The T5 Q&a Thread

[rtparty]

are there any companies out there that make 8 - 10 bulb 24 inch fixtures other than ATI?

Not any good companies. Sfiligoi might but it will cost more than an ATI.

Have you thought about running 2 - 4 bulb fixtures instead?

ATI came out with the 8 bulb Sunpowers and they should be in the states here pretty soon. They are cheaper than the Powermodules.

 

[[]V[]addog]

i have thoguth about 2 4 bulbs fixtures, but getting ones that dont have a large gap in the back where there are no bubls, so that i get an even distribution of light... not too easy either. i might be picky.

 

[H20Bonsai]

Thanks for your help!

 

[rtparty]

i have thoguth about 2 4 bulbs fixtures, but getting ones that dont have a large gap in the back where there are no bubls, so that i get an even distribution of light... not too easy either. i might be picky.

The ATI Sunpowers don't have a gap in the back. They are actually symmetrical. The gap in front and back is maybe 1/2" each.

 

[[]V[]addog]

yeah, i mean. Sunpowers makes a 6 bulbi think, and soon to have an 8 bulb. But with an ATI product I'll be spending close to 1k. I was hoping to keep the cost around 700.

 

[[]V[]addog]

do you guys think the 6 bulb ATI would be sufficent for a 30 x 30 x 24 tank

I plan on having alot of open swimming room basicaly in a U shape aroudn the fornt and sides.

I plan to keep mostly softies and LPS, and an anenome when the tank is established. MAYBE the odd SPS, but nothing crazy.

Basicaly... would the 6 bulb ATI be better then say, 2 4 bulb current USA, or something of that quality and output.

 

[Thorin192]

Is there any place online that you can go look at pictures of different bulb combinations to get an idea of what you may want in your own tank?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

do you guys think the 6 bulb ATI would be sufficent for a 30 x 30 x 24 tank

I plan on having alot of open swimming room basicaly in a U shape aroudn the fornt and sides.

I plan to keep mostly softies and LPS, and an anenome when the tank is established. MAYBE the odd SPS, but nothing crazy.

Basicaly... would the 6 bulb ATI be better then say, 2 4 bulb current USA, or something of that quality and output.

6 will work as long as you keep the corals below the lamps and not out on the sandbed.

 

[[]V[]addog]

that might be an option then....

 

[[]V[]addog]

6 will work as long as you keep the corals below the lamps and not out on the sandbed.

ok, If i do go with the 6 bulb fixture... what bulbs shoudl I use for best color and decent growth. Keep in mind my tank is 24 inches deep. I plan on mostly LPS and softies, the occasional hard coral. I think the 14k/15k range looks nice. 20 can sometimes look nice depending on the bulbs.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

ok, If i do go with the 6 bulb fixture... what bulbs shoudl I use for best color and decent growth. Keep in mind my tank is 24 inches deep. I plan on mostly LPS and softies, the occasional hard coral. I think the 14k/15k range looks nice. 20 can sometimes look nice depending on the bulbs.

4 ATI Blue Plus, 1 ATI Aquablue and 1 ATI Purple Plus.

 

[crsaz]

im going with a 6 x54" fixture for my frag tank.

What do ya'll think about this combo
2x aquablue plus
2x pure actinic
1x kz fiji purple
1x powerchrome mid-day(or should I replace this with another aquablue plus)

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Why on earth would you want actinics over a frag tank?

Use 4 ATI Blue Plus or Gmann Actinic Plus and 2 GE Midday 6500's. The Fiji Purple and actinics are just for aesthetics. You still get the good color with the blue plus and they have oodles of PAR.

 

[MelloW33]

Wow, my eyes and brain hurt from reading this thread! I have a couple questions. Will the 60" ATI Powermodule 6x80w be enough light for a SPS-dominant 125 tank? The dimensions of the tank are 72Lx18.5Wx22H. 17.5" from surface to the sand bed. I think that the ATI 8x80W would be too wide for the tank since it is 17.5" wide, right?

If you think the 6x80W is the right fixture, do you have bulb recommendations? I prefer more of a 12-14K look.

Thanks for the help!

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Wow, my eyes and brain hurt from reading this thread! I have a couple questions. Will the 60" ATI Powermodule 6x80w be enough light for a SPS-dominant 125 tank? The dimensions of the tank are 72Lx18.5Wx22H. 17.5" from surface to the sand bed. I think that the ATI 8x80W would be too wide for the tank since it is 17.5" wide, right?

If you think the 6x80W is the right fixture, do you have bulb recommendations? I prefer more of a 12-14K look.

Thanks for the help!

6x80 be fine. 4 ATI Blue Plus, 1 ATI Aquablue and 1 ATI Purple Plus should be about what you are looking for.

 

[MelloW33]

Wow, thanks for the quick response!

 

[BPro32]

Would a 10 bulb powermodule be too much for a 60 cube? Would it burn z's, p's, or lps on the bottom of the tank?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

How tall is it? 24 inches should be fine. You can always raise the light if it looks like the critters are getting scorched.

 

[BPro32]

How tall is it? 24 inches should be fine. You can always raise the light if it looks like the critters are getting scorched.

I thought of that after I asked the question.. Someone posted a 10 bulb PM locally for only $75 more than a new 8 bulb hydroponic fixture (including new bulbs) so I thought the powermodule would be tons better. The fixture is about 15 months old. Will I have to worry about the age of it any time soon?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I thought of that after I asked the question.. Someone posted a 10 bulb PM locally for only $75 more than a new 8 bulb hydroponic fixture (including new bulbs) so I thought the powermodule would be tons better. The fixture is about 15 months old. Will I have to worry about the age of it any time soon?

You shouldn't