The T5 Q&a Thread

[rtparty]

I have a T5 Question. I am thinking about getting a 72"x30"x26" tank and want to run T5 what kind of unit and bulbs. Mostly sps and lps but will want sps.

Other tank option is 72"24"24"

Any help thanks much!!

8x80W ATI Powermodule

or

8x80W ATI Sunpower

The Sunpower's should be released here in the US soon through Reefgeek.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hi Grim,

I am starting a 40B mixed reef. I plan to retro a canopy. I have 2 icecap 660 ballasts. I plan to have one run the acitinics and one run the daylights. My first thought was to go with 5 or 6 36" bulbs. However, I am afraid that this many overdriven bulbs will be too much light over such a shallow tank, especially for lower light LPS or zoas. Would it be better to go with 5-6 24" bulbs and put lower light corals on the edges? The bulbs will be 5" off the waters surface. Would light fall off at the edge from 24" bulbs at 5" be too much to keep LPS and zoas? Also what is a goo bulb combination to get close to the color of the phoenix 14K bt with more depth? Thanks.

You'd be way better getting the standard T5 ballasts for 6 lamps and ditching the Ice Cap ballasts.

 

[spratocaster]

You'd be way better getting the standard T5 ballasts for 6 lamps and ditching the Ice Cap ballasts.

What ballast would you recommend? I only bought the ice caps because I knew they had a good reputation and I got a really god deal. Unfortunately that was before I new much about T5's and I didn't know that it would overdrive the bulbs.

 

[sgwithee]

Oceanic 58 36" x 18" x 21" deep

Oceanic 58 36" x 18" x 21" deep

Grim,
If I read your web site correctly, you would recommend 6 bulbs on this tank (1 for every 3" width. I was originally planning on 4, but am not opposed to 6. Planning on a hood (my last tank was a 90gal in mid-1990's and hoods were the norm, it just looks right to me). So, I presume the best way to go would be retrofits.

Do you agree with the above, or are 4 bulbs ok. Then, should I add a fan to the hood?

Any comments appreciated.
Scott

 

[BPro32]

Hey Grim,

I'm going to try to save money on my imminent downgrade. I have a 4 bulb hydrofarm retro laying around, if I put some icecap reflectors and uvl bulbs in can I put sps on the bottom of a 12" deep tank?

My bulb combo would be:

Back
454
aquasun or indigo sun
454
454
Front

Would this be better than a tek with the same bulbs?

 

[saltywet]

Grim,

As always thank you for your valuable insight!!!

Please tell me what you would recommend for a 10 bulb ATI PM, I am striving for improved neon pink colors in my milleporas.

1. blue+
2. blue+
3. UVL Auquasun
4. purple +
5. blue+
6. blue +
7. purple +
8. blue +
9. UVL Aqua sun
10. blue +

Are the UVL aquasun a good 10K bulb or should I use some other bulbs (GE 6500K, auqa blue)

Thanks AGAIN!!!

 

[Anthrax15]

After a lot of reviewing and comparing, Ive decided to ditch both the Ebay and Horticulture fixtures. I have been eyeing the http://www.fishneedit.com/3ft4bulbs-with-l34.html as well as reading up on PAR levels vs wattage. Right now I have a 40g BR (18" tall) with a 250w MH Ebay bulb powered by a 250w IceCap ballast. In my tank I have a Crocea Clam at the SB and all different corals placed all over the tanks at different depths. Ive tried a Odyssea 4 bulb unit and get ok growth. I plan on using ATI bulbs to replace the stock bulbs but would the Fishneedit 4 Bulb 36" unit be enough to power my tank or should I look for a 6 bulb fixture?

 

[JTL]

I have a different sort of problem. I have LED's on my tank and for the most part I am happy with them. The problem is that the blues and greens are fine but the reds are not really popping. I have a spot in between the LED's to put 2-39 watt T5's and I also have a ballast and some end caps, everything but the bulbs. I was thinking of adding the T5's but I don't know what colors would work best. Initially I was thinking atinic so that I could also use them for a night time effect but they probably won't help the reds. I really would appreciate some advice. Here are a couple of pics from a few months ago.

 

[sahin]

I have a different sort of problem. I have LED's on my tank and for the most part I am happy with them. The problem is that the blues and greens are fine but the reds are not really popping. I have a spot in between the LED's to put 2-39 watt T5's and I also have a ballast and some end caps, everything but the bulbs. I was thinking of adding the T5's but I don't know what colors would work best. Initially I was thinking atinic so that I could also use them for a night time effect but they probably won't help the reds. I really would appreciate some advice. Here are a couple of pics from a few months ago.

I would get 3 tubes (Fiji Purple, Aquablue special (white tube) and a Blue plus (Blue tube) and use either;

1. Fiji Purple & Blue +
2. Fiji Purple & Blue Special

The first option will give the best effect but if its too blue for you, you can use option 2.

