The T5 Q&a Thread

[E.intheC]

Grim, I'm considering setting up a 72in x 24in x 12in height tank. Live rock in the center, with at least 4-6 inches of sand around all sides of the tank to keep it open and free flowing.

I'm going for a mixed LPS/SPS/Zoanthid reef. I like the idea of shadows and parts that receive less light than others. How would you light this tank, with a budget in the "under $350-400 range" ?? MH/T5/combo.. open to all.... (including used fixtures) Thanks in advance. :thumbsup:

 

[pascal32]

Grim- thanks for all the help, DT looks great.

For my 20 gallon tall frag tanks I have a Nova extrem 6x - two lights for dusk/dawn which turn off and then 4 come on for day (got fixture new at steal price)

I would like to use the dusk/dawn bulbs to pop corals for trading, and have the daylights be purely aimed at growth for frags (no attempt to look good)

suggestions?

I currently have:

dusk/dawn
uvl super atinic
ati blue+

day
ge 6500
ge 6500
old atinic -> update to geisman 10k?
old atinic -> another 6500?

Thanks!

 

[psteeleb]

If you are going to all that trouble I'd go straight LED's but Throwing in a Fiji Purple would be good.

thanks Grim

changing to all LED's?
This old dog is having a hard enough time convincing himself that T5's will get close to the results he was having with MH's.

 

[keith sprague]

It will be between 14 and 20K Should look good.

how bout if you threw a GE 6500 in instead of a BL plus? and what order f-B?

 

[zlwags85]

Grim - you suggested this layout a long time ago and I really liked it (the number in "()" is the schedule for them to be turned on: Tank is 8' and there are 10 rows consisting of 2 4' bulbs.

4) Blue Plus
2) UV Lighting Super Actinic
1) UV Lighting 75/25 14000K Aquablue
4) ATI Blue Plus
5) GE 6500K Daylight
1) ATI Blue Plus
3) ATI Pro Color
2) ATI Blue Plus
5) ATI Aquablue
3) ATI Blue Plus

I am going from a reef to a FOWLR. I don't need this much light anymore. Question 1, how many bulbs to get a good effect? I was thinking 4 (maybe 5?). What combination from front to back would be cool with the bulbs I have? And lastly, I have the endcaps spaced evenly in canopy... would it be better to center 4-5 rows in teh middle? or do a every other row type of thing since they are already mounted? So...

XXXX -no lights
XXXX
----- - lights
XXXX
-----
MOONS
-----
XXXX
-----
XXXX
XXXX


Thanks much!

 

[saltyliving]

I saw the par ratings for 54w t5 Grim posted awhile back.

Heres my question:

Is the par comparable to the 24w bulbs. Logic say that the extra wattage is for the longer bulb. So you would need less watts to power a shorter bulb with the same result.

Is my logic way off?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Grim, I'm considering setting up a 72in x 24in x 12in height tank. Live rock in the center, with at least 4-6 inches of sand around all sides of the tank to keep it open and free flowing.

I'm going for a mixed LPS/SPS/Zoanthid reef. I like the idea of shadows and parts that receive less light than others. How would you light this tank, with a budget in the "under $350-400 range" ?? MH/T5/combo.. open to all.... (including used fixtures) Thanks in advance. :thumbsup:

60" Tek light would work or 2 24" Tek lights used like pendents.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Grim- thanks for all the help, DT looks great.

For my 20 gallon tall frag tanks I have a Nova extrem 6x - two lights for dusk/dawn which turn off and then 4 come on for day (got fixture new at steal price)

I would like to use the dusk/dawn bulbs to pop corals for trading, and have the daylights be purely aimed at growth for frags (no attempt to look good)

suggestions?

I currently have:

dusk/dawn
uvl super atinic
ati blue+

day
ge 6500
ge 6500
old atinic -> update to geisman 10k?
old atinic -> another 6500?

Thanks!

2 ATI Blue Plus for Dusk/Dawn and 2 more Blue Plus and 2 GE 6500K for the daylights.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

thanks Grim

changing to all LED's?
This old dog is having a hard enough time convincing himself that T5's will get close to the results he was having with MH's.

LOL, the LED's aint cheap but they work well.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

how bout if you threw a GE 6500 in instead of a BL plus? and what order f-B?

GE will brighten the look up a little.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Grim - you suggested this layout a long time ago and I really liked it (the number in "()" is the schedule for them to be turned on: Tank is 8' and there are 10 rows consisting of 2 4' bulbs.

