The T5 Q&a Thread

[Rpierce]

I am setting a new tank and need some help buying a T5 lighting fixture. The tank will be 36x24x20. I was thinking I could use a 6 bulb fixture, or do you think I need an 8 bulb?

I have always bought retrofit kits, so I dont know much about fixtures. It will go over a rimless tank.

 

[Maritimegod112]

Hey, I am looking for a 36" T5 fixture for a 70gal oceanic tank. I have no chiller, so I need something that will fairly cold and I would like something that has a good amount of power to it. The thing is I have a canopy and people say with that I may be better off with retro fits, but I would like to have a fixture instead as it can be moved from tank to tank easily and this light needs to be mobile for an experiment. what would you guys recommend? Would like a range of products from the low cost end to a higher end. Thanks

 

[Soleil SW]

Hey everyone I'm looking at getting a nem for my 55. Would 4 54watt T5HO 2 per reflector support one. If I need to change my bulbs I can. I have 2x10ks and 2 blue actins.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15462973#post15462973 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by xlayedoutx
Heres one for you Grim.

My tank- Waiting for quotes on (2) shallow tanks and wondering which T-5 setup would be best. I plan on keeping everything but mostly SPS. I like a blueish look but still want good growth and color. Also i'm not sure how many bulbs to go with since it's only 16" tall. I do want to keep SPS from top to bottom though.

Tank 1- 48Lx18Wx16H

Tank 2- 48Lx15Wx16H

Also a friend just bought a 75g and was wondering what T-5's and how many would be best for his. He's keeping everything from Zoa's to SPS.

6 lamp Tek for either of the proposed tanks/

6 lamp ATI Sunpower for the 75.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Re: Anyone know anything about these bulbs?

Re: Anyone know anything about these bulbs?

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15463046#post15463046 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by katyttt
Does anyone know anything about these bulbs? Grim?

Blue Life USA SPS T5 Compact 48 Inch -54W

No but if you get your hands on some we can throw the PAR meter on them.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15464049#post15464049 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by JPA
I'm changing the lighting out on the tank I run for my in-laws. I currently run 4-VHOs on a 4' 120 with LPS/Rics/Zoas. I'm going to a 4 bulb T5 Retro kit. What combo of bulbs would you use? I'm thinking about

ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue
ATI Act White
UV Super Blue Actinic Lamp

What do you think?

I would drop the Aquablue or actinic for another Blue Plus.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15464549#post15464549 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Rpierce
I am setting a new tank and need some help buying a T5 lighting fixture. The tank will be 36x24x20. I was thinking I could use a 6 bulb fixture, or do you think I need an 8 bulb?

I have always bought retrofit kits, so I dont know much about fixtures. It will go over a rimless tank.

You could get away with using the 6 lamp ATI Sunpower or Powermodule but I think I would do the 8 lamp unit if you get the PM. Not much more money. 8 lamp Tek would be OK too.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15464617#post15464617 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Maritimegod112
Hey, I am looking for a 36" T5 fixture for a 70gal oceanic tank. I have no chiller, so I need something that will fairly cold and I would like something that has a good amount of power to it. The thing is I have a canopy and people say with that I may be better off with retro fits, but I would like to have a fixture instead as it can be moved from tank to tank easily and this light needs to be mobile for an experiment. what would you guys recommend? Would like a range of products from the low cost end to a higher end. Thanks

8 lamp ATI Powermodule

6 lamp ATI Powermodule

6 lamp ATI Sunpower

8 lamp Tek

 

[katyttt]

Hi Grim,
I will let you know when they arrive, we will most likely only get a couple first to see how they perform.
Chris

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15465556#post15465556 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Soleil SW
Hey everyone I'm looking at getting a nem for my 55. Would 4 54watt T5HO 2 per reflector support one. If I need to change my bulbs I can. I have 2x10ks and 2 blue actins.

get a 4 lamp Tek fixture or 2 of the tek ready fit retros which hold 2 lamps each and you should be fine.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15465637#post15465637 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by katyttt
Hi Grim,
I will let you know when they arrive, we will most likely only get a couple first to see how they perform.
Chris

Sounds like a plan

Is that fixture we changed the ballasts in still working good?

 

[JM68]

I just recently bought the 8 bulb Nova T5 fixture and i'm thinkin about replacing the Current bulbs with another brand. I've heard that some different companies bulbs are better than others. I'm leaning towards ATI bulbs, but i was curious to c wut some of you use and wut majority consider to be the best bulbs. Also wut arrangement of bulbs will give the best light??

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15465856#post15465856 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by JM68
I just recently bought the 8 bulb Nova T5 fixture and i'm thinkin about replacing the Current bulbs with another brand. I've heard that some different companies bulbs are better than others. I'm leaning towards ATI bulbs, but i was curious to c wut some of you use and wut majority consider to be the best bulbs. Also wut arrangement of bulbs will give the best light??

