The T5 Q&a Thread

[JNicho]

Nice pictures, who makes this Aqua Pink bulb and how does it compare to the Fiji Purple? THX

You didn't actually read my post did you, LOL?!?!

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Coralife Mini Aqualight 11 in came across this online uses 2 6w t5 bulbs would i be better off with 36watts of PC lighting or would this be a good choice to light my nano. i know i can go with a 70w Mh but looking to keep the electricity bill down and price of the light itself.

Don't know anything about those 6 watt T5's.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

So this is not really a question, but I thought this might be a good place to post this info...I ordered some of the new Giesemann AquaPink bulbs to see how they compare to the Fiji Purple...I have a unique setup that has allowed me to place an AquaPink bulb in a fixture right next to one running a Fiji Purple...to my eye I do not see any difference in color or intensity comparing the AP to the FP...I can't give a rave review to the AP since I don't know what the PAR output is compared to the FP, but otherwise I'm quite happy with it. Here are a couple of photos of corals that do particularly well color-wise under bulbs that add red.

This photo was taken under ATI Aquablue special and Blue Plus:

and the same coral with the new Aqua Pink:

another example where the red pigments appear more brown under just the ATI bulbs:

and much more red with the Aqua Pink:

good stuff, having any of the red lamps really makes a big difference.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Quick question. On my new tank build (48x24x22) I will have a Sunpower 6x39. How high would you recommend hanging it over the water? This will be 70% SPS top and midddle / 30% LPS on sides and bottom.

here are my planned bulb placements.

front:
Ati Blue Plus
KZ Fiji Purple
KZ Super Blue
GE Daylight
ATI Blue Plus
KZ Super Blue
back:

Oh, And how many hours would you recommend to run them?

Thanks alot,
-Mike

I'd try to keep the fixture around 4" up

10 ton 12 hours for dusk/dawn 6 to 10 for the rest.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I have an 8ft long tank, its 24" tall, and 30" front to back, I currently have (4) 250 MH, and VHO actinics, Im thinking about going to powermodules, my question is would (2) 36" 10 bulb PM's be enough to cover the 8ft length if I split the diff on the ends and middle so there would be 8' on each end and the middle.
Or would (2) 48" bulbs be better?
And what height would they need to be off the water?

around 4" above the water is the sweet spot. The 36" fixtures would be fine.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

What's the best retro-fit t5 fixture? And how do they compare to ATI?

would icecaps be enough for a 20'' deep, sps dominated tank?

Look at Reefgeek's LET retrofits, be fine for a 20" tall.

 

[LSUtiger]

Finally I found this thread again. I couldn't remember the title of it.

It's time to replace my bulbs. I have the 36" 2x250W Current USA HQI/T5 High Output Outer Orbit fixture with the 4 stock actinic bulbs in it and two 12k reeflux halides.

Now that it's time to replace the halides and probably time to replace the actinics (a little more than a year old), I was hoping to get some recommendations.

I've always liked a 14k look (something equivalent to a phoenix 14k bulb by itself look).

Any help?

Thanks,
Mark

 

[steelcaveman]

I am going back to T5's. I am getting the AquaMedic 36" *8 bulb fixture.
From my past experience there were only two bulbs that really stood out from the pack - ATI Blue Plus and ULV Atinic White. Has anything changed that would suggest these two bulbs should no longer be part of the mix? I have a mixed reef - but no branching SPS - as they don't do well with seahorses. I have some pretty nice corals - chalices, blastos, acans, zoo's, rics,,,,,.
This will be a big stepup up from my 24" T5x2 + 150w MH fixture.
Aside from the chalices - the other corals are actually doing pretty well.

I have a 90gal tank

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Finally I found this thread again. I couldn't remember the title of it.

It's time to replace my bulbs. I have the 36" 2x250W Current USA HQI/T5 High Output Outer Orbit fixture with the 4 stock actinic bulbs in it and two 12k reeflux halides.

Now that it's time to replace the halides and probably time to replace the actinics (a little more than a year old), I was hoping to get some recommendations.

I've always liked a 14k look (something equivalent to a phoenix 14k bulb by itself look).

Any help?

