The T5 Q&a Thread

[The Grim Reefer]

OK I am upgrading the lighting on my 120 gallon tank as it transitions from a mixed reef with easy SPS to an all-SPS reef. I have had an 8-bulb T5 Tek-light ever since I started the tank 5 or 6 years ago, it has done its job and now I need more light output.

I was 50/50 between getting an 8 bulb 48" Powermodule, or going with an Aquaillumination LED setup for over twice the price. Then someone fairly local advertised a 10-bulb 48" Powermodule, used for less than a year, for about half the price of a new fixture.

My question is, is this 10-bulb fixture overkill for my tank? I'd like to keep SPS from top to bottom, but I don't want to bleach out the SPS and I'm afraid the 10-bulb Powermodule would be too much light. The tank dimensions are 48" x 24" x 24". I would prefer an 8-bulb Powermodule but it is hard to pass up such a good deal when it comes along.

You could either use a couple actinic lamps or raise the fixture to tone down the PAR a little.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I will preface this by saying that I have never seen numbers on the Hamilton.

I wouldn't even hesitate one second to get the Sunpower. I owned one Hamilton fixture and it lasted 3 months on my tank before I had enough. Poorly built, crappy bulb and just overall not a good fixture. It was a clamp on MH fixture for my nano.

I helped a LFS out for a few months and they use a lot of Hamilton stuff. The reflectors suck, to be honest and I wasn't impressed by a single thing I ever saw come from Hamilton. If they really do use WH ballasts, they won't come close to staying up with a Sunpower and with the reflectors I have seen, Tek has them beat by a mile too.

The price may look good but stay with your Aquatic Life if you are planning the Hamilton.

I would get the ATI. Right ballasts, good cooling and great reflectors.

 

[TonyV]

Thanks Grim and Ryan. No I need to decide if I should spend the extra $80 between the SP and PM. Decisions decisions...

 

[rtparty]

Thanks Grim and Ryan. No I need to decide if I should spend the extra $80 between the SP and PM. Decisions decisions...

I would only get the PM if you like the look more. Performance wise there isn't a big enough difference to warrant the price tag. The PM is also a lot heavier. I know its only 4 bulbs but that can still be annoying come bulb change time.

Just some info I have gathered over the years. I love my Sunpower and I actually really enjoy the look.

 

[Felixc395]

Hi. I'm getting a 6 bulb 54 watt sunpower for my 75 gallon sps dominated tank. I'm assuming this enough light? Also what is a good bulb combo for intensity and great color around 15-17k or so?

Thanks!

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hi. I'm getting a 6 bulb 54 watt sunpower for my 75 gallon sps dominated tank. I'm assuming this enough light? Also what is a good bulb combo for intensity and great color around 15-17k or so?

Thanks!

4 ATI Blue Plus, 1 UVL Actinic White and a GE 6500K Daylight

 

[RotaryGeek]

Hey grim, what would you consider a better fixture for me? The tek elite 6x39w with aquablue, blue+, and fiji purple, or the same bulb combo in the 4x39w Aquamedic ocean light fixture? Im looking to do mostly LPS and softies, but maybe some SPS later on, don't really want to be limited. Since both fixtures will come out to close to the same price range, i wanted you opinion on the better fixture. I do know that the reflectors are narrower in the ocean light, and wider in the tek. My tank is a 46 bowfront, but might go to a 40 breeder soon, so it would have to work there. I know that the 6 bulb tek will hang over the edges of the bowfront, but thats kinda why i wanted the upgrade to a 40 breeder.


*ninja edit* changed to 4x39w.

 

[Felixc395]

4 ATI Blue Plus, 1 UVL Actinic White and a GE 6500K Daylight

Thanks! Could I switch out one blue plus with a aquablue and then change the UVL actinic white for a KZ Fiji purple with the same effect? What would be the difference in intensity/color?

And also I'm assuming this is enough light for sps in a 75 gallon?

 

[2in10]

Thanks! Could I switch out one blue plus with a aquablue and then change the UVL actinic white for a KZ Fiji purple with the same effect? What would be the difference in intensity/color?

And also I'm assuming this is enough light for sps in a 75 gallon?