4) Blue Plus
2) UV Lighting Super Actinic
1) UV Lighting 75/25 14000K Aquablue
4) ATI Blue Plus
5) GE 6500K Daylight
1) ATI Blue Plus
3) ATI Pro Color
2) ATI Blue Plus
5) ATI Aquablue
3) ATI Blue Plus

I am going from a reef to a FOWLR. I don't need this much light anymore. Question 1, how many bulbs to get a good effect? I was thinking 4 (maybe 5?). What combination from front to back would be cool with the bulbs I have? And lastly, I have the endcaps spaced evenly in canopy... would it be better to center 4-5 rows in teh middle? or do a every other row type of thing since they are already mounted? So...

XXXX -no lights
XXXX
----- - lights
XXXX
-----
MOONS
-----
XXXX
-----
XXXX
XXXX


Thanks much!

Looks to me like banks 1, 2 and 5 will get you even light distribution. You just have to play with different lamps to see what you like.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I saw the par ratings for 54w t5 Grim posted awhile back.

Heres my question:

Is the par comparable to the 24w bulbs. Logic say that the extra wattage is for the longer bulb. So you would need less watts to power a shorter bulb with the same result.

Is my logic way off?

Shorter T5 lamps have less par than the longer ones but not a huge difference.

 

[Jsin]

Ok I am switching from MH to T-5 lighting. I currently have a 6' 125 gallon reef with three 150w MH and two 96w power compacts for atinics. I ordered a 48" 6 bulb ATI Sunpower fixture which should be here Monday(yeah).
I read thru most of this thread and decided to go with 4 ATI blue plus, 1 Fiji purple, and a GE 65K bulb. I am hoping this will look good any input would be great also. I am looking for 14K-20K look
Ok my question is that I have read about corals bleaching while using T-5's
What height should I put my fixture at to start off with and how long till I can begin to lower it, an inch a week? If some corals do bleach will they come back or are they done for? I have mostly SPS and LPS.

 

[dez_2121]

i maybe wrong, I'm a newbe at T5's myself but I'm thinking coming from MH to T5 you wouldn't get any bleaching like i said i maybe wrong

 

[Rich123]

I have the same basic question, how long, if they do, will the color come back? My monti cap, birdsnest and some zoas bleached. I did start them all at the bottom of the tank for a couple weeks.

I switched from 150MH to 4 bulb T5, (2 ATI blue plus, 1 ATI aquablue special and 1 UVL actinic white.)

When all lights are on the tank looks bright and white. Not any blue color or tint.

With that bulb combo, over a 55 gal tank, is that too much light for mainly zoas. But i'm planing on adding some chalices, maybe some acans. I'm thinking of replacing the UVL for an ATI actinic bulb. Should I keep the set up as is for the higher par or would things be fine swaping to one actinic?

 

[NaClCrocodile]

Alright Grim, I just got a nice deal on an ATI Powermodule with nine bulbs. I'd like to know which ones should be shipped IN the fixture (least likely to break). Looking for the most common bulb choice for a six bulb fixture. It comes with 4 Blue +, 2 Aquablue Special, 1 Fiji Purple, 1 GE 6500K, and 1 ATI Actinic. Which ones would you have shipped in the fixture?

 

[dez_2121]

wow like i said i could be wrong i thought that MH where the most intense lights out there ... i stand corrected now you guys got me worried as i just went from VHO's to T5's i don't have much in the form of corals yet but i do have some GSP and a bubble coral that has not come out yet come to think about it my BTA hasn't been out much ether. GRIM help please !!!!! my new setup is a aquatic life 4*54W with 2 10k and 2 actinic. i know i need better bulbs but for now I'm worried about my couple of corals.

i will say one thing i have learned.... when you get T5's invest in a new heater because your gonna need it. my tank has cooled 12 degrees in the day and about 16 at night so guess where I'm headed lol

 

[The_Uga]

Im having a hard time trying to get hold of an 80w fiji bulb here in the UK, i was wondering how the ATI Pro Colour compared to it? Is the fiji much better...?

 

[reeftanknewbie]

Grim,
I was told your the man to ask when it comes to T5 lighting. I have a 56 column tank I just set up and am looking at T5 lighting for it. The dimensions are 30" long 25" high and 18 wide. Plan to keep softies, and LPS corals...Not sure if I will try my hand at keeping SPS corals yet. Looking into a used 36" Current Nova extreme 4 bulb T5 fixture...would love your thoughts on the unit and bulbs for the tank...thanks for your time. .

 

[milkman55]

I have a Fiji Purple and a GE6500 arriving Monday.

I currently run 4 Blue Plus, 2 Aqua Blue, and 2 Actinic White in my 8 bulb TEK over a 120 gal mixed LPS / SPS tank.

Just to experiment some, what would you suggest I change out?

As you know, the TEK fixtures fire the center four bulbs on one switch and the outer two bulbs on each side on the other switch.

Do the actinic type bulbs work better in the center and the Blue Plus on the outer slots?

Thanks for the input.