 

[JTL]

Unfortunately I only have room for 2 tubes. The pics don't really capture the coloration very well using LED's, they color is more to the purple spectrum. Over all the temp would be equivilent to 14K.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Grim,
If I read your web site correctly, you would recommend 6 bulbs on this tank (1 for every 3" width. I was originally planning on 4, but am not opposed to 6. Planning on a hood (my last tank was a 90gal in mid-1990's and hoods were the norm, it just looks right to me). So, I presume the best way to go would be retrofits.

Do you agree with the above, or are 4 bulbs ok. Then, should I add a fan to the hood?

Any comments appreciated.
Scott

Add a fan, use ATI lamps and LET reflectors and you can get by with 4 if you don't plan on clams/

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hey Grim,

I'm going to try to save money on my imminent downgrade. I have a 4 bulb hydrofarm retro laying around, if I put some icecap reflectors and uvl bulbs in can I put sps on the bottom of a 12" deep tank?

My bulb combo would be:

Back
454
aquasun or indigo sun
454
454
Front

Would this be better than a tek with the same bulbs?

Comparable to the Tek. Should be great on a 12 tall

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Grim,

As always thank you for your valuable insight!!!

Please tell me what you would recommend for a 10 bulb ATI PM, I am striving for improved neon pink colors in my milleporas.

1. blue+
2. blue+
3. UVL Auquasun
4. purple +
5. blue+
6. blue +
7. purple +
8. blue +
9. UVL Aqua sun
10. blue +

Are the UVL aquasun a good 10K bulb or should I use some other bulbs (GE 6500K, auqa blue)

Thanks AGAIN!!!

I'd add a 3rd Purple Plus instead of the aquasun.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

After a lot of reviewing and comparing, Ive decided to ditch both the Ebay and Horticulture fixtures. I have been eyeing the http://www.fishneedit.com/3ft4bulbs-with-l34.html as well as reading up on PAR levels vs wattage. Right now I have a 40g BR (18" tall) with a 250w MH Ebay bulb powered by a 250w IceCap ballast. In my tank I have a Crocea Clam at the SB and all different corals placed all over the tanks at different depths. Ive tried a Odyssea 4 bulb unit and get ok growth. I plan on using ATI bulbs to replace the stock bulbs but would the Fishneedit 4 Bulb 36" unit be enough to power my tank or should I look for a 6 bulb fixture?

6 if there is a clam on the sandbed. Unless it's a hobbyist or trusted impartial source doing the readings I wouldn't trust ANYBODY'S PAR claims.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Unfortunately I only have room for 2 tubes. The pics don't really capture the coloration very well using LED's, they color is more to the purple spectrum. Over all the temp would be equivilent to 14K.

ATI Blue Plus and Purple Plus would probably do it/

 

[RocketSurgeon]

Add a fan, use ATI lamps and LET reflectors and you can get by with 4 if you don't plan on clams/

Might I add that you may be able to get by with only 4 bulbs, but you would have more variable with 6.

dusk/dawn, add a purple, so on... I believe you are limiting your variety with only 4 bulbs.

 

[Anthrax15]

6 if there is a clam on the sandbed. Unless it's a hobbyist or trusted impartial source doing the readings I wouldn't trust ANYBODY'S PAR claims.

If I were to get rid of the clam, couold I keep a mixed reef with 30% +/- SPS with a nice 4 bulb setup and get good growth as well as good bulb combination color?

Also, what is your take on that 36" FishNeedIt 4 Bulb Fixture?

 

[TheSherm]

T5 Bulb Types

T5 Bulb Types

Hey Grim, recently set up 40B using T5's for first time- what is the best configuration for a six bulb Tek fixture for a tank with lps, sps, clam and zoas. What is the best site to purchase the bulbs? Thanks very much for any help.

 

[spoofer]

Hey Grim - I'm requesting your advice once again on a bulb combo- I have a ATI PM 8 x 54w 120g (4x 2 x2) mixed use with clams and generally dominant SPS's but a few softies and LPS's ... the tank is pretty well stocked and i'm always looking to improve or try new combo's. I've currently have a combo you recommended with a ultra blue, a few blue +, GE and a KZ. The combo has worked out well, just seeing if there was any new combinations you would suggest or just replace with the same?

Thanks in advance for all your time

 

[n_senn]

LPS dom w/ good coralline

LPS dom w/ good coralline

I have a 125Gal I am in the process of outfitting with the plan of it being LPS softie dominated. I want my corals to love me but I want coralline in this tank lol. I have a 36" 6 bulb t5ho setup over a 29 gal than will turn a solid purple rock white in a couple months. I cant even get coralline to grow on the glass except a few washed out looking specks. I am looking for bulb combinations/numbers that would promote the best corraline/lps/softie growth while making the colors pop. I would like a little realism as I want to see some relistic colors as well. Thanks.
Donald