I have the same bulbs as you stated on your switch out and on a 75 with SPS and it works great. The aquablue seems to dull out colors a bit.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hey grim, what would you consider a better fixture for me? The tek elite 6x39w with aquablue, blue+, and fiji purple, or the same bulb combo in the 4x39w Aquamedic ocean light fixture? Im looking to do mostly LPS and softies, but maybe some SPS later on, don't really want to be limited. Since both fixtures will come out to close to the same price range, i wanted you opinion on the better fixture. I do know that the reflectors are narrower in the ocean light, and wider in the tek. My tank is a 46 bowfront, but might go to a 40 breeder soon, so it would have to work there. I know that the 6 bulb tek will hang over the edges of the bowfront, but thats kinda why i wanted the upgrade to a 40 breeder.


*ninja edit* changed to 4x39w.

I'd do the Tek.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Thanks! Could I switch out one blue plus with a aquablue and then change the UVL actinic white for a KZ Fiji purple with the same effect? What would be the difference in intensity/color?

And also I'm assuming this is enough light for sps in a 75 gallon?

Yes to all. Be slightly less blue but fine

 

[Felixc395]

Yes to all. Be slightly less blue but fine

Thanks! I appreciate all the advice and everything you do for the marine hobby! Keep up the good work!

 

[Al G Blenny]

Hey Grim and co. You helped me back a while ago and yet I'm back for more. Are the ATI bulbs a lot better than the giesemann bulbs or is it just cost that keeps you suggesting ATI? I need to get four more bulbs and I can get giesemann bulbs discounted from the store I work for. Should I still go with ATI?

 

[rtparty]

Hey Grim and co. You helped me back a while ago and yet I'm back for more. Are the ATI bulbs a lot better than the giesemann bulbs or is it just cost that keeps you suggesting ATI? I need to get four more bulbs and I can get giesemann bulbs discounted from the store I work for. Should I still go with ATI?

Go with the Gmann if you get them for cheaper. They have slightly less PAR but not by much.

 

[E.intheC]

I'm thinking about changing my current lighting setup. I have a 40 breeder, LPS/Zoanthid dominate. I'd like to get some T5's and drop my Metal Halides.

How would a Tek 4 bulb work in terms of providing enough light? Bulbs I would like to use are as follows: 1 ATI white, 1 KZ Fiji Purple, and 2 ATI Blue +.

Think that will be sufficient lighting for a 40 breeder with LPS and Zoanthids? If it's strongly suggested, I could bump up to a 6 bulb Tek, but what would the suggested bulb combo be to keep the same look as above?

Thanks in advance.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I'm thinking about changing my current lighting setup. I have a 40 breeder, LPS/Zoanthid dominate. I'd like to get some T5's and drop my Metal Halides.

How would a Tek 4 bulb work in terms of providing enough light? Bulbs I would like to use are as follows: 1 ATI white, 1 KZ Fiji Purple, and 2 ATI Blue +.

Think that will be sufficient lighting for a 40 breeder with LPS and Zoanthids? If it's strongly suggested, I could bump up to a 6 bulb Tek, but what would the suggested bulb combo be to keep the same look as above?

Thanks in advance.

That would work as long as you can mount the light high enough above, like maybe 8 inches for the light to spread out.

 

[Felixc395]

Hi again! Just wondering what would be the intensity and kelvin rating on a 6 bulb sunpower configuration of:

blue plus
aquablue special
blue plus
uvl 10k
blue plus
KZ Fiji purple

 

[Al G Blenny]

Go with the Gmann if you get them for cheaper. They have slightly less PAR but not by much.

Thanks!

 

[flamron]

Grim - great thread!!!

I'm seriously contemplating making the switch to T5 - I've been an MH guy almost from the start.

I've found a fixture - 8 bulb Tek w/2 IC 660s overdriving the bulbs.

My tank is 48x26x24 (custom acrylic). From skimming through this monster thread, I've came up with this, but you recommended this several months ago, so I want to get your up-to-date opinion.

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

Does this sound good? I'm looking for a 17k look, but i want some pop in my purples and blues, along with greens and reds (yes, I want it all!!)

thanks,

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hi again! Just wondering what would be the intensity and kelvin rating on a 6 bulb sunpower configuration of:

blue plus
aquablue special
blue plus
uvl 10k
blue plus
KZ Fiji purple

14K or so with a purple tint.