The T5 Q&a Thread

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OK Grim here is something that crossed my mind.

I have followed the PAR Readings thread that Kangym has put together and had a thought pop into my head.

If he is running the ATI PM and cooling the bulbs at the minimum fan speed of 4.5V and only got around 7 to 8 months on the bulbs, how long will bulbs last in Gmann fixtures that have only passive cooling?

I would be willing to bet that the 4.5V fan speed is doing a much better job at cooling than the Gmann passive cooling. Let alone running the fans even faster at 9V. Since switching speeds the bulbs can easily go a year for the majority of tanks.

Therefore I would think that T5 bulbs in a Gmann or any other non-cooling fixture probably only last 6 months before performance is shot.

Any thoughts?
 
rtparty said:
OK Grim here is something that crossed my mind.

I have followed the PAR Readings thread that Kangym has put together and had a thought pop into my head.

If he is running the ATI PM and cooling the bulbs at the minimum fan speed of 4.5V and only got around 7 to 8 months on the bulbs, how long will bulbs last in Gmann fixtures that have only passive cooling?

I would be willing to bet that the 4.5V fan speed is doing a much better job at cooling than the Gmann passive cooling. Let alone running the fans even faster at 9V. Since switching speeds the bulbs can easily go a year for the majority of tanks.

Therefore I would think that T5 bulbs in a Gmann or any other non-cooling fixture probably only last 6 months before performance is shot.

Any thoughts?
Click to expand...

The ATI is sealed so with the fan running slow it it possible it gets hotter than the Giesemann, But I doubt it.

It's definitely something to think about.
 
hey Grim, I just wanted to post a big thanks for helping me pick the right t5 bulbs. The combo you suggested looks great and thanks to reefgeek I got em fast. That UVL actinic white bulb is incredible!
 
The Grim Reefer said:
Front
Aquablue
Blue Plus
Fiji Purple
Blue Plus
Blue Plus
Aquablue
Click to expand...

How do you decide the placement? I am just curious what the difference between the last two bulbs would be if switched. Also is this combination going to make sps lps and softies all pop?what does actinic white do? I see that you reccomend it a lot.
 
The Grim Reefer said:
Should be good
Click to expand...

Grim, purchased a Hagen Glow 24" 2 bulb/24 watt T5 for the "front" of my 90 gal bowfront. Need a narrow fixture to fit in bow area. Have a 6x54watt as main light.

Have not put bulbs in yet, but dissapointed on 2 fronts so far w/the Hagen. Single 1/2 moon reflector-not individuals and no on/off switch.

Can you recommend a "value priced" alternative? Have see "Sunlight Supply" Ready Fits or possibly "AquaticLife" fixture.

Thanks in advance
 
Chris3323 said:
How do you decide the placement? I am just curious what the difference between the last two bulbs would be if switched. Also is this combination going to make sps lps and softies all pop?what does actinic white do? I see that you reccomend it a lot.
Click to expand...

2 and 5 are on a separate circuit for dusk/dawn so you want the blues there. The Actinic White adds some red in that is missing from the Aquablues and Blue Plus.
 
The Grim Reefer said:
2 and 5 are on a separate circuit for dusk/dawn so you want the blues there. The Actinic White adds some red in that is missing from the Aquablues and Blue Plus.
Click to expand...

I thought it was 2 and 4 on one switch. My question was why have 2 blue pluses in a row and the special last? Does it even make a difference? And what's the main difference between Fiji purple andcactinic white?
 
Hey Guys,
I have had the Current USA Outer Orbit for over 3 yrs now. I notice Current has stopped making the Metal Halide fixtures and the Current bulbs are getting harder to find. I was looking at the T5's and had a question. I have a basic 75 gal tank that is 20" deep, 18" wide, and 48" long. I have a mix of SPS and LPS corals. I notice that the T5 has a 4,6, and 8 bulb fixture. How do I determine what would be best for my tank? I can't decide if I would need the 6 bulb or the 8 bulb setup.

Thanks
 
Grim,

The advice you have provided so many folks here on RC is invaluable. After reading and searching this thread I would like your advice on a couple matters.

I have a traditional 90 gallon All Glass (48"Lx18"Wx24"H) with a DSB that is approximately 4" deep. Anything sitting on the bottom of the tank would be about 20" from the water surface. The rock structure runs through the middle of the tanks with some room behind it for circulation. I have maintained the tank for years as more of a FOWLR under 4X96W Custom Sealife Power Compact lighting (yep, it's old) and have only kept Star Polyps, some Zoas, and a couple Frogspawn. I want to move the tank from a survival mode to a mixed reef where I am not limited so much by my inadequate lighting.

