The T5 Q&a Thread

[Enterprise7]

Hello

I am have setup a Deep Sea Aquatics Neo Nano and I am looking at lighting it with a 6 bulb ATI sunpower. I want to do clams and SPS with maybe some acans. I am looking for a 14-15k look. The tank is 24x24x14" deep.

I got this suggestion from another hobbiest.

3x blue plus
1x aquablue
1x pro color
1x UVL super actinic.

From reading this thread I get the impression that the KZ Fiji Purple is better than the pro color and the actinic white.

I talked to Greg over at reefgeek and he suggested mixing in a 6500k GE and skipping the actinic.

What would you suggest?

 

[ctmgardea]

180 gallon, 6x2x2 tank.I have 3 250 watt MH's but really don't want to pay the extra $150-$200 a month in electrical bill (running chiller and 750+ watts of lighting) what is a good T5 that won't break the bank, and give me light to have SPS or Monti's at top of tank to go along with zoo's and mushrooms in the tank as well.

 

[ctmgardea]

needs to fit in canopy built for the retro MH's...

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hello

I am have setup a Deep Sea Aquatics Neo Nano and I am looking at lighting it with a 6 bulb ATI sunpower. I want to do clams and SPS with maybe some acans. I am looking for a 14-15k look. The tank is 24x24x14" deep.

I got this suggestion from another hobbiest.

3x blue plus
1x aquablue
1x pro color
1x UVL super actinic.

From reading this thread I get the impression that the KZ Fiji Purple is better than the pro color and the actinic white.

I talked to Greg over at reefgeek and he suggested mixing in a 6500k GE and skipping the actinic.

What would you suggest?

I agree about the GE instead of the Actinic. The only time I prefer the Fiji Purple is when you only run like 4 lamps because it is more subtle.

I would do 4 Blue Plus 1 Actinic White and 1 GE if it were mine.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

180 gallon, 6x2x2 tank.I have 3 250 watt MH's but really don't want to pay the extra $150-$200 a month in electrical bill (running chiller and 750+ watts of lighting) what is a good T5 that won't break the bank, and give me light to have SPS or Monti's at top of tank to go along with zoo's and mushrooms in the tank as well.

8x80 watt Ice Cap retro would work. Reefgeek sells them

 

[ctmgardea]

what is the difference between the Tek 5 and the ICE Cap? Besides the $120.00?
looks like the reflectors are the only difference...?

 

[ctmgardea]

by the way... you are FAST!!! thank you.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

what is the difference between the Tek 5 and the ICE Cap? Besides the $120.00?
looks like the reflectors are the only difference...?

If you get the VHO version of the Ice Cap that is using there ballast in addition to the better reflectors. The standard version of the Ice Cap kit should be a lot closer in price.

 

[ctmgardea]

cool, thank you.

 

[cykenp]

Hey Grim!!

I was looking for a light for a 90 gal SPS only tank. I am interested by the new Elite Tek lights (8 bulb). Wondering what your opinion of those were.

What order would you rank these for my setup?
8 bulb Elite Tek
7 bulb Aquactinics Constellation
6 bulb ATI Sun
6 bulb Ati Power
4 bulb IceCap Retro

THanks!!1

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hey Grim!!

I was looking for a light for a 90 gal SPS only tank. I am interested by the new Elite Tek lights (8 bulb). Wondering what your opinion of those were.

What order would you rank these for my setup?
8 bulb Elite Tek
7 bulb Aquactinics Constellation
6 bulb ATI Sun
6 bulb Ati Power
4 bulb IceCap Retro

THanks!!1

ATI PM
ATI SP
Constellation

I have heard that the Tek Elite has Workhorse Ballasts, i that is the case I wouldn't want one. Without having used one I really can't say where it would rate but I know with a standard tek with external cooling I still couldn't match the output of a Constellation.

 

[cykenp]

ATI PM
ATI SP
Constellation

I have heard that the Tek Elite has Workhorse Ballasts, i that is the case I wouldn't want one. Without having used one I really can't say where it would rate but I know with a standard tek with external cooling I still couldn't match the output of a Constellation.

Thanks Grim!! What ballasts do the ATI's run? How big of a difference is there betwen the PM and SP (due to one less fan and the reflectors curved vs bent)?
I was also considering doing retro 6 bulbs with 4 on the icecap660 over driven and then 2 on a cheaper ballast. What do you think?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Thanks Grim!! What ballasts do the ATI's run? How big of a difference is there betwen the PM and SP (due to one less fan and the reflectors curved vs bent)?
I was also considering doing retro 6 bulbs with 4 on the icecap660 over driven and then 2 on a cheaper ballast. What do you think?

I hear the PM is about 10% better output. The retro idea isn't bad either.

 

[theyammieguy]

What bulbs do you recommend for an ATI 6x39? This will be my first T5 fixture.

 

[w16227]

Hey All,

Time for a bulb refresh,

my current system is a 6 bulb icepack retrofit - not overdriven. (60" bulbs on a 6' 125g tank).


My current bulb list -

Front
ATI Blue+
GE 6500K Daylight
ATI Blue+
ATI Pro Color
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue+
Rear


I was going to experiment with a KZ Fiji Purple in the mix.

Problem is - where to put it? The Fiji is one of my only choices that does not have a wavelength chart on reefgeek - I assume it replaces the daylight or pro color?


Thanks in advance.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

What bulbs do you recommend for an ATI 6x39? This will be my first T5 fixture.

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

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hey All,

Time for a bulb refresh,

my current system is a 6 bulb icepack retrofit - not overdriven. (60" bulbs on a 6' 125g tank).


My current bulb list -

Front
ATI Blue+
GE 6500K Daylight
ATI Blue+
ATI Pro Color
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue+
Rear


I was going to experiment with a KZ Fiji Purple in the mix.

Problem is - where to put it? The Fiji is one of my only choices that does not have a wavelength chart on reefgeek - I assume it replaces the daylight or pro color?


Thanks in advance.

Yep, in place of the pro color. I wouldn't change anything else.

 

[bruster9000]

so for this combo should the bulbs be placed like this....fixture is a nova extreme pro.

front

blue +
actinic white
blue +
aqua blue special
blue +
blue +

 

[theyammieguy]

Thanks, Grim.

 

[w16227]

Yep, in place of the pro color. I wouldn't change anything else.

THANK YOU SIR -

As always - the community appreciates your help.