The T5 Q&a Thread

[RcToners]

Grim,

I just bought a 72" Aquactinics Constellation fixture (14x39W). What bulbs do you recommend and in what order? I like a bit of the blueish-purple to show through.

Thanks

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Grim,

I just bought a 72" Aquactinics Constellation fixture (14x39W). What bulbs do you recommend and in what order? I like a bit of the blueish-purple to show through.

Thanks

Front
Blue Plus
Purple Plus
Blue Plus
Aquablue
Blue Plus
Purple Plus
Blue Plus

 

[jenreef]

im getting my fixture and bulbs shipped to me today. and i want to know what order from front to back should i put these bulbs? and how you think my tank is going to look with these bulbs?
4 ati blue plus
2 ati aqua blue special
2 kz fji purple

 

[The Grim Reefer]

im getting my fixture and bulbs shipped to me today. and i want to know what order from front to back should i put these bulbs? and how you think my tank is going to look with these bulbs?
4 ati blue plus
2 ati aqua blue special
2 kz fji purple

use 3 Blue Plus and a purple in the dusk/dawn slots Should look about 14KI

 

[jenreef]

use 3 Blue Plus and a purple in the dusk/dawn slots Should look about 14KI

i don't know were are the dusk/dawn slots. is it possible if you could tell me the order i should put all the bulbs from front to back?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Front
Bp
FP
AB
BP
AB
FP
BP
BP

 

[jenreef]

Front
Bp
FP
AB
BP
AB
FP
BP
BP

thank you so much

 

[rodcpierce]

Just incase anyone was looking, Im selling my 5 ft 6x80 watt TEK T5 that I modded earlier in this thread. Here is the link:
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1929693

 

[Anthrax15]

Grim, I will be upgrading my lights to a 24" 6 Bulb unit. Right now I have a 250w MH SE Ebay bulb with an IceCap ballast that does a good job a lighting everything but gernally, it isn't the most appealing light. I live in AZ and having my aquarium in the hottest room, I need a cooler fixture.

I was looking at:

http://cgi.ebay.com/24-Aquarium-Lig...232?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2a0aaf0348

I dont need a top of the line fixture like ATI or TEK. This seems pretty good. Individual reflectors and multiple switches. I will probably put a thin piece of acryllic under the bulbs for safety. I would also replace all of the bulbs.

The combination I was looking at was:

ATI Blue +
ATI Blue +
Fiij Purple
ATI AquaBlue Special
ATI Blue +
ATI Blue +

I want a really nice spectrum that will make the corals I have pop. I have a 40g BR mixed reef with about 25% being a Crocea Clam in the SB and SPS.

 

[rtparty]

Grim, I will be upgrading my lights to a 24" 6 Bulb unit. Right now I have a 250w MH SE Ebay bulb with an IceCap ballast that does a good job a lighting everything but gernally, it isn't the most appealing light. I live in AZ and having my aquarium in the hottest room, I need a cooler fixture.

I was looking at:

http://cgi.ebay.com/24-Aquarium-Lig...232?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2a0aaf0348

I dont need a top of the line fixture like ATI or TEK. This seems pretty good. Individual reflectors and multiple switches. I will probably put a thin piece of acryllic under the bulbs for safety. I would also replace all of the bulbs.

The combination I was looking at was:

ATI Blue +
ATI Blue +
Fiij Purple
ATI AquaBlue Special
ATI Blue +
ATI Blue +

I want a really nice spectrum that will make the corals I have pop. I have a 40g BR mixed reef with about 25% being a Crocea Clam in the SB and SPS.

Couple things I will suggest.

1) Go with a 36" fixture instead of a 24". I run a 24" ATI Sunpower over my 40 gallon breeder and it works well. My one problem is that when I upgrade to a bigger tank, I have to get all new lighting.

2) Go with a Tek instead of the Catalina Aquarium stuff. You are going to spend over $120 for new bulbs. At that point your $180 fixture is over $300. Why not just get the Tek and good bulbs to begin with for maybe $50 more?

The Teks and Catalinas use the same ballasts (workhorse) but the Tek has better reflectors.

No matter which one you get, go with the ATI Purple Plus instead of the Fiji Purple. Cheaper and the same thing.

 

[opuscrokus]

I am thinking of getting a TEK 24 x 4 T5 fixture for my 54 gallon corner bowfront with:

2 ATI Blue Plus
1 ATI Purple Plus
1 ATI Aquablue

Is this a good setup for my tank and how far above the water surface should the bulbs be mounted.

Thanks

 

[mthomp]

considering doing a tek 6bulb fixture for my 90gal, wanting to do a sps tank, will this be enough?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I am thinking of getting a TEK 24 x 4 T5 fixture for my 54 gallon corner bowfront with:

2 ATI Blue Plus
1 ATI Purple Plus
1 ATI Aquablue

Is this a good setup for my tank and how far above the water surface should the bulbs be mounted.

Thanks

I'd mount them a little higher, maybe 8" above to let the light spread better on the odd shaped tank. Good setup.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

considering doing a tek 6bulb fixture for my 90gal, wanting to do a sps tank, will this be enough?

Barely. I'd get a ATI Sunpower instead.

 

[mthomp]

hmm ok..what does one have the other doesnt that makes it better?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

hmm ok..what does one have the other doesnt that makes it better?

ATI has better reflectors, active cooling, better ballasts.

 

[wampuscat]

What is the difference between giesemann act +, ati blue + and the aquascience 22000k? I've read where people have described the aquascience as a little more intense. What is a little more intense though, is that brighter or more pop?

And would you recommend an all blue setup? Maybe 6 ati blue +'s or 4 blue +'s and 2 aquascience 22000k's?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

What is the difference between giesemann act +, ati blue + and the aquascience 22000k? I've read where people have described the aquascience as a little more intense. What is a little more intense though, is that brighter or more pop?

And would you recommend an all blue setup? Maybe 6 ati blue +'s or 4 blue +'s and 2 aquascience 22000k's?

Seeing as how the Giesemann and Aquascience are both made by the same company I seriously doubt there is any difference. I've seen both and can't see one. The ATI had better PAR maintenance but the look was the same from what I could see.

For all blue I'd do 5 ATI Blue Plus and 1 ATI Purple Plus.

 

[wampuscat]

Hey Grim,

Thanks a lot for all that you do in this thread......

I really appreciate it.

 

[Anthrax15]

Couple things I will suggest.

1) Go with a 36" fixture instead of a 24". I run a 24" ATI Sunpower over my 40 gallon breeder and it works well. My one problem is that when I upgrade to a bigger tank, I have to get all new lighting.

2) Go with a Tek instead of the Catalina Aquarium stuff. You are going to spend over $120 for new bulbs. At that point your $180 fixture is over $300. Why not just get the Tek and good bulbs to begin with for maybe $50 more?

The Teks and Catalinas use the same ballasts (workhorse) but the Tek has better reflectors.

No matter which one you get, go with the ATI Purple Plus instead of the Fiji Purple. Cheaper and the same thing.

I already have multiple other fixtures and I do not intend on upgrading for quite a while. I love my tank as it is now.

I really don't feel like spending a ton on a TEK light. Id rather go with the Ebay one or http://www.horticulturesource.com/c...7331/?osCsid=26f9ee6bc70df59a2d5da411b5e72ea5. I am waiting for a response from them for questions I asked about that unit.

Thank you for the ATI suggestion. I will do that instead.

I also feel that a 6 bulb T5 unit over a 40g mixed reef would be overkill unless I am packed with SPS. The 24" will give me good coverage in the middle but still allow for less light demanding corals to thrive at lower depths.