The T5 Q&a Thread - split
- Thread starter eagle9252
- Start date
TropTrea
New member
Your corals should be happy with the combination you have, However are you personaly happy with this combination? If you want it more Blue than replace one or both of the Aquablues with Coral Plus bulbs, if it looks two blue to you then swap a GE 6,500K for one of the Aquablue Plus bulbs. If your happy with how it looks than leave things as they are.
powder_blue
New member
Just went with Grim's suggestion of bulbs for my 6x54W Sunpower on my 90 and all I can say is WOW. The sunrise/sunset with a purple plus and blue plus looks much better than 2 blue plus. A little bluer overall than I'm used to but amazing. Sunpower is worth every penny! Thanks!
Front to Back
Blue+
Purple+
Blue+
Coral+
Blue+
Blue+
Front to Back
Blue+
Purple+
Blue+
Coral+
Blue+
Blue+
Michigan Mike
Freedom costs a buckofive
Try switching your dawn/dusk around so its 3 blue plus and a purple. I prefer this setup.
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
\Hi Grim,
I just picked up a T5 retrofit for my 60g 48 x15x16 tank..it has Universal lighting Accustart ballast (2x54w) I have 2...4 SLR Icecap Reflectors and caps for all bulbs. I was hoping for advice on bulb choices. Just getting started with corals, now have only a leather (as well as GBA and frogspawn)..also would this setup be sufficient to house any sps or only good for lps? I am really liking the dusk look of the uvl super actinics, my leather just glows nuclear under those!,but am not sure they provide enough par ..and I also enjoy a very bright daylight effect. Any suggestions would be a wonderful help. Thanks in advance for any "light you can shed" on this for me!
Jami
3 ATI Blue Plus and 1 GE 6500K.
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
I'd change the center Aquablue out to a GE 6500K and the back Aquablue to a Coral Plus.
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
5 ATI blue plus, 1 purple plus and a GE 6500K
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
4" Should be good.
Hey Grim, looks like you are the go to for T5 questions. I am setting up a tank that is 24"x24" and 12" deep. I am looking to grow anything and everything and can raise or lower my light as required. I have a light already, it is a 8 x 24" ATI PowerModule. I like a crisp, clean blue color, but not too blue. Here is what I was originally thinking, but others have stated because of my depth this my kill corals. Since I have the light already, I need to find a solution with it. Also, I have no previous experience with T5's.
Front
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Purple Plus
ATI Coral Plus
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Coral Plus
ATI Purple Plus
ATI Blue Plus
Back
Is that overkill and would I be better of with this:
Front
Blue Plus
Purple Plus
Coral Plus
True Actinic
Blue Plus
Coral Plus
Purple Plus
True Actinic
Back
Front
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Purple Plus
ATI Coral Plus
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Coral Plus
ATI Purple Plus
ATI Blue Plus
Back
Is that overkill and would I be better of with this:
Front
Blue Plus
Purple Plus
Coral Plus
True Actinic
Blue Plus
Coral Plus
Purple Plus
True Actinic
Back
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
Top one
Thanks! How high would you have the light off the top surface of the water?
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
4 to 6 inches.
Huntor0
New member
Hello Grim and everyone,
I am in the market for a 36” t5 hanging fixture in the next few months. Is there anything new coming out in t5’s or should I just focus on the ATI and Tek Elite fixtures currently available?
Tank size is 36x24x20 up and running great for 2 years
Mainly LPS and softies but would like a few SPS
My LFS recommends the Tek 36” 6x39w with Giesemann bulbs that they sell locally. My thoughts from reading this thread as well as others is to look at maybe using an 8x39w ATI fixture with ATI bulbs. What would be recommended for my tank size and depth?
I am in the market for a 36” t5 hanging fixture in the next few months. Is there anything new coming out in t5’s or should I just focus on the ATI and Tek Elite fixtures currently available?
Tank size is 36x24x20 up and running great for 2 years
Mainly LPS and softies but would like a few SPS
My LFS recommends the Tek 36” 6x39w with Giesemann bulbs that they sell locally. My thoughts from reading this thread as well as others is to look at maybe using an 8x39w ATI fixture with ATI bulbs. What would be recommended for my tank size and depth?
ctniners
New member
I was here a while ago and let me first say thanks to The Grimm and everybody else for your help.
