The T5 Q&a Thread

[The Grim Reefer]

I was informed today that the Procolors by ATI are discontinued. Honestly I haven't bought bulbs in a year so this may be old news to many. My question is What is an equivelant to replace these?

Taz

UVL Actinic White is a better lamp.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Do you have any experience with the VHO retrofits from Hello Lights? Looks like they are priced well. What would be the practical difference between the HO, and VHO kits. I realize one is overdriven, but how much will this shorten your bulb life? 3 months? Also will it run hotter?

I guess what I am getting at is, will it negate most of the reasons I want to go with T5's?

Have no idea about these. You would absolutely want to cool the lamps if they are really being overdriven.

 

[TonyV]

Grim what meter do you use to measure PAR? Any recommendations on getting one for cheap?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Grim what meter do you use to measure PAR? Any recommendations on getting one for cheap?

Apogee QMSS. There was a great deal on them a while back when they were bringing out a new model but I am not sure if they are still out there.

 

[mlb75]

Grim sorry to keep bugging you (you really should be on Team RC). I was about to order all the parts I needed to complete my retro and noticed that I wasn't that far off of just getting one of the ATI power module setups and was wondering if I wouldn't just be better off going with one of them. The one I was looking at was the 10x80 (just not that much more than the 8 bulb). While thinking about that figured I'd ask your opinion and if there were any other units that would be comparable.

If so what two additional bulbs (from what you recommended above) should I go with.

Thanks

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Grim sorry to keep bugging you (you really should be on Team RC). I was about to order all the parts I needed to complete my retro and noticed that I wasn't that far off of just getting one of the ATI power module setups and was wondering if I wouldn't just be better off going with one of them. The one I was looking at was the 10x80 (just not that much more than the 8 bulb). While thinking about that figured I'd ask your opinion and if there were any other units that would be comparable.

If so what two additional bulbs (from what you recommended above) should I go with.

Thanks

Getting the fixture is never a bad idea. The 2 additional lamps I would add is an Aquablue and a Blue Plus.

 

[cubsare1]

I'm setting up a new tank its 24" front to back and 16" tall. I'm Looking at going to t-5 and was wondering if I should go with an 8 light fixture for front to back coverage but I'm worried that it will be alot of light on such a short tank. It will be almost all sps
Thanks for the help
ps I'm looking for a fixture not retros

 

[milkman55]

After waiting 3 months for the Constellation fixtures to get back in stock, I found a sweet deal on a used 8 light TEK w/o bulbs. I am going to use that to start out my new tank until the marketplace clears up a little on what will be available with T5/LED combinations, etc.

Based on my review of the posts, I came up with this 8 bulb combination -

1 Blue Plus
2 Aquablue
3 Blue Plus
4 KZ Fiji Purple
5 Blue Plus
6 Aquablue
7 Blue Plus
8 Blue Plus

Will this be too blue over a 120 gal with SPS up top and chalice and acans on the sand? Will this be too much par for the acans? I plan to put the light on legs about 3 inches over the top.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I'm setting up a new tank its 24" front to back and 16" tall. I'm Looking at going to t-5 and was wondering if I should go with an 8 light fixture for front to back coverage but I'm worried that it will be alot of light on such a short tank. It will be almost all sps
Thanks for the help
ps I'm looking for a fixture not retros

You could get a 6 lamp fixture like the ATI Sunpower, or the new Tek Elite or Ice Cap and mount them a little higher to allow the light to spread more or go with the standard 8 lamp Tek and keep the light closer to the top.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

After waiting 3 months for the Constellation fixtures to get back in stock, I found a sweet deal on a used 8 light TEK w/o bulbs. I am going to use that to start out my new tank until the marketplace clears up a little on what will be available with T5/LED combinations, etc.

Based on my review of the posts, I came up with this 8 bulb combination -

1 Blue Plus
2 Aquablue
3 Blue Plus
4 KZ Fiji Purple
5 Blue Plus
6 Aquablue
7 Blue Plus
8 Blue Plus

Will this be too blue over a 120 gal with SPS up top and chalice and acans on the sand? Will this be too much par for the acans? I plan to put the light on legs about 3 inches over the top.

Should be fine. It will be 20Kish blue.

 

[steevareno2002]

Grim, I've decided to go with a 4 bulb ATI sunpower for my 72 bowfront. What would be an ideal bulb combo for a mostly SPS system? I like a bright but colorful look(like 15K). The tank is 18" wide at the bow and 12" on the ends. The Sunpower is 9.5" wide. How high do you think I should have this from the waters surface? Thanks for your input!

 

[2in10]

Front
Blue Plus
Fiji Purple
Blue Plus
GE
Blue Plus
Aquablue

Thanks

 

[skippy823]

bulb placement ?

bulb placement ?

building a new canopy for the new lights ant suggestions on how far off the water i shold make the bulbs and also im using 4 blue pls 1 ge 6500 and one pro color any suggestions on configuration. thanks

 

[Pike614]

Last question..Looking to add actinic supplementation to a 250 watt halide with 12k bulb, going to use 4 x 24 watt Aquaillumination retro and overdrive as the tank is 30" deep. What bulb(s) would you recommend to give the best actinic pop and PAR levels for corals?

 

[Montezuma]

Hey Grim, I have a question for you. Im having trouble that my 8 bulb ATI seems to be too bright for my acans. I tried raising the light, but they still arent very happy. i was wondering if there is a good bulb combo that will give me loads of color, and maybe not so much Par.

Right now Im using front to back

blue +
fiji
Blue+
6500 ge
pro color
blue+
aquascience 22k
another white (cant remember)

 

[Toadally]

What's the best T5 fixture to go over a 25gal tank? It is mostly SPS dominated. I would like enough light for good growth and good color. What bulb combination? Thanks!

 

[The Grim Reefer]

building a new canopy for the new lights ant suggestions on how far off the water i shold make the bulbs and also im using 4 blue pls 1 ge 6500 and one pro color any suggestions on configuration. thanks

If you don't already have the procolor you may not be able to get one. If thats the case grab a UVL Actinic White.

You want the lamps 4 to 6 inches above the water ideally.

Front
Blue Plus
Pro Color/Actinic Plus
Blue Plus
GE
Blue Plus
Blue Plus

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Last question..Looking to add actinic supplementation to a 250 watt halide with 12k bulb, going to use 4 x 24 watt Aquaillumination retro and overdrive as the tank is 30" deep. What bulb(s) would you recommend to give the best actinic pop and PAR levels for corals?

I'd use 4 of the Ice Cap Actinic lamps if you are going to overdrive them. But if you want the best bag for the buck I would do 2 Blue Plus and 2 UVL Super Actinics on standard ballasts. About the same amount of par and you can turn them on in 2 stages.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hey Grim, I have a question for you. Im having trouble that my 8 bulb ATI seems to be too bright for my acans. I tried raising the light, but they still arent very happy. i was wondering if there is a good bulb combo that will give me loads of color, and maybe not so much Par.

Right now Im using front to back

blue +
fiji
Blue+
6500 ge
pro color
blue+
aquascience 22k
another white (cant remember)

Replace a couple of the Blue Plus with UVL Super Actinic and see what they think. Maybe even 3 or 4 of them.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

What's the best T5 fixture to go over a 25gal tank? It is mostly SPS dominated. I would like enough light for good growth and good color. What bulb combination? Thanks!

any of the 4 lamp fixtures should do it.

Front
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Actinic White
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus/