The T5 Q&a Thread - split

[cham]

Hey Grim, rtparty and other T5 gurus!!

I haven't been keeping up with the T5 trends but it's been a year and time to replace my bulbs. I have an 8 bulb ATI PM and have been happy with this combo for the past year

4 blue+, two KZ fiji, two ATI pure actinic (If i recall correctly, it's the 20k bulb).

I put the 20k bulbs in the middle of my fixture where my corals have grown high in the tank, I like the different spectrum that they add that seems to be different visually than the blue+.

So a couple questions.

1. I'm seeing the purple plus reccomended where as about a year ago the KZ Fiji was king. Has the king been dethroned? Better PAR?

2. Any reccomendations on a 20 or 22k bulb? Overall I like the 20k look to my tank and the KZ's wash out the blue+ and 20k bulbs without looking pink or purple in my tank. Honestly IMHO my tank looks 15k ish to me, not super blue at all.

 

[TropTrea]

Hey Grim, rtparty and other T5 gurus!!

I haven't been keeping up with the T5 trends but it's been a year and time to replace my bulbs. I have an 8 bulb ATI PM and have been happy with this combo for the past year

4 blue+, two KZ fiji, two ATI pure actinic (If i recall correctly, it's the 20k bulb).

I put the 20k bulbs in the middle of my fixture where my corals have grown high in the tank, I like the different spectrum that they add that seems to be different visually than the blue+.

So a couple questions.

1. I'm seeing the purple plus reccomended where as about a year ago the KZ Fiji was king. Has the king been dethroned? Better PAR?

2. Any reccomendations on a 20 or 22k bulb? Overall I like the 20k look to my tank and the KZ's wash out the blue+ and 20k bulbs without looking pink or purple in my tank. Honestly IMHO my tank looks 15k ish to me, not super blue at all.

If you want to go closer to the 22K "Blue look" pull the pure Atinics and replace them with a ATI Blue Plus.

The reason there is more backing for the ATI Purple over the Fuji Red is that the ATI purple has a much stronger Blue part of its spectrum. So we would recommend that as your 7th bulb.

Now the normal recomendation for bulb number 8 would be a GE 6,500K but this will bring your Color tempo down consideranly from the 22 K level. Waht would keep thing blue for you would be the Aqua Blue Special. But there are a variety of bulbs that could work here dependent upon your eye preference. You might want to consider a look at one of the 75/25 bulbs sold as 14,000K bulbs which are 75% atinic and 25% "white".

 

[cham]

If you want to go closer to the 22K "Blue look" pull the pure Atinics and replace them with a ATI Blue Plus.

The reason there is more backing for the ATI Purple over the Fuji Red is that the ATI purple has a much stronger Blue part of its spectrum. So we would recommend that as your 7th bulb.

Now the normal recomendation for bulb number 8 would be a GE 6,500K but this will bring your Color tempo down consideranly from the 22 K level. Waht would keep thing blue for you would be the Aqua Blue Special. But there are a variety of bulbs that could work here dependent upon your eye preference. You might want to consider a look at one of the 75/25 bulbs sold as 14,000K bulbs which are 75% atinic and 25% "white".

I think what I wrote sounded confusing, lol sorry

I like the 15k look I have (some would call it 20k but I call it 15k) and the four Blue+, two fiji's and two actinics give me the perfect look for me. Just curious before I replace them with the exact same combo that there isn't other bulbs out there that have replaced the "latest & greatest" that I should consider.

Thanks for the quick reply.

 

[LCDRDATA]

T5 Replacement Time

T5 Replacement Time

8x54W T-5 ~ 8" above 75 gallon mixed reef
Two banks of lights, #s 1/2/7/8 on timer 12 hours/day, #s 3-6 manual 4-8 hours/day.

Current arrangement (front to back)
1) ATI Aquablue Special
2) UVL True Actinic
3) ATI Purple Plus
4) ATI Blue Plus
5) GE 6500K
6) ATI Purple Plus
7) ATI Aquablue Special
8) ATI Blue Plus

I generally rotate 3 of the outside bank into the center bank (keeping the 6500K where it is) and then put the new bulbs in the outside bank. I'm also thinking about buying replacements for all eight (to save on shipping) although I'd only swap out half now.

The current look isn't bad but I'd like a little more pop (without becoming Windex), and was thinking about replacing one of the Aquablue Specials with an actinic. I've also thought about dropping the 6500K, but not sure what the best alternative would be. The new ATI Coral Plus looks interesting, but I haven't seen much on them,

So I'm looking at something like the following after the rotation:
1) ATI Aquablue Special / Coral Plus
2) ATI Purple Plus?
3) ATI Aquablue Special
4) UVL True Actinic
5) GE 6500k (?) / Aquablue Special / Coral Plus (?)
6) ATI Blue Plus
7) ATI True Actinic?
8) ATI Aquablue Special / Coral Plus

What do you think?

 

[rtparty]

Hey Grim, rtparty and other T5 gurus!!

I haven't been keeping up with the T5 trends but it's been a year and time to replace my bulbs. I have an 8 bulb ATI PM and have been happy with this combo for the past year

4 blue+, two KZ fiji, two ATI pure actinic (If i recall correctly, it's the 20k bulb).

