on another switch.

Tank is shallow, 48x30x 18 deep.


Thanks.
 
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