I will be purchasing an ATI Powermodule (unless you have another suggestion - maybe the Sun Power) but was wondering if a 6 bulb would be the right fixture for this tank. IMHO, an 8 bulb would be overkill for me since I am not focused on a SPS dominated tank and the 4 bulb may be somewhat limiting with regards to bulb configurations and what I may be able to keep successfully.

I am leaning towards a 48" 6 bulb Powermodule but was wondering if a 36" would be more appropriate. Would the 48" fixture be too intense for most LPS over this tank?

Any suggestions on the 6 bulb configuration is welcomed.

Thanks Grim.
 
Grim,
thanks for all your recomendations and bulb info. i have adjusted my bulbs (sunpower)for more SPS color and my last arrangement is
act white
blue +
GE6500
Blue +
Fiji
Blue+
Will act white, GE & fiji be too much of a yellow/red spectrum?. I have an extra aquablue I was thinking of putting inplace of GE. I have alot of colored ricordia and a few red and purple SPS so I don't want to loose colors. I think there is more color in reef that I could pull out with right bulb choiceSome zoas are hidden.
 
Chris3323 said:
I thought it was 2 and 4 on one switch. My question was why have 2 blue pluses in a row and the special last? Does it even make a difference? And what's the main difference between Fiji purple andcactinic white?
Click to expand...

2 and 5. Having the two blues next to each other isn't an issue, not bunching the non blue lamps is.

The Fiji Purple is more subtle as far as adding red where the actinic white is broader spectrum and more pink.
 
ram6519 said:
Hey Guys,
I have had the Current USA Outer Orbit for over 3 yrs now. I notice Current has stopped making the Metal Halide fixtures and the Current bulbs are getting harder to find. I was looking at the T5's and had a question. I have a basic 75 gal tank that is 20" deep, 18" wide, and 48" long. I have a mix of SPS and LPS corals. I notice that the T5 has a 4,6, and 8 bulb fixture. How do I determine what would be best for my tank? I can't decide if I would need the 6 bulb or the 8 bulb setup.

Thanks
Click to expand...

6 lamps should be fine.
 
jmsalt1 said:
Grim,

The advice you have provided so many folks here on RC is invaluable. After reading and searching this thread I would like your advice on a couple matters.

I have a traditional 90 gallon All Glass (48"Lx18"Wx24"H) with a DSB that is approximately 4" deep. Anything sitting on the bottom of the tank would be about 20" from the water surface. The rock structure runs through the middle of the tanks with some room behind it for circulation. I have maintained the tank for years as more of a FOWLR under 4X96W Custom Sealife Power Compact lighting (yep, it's old) and have only kept Star Polyps, some Zoas, and a couple Frogspawn. I want to move the tank from a survival mode to a mixed reef where I am not limited so much by my inadequate lighting.

I will be purchasing an ATI Powermodule (unless you have another suggestion - maybe the Sun Power) but was wondering if a 6 bulb would be the right fixture for this tank. IMHO, an 8 bulb would be overkill for me since I am not focused on a SPS dominated tank and the 4 bulb may be somewhat limiting with regards to bulb configurations and what I may be able to keep successfully.

I am leaning towards a 48" 6 bulb Powermodule but was wondering if a 36" would be more appropriate. Would the 48" fixture be too intense for most LPS over this tank?

Any suggestions on the 6 bulb configuration is welcomed.

Thanks Grim.
Click to expand...


For a mixed reef I would go with the Sunpower with 6 lamps, maybe even 4 if you dont ever plan to have clams.
 
drtrash said:
Grim,
thanks for all your recomendations and bulb info. i have adjusted my bulbs (sunpower)for more SPS color and my last arrangement is
act white
blue +
GE6500
Blue +
Fiji
Blue+
Will act white, GE & fiji be too much of a yellow/red spectrum?. I have an extra aquablue I was thinking of putting inplace of GE. I have alot of colored ricordia and a few red and purple SPS so I don't want to loose colors. I think there is more color in reef that I could pull out with right bulb choiceSome zoas are hidden.
Click to expand...

If you like the look it doesnt matter. I can't imagine liking what you have listed up there.

I would do

Front
ATI Blue Plus
KZ Fiji Purple
Blue Plus
GE 6500K
Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue

The GE will hit green and yellow, Fiji hits red and pink and the Blues the blues plus the pop for all colors. The Aquablue will hit some deeper greens but mainly just brightens the look.
 
Hey Grim,
I'm thinking of setting up a 20gal long (30x12x12") as a frag tank for mostly SPS. Do you think i could go with a 2x24w fixture or do i need a 4x24w? Also what bulb combo would you choose?
Thanks!
~Nick
 
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