You want a Blue Plus at the front and in your dusk/dawn postions.

I would do 5 Blue Plus, 1 ATI Aquablue, 1 GE 6500K Daylight and 1 UVL Actinic White.

 

[Rpierce]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15465611#post15465611 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
You could get away with using the 6 lamp ATI Sunpower or Powermodule but I think I would do the 8 lamp unit if you get the PM. Not much more money. 8 lamp Tek would be OK too.

Ok- I'll be honest, the ATI PM may be out of my range. I dont see another fixture that has 8 bulbs in 36 inch. Do you know anywhere that may have them.

Thanks for your help.

Rick

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15465994#post15465994 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Rpierce
Ok- I'll be honest, the ATI PM may be out of my range. I dont see another fixture that has 8 bulbs in 36 inch. Do you know anywhere that may have them.

Thanks for your help.

Rick

None of the good ones are 8 lamp.

 

[Rpierce]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15466137#post15466137 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
None of the good ones are 8 lamp.

So would it be ok to run two 4 bulb units? It would still be much cheaper for me to get two of the 4 bulbs Tek SS units than the ATI PM.

The tank hasnt even been built yet, I am just planning right now. What is the max width for a 6 bulb unit? Maybe I could do 36x22x20 or something like that. Thanks for your help so far.

Rick

 

[katyttt]

Yes it is, I just sold it off to try to make some money towards an 8 bulb tek for our frag tank. I have been laid off, so I need to sell some stuff to not take money away from our little income. I did notice a similar light on ebay from seller torontofalls211 ( 947).
Description


Brand New in box


48'' long X 24'' wide and 2.5'' tall

T5 HO Aquarium Light

8X 54 Watt T5 HO

Powered by 5 year warranty ballast


4-10k (sunlight bulbs) INCLUDED

4- actinic bulbs included "“( Blue bulbs) INCLUDED


(We also have 6500k bulbs - let us know if you are interested and we can set up a special auction for you)


5 YEAR WARRANTY

Ballast is highly efficient Electronic ballast w/ 5 year warranty

LIGHT IS PLUG AND PLAY READY TO GO UPON ARRIVAL


Light is very well ventilated and it is T5- the coolest running high output light in the industry.

Reflectors are the best in the industry- German Polished Independent Reflectors- This will triple the intensity of the light- yes each bulb has its own reflector.

There are 2 switches with the light. There are 4 bulbs with Each switch so you can implement the Dawn/ Dusk effect

Any thoughts?

 

[aquaman67]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15449612#post15449612 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Isn't a huge difference.

I would say 4 Actinic Plus, 1 Aquablue and 1 Midday will give a look most people would like. I would be tempted to do the Aquaflora in stead of the Midday but not having seen it in person I can't say if it would be a nice look or not.

Thanks!

What's your opinion (or anyone else who has experience) of the Giesemann Pure Actinic?

I notice you've not reommended it to anyone (that I've seen)

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15466184#post15466184 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Rpierce
So would it be ok to run two 4 bulb units? It would still be much cheaper for me to get two of the 4 bulbs Tek SS units than the ATI PM.

The tank hasnt even been built yet, I am just planning right now. What is the max width for a 6 bulb unit? Maybe I could do 36x22x20 or something like that. Thanks for your help so far.

Rick

you could do a 6 lamp sunpower with 6 lamps and be OK. Probably less $ than 2 4 lamp teks.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15466190#post15466190 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by katyttt
Yes it is, I just sold it off to try to make some money towards an 8 bulb tek for our frag tank. I have been laid off, so I need to sell some stuff to not take money away from our little income. I did notice a similar light on ebay from seller torontofalls211 ( 947).
Description


Brand New in box


48'' long X 24'' wide and 2.5'' tall

T5 HO Aquarium Light

8X 54 Watt T5 HO

Powered by 5 year warranty ballast


4-10k (sunlight bulbs) INCLUDED

4- actinic bulbs included "“( Blue bulbs) INCLUDED


(We also have 6500k bulbs - let us know if you are interested and we can set up a special auction for you)


5 YEAR WARRANTY

Ballast is highly efficient Electronic ballast w/ 5 year warranty

LIGHT IS PLUG AND PLAY READY TO GO UPON ARRIVAL


Light is very well ventilated and it is T5- the coolest running high output light in the industry.

Reflectors are the best in the industry- German Polished Independent Reflectors- This will triple the intensity of the light- yes each bulb has its own reflector.

There are 2 switches with the light. There are 4 bulbs with Each switch so you can implement the Dawn/ Dusk effect

Any thoughts?

Sounds like one of the cheap Tek fixtures. Thing about those if the price is right you can get the good reflectors for it later on.

EDIT: If the thing does suck we can always Griminize it once your cash flow is better.