Thanks,
Mark

I'd go with 4 ATI Blue Plus T5's and 2 of the 12K Reeflux lamps. Should look 14K or so with everything on and very cool with just the T5's plus have a ton of PAR.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I am going back to T5's. I am getting the AquaMedic 36" *8 bulb fixture.
From my past experience there were only two bulbs that really stood out from the pack - ATI Blue Plus and ULV Atinic White. Has anything changed that would suggest these two bulbs should no longer be part of the mix? I have a mixed reef - but no branching SPS - as they don't do well with seahorses. I have some pretty nice corals - chalices, blastos, acans, zoo's, rics,,,,,.
This will be a big stup up from my 24" T5x2 + 150w MH fixture.
Aside from the chalices - the other corals are actually doing pretty well.

Yea, like 5 Blue Plus with 2 Actinic White and a ATI Aquablue would look good.

 

[LSUtiger]

Thanks!

 

[kmu]

You didn't actually read my post did you, LOL?!?!

Sorry, should have done...

 

[goldenboy]

I just acquired a 110 gallon tall (48X18X30) and am thinking about replacing the current lights with a t-5 finished product like a Nova Extreme Pro or another manufacturer.
Would the 6-light be sufficient for soft/LPS and potentially a RBT anenome and perhaps some hearty SPS high in the tank. WHich fixture would u recommend?

Also, I have a canopy but would like to use the mounting legs on any fixture I get. My canopy has fan holes on both sides. Would this be OK?

thanks in advance.

 

[snslarison]

Grim,

Do you think it would be a mistake to buy the 20" NEP because of the bulb size? Do you know if other bulb manufactures going to be making bulbs to fit this?

 

[rtparty]

I just acquired a 110 gallon tall (48X18X30) and am thinking about replacing the current lights with a t-5 finished product like a Nova Extreme Pro or another manufacturer.
Would the 6-light be sufficient for soft/LPS and potentially a RBT anenome and perhaps some hearty SPS high in the tank. WHich fixture would u recommend?

Also, I have a canopy but would like to use the mounting legs on any fixture I get. My canopy has fan holes on both sides. Would this be OK?

thanks in advance.

I would be looking into using a Tek at the minimum. They can be bought from Reefgeek with the bulbs of your choice for a good price.

THe Current isn't going to cut it for much more than just softies and maybe some LPS on the rocks. 30" is a lot of water to penetrate.

 

[rtparty]

Grim,

Do you think it would be a mistake to buy the 20" NEP because of the bulb size? Do you know if other bulb manufactures going to be making bulbs to fit this?

UVL makes 18" bulbs. Although I did read that the first batch was too short and didn't fit in the Current fixtures.

 

[goldenboy]

Should I consider the 6-light or 8-light Tek? and what bulbs should I choose?

thanks

SG

I would be looking into using a Tek at the minimum. They can be bought from Reefgeek with the bulbs of your choice for a good price.

THe Current isn't going to cut it for much more than just softies and maybe some LPS on the rocks. 30" is a lot of water to penetrate.

 

[Brisc0]

Looking to make up my mind on lighting for my new 40G Breeder (36X18X16). Its either a 6X24w Sunpower or a 6X24w Retro kits. The system has an oak canopy with piano hinged lid that would work better with Retro if you can recommend a good one. I plan to keep a mixed reef of SPS/LPS and would appreciate an opinion on Sunpower vs. Retro, if retro, which one, and a bulb combo.

Thanks!

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I just acquired a 110 gallon tall (48X18X30) and am thinking about replacing the current lights with a t-5 finished product like a Nova Extreme Pro or another manufacturer.
Would the 6-light be sufficient for soft/LPS and potentially a RBT anenome and perhaps some hearty SPS high in the tank. WHich fixture would u recommend?

Also, I have a canopy but would like to use the mounting legs on any fixture I get. My canopy has fan holes on both sides. Would this be OK?

thanks in advance.

Get a 6 lamp Tek and install fans in all the holes in the canopy. Try to mount the fixture so the fans blow against the sides of slightly above the sides, should do well.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Looking to make up my mind on lighting for my new 40G Breeder (36X18X16). Its either a 6X24w Sunpower or a 6X24w Retro kits. The system has an oak canopy with piano hinged lid that would work better with Retro if you can recommend a good one. I plan to keep a mixed reef of SPS/LPS and would appreciate an opinion on Sunpower vs. Retro, if retro, which one, and a bulb combo.

Thanks!

Sunpower would be great but you'll have to cut a hole in the canopy lid to mount it, the air intake is in the top of the fixture. The LET retro's reefgeek sells would be great as well, 6 lamps.