The T5 Q&a Thread

[The Grim Reefer]

Grim,
Thanks for your fast and accurate reply.

With this setup:

Front
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Purple Plus
ATI Blue Plus
GE 6500K Daylight
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Blue Plus

Which bulb(s) would I be using for dusk/dawn simulation? Since there's no ATI True Actinic 03.

Either 2 blue Plus or one blue plus and a purple plus

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Thanks for the info Ryan. One thing....LET retro? where do i get more information on this? Link?

Thanks
Mark-

Reefgeek sells them.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Thanks for the vendor suggestion and bulb size clarification.

With the Current USA 4x24w fixture, is there anything I can do to modify this thing to get more light output? I'm on a very small budget, so it would have to be "worth the money" to do. Also, considering the following light combo. However, I'm concerned it may blast the hell out of me with BLUE. I like a medium colored tank to look at, not one blinding me with 20k spectrums.

2 ATI Blue Plus
1 KZ Fiji Purple
1 ATI Aquablue.

Thanks in advance.

That will be pretty medium colored. No decent upgrade for the fixture.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

guys quick question will this fixture do for my 90g tank 48x24x18 dimensions

http://cgi.ebay.com/48-T5-HO-Light-...025?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item45f56c2e11

its a 48" 4 bulb t5 HO - i am thinking of picking up 2 of those and putting them both on so i will end up with 4 12ks and 4 actinic will it work for a start or its a bad idea?

please help me out i am about to order them as i need it to ship in time for my visit to the states

I wouldn't buy any of the crap they sell on Ebay unless it's a known brand, Tek, Nova etc.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Great thread. Tons of info that I've enjoyed processing. Quick question for anyone that cares to comment.

I'm working on a new 75 gallon peninsula installation and am planning to use a 6x54w Sunpower. With sps dominating the rockwork and some lps brains, acans and such down low, how would you handle a bulb combination when the front and the back are truly both front viewable? Thanks very much.

Blue Plus
Blue Plus
Purple Plus
Aquablue
Blue Plus
Blue Plus

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I got my ATI Sunpower! Check out the install on my 54 corner. I love it! Thanks for the help Grim!

nice install

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Grim,
Would you recommend a glass cover for my tank? I don't know If I should leave it topless or not.

It would be interesting to know of anyone who has par readings of an open top tank, vs a mesh tank, vs glass.

Not only does the lid cut a lot of light it doesn't allow for good gas exchange from the tank.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Oops. Posted under my husband's account on accident.

If there's a question there I'd use 6 rows of lamps. Probably made of of 2 36" lamps end to end. You could just use the Nova Pro 72" fixture

 

[shrimphead]

mr grim would you say this is a good t5 choice,

i've got 3 tanks, 95cm long 90cm wide and 40cm deep, so there pritty shallow.
1 of the tanks will hold sps and the other 2 lps and other moderate lighting corals.

so the lps tanks i was thinking of having 3 54w ati tubes on each maybe a combo of 2 blue special and 1 blue plus. so in total 6 54w tubes on both tanks.

then on the sps tank have 5 or 6 54w ati tubes 3 blue special and 2 or 3 blue plus.

are there any other tubes that will work better for what i'm doing.

also got a soft coral frag tank with similar dimensions.

 

[seahorsedreams]

If there's a question there I'd use 6 rows of lamps. Probably made of of 2 36" lamps end to end. You could just use the Nova Pro 72" fixture

Woof! Half my question is missing!

I originally said I was looking into the ATI 60" and the Aquactinics constellation but I guess that is geared towards reef tanks?

If I put up some pics of the fish going in there, would you be able to make bulb recommendations for the Nova? I want to make their colours pop.

Thanks!

 

[shrimphead]

mr grim would you say this is a good t5 choice,

i've got 3 tanks, 95cm long 90cm wide and 40cm deep, so there pritty shallow.
1 of the tanks will hold sps and the other 2 lps and other moderate lighting corals.

so the lps tanks i was thinking of having 3 54w ati tubes on each maybe a combo of 2 blue special and 1 blue plus. so in total 6 54w tubes on both tanks.

then on the sps tank have 5 or 6 54w ati tubes 3 blue special and 2 or 3 blue plus.

are there any other tubes that will work better for what i'm doing.

also got a soft coral frag tank with similar dimensions.

been doing a bit of reading now and i'm quite interested in the kz bulbs?

 

[rtparty]

been doing a bit of reading now and i'm quite interested in the kz bulbs?

If you like spending an extra $10 a bulb then I say go with them.

I personally don't care for KZ any longer. Now that ATI has the Purple Plus, I see no need to ever run KZ stuff.

 

[tinkerman]

I am a Little confussed on which dirrection the fans should be blowing to cool t5ho's. Here is a pic of my hood. Could someone add arrows and size fans to cool a 6 bulb with 2 icecapp 660's. Thanks for any help.

 

[Ocean Mang]

Grim,

I have a 125 at the resort I manage. It has 8 39W Odyssea T5s running off workhorse ballasts. This setup was in the tank when I bought it.

They are setup four on each side. Would you recommend I run ATI bulbs with the fulham workhorse ballasts? If so which ones? I am growing mostly softies and zoas in there.

Thanks in advance.

 

[tinkerman]

Can anyone help with my fan placement question? Sorry don't mean to seem impatiacent.

 

[shrimphead]

mr grim would you say this is a good t5 choice,

i've got 3 tanks, 95cm long 90cm wide and 40cm deep, so there pritty shallow.
1 of the tanks will hold sps and the other 2 lps and other moderate lighting corals.

so the lps tanks i was thinking of having 3 54w ati tubes on each maybe a combo of 2 blue special and 1 blue plus. so in total 6 54w tubes on both tanks.

then on the sps tank have 5 or 6 54w ati tubes 3 blue special and 2 or 3 blue plus.

are there any other tubes that will work better for what i'm doing.

also got a soft coral frag tank with similar dimensions.

got the dimensions wrong, would do 4 39watt tubes on one tank not 3 54watts

 

[tchndie]

Hello Grim
I am using a 48" aquactinics constellation 7 bulb fixture and have a mixed reef tank. What would be the best bulb configuration for me? I was told to go with German bulbs? could you list them from front to back please. Also what times should each set of bulbs come on and go off?
Thanks

My tank is 30 inch deep

 

[tchndie]

I also like a little blue look as well

 

[The Grim Reefer]

mr grim would you say this is a good t5 choice,

i've got 3 tanks, 95cm long 90cm wide and 40cm deep, so there pritty shallow.
1 of the tanks will hold sps and the other 2 lps and other moderate lighting corals.

so the lps tanks i was thinking of having 3 54w ati tubes on each maybe a combo of 2 blue special and 1 blue plus. so in total 6 54w tubes on both tanks.

then on the sps tank have 5 or 6 54w ati tubes 3 blue special and 2 or 3 blue plus.

are there any other tubes that will work better for what i'm doing.

also got a soft coral frag tank with similar dimensions.

2 blue plus and a purple plus for the 3 lamp system and 4 blue plus 1 aquablue and a purple plus on the others.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Woof! Half my question is missing!

I originally said I was looking into the ATI 60" and the Aquactinics constellation but I guess that is geared towards reef tanks?

If I put up some pics of the fish going in there, would you be able to make bulb recommendations for the Nova? I want to make their colours pop.

Thanks!

1 ATI Purple Plus, 1 GE 6500K Daylight and 4 ATI Blue Plus should be a good combo for any fish.