The T5 Q&a Thread

[steelcity]

Thanks Grim. One more. Do the 4 bulb Nova fixtures need the fan? Can it be run with out the fan out or will the unit be put at risk. Just trying to cut down on the noise. I know some fixtures like the Tek don't have fans so I didn't know if I could get away without using mine.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Thanks Grim. One more. Do the 4 bulb Nova fixtures need the fan? Can it be run with out the fan out or will the unit be put at risk. Just trying to cut down on the noise. I know some fixtures like the Tek don't have fans so I didn't know if I could get away without using mine.

The fan helps a lot, you can try mounting it with rubber grommets or something but I wouldn't remove it.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

My fixture has 3 250W MH and 8 39w T5s. It is a 72" fixture, and my tank is a 265G at 84"Lx 32" tall. It is a mix tank with sps along the top half, lps throughout the middle, and mushrooms and stuff along the bottom. I want to change my MH bulbs to 14K Phoenix bulbs. I already have 4 Geissman true actinic bulbs that I have not installed, but would like to use. I was thinking of buying 4 freshwater T5s in the 6700K range, hoping to bring out some of the reds and to supplement that end of the spectrum.

So, the final mix would be 4 freshwater(6700K) T5s, 4 Geissman true actinic T5s, 3 250W hqi Phoenix 14K. Do you think this will be effective, without making the overall lighting look more yellow or pink? Which freshwater bulb would you recommend for this purpose, or would you suggest something else?

Front
ATI Blue Plus
UVL 75/25
Halide
True Actinic
True Actinic


The 75 25 will give you some red spectrum without grossing out your dusk/dawn look. You might need 2 rows of them to really make a difference but I would try 1 and see what your think.

 

[The REeFFers]

Hey Grim

Well I have a question. After looking at the price of the ati Pm 36inch8x39w. I dont really know if its worth it. The tank I'm setting up is 36x30x20 can I light it all with 6bulbs? Either the new tec 5 elite 6x39, or the sunpower 6x39,or the new icecap 6 with 2ledsx39.
What fixture would you pick for this tank

Thanks

 

[steelcity]

The fan helps a lot, you can try mounting it with rubber grommets or something but I wouldn't remove it.

I wasn't going to remove it, just not plug it in. It's on its own plug/transformer.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hey Grim

Well I have a question. After looking at the price of the ati Pm 36inch8x39w. I dont really know if its worth it. The tank I'm setting up is 36x30x20 can I light it all with 6bulbs? Either the new tec 5 elite 6x39, or the sunpower 6x39,or the new icecap 6 with 2ledsx39.
What fixture would you pick for this tank

Thanks

I would use 8 lamps over that tank. The Tek 8 lamp model would be good. 6 just isn't going to be much light over a 30 inch tank. 8 isn't even ideal if you plan on clams.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I wasn't going to remove it, just not plug it in. It's on its own plug/transformer.

In any case you want the fan.

 

[The REeFFers]

Tek makes an 8in 36 inch? What would I need for clams?

 

[rangerD275]

I'd maybe look further. I've heard bad things about the reliability of the 4x54 ballasts.

You could wire things so you get the 4 blue plus on the dusk/dawn cycle.

That makes sense thanks. The reality of it is that even if the 4 bulb ballasts fail, they are still cheap enough to take the chance. As long as they last me a year or two they would be worth the price difference.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Tek makes an 8in 36 inch? What would I need for clams?

Oops, no, you would have to use 2 of the 4 lamp versions.

 

[bee505]

Yep

Front to Back
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Actinic WHite
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Blue Plus
GE 6500K Daylight
ATI Blue Plus

On a Current Nova Extreme Pro, would it be useful if I use a fiji purple somewhere?

 

[angry13eaver]

Hi,

I have a 100 gallon tank that is about 48"lx23"hx21"w. I have a 8x54w unit. I'm looking to replace the bulbs and was wondering what the best combo for this system would be and what order.

I keep mostly anemones and sps. I have been running 4 whites and 4 blues until now. I'm looking for the most par possible while bringing out the colors. I'm keeping a purple carpet, a yellow ritteri, and several rose anemones.

Thank you,

David

 

[NCNBilly]

Hi Grim,

I have a mixed 75G, 2x250MH and 4x54w t5 on individual reflectors. Due to electricity costs, I'm not running the MHs (XM 15K) more than 2.5 hours when I'm normally home to watch. I'm looking at the following and am looking for a nice whitish/blue look.

Front to back:

ATI Blue Plus
ATI Blue Plus
KZ Fiji Purple
ATI Aquablue Special

Thoughts? I was thinking maybe moving the 2nd Blue plus and the Aquablue special. I'm also considering at some point trading the MHs and going for another 4x54 T5, but that's getting tight in the canopy.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Front to Back
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Actinic WHite
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Blue Plus
GE 6500K Daylight
ATI Blue Plus

On a Current Nova Extreme Pro, would it be useful if I use a fiji purple somewhere?

No, the actinic white covers the red pretty well.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hi,

I have a 100 gallon tank that is about 48"lx23"hx21"w. I have a 8x54w unit. I'm looking to replace the bulbs and was wondering what the best combo for this system would be and what order.

I keep mostly anemones and sps. I have been running 4 whites and 4 blues until now. I'm looking for the most par possible while bringing out the colors. I'm keeping a purple carpet, a yellow ritteri, and several rose anemones.

Thank you,

David

Front
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Actinic White
ATI Blue Plus
GE 6500K Daylight
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Actinic WHite
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus

Should have lots of PAR and hit your colors nice.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hi Grim,

I have a mixed 75G, 2x250MH and 4x54w t5 on individual reflectors. Due to electricity costs, I'm not running the MHs (XM 15K) more than 2.5 hours when I'm normally home to watch. I'm looking at the following and am looking for a nice whitish/blue look.

Front to back:

ATI Blue Plus
ATI Blue Plus
KZ Fiji Purple
ATI Aquablue Special

Thoughts? I was thinking maybe moving the 2nd Blue plus and the Aquablue special. I'm also considering at some point trading the MHs and going for another 4x54 T5, but that's getting tight in the canopy.

Move the Fiji one position forward and the blue plus you take out to the back

BP
FP
AB
BP

 

[killagoby]

Do you want 420 which is violet or do you want purple? The Actinic White will add more red which when combined with blue lamps will give you purple. The 75/25 is more subtle and sort of a neutral color so it does add red, just not as much. The 75/25 does have more actinic phosphors so that will give a slight better glowing effect.

That's what I was looking for. The one that had the better actinic phosphors with a glowing effect.

Thanks Grim!

 

[gbothepro]

Hi,

I'll be setting up a 90 gallon 48x18x24. I currently own a ATI Sunpower 48"x4. Do you think I'll need a fixture with 6 bullbs?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hi,

I'll be setting up a 90 gallon 48x18x24. I currently own a ATI Sunpower 48"x4. Do you think I'll need a fixture with 6 bullbs?

6 would be better, especially if you want clams on the sand.

 

[gbothepro]

6 would be better, especially if you want clams on the sand.

Thanks Grim!