I put the 20k bulbs in the middle of my fixture where my corals have grown high in the tank, I like the different spectrum that they add that seems to be different visually than the blue+.

So a couple questions.

1. I'm seeing the purple plus reccomended where as about a year ago the KZ Fiji was king. Has the king been dethroned? Better PAR?

2. Any reccomendations on a 20 or 22k bulb? Overall I like the 20k look to my tank and the KZ's wash out the blue+ and 20k bulbs without looking pink or purple in my tank. Honestly IMHO my tank looks 15k ish to me, not super blue at all.

6 ATI Blue Plus and 2 ATI Purple Plus

The actinics are pointless.

 

[rtparty]

8x54W T-5 ~ 8" above 75 gallon mixed reef
Two banks of lights, #s 1/2/7/8 on timer 12 hours/day, #s 3-6 manual 4-8 hours/day.

Current arrangement (front to back)
1) ATI Aquablue Special
2) UVL True Actinic
3) ATI Purple Plus
4) ATI Blue Plus
5) GE 6500K
6) ATI Purple Plus
7) ATI Aquablue Special
8) ATI Blue Plus

I generally rotate 3 of the outside bank into the center bank (keeping the 6500K where it is) and then put the new bulbs in the outside bank. I'm also thinking about buying replacements for all eight (to save on shipping) although I'd only swap out half now.

The current look isn't bad but I'd like a little more pop (without becoming Windex), and was thinking about replacing one of the Aquablue Specials with an actinic. I've also thought about dropping the 6500K, but not sure what the best alternative would be. The new ATI Coral Plus looks interesting, but I haven't seen much on them,

So I'm looking at something like the following after the rotation:
1) ATI Aquablue Special / Coral Plus
2) ATI Purple Plus?
3) ATI Aquablue Special
4) UVL True Actinic
5) GE 6500k (?) / Aquablue Special / Coral Plus (?)
6) ATI Blue Plus
7) ATI True Actinic?
8) ATI Aquablue Special / Coral Plus

What do you think?

I wouldn't expect too much pop with either setup. You don't have enough blue to make things pop.

A good 8 bulb combo is 5 BLue Plus, 2 Purple Plus and 1 GE6500k.

If you think that is going to be too blue (it isn't all that blue BTW) change a Blue Plus for an ATI Coral Plus.

When you have 8 bulbs, at least 4 of them should be blue bulbs but I really like shooting for 6 blue bulbs. The "daylight" bulbs (GE6500k, ATI Aquablue, Purple Plus, Coral Plus) really overpower the blue bulbs. They provide plenty of spectrum still.

 

[cham]

6 ATI Blue Plus and 2 ATI Purple Plus

The actinics are pointless.

I have some red SPS, does the red spectrum in the KZ favor them better? I know the ATI purple+ is favored because of it's extra blue but with 6 blue+ I think I might have that covered

 

[GSMguy]

Cham go with 3xBlue+, 2xKZ FP, 2x KZ superblue, and one GE6500k

The superblue has more actinic than the Blue+

 

[msayani2]

Hey Grim,

I am planning a 120 g display tank (48x24x24) with a 20g sump setup. I need some advice on which T5 fixture to go for. Ill be keeping several fish including tangs, wrasse, damsels etc.. Corals will be softies, LPS and a few sps (2-3)

I wish to keep the fixture as close to the water as possible (3" off the water if that is okay) .

Im thinking of the sunpower 6x54w for this setup. Is this enough? I dont wish to bleach my corals but at the same time want to get a quality fixture that will last me a while and will not have to be placed too high above the tank causing glare to viewers' eyes.

What do you think?

 

[Froggy]

Hey Grim,

I am planning a 120 g display tank (48x24x24) with a 20g sump setup. I need some advice on which T5 fixture to go for. Ill be keeping several fish including tangs, wrasse, damsels etc.. Corals will be softies, LPS and a few sps (2-3)

I wish to keep the fixture as close to the water as possible (3" off the water if that is okay) .

Im thinking of the sunpower 6x54w for this setup. Is this enough? I dont wish to bleach my corals but at the same time want to get a quality fixture that will last me a while and will not have to be placed too high above the tank causing glare to viewers' eyes.

What do you think?

IMO you would have to keep a Sunpower much higher based on what you want to keep. You will fry your corals that close unless you run several low par actinic bulbs. Based on your needs, I would get a Tek fixture. Still a quality fixture but not as intense as the Sunpower. Keep the Tek 4-6" off the tank without the splash guard.

I use a 8 bulb Tek over my SPS dominant 120 and have it 6" above the tank with good results so far ( only switched to all T5 1 1/2 months ago ).

Joe

 

[jbird0420]

ATI Sunpower

ATI Sunpower

Hey there,

I just switched from 2x250w mh's and 2xvho actinics, to an 8x80w ATI Sunpower on my 180g. My tank mainly consists of LPS, softies, and a couple stix. I will say some of my LPS did slightly bleach, but they are coming back after a month of the light switch over. The fixture since I had it is suspended about 14" above the water line.
I'm really happy with the upgrade and I will keep it the same distance above the waterline, since my tank is LPS dominate mainly and I have a lot of red LPS that like low light. The sunpower does give off a lot of light. I have 4x blue+ bulbs, 2x ATI Purple and 1x aquablue bulb.

Hey Grim,

I am planning a 120 g display tank (48x24x24) with a 20g sump setup. I need some advice on which T5 fixture to go for. Ill be keeping several fish including tangs, wrasse, damsels etc.. Corals will be softies, LPS and a few sps (2-3)

I wish to keep the fixture as close to the water as possible (3" off the water if that is okay) .

Im thinking of the sunpower 6x54w for this setup. Is this enough? I dont wish to bleach my corals but at the same time want to get a quality fixture that will last me a while and will not have to be placed too high above the tank causing glare to viewers' eyes.

What do you think?

 

[WayOfTheReef]

Hi guys. Need help with my T5 newbieness. Should I get a Tek Light fixture or an ATI Sunpower 60" 8 Bulb fixture, which is better?
Can anyone provide a link to a thread measuring PAR readings for a 60" ATI or Tek fixture with 8 bulbs, or would the PAR reading be the same as a 48" fixture?

 

[mchung]

Looking to light 46g bow (36"x16"x21"). Looking at the ATI SunPower, but the Tek's pricing is attractive. For either one, do i need 36" 4 bulb or 6 bulb fixture. And what bulbs would look best?

Thanks!

 

[TropTrea]

Looking to light 46g bow (36"x16"x21"). Looking at the ATI SunPower, but the Tek's pricing is attractive. For either one, do i need 36" 4 bulb or 6 bulb fixture. And what bulbs would look best?

Thanks!

The more bulbs you are using the better as it gives you much more mixing and matching capabilities, plus more light for your corals. The ATI fixture with the same number of bulbs will also gve you considerably more light.

Check the dimensions on the fixtures and go with the one that alow you to fit the most bulbs on your tank.

For combo with a 6 bulb mix I'd go

Front
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Purple Plus
ATI Blue Plus
GE 6,500K
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Blue Plus

 

[TropTrea]

Hi guys. Need help with my T5 newbieness. Should I get a Tek Light fixture or an ATI Sunpower 60" 8 Bulb fixture, which is better?
Can anyone provide a link to a thread measuring PAR readings for a 60" ATI or Tek fixture with 8 bulbs, or would the PAR reading be the same as a 48" fixture?

PAr reading for 48" fixtures over 48" tanks should be very comparable to 60" fixtures over 60" tanks. Now if you have a 72" tank there will be fallout on the ends with both fixtures and more so with the 48" fixture.

If you can aford it do not hesitate to go with the ATI fixture. It will give your better PAR than the TEK running identical bulbs.

 

[TropTrea]

Hey Grim,

I am planning a 120 g display tank (48x24x24) with a 20g sump setup. I need some advice on which T5 fixture to go for. Ill be keeping several fish including tangs, wrasse, damsels etc.. Corals will be softies, LPS and a few sps (2-3)

I wish to keep the fixture as close to the water as possible (3" off the water if that is okay) .

Im thinking of the sunpower 6x54w for this setup. Is this enough? I dont wish to bleach my corals but at the same time want to get a quality fixture that will last me a while and will not have to be placed too high above the tank causing glare to viewers' eyes.

What do you think?

I would strongly suggest you consider an 8 X 54 like I'm running on my tank. Sure it is a lot of light but if you ever decide to go with SPS corals you will be kicking yourself. For your Softies and low light corals now you can reduce the PAR by using atinic bulbs in your mix but if later you decide to keep clams, or some SPS's corals you may not want to invest into a new light fixture again.

Having been in the business I saw to many people going with the minimum that would work for them then several months later later have to throw it out as there need changed and they wanted something better.

 

[msayani2]

Thanks for the responses all,

So for a low PAR (relatively) 8x 54 w sunpower setup what bulb combos do you guys recommend? I'm more into the 20,000K look and thats what Im shooting for.

 

[Fieroguy19]

Pull the Aquablue for an ATI Purple Plus and put that on your dusk/dawn.

I personally would run 3 Blue PLus and 1 Purple for dusk/dawn and then have the GE and Blue Plus come on for day light.

Well I have thought about trying a purple plus but was worried it would look the same as the fiji purple that I tried a few years ago. The fiji bulb made my tank look pink even with 4 blue plus running. Does the purple plus look purple to the naked eye or is it pink like the fiji bulb? I would like to keep the aquablue bulb but maybe 3 blue plus wouldn't be enough blue if I use the purple plus?

 

[jacob.morgan78]

I have the aquatic life 12 bulb t5 fixture.

It was suggested to me to take off the plastic guard to increase par. Now, I have some some water that has been hitting the bulbs (without my knowledge) and of course I have some salt build up on the bulbs now. I think it was coming from bubbles popping on the surface of the water.

Is there a recommended way of dealing with cleaning the bulbs? Should I put the splash guard back up?

Thanks!!!

 

[Jstn]

Just picked up a basically new tek4x39 with legs for 100 bucks, time to upgrade my current sundial!.