The T5 Q&a Thread

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15510026#post15510026 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Hammsreefbeer
need a little help.Im switching from 400w 20k helio's to 250w XM 15000k and from PC actinic to 4 54w T5's.
Now what would you say a good actinic T5 bulb be to supplement my XM's?Would ATI blue+ be a good chose?
thanx

I would do 2 ATI Blue Plus and 2 ATI Aquablue. Should look nice plus give some badly needed additional PAR. The XM 15K lamp dosn't pack much of a punch.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15510214#post15510214 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by spsfarmer09
i just dont want it be too blue ,but still have pretyy awesome colors

The Aquablues are nearly white so 2 of those with a Fiji or 75/25 is going to really brighten up the look of the tank.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15510204#post15510204 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by joey08
Grim I'm going to get the ATI Sunpower for my tank. 60Lx18Wx21T and the questions is do you think I can get by with the 48in fixture or do I need to get the 60in fixture? It will be a mixed reef with mostly SPS and LPS with some zoas in the mix. Thanks in Adavance

As long as you don't have critters stocked out in the last 6" inches or so on each side it will be fine. Throw shrooms or something in those areas

 

[JR's Reef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15510248#post15510248 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
As long as you don't have critters stocked out in the last 6" inches or so on each side it will be fine. Throw shrooms or something in those areas

Thanks. Think I'll end up doing the 60 tho

 

[Hammsreefbeer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15510217#post15510217 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
I would do 2 ATI Blue Plus and 2 ATI Aquablue. Should look nice plus give some badly needed additional PAR. The XM 15K lamp dosn't pack much of a punch.

even on a 22"high tank.Ive never used any other bulb but the 20k helio 400w.Im wanting to try a bulb thats not so bluein the 250w class.I have'nt bought any new bulbs yet so i was hoping to get alitte help.
As for the T5's should i get those 2 no matter what MH i choose or was that your advice based on the XM bulb?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15510395#post15510395 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Hammsreefbeer
even on a 22"high tank.Ive never used any other bulb but the 20k helio 400w.Im wanting to try a bulb thats not so bluein the 250w class.I have'nt bought any new bulbs yet so i was hoping to get alitte help.
As for the T5's should i get those 2 no matter what MH i choose or was that your advice based on the XM bulb?

If it were me I would get the 14K Phoenix lamp and use 2 ATI Blue Plus, 1 UVL 75/25 and 1 ATI Aquablue. Nice all around look whether the halides are on or just the T5's.

 

[Hammsreefbeer]

Grim Thats funny.I was just going to ask about the phoenix 14k.Why do you say the UVL 75/25?I get the ATI bulbs at a good cost but not sure about the UVL bulb.

Also,what order to install them.I have 2 bulbs in the frt of the canopy and 2 in the back w/ the MH in the middle.
thank you for the help.Im sure 1 day im going all t5 i just love the shimmer my MH's give off.

 

[Hammsreefbeer]

BTW,sorry to bring MH's to this thread but im new to T5's and thats what my supplement lighting is.

 

[jennmac415]

Grim... sorry to ask, but do you have a link to that thread where you posted pics of most ALL of the T5 bulbs?? You had them grouped in to daylights, blues, actinics... and so on...I know it was quite some time ago, I thought I had saved it, but can't find it...

thanks!

 

[flyingace2005]

Alright, I know I'm just another person asking the same question but here goes. Im setting up a 75 gal sps tank and I want to know what fixture I should get. I really don't have the money for some of the high end lights but I still cant decide what to get. I was looking at the following:
1) Current USA Nova Extreme pro
2) Tek (either 6 or 8 bulb)
3) ATI sunpower 6 bulb

Which one is the best deal for the money and would give me the best growth? Also how many bulbs should I get?

Thanks!

 

[JR's Reef]

Grim, I ended up ordering the 48 ATI sunpower due shipping cost. The 48" cost $35 to ship and the 60" was a $150 to ship. Again Thanks for your help.

 

[jennmac415]

Grim... I finally found the thread with the bulb pics...sorry to bother you.

 

[spsfarmer09]

jennmac415-can you post the link please?

 

[jennmac415]

sure...

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1159820

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15510825#post15510825 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Hammsreefbeer
Grim Thats funny.I was just going to ask about the phoenix 14k.Why do you say the UVL 75/25?I get the ATI bulbs at a good cost but not sure about the UVL bulb.

Also,what order to install them.I have 2 bulbs in the frt of the canopy and 2 in the back w/ the MH in the middle.
thank you for the help.Im sure 1 day im going all t5 i just love the shimmer my MH's give off.

The UVL will punch up the reds without being too harsh. You could try 3 Blue Plus and a Pro Color instead.

Front
Blue Plus
75/25 or pro color
halide
Blue Plus or Aquablue
Blue Plus.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15511048#post15511048 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by flyingace2005
Alright, I know I'm just another person asking the same question but here goes. Im setting up a 75 gal sps tank and I want to know what fixture I should get. I really don't have the money for some of the high end lights but I still cant decide what to get. I was looking at the following:
1) Current USA Nova Extreme pro
2) Tek (either 6 or 8 bulb)
3) ATI sunpower 6 bulb

Which one is the best deal for the money and would give me the best growth? Also how many bulbs should I get?

Thanks!

6 lamp Sunpower is the best deal but the most money too. You could sneak by with the 6 lamp Tek.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15511055#post15511055 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by joey08
Grim, I ended up ordering the 48 ATI sunpower due shipping cost. The 48" cost $35 to ship and the 60" was a $150 to ship. Again Thanks for your help.

It's a lot cheaper when you replace lamps too.

 

[Hammsreefbeer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15511389#post15511389 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
The UVL will punch up the reds without being too harsh. You could try 3 Blue Plus and a Pro Color instead.

Front
Blue Plus
75/25 or pro color
halide
Blue Plus or Aquablue
Blue Plus.

Thank you for the help sir.You are a busy man here.

 

[JR's Reef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15511406#post15511406 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
It's a lot cheaper when you replace lamps too.

That's true. Im going to get a new tank hope by the 1st of the yr and will just have it made 6" shorter that way I only have 3" on the sides. Should work out just right. How wide do you think this light will cover?

 

[sfboarders]

Can you recommend a T5 setup for a 100 gallon FOWLR tank that I plan to convert to a reef tank in the future? Dimensions or the tank are 60" x 18" x 20". It has a slim canopy so I guess retrofit kit is the way to go. Not sure what size bulbs and how many bulbs I should get. Your help is greatly appreciated!