So here is my issue....this is what i have right now
40 gal breeder
All SPS (all small frags)
2 x 120 W Chinese LEDs
2 x 39 W ATI Blue Plus bulbs...one in front one in back to add some blue...the fixture for these bulbs was a cheap T5 marine depot fixture so i doubt im getting the full power of those ATI bulbs
All the lights are about 6 inches from the water
So here are my questions:
1. I am not liking the color im getting..i would prefer a light that can show more purples and blues and greens..etc....in my basement i have a Current USA NOVA Extreme Plus 6 bulbs 39w fixture...im aware that these are not as good as the ATI or TEKS but im wondering if setting that up with a better combination of bulbs would give me a better look?
2. Is it worth it or should i just stick with what i have unless i can upgrade to a better T5 fixture?
3. My only issue is the price..some full expectrum LEDs cost as much as the ATI
4. In terms of power comsumption i assume the T5 will use more
thanks for the help everybody
So here is my issue....this is what i have right now
40 gal breeder
All SPS (all small frags)
2 x 120 W Chinese LEDs
2 x 39 W ATI Blue Plus bulbs...one in front one in back to add some blue...the fixture for these bulbs was a cheap T5 marine depot fixture so i doubt im getting the full power of those ATI bulbs
All the lights are about 6 inches from the water
So here are my questions:
1. I am not liking the color im getting..i would prefer a light that can show more purples and blues and greens..etc....in my basement i have a Current USA NOVA Extreme Plus 6 bulbs 39w fixture...im aware that these are not as good as the ATI or TEKS but im wondering if setting that up with a better combination of bulbs would give me a better look?
2. Is it worth it or should i just stick with what i have unless i can upgrade to a better T5 fixture?
3. My only issue is the price..some full expectrum LEDs cost as much as the ATI
4. In terms of power comsumption i assume the T5 will use more
thanks for the help everybody
Hi Grim. Pulled this off your great website... How would you (or maybe you wouldn't) change this up now? Just picked up one of these used. thanks!
"7 lamp Aquactinics fixture
Blue
Actinic White
Blue
ATI Purple Plus or Fiji Purple
Blue
GE Daylight
Blue
This was my favorite mix when I had the Constellation fixture. Lamps 3&5 came on first for Dusk/Dawn, then lamps 1, 4 and 7 which gives a brighter blue look but still subdued and 2 and 6 for midday."
"7 lamp Aquactinics fixture
Blue
Actinic White
Blue
ATI Purple Plus or Fiji Purple
Blue
GE Daylight
Blue
This was my favorite mix when I had the Constellation fixture. Lamps 3&5 came on first for Dusk/Dawn, then lamps 1, 4 and 7 which gives a brighter blue look but still subdued and 2 and 6 for midday."
jgraz
New member
Well it's time to change my bulbs in my Tek 8x54. The current assortment which I got the fixture with is front B+,B+,AB,B+,GE,AB,PureAtinic,B+. I definatly want to change this up. I keep mostly SPS from about mid tank and up in a standard 90gal. With some LPS scattered about. I was considering this
Front
Blue+
Purple+
Coral+
Blue+
GE 6500K
Coral+
Blue+
Blue+
Does this sound like a good combo? Are there any changes that you would make? Thanks in advance.
Front
Blue+
Purple+
Coral+
Blue+
GE 6500K
Coral+
Blue+
Blue+
Does this sound like a good combo? Are there any changes that you would make? Thanks in advance.
nichthyes
New member
EMERGENCY: I had some water pour into the side of my ballast because I was being an idiot and holding it over the open tank and it slipped into the water. I caught it before too much damage occured, and the lights when off, and then came back on. The switches on the back did get wet, but i don't think the terminals got wet. only the left back corner got wet, not the whole ballast. I've had it in front of a fan drying since it happened 4 hrs ago and I'm afraid to plug it in and turn it on . . . ANY OTHER SUGGESTIONS? I'm worried about salt corrosion . . . HELP!!!
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