The T5 Q&a Thread - split

Setting up the Tek Elite and need to know order of 2 GE 6500K and 4 ATI Blue Plus. Would like to use blue for moon lights too. Will it work or too bright? Thanks!

Ordered the ATI 6x80w Sunpower today also...YAY!
 
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YES, it is.

Are you saying run 4 bulbs on an advance ballast (or similiar) and 2 on the 430? How would I do a sunrise/sunset. Wouldn't the 430 still be on for a longer period of time?

Thanks again!

You'd run say 4 Blue Plus for dusk/dawn then use a Purple Plus and a Coral plus on the 430 for your "Daylight" lamps. You could also add LED's and use those as a dusk/dawn set and have 3 stage lighting.
 
Setting up the Tek Elite and need to know order of 2 GE 6500K and 4 ATI Blue Plus. Would like to use blue for moon lights too. Will it work or too bright? Thanks!

Ordered the ATI 6x80w Sunpower today also...YAY!

The GE's somewhere towards the center with a Blue Plus between them.
 
Thanks Grim!!:love1:

I got a call back from Reef Geek when I ordered the ATI Sunpower. They were backordered on the GE 6500K.:( I told George I needed a 80w for growth so he said the 10,000K so that's what he's sending. So when I get the fixture can you tell me the order for the bulbs: 4 ATI Blue Plus, 1 ATI Purple Plus and the 10,000K?

I don't know if I told you but the canopy isn't as deep as George would like it; it's 9 1/2" deep to the waterline. He said I needed 2-3" above the fixture(which is 2.1") and 6-8" from the fixture to the waterline. So 10.1" to 13.1":headwalls: Of course he said I could rework the rock...NOT! My tank is 24 deep and the rock is about 12" high.

Do you think I will be okay? "If" it is too close, the only other option is for the hubby to cut out the top of the canopy and make up the distance that way. I hate having to do that as it's a custom made solid oak canopy. Since you had yours mounted in the canopy, you have experience.

Thanks again Grim!
 
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Thanks Grim!!:love1:

I got a call back from Reef Geek when I ordered the ATI Sunpower. They were backordered on the GE 6500K.:( I told George I needed a 80w for growth so he said the 10,000K so that's what he's sending. So when I get it can you tell me the order for the bulbs: 4 ATI Blue Plus, 1 ATI Purple Plus and the 10,000K?

I don't know if I told you but the canopy isn't as deep as George would like it, it's 9 1/2" deep to the waterline. He said I needed 2-3" above the fixture(which is 2.1") and 6-8" from the fixture to the waterline. So 10.1" to 13.1":headwalls: Of course he said I could rework the rock...NOT! My tank is 24 deep and the rock is about 12" high.

Do you think I would be safe with still mounting it in the canopy? I forgot to ask George what distance the corals/rock would need to be because of the shortage. "If" it seems to be too close, the only other option is for the hubby to cutout the top of the canopy and make of the distance. I hate having to do that as it's a custom made solid oak canopy. Since you had yours mounted in the canopy, you have experience

Thanks again Grim!

Purple plus in the 2nd slot anfd aquablue in the 4th. 2 inches between the canopy and fixture will work but add a fan to the back of the canopy blowing in fresh air to the area of the fan intake on top of the canopy.
 
Been a member for a while here at reef central and usually just by cruising the posts I can find most answers Im looking for... But damn these light configurations can be confusing. GRIM Id like to thank you for helping us all out and hope you can assist me too!
My Tank is a community reef 125 gal 72"Lx18"wx24"T

I have an aquatic life 72" 12 bulb system (12 36"/39W bulbs). Can be programmed with a white first then blue phase.. here is what i got now.

39W Aqua blue (white phase)
Marine GLO
Aqua blue (white phase)
purple plus
Aqua blue special (white phase)
Actnic (white phase)

Ready to buy a side not a clue how to put it together!
Thanks, Dan
 
Been a member for a while here at reef central and usually just by cruising the posts I can find most answers Im looking for... But damn these light configurations can be confusing. GRIM Id like to thank you for helping us all out and hope you can assit me too!

I have an aquatic life 72" 12 bulb system (12 36"/39W bulbs). Can be programmed with a white first then blue phase.. here is what i got now.

