The T5 Q&a Thread - split

Hey grim, i was wondering what bulb combo would you suggest for this fixture?
in my tank i have mostly softies, a few lps, and a big squamosa clam rite now

Same as every other 6 lamp setup listed here 4 blue plus, 1 purple plus and depending on personal taste a GE6500K, aquablue, coral plus or 5th blue plus depending on how blue you want it.
 
I am going to put some macro algaes in my tank. I tried previously with PC lighting (4 65 watt), but the algae slowly died off. I am picking up a 5 x 54 T5 Tek Light (Sunlight Supply).

I have a limited amount of corals that are not too light-demanding given that my tank has butterflyfish that severely limit what corals I can keep. Given the macro algae, I was thinking of going with the following bulbs in the Tek fixture:

2 Giesemann Midday 6500
1 Giesemann Flora
2 ATI blue plus
1 ATI purple plus

Do you think that will work?
 
I am going to put some macro algaes in my tank. I tried previously with PC lighting (4 65 watt), but the algae slowly died off. I am picking up a 5 x 54 T5 Tek Light (Sunlight Supply).

I have a limited amount of corals that are not too light-demanding given that my tank has butterflyfish that severely limit what corals I can keep. Given the macro algae, I was thinking of going with the following bulbs in the Tek fixture:

2 Giesemann Midday 6500
1 Giesemann Flora
2 ATI blue plus
1 ATI purple plus

Do you think that will work?

Dunno, don't see why not. It will grow under most any light given the right conditions.
 
I am in the market for a new fixture for my standard 90g and although I would love the ATI fixtures they are just a bit outside my budget. I plan on getting a TEK Elite 6x54w. If I order through reefgeek I get the bulbs of my choice included in the price so I was looking to get the best pop and growth out of my corals without worrying about the price. Also, I plan on getting 2-3 additional bulbs for experimentation, what would you suggest?

What I am thinking:
Blue plus
Purple plus (maybe a KZ Fiji Purple?)
Blue plus
6500K (maybe a Giesemann Midday or KZ New Gen?)
Blue plus
Blue plus

I have heard of nothing better than ATI and it has been more or less confirmed from what I have read on here, just looking for like model bulbs from other companies that may give me a bit of difference. Thanks!
 
I am in the market for a new fixture for my standard 90g and although I would love the ATI fixtures they are just a bit outside my budget. I plan on getting a TEK Elite 6x54w. If I order through reefgeek I get the bulbs of my choice included in the price so I was looking to get the best pop and growth out of my corals without worrying about the price. Also, I plan on getting 2-3 additional bulbs for experimentation, what would you suggest?

What I am thinking:
Blue plus
Purple plus (maybe a KZ Fiji Purple?)
Blue plus
6500K (maybe a Giesemann Midday or KZ New Gen?)
Blue plus
Blue plus

I have heard of nothing better than ATI and it has been more or less confirmed from what I have read on here, just looking for like model bulbs from other companies that may give me a bit of difference. Thanks!

Looks like a plan. Get an ATI Aquablue and Coral Plus for playing
 
Hey guys, Got an upgrade coming up and im trying to decide between the ATI and TEK fixtures. The tank will be a standard 65gal 36'x18'x25'. I know the ATI is superior, but I got to think about my wallet also. I want to have the option to put what I want where I want within reason of course. Clams on the bed, acros in the lower reaches, you get the idea. Mixed reef. Will 6 bulbs be enough with these fixtures or should I bump to 8 bulbs?The way I figure is I will be fine with the 6x in the ATI but not sure about the TEK. Thanks in advance.
John
 
Hey guys, Got an upgrade coming up and im trying to decide between the ATI and TEK fixtures. The tank will be a standard 65gal 36'x18'x25'. I know the ATI is superior, but I got to think about my wallet also. I want to have the option to put what I want where I want within reason of course. Clams on the bed, acros in the lower reaches, you get the idea. Mixed reef. Will 6 bulbs be enough with these fixtures or should I bump to 8 bulbs?The way I figure is I will be fine with the 6x in the ATI but not sure about the TEK. Thanks in advance.
John

I just went through the same decision and decided on the ATI Sunpower as I didn't want to be second-guessing my decision if I wanted more light.
 
I am thinking of adding an atinic to my line up to get more florescence from the corals. Any recommendations without sacrificing par?

