The T5 Q&a Thread - split

Grim I just order new bulbs from BRS and trying to find the oreder in which I should install them.

Blue+
Blue+
Blue+
coral plus
purple plus
Blue+
Blue+
Blue+

Does this look okay?
 
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

6 lamp Tek Elite is what I'd run
 
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.

Front
Blue Plus
Purple Plus
Blue Plus
Coral Plus
Aquablue
Coral Plus
Blue Plus
Blue Plus
 
t5 bulbs for 48" TEK 8 bulb

t5 bulbs for 48" TEK 8 bulb

Grim.
Thanks in advance for providing advice.

I have a 120 gallon mixed reef tank (48x24x24) with a Tek 8 bulb T-5 fixture.
I have LPS, zoas, & just aquired my first sps with more to come I'm sure.
I would love a clam down the road if possible. (Not sure it's possible with T5 lighting?)

I have a few questions.

I currently have my bulbs in the following configuration:

Front
Aqua-Science Blue (22000K ???)
Aqua-Science Blue
Korallen-Zucht Coral Light (10000K ???)
Aqua-Science Special (15000K ???)
Korallen-Zucht Coral Light
Aqua-Science Special
Aqua-Science Blue
Aqua-Science Blue

I run the 4 outer lights for 11 hours and the 4 inner lights for 3 hours mid day.

Q:
What is the best light bulb configuration using the bulbs I have?

Q:
What is the best light bulb configuration if I buy new bulbs?

Q:
What do you recommend for the timing of the lights?

Q:
How high off the water surface should I keep the fixture?

Q:
Can I provide enough light for a clam with T5 lighting in my 24" deep tank?

Thanks again.

Michael
 
Grim.
Thanks in advance for providing advice.

I have a 120 gallon mixed reef tank (48x24x24) with a Tek 8 bulb T-5 fixture.
I have LPS, zoas, & just aquired my first sps with more to come I'm sure.
I would love a clam down the road if possible. (Not sure it's possible with T5 lighting?)

I have a few questions.

I currently have my bulbs in the following configuration:

Front
Aqua-Science Blue (22000K ???)
Aqua-Science Blue
Korallen-Zucht Coral Light (10000K ???)
Aqua-Science Special (15000K ???)
Korallen-Zucht Coral Light
Aqua-Science Special
Aqua-Science Blue
Aqua-Science Blue

I run the 4 outer lights for 11 hours and the 4 inner lights for 3 hours mid day.

Q:
What is the best light bulb configuration using the bulbs I have?

Q:
What is the best light bulb configuration if I buy new bulbs?

Q:
What do you recommend for the timing of the lights?

Q:
How high off the water surface should I keep the fixture?

Q:
Can I provide enough light for a clam with T5 lighting in my 24" deep tank?

Thanks again.

Michael

Low light clam with that fixture.

Run the 4 inner lamps at least 4 hours a day

5 ATI Blue Plus, 2 ATI Purple Plus and 1 Aquablue would be my lamps of choice.

4 to 6 inches above the water for the fixture.
 
Hi Grim, i have been very happy with my powermodule ATI 6 bulbs running 4 Blue +, one GE and one fiji purple over my SPS dominant 125 gallon tank. It is pway past time for bulb change, is the 4 blue +, 1 purple +, 1 coral + a good combo/similar to my prior set up?
Than ks for your time,
Kurt
 
I've been running a 48" 4 bulb Tek w/ ATI bulbs (2 Blue+, 1 Purple+, and 1 Coral+). I'm switching to an Aquactinics TX5. What bulbs do you think I should use? My tank is a 55g and is a good mix of sps & lps. I would like to keep close to the same color look. I don't mind if the look is a little warmer, but I don't really want it to be any bluer. I would love to hear your recommendations for 5 bulbs. I was wondering if just adding a GE 6500k might work. I know they are supposed to be very good for growth, but I don't want it to make the look too yellow. I would love to hear what you think will be best for both growth and about a 14k color.
 
I have a 4 bulb t5 light. I have switched every bulb to blue. Is this ok for corals ?

from what I have been reading, I would guess so. I see alot of people run lot's of blues and purple.
 
Hi Grim, i have been very happy with my powermodule ATI 6 bulbs running 4 Blue +, one GE and one fiji purple over my SPS dominant 125 gallon tank. It is pway past time for bulb change, is the 4 blue +, 1 purple +, 1 coral + a good combo/similar to my prior set up?
Than ks for your time,
Kurt

A little more blue but will look good
 
I've been running a 48" 4 bulb Tek w/ ATI bulbs (2 Blue+, 1 Purple+, and 1 Coral+). I'm switching to an Aquactinics TX5. What bulbs do you think I should use? My tank is a 55g and is a good mix of sps & lps. I would like to keep close to the same color look. I don't mind if the look is a little warmer, but I don't really want it to be any bluer. I would love to hear your recommendations for 5 bulbs. I was wondering if just adding a GE 6500k might work. I know they are supposed to be very good for growth, but I don't want it to make the look too yellow. I would love to hear what you think will be best for both growth and about a 14k color.

Blue Plus
Purple Plus
Blue Plus
GE daylight
Blue Plus
 
I have a 4 bulb t5 light. I have switched every bulb to blue. Is this ok for corals ?

from what I have been reading, I would guess so. I see alot of people run lot's of blues and purple.

Should be fine. I'd try sneaking a coral plus into the mix for looks though.
 
Hello,

In my 180 reef, I have been using the stock Current TrueLumen T5 bulbs from the 6 (12 x 39 watt) bulb Nova Extreme Pro light fixture. I've had tremendous growth with the bulbs. My reef has mostly softies (leathers, mushrooms, ricordia, zoos, polyps, etc), a RBTA, monti caps, and LPS (duncans, torch, and trumpets).

I've been running the same stock bulbs since March 2011, and it's time to buy replacements. *Since the TrueLumens gave me such success, I hate to change a good thing. *I'm considering switching to AquaticLife or ATI bulbs. What are others thoughts? *Do I keep what works or switch brands?

What are people's experience with AquaticLife bulbs? *I know ATI are highly regarded.*

Thanks

Matt
 
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