39W Aqua blue (white phase)
Marine GLO
Aqua blue (white phase)
purple plus
Aqua blue special (white phase)
Actnic (white phase)

Ready to buy a side not a clue how to put it together!
Thanks, Dan

4 ATI Blue Plus, 1 ATI Purple Plus and 1 GE 6500k for each side. I would put three blue plus and the purple plus on one cycle.
 
Hello lighting experts, Im in the process of setting up a new 75g sps/lps system and i have a 6 bulb ati sunpower. Just wanna know what would be the best lighting combo for best color and growth.
 
Grim ( and other helpful RC members)


I just got myself a 36" Coralife Lunar T5 4x39watt fixture. This fixture has 2 built in fans. My tank is a 40gallon.

I'm mostly gonna keep easy coral life
-frogspawn
-hammer head
-ricordea
-RBTA
-Neon leather coral
-Acan
....etc


How would this setup work.......


Front
-Blue Plus
-Purple Plus
-Blue Plus
-Blue Plus
Back

Or............


Front
-Blue Plus
-Purple Plus
-Blue Plus
-Aquablue Plus
Back





Would I be able to raise SPS corals?
 
Thanks Rtparty! The white cycle comes on first on default setting which means that would be the blue plus and purple plus,,, then the other two for the day setting.
 
I have been digging through the split threads of this topic trying to find a bulb combination that can help me achieve a 20k look with the highest par value. Here are the list of bulbs I have that are 1-2 months old and I have been trying to switch out different combinations to reach my goal, but my results haven't been showing the color pop I want with the par values.

Bulbs I have:
Giesemann Actinic +
Giesemann Actinic +
Giesemann Actinic +
Giesemann Pure Actinic
Giesemann Pure Actinic
Giesemann Aqua Pink
Giesemann Aquablue +
Giesemann Aquablue +
Giesemann Midday Sun
GE 6500k Daylight
ATI Purple + (Bulb is about 6 months old)

I have a 48" 6-Bulb Tek-5 Elite set-up on a 90 gallon sps tank. Dimensions: 48" x 18" x 24"
Rockscape is one average middle height of the tank with some parts dipping just below where some more sensitive sps corals are.
My goal is for more color pop with a more 20k look trying to use the bulbs I have right now. If bulb recommendations for optimal growth/color/par are different from what I have, I am open to purchasing new bulbs, but would prefer not to if I can do with what I have. Also, The tek-5 elite light allows me to control bulb #1 and #6 and bulbs #2 thru #4 are on a different switch. So I would also want to achieve the best two bulbs I could place in slot 1 and 6 to get the best dawn/dusk look. Thanks in advance.

-Kyle
 
This is a tough one so I'll aproach it as initialy the best you can get with what you have then step you some changes that will improve your lighting to where you want to go.

from the front

1. Geisemann Actinic Plus
2. ATI Purple +
3. Geisemann Actinic Plus
4.GE 6500k Daylight
5. Geisemann Actinic Plus
6. Giesemann Aqua Pink

From this starting point I would change one bulb every other month. The fist one I would change is the Geisemann Aqua Pink to an ATI Blue Plus in position 6.
Next I would change the bulb in position 1 to an ATI Blue Plus
Third Change would be the 5th position to an ATI Blue Plus
Fourth change would be position 3 to an ATI Blue Plus
5th Change would replacing the bulb in position 2 with the same.
6th change would be changing the bulb in position 4 with the same.
There after every other month go back to the first change and replace it.

This would also get you on a rotation bases where you change out one bulb every other month so no bulbs are older than a full year and your not making any drastic changes at any one time.

I have been digging through the split threads of this topic trying to find a bulb combination that can help me achieve a 20k look with the highest par value. Here are the list of bulbs I have that are 1-2 months old and I have been trying to switch out different combinations to reach my goal, but my results haven't been showing the color pop I want with the par values.