I am running these now. Front to back.
Blue Plus
Purple Plus
Blue Plus
GE 6500K
9 cree 3w Royal Blue LED
9 cree 3w Cool White LED
9 cree 3w Royal Blue LED
Blue Plus
Purple Plus
Blue Plus
Blue Plus
 
Ive currently got a 4 bulb (4x54w) light over my 75g with stock 2 actinic and 2 white (coralife) bulbs. I'd like to replace them with something to add more pop from my lps and zoa's that is also good for growth. What would you guys recommend? I dont want it to be too blue -like it is when only the two actinics are on.
 
Hey guys, Got an upgrade coming up and im trying to decide between the ATI and TEK fixtures. The tank will be a standard 65gal 36'x18'x25'. I know the ATI is superior, but I got to think about my wallet also. I want to have the option to put what I want where I want within reason of course. Clams on the bed, acros in the lower reaches, you get the idea. Mixed reef. Will 6 bulbs be enough with these fixtures or should I bump to 8 bulbs?The way I figure is I will be fine with the 6x in the ATI but not sure about the TEK. Thanks in advance.
John

6 lamp ATI Fixture is the only choice if you want clams on the bottom.
 
I am thinking of adding an atinic to my line up to get more florescence from the corals. Any recommendations without sacrificing par?

I am running these now. Front to back.
Blue Plus
Purple Plus
Blue Plus
GE 6500K
9 cree 3w Royal Blue LED
9 cree 3w Cool White LED
9 cree 3w Royal Blue LED
Blue Plus
Purple Plus
Blue Plus
Blue Plus

Once all the lights are on actinics are not going to make much of a difference, the Blue Plus lamp has actinic output.
 
Ive currently got a 4 bulb (4x54w) light over my 75g with stock 2 actinic and 2 white (coralife) bulbs. I'd like to replace them with something to add more pop from my lps and zoa's that is also good for growth. What would you guys recommend? I dont want it to be too blue -like it is when only the two actinics are on.

2 ATI Blue Plus, 1 ATI coral plus and a purple plus.
 
I'm setting up a new tank, 24x18x18. I have a 150w fishneedit MH fixture and 2 2x24w fishneedit fixtures that I would like to use for supplementation as well. For the halide, I scored a great 2 for 1 deal on a couple of 14k phoenix bulbs. My questions are:

1. Which 4 t5s will best supplement the phoenix bulbs. I am not worried about par so much as I am about getting the best color and pop.

2. If I choose to only use one of the 2x24w fixtures in the front, which 2 bulbs will add the most color/pop. As well, would I notice a significant color difference by only going with 2 t5 bulbs in the front

3. If I do only go with 2 t5 bulbs with the phoenix and use the second 2x24w fixture over a quarantine tank, what is suggested 2 bulb combo for par and color.

edit:
4. Would it be advisable to use just the 2 2x24w T5 fixtures, without the halide, and still be able to grow almost anything I want. If so, which 4 bulbs will give me the best par/color?
Thanks
 
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Well then so be it. Im now on the hunt. Thanks

Front to back:
Blue+
Coral+/Aquablue
Purple
Blue+
Blue+
Coral+/Aquablue
Sound good?

I just started the change over on my 12 bulb 39w Aquatic Life fixture to all ATI bulbs - will have 3 rows of Blue +'s, 1 row of Purple +'s & 2 rows of Coral +'s. I put a set of Blue +'s & Purple +'s in rows 2&4 (dawn/dusk) today & that gives a kind of purple/blue tint to the tank until the other 8 bulbs come on. Switching out 4 bulbs every 2 weeks to prevent shocking the corals with the new lights all at once. Should have all replaced by June 30th & will see how things progress. If the 2nd pair of Coral +'s are too much, may switch them out for another Blue + pair.

Thanks everyone for their input & suggestions...Especially Grim & TropTrea for their guidance...
 
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I'm setting up a new tank, 24x18x18. I have a 150w fishneedit MH fixture and 2 2x24w fishneedit fixtures that I would like to use for supplementation as well. For the halide, I scored a great 2 for 1 deal on a couple of 14k phoenix bulbs. My questions are:

1. Which 4 t5s will best supplement the phoenix bulbs. I am not worried about par so much as I am about getting the best color and pop.

2. If I choose to only use one of the 2x24w fixtures in the front, which 2 bulbs will add the most color/pop. As well, would I notice a significant color difference by only going with 2 t5 bulbs in the front

3. If I do only go with 2 t5 bulbs with the phoenix and use the second 2x24w fixture over a quarantine tank, what is suggested 2 bulb combo for par and color.

edit:
4. Would it be advisable to use just the 2 2x24w T5 fixtures, without the halide, and still be able to grow almost anything I want. If so, which 4 bulbs will give me the best par/color?
Thanks

2 lamps use blue plus, 4 lamps use 3 blue plus and a purple plus. I'd use 4.
 
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