The T5 Q&a Thread

[The Grim Reefer]

just a quick question,

i got a tank with a 4x24w T5HO light and was wondering if i can run VHO bulbs in the fixture or if i have to stick with T5ho...

also what would a good combo of bulbs be for a 39 gallon mainly planted(macro),and a few softies(zoas and rics,shrooms)

thanks!!

2 ATI Blue Plus, I ATI Aquablue and a KZ Fiji Purple and no you cant run VHO in the T5 fixture

 

[The Grim Reefer]

OK I got my ATI SunPower 60" 6x80w fixture and bulbs today. It says to run the fans at 4.5 volts. I have read many times that people are running them at different volts. Why? My power supply came set at 7.5 volts. Should I set it to 4.5v?

9 volts. A reefer has done PAR tests and found his lamps didnt last well at 4.5 and went up to 9 and they last much better, I got max PAR at 7.5 so dont run them less than that

 

[briansbelle]

2 ATI Blue Plus, I ATI Aquablue and a KZ Fiji Purple and no you cant run VHO in the T5 fixture

thanks grim!!!

 

[forrestcook]

2 Blue Plus, the actinic and the Fiji. Try running the fiji with a blue for dusk/dawn

Thanks much for the quick reply... nice to have a good resource taking their time to answer questions!

 

[gasbatalla]

Use Blue Plus or some other good blue lamps but I would use 5 of those, 2 6500K's and 1 3000K

Thanks for the answer, how would you place them front to back?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

what is a good mix of bulbs for a 39 gallon planted tank with zoas and rics and shrooms?

i have a 24" 4 bulb t5HO light.

thanks!!!

2 ATI Blue Plus, 1 ATI Aquablue and a UVL Aquasun

 

[The Grim Reefer]

i have a 75 gallon 8 bulb with coralife bulbs will it grow sps

Maybe monti's up on the rocks.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Thanks for the answer, how would you place them front to back?

Front
Blue
Blue
6500K
Blue
3000K
6500K
Blue
Blue

 

[gasbatalla]

Thanks again

 

[Buganddoug]

9 volts. A reefer has done PAR tests and found his lamps didnt last well at 4.5 and went up to 9 and they last much better, I got max PAR at 7.5 so dont run them less than that

Thank you for the great info.:thumbsup:

 

[thebanker]

I just swapped one of my Current 10k's for a Wavepoint Red Wave. My bulb combination is now

[front]
Current 460nm
Wavepoint Red Wave
Current 460nm
Current 10K

The tank has taken on a nice purple hue when all 4 bulbs are on, and it really brings out the pink in my xenia and the oranges in the red birdsnest.

So far so good! Any PAR readings on the Wavepoint lights?

I'm thinking of swapping the other 10k for an ATI Aquablue Special, and one of the 460nm's for something like a super actinic. What combo would you suggest, taking into account my current set up and bulb order? I want to keep the Wavepoint bulb and one of the Current 460nm's. I want my tank to look white, but I don't want the ultra blue 22k look that's so popular now. I want purple!

 

[Buganddoug]

My ATI 6x80w fixture I would like to do dusk and dawn setup. I see that 2 and 5 bulb ports are the only two that come on as a pair. This is my bulb set up right now from front to back.
1 ATI Blue Plus
2 KZ Fiji Purple
3 ATI Blue Plus
4 GE 6500K Daylight
5 ATI 12000K Aquablue
6 ATI Blue Plus
What would be the best bulb lay out for Dusk and dawn?

 

[STEELERFAN747]

If you want the UVL Lamps

Front
454
Actinic White
454
Indigo sun
454
454 for closer to 20K, Indigo sun for closer to 12K

Hey Grim, I have not been able to change out my lights yet as UVL has yet to come out with the 18" bulbs announced on Nanotuners so I was thinking of changing out one of the 10k bulbs with another 460nm (at least temporarily until UVL bulbs come out).

Do you think this would work? and what kind of look would it give?

Thanks again for the help

 

[natewils]

Hey Grim I would like to set my tank up correct so I am here to ask
I have a Standard 75 Gal tank and a 6 bulb set up with 1 and 6 on a separate ballast for dusk to dawn. what would be the best I could do
just getting in to coral with a few pieces and the lighting I have is old and causing alge to attack my glass thanks

 

[psteeleb]

I'm building a 100g setup and want to go T5's

tthe current setup has VHO's - for now I'll keep the outside 2 46" VHO atinics and put them on an Icecap 430

I considering these options for the main lights

1) 4 T5's on an Icecap 660 with Icecap or TEK reflectors

2) one of the Hamilton 4 Ft Fiji Sun 6 x 54W T5 HO setups shown here as a 24 and 36" model
http://www.hamiltontechnology.com/shop/index.php?task=show&cat=New+Products

or 3) going with 2 of the hamilton Aruba Sun 2 - High Output T5 and LED Retrofit Kits

also are all 48" bulbs 46" I'm seeing both listed and I need the 46" bulbs

my new tank is 28" tall and I'm a little concerned with light penetratioon

 

[inthesea]

Hey Guys,
IS this still the best combo for a 8 bulb T5 fixture.
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Actinic White
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Blue Plus
GE 6500K Daylight
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Blue Plus
I want to grow both lps and sps.

 

[rtparty]

I'm building a 100g setup and want to go T5's

tthe current setup has VHO's - for now I'll keep the outside 2 46" VHO atinics and put them on an Icecap 430

I considering these options for the main lights

1) 4 T5's on an Icecap 660 with Icecap or TEK reflectors

2) one of the Hamilton 4 Ft Fiji Sun 6 x 54W T5 HO setups shown here as a 24 and 36" model
http://www.hamiltontechnology.com/shop/index.php?task=show&cat=New+Products

or 3) going with 2 of the hamilton Aruba Sun 2 - High Output T5 and LED Retrofit Kits

also are all 48" bulbs 46" I'm seeing both listed and I need the 46" bulbs

my new tank is 28" tall and I'm a little concerned with light penetratioon

If you are worried about penetration then you will definitely want to skip the Hamilton and TEK stuff. So options 2 and 3 are out plus half of option 1.

Look into either LET Lighting or Aquactinics reflectors for retro.

I would look into an ATI Sunpower at the minimum for a 28" tall tank. A guy here in my local club has a 30" tall tank and his Sunpower will grow SPS at the bottom of the tank.

 

[rtparty]

Hey Guys,
IS this still the best combo for a 8 bulb T5 fixture.
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Actinic White
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Blue Plus
GE 6500K Daylight
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Blue Plus
I want to grow both lps and sps.

Looks good. I would just make it so that the GE and Aquablue aren't grouped together if possible.

 

[psteeleb]

If you are worried about penetration then you will definitely want to skip the Hamilton and TEK stuff. So options 2 and 3 are out plus half of option 1.

Look into either LET Lighting or Aquactinics reflectors for retro.

I would look into an ATI Sunpower at the minimum for a 28" tall tank. A guy here in my local club has a 30" tall tank and his Sunpower will grow SPS at the bottom of the tank.

thanks for the input and lead on the ATI sunpower

so is it better going with the LET/icecap 660 retro or the ATI supower?

 

[HiroPro]

Setting up a 120G mixed tank and planning on getting the ATI Powermodule 8x54 fixture.

Thinking of this lighting combo for dusk to dawn:

FRONT
ATI Blue Plus
UV Super Actinic
UV Actinic White
KZ Fiji Purple
Geissman Midday
UV Actinic White
UV Super Actinic
ATI Blue Plus

Comments?