Bulbs I have:
Giesemann Actinic +
Giesemann Actinic +
Giesemann Actinic +
Giesemann Pure Actinic
Giesemann Pure Actinic
Giesemann Aqua Pink
Giesemann Aquablue +
Giesemann Aquablue +
Giesemann Midday Sun
GE 6500k Daylight
ATI Purple + (Bulb is about 6 months old)

I have a 48" 6-Bulb Tek-5 Elite set-up on a 90 gallon sps tank. Dimensions: 48" x 18" x 24"
Rockscape is one average middle height of the tank with some parts dipping just below where some more sensitive sps corals are.
My goal is for more color pop with a more 20k look trying to use the bulbs I have right now. If bulb recommendations for optimal growth/color/par are different from what I have, I am open to purchasing new bulbs, but would prefer not to if I can do with what I have. Also, The tek-5 elite light allows me to control bulb #1 and #6 and bulbs #2 thru #4 are on a different switch. So I would also want to achieve the best two bulbs I could place in slot 1 and 6 to get the best dawn/dusk look. Thanks in advance.

-Kyle

If the total look for you is not Blue enough at mid day you could try replacing the GE 6,500K with either your Geisman Mid Day for a moderate change, or your Geisman Aqua Blue plus for a real dramatic Blue effect. But if you go with the Aqua Blue Plus you will loose considerable pop from your reflected coral and fish colors.
 
Grim ( and other helpful RC members)


I just got myself a 36" Coralife Lunar T5 4x39watt fixture. This fixture has 2 built in fans. My tank is a 40gallon.

I'm mostly gonna keep easy coral life
-frogspawn
-hammer head
-ricordea
-RBTA
-Neon leather coral
-Acan
....etc


How would this setup work.......


Front
-Blue Plus
-Purple Plus
-Blue Plus
-Blue Plus
Back

Or............


Front
-Blue Plus
-Purple Plus
-Blue Plus
-Aquablue Plus
Back





Would I be able to raise SPS corals?

I would consider option 2 first. but move the AquaBlue BSpecial up on notch.

Another possibility based on your personal color preference is to eliminate the Purple Plus for another Blue Plus. Then use a GE 6,500K instead of the Aqua Blue Special to make it much brighter.
 
Need a suggestion/recommendation.....

I have a 90G Oceanic Tech tank and I'm running a 4 x 54W T5 retro on an IceCap 660. SPS dominated and while I've seen decent growth and color, I've been reading lately that the IceCap is too strong for the bulbs and kills them faster.

So, I'm deciding on an ATI fixture, but the Tech tanks have a 3" border all around the top rim of the tank, so the area for light to penetrate is really only 42" by 11".

Due to this, should I get the 6x39 ATI or a 4x54 ATI? Would a 4 bulb ATI fixture be enough on my tank? It seems fine now with the Icecap ballast and I've seen bleaching when moving corals from a MH tank to my T5 one.
 
This is a tough one so I'll aproach it as initialy the best you can get with what you have then step you some changes that will improve your lighting to where you want to go.

from the front

1. Geisemann Actinic Plus
2. ATI Purple +
3. Geisemann Actinic Plus
4.GE 6500k Daylight
5. Geisemann Actinic Plus
6. Giesemann Aqua Pink

From this starting point I would change one bulb every other month. The fist one I would change is the Geisemann Aqua Pink to an ATI Blue Plus in position 6.
Next I would change the bulb in position 1 to an ATI Blue Plus
Third Change would be the 5th position to an ATI Blue Plus
Fourth change would be position 3 to an ATI Blue Plus
5th Change would replacing the bulb in position 2 with the same.
6th change would be changing the bulb in position 4 with the same.
There after every other month go back to the first change and replace it.

This would also get you on a rotation bases where you change out one bulb every other month so no bulbs are older than a full year and your not making any drastic changes at any one time.



If the total look for you is not Blue enough at mid day you could try replacing the GE 6,500K with either your Geisman Mid Day for a moderate change, or your Geisman Aqua Blue plus for a real dramatic Blue effect. But if you go with the Aqua Blue Plus you will loose considerable pop from your reflected coral and fish colors.

Awesome! Thanks a lot for the advice! I will change my bulbs once I get home and start the rotation schedule. So the Mid-day will give me a little more blue than the 6500k? if I wanted to change it around?
 
I would consider option 2 first. but move the AquaBlue BSpecial up on notch.

Another possibility based on your personal color preference is to eliminate the Purple Plus for another Blue Plus. Then use a GE 6,500K instead of the Aqua Blue Special to make it much brighter.


What order should I move the Aqua blue ? Can you tell me the order tank.

So like this.........?

Front
Blue +
GE 6500k
Blue +
Blue +



Hows that?
 
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