The T5 Q&a Thread

[rtparty]

Grim, I just picked up a 6x39 sunpower for a future build, for bulbs I went with 3x ati blue+
1-uvl SA
1-ati aquablue
1-ati purple plus. What order would you recommend running them? thanks

ATI Blue Plus
KZ Fiji Purple
UVL SA
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus

Might need to switch the Aquablue and Blue plus in front of it for dusk/dawn.

Just keep the Fiji Purple front of center and don't clump similar bulbs together.

 

[rtparty]

Hello Grim

im using a 4 bulb t5 setup to supplement my 10k mh could you suggest a bulb combo to help with pop? i have a few bulbs laying around to use blue pluses super actinic figi purple any suggestions would be great

Thanks

2 ATI Blue Plus, 1 ATI Purple Plus/KZ Fiji Purple and 1 UVL Super Actinic

 

[rtparty]

I have a 48" fixture with two 14K 250W MH HQI bulbs and Spots for 4 T5 bulbs. Right now they are all cheapy atintics. Looking at running 2 Blue Plus, a purple plus, and a UVL SA.

Good Idea? Looking for Color pop from SPS Corals. 2 bulbs on each side was thinking:

Blue+
Purple+
MH
UVL SA
Blue+

Thanks T5 Gurus

Looks good:thumbsup:

 

[rtparty]

I'm thinking of upgrading from a 2x55 watt PC unit on my 37 gallon tank to a 4x24 watt TEK fixture. I'd be getting the light from BRS on their black friday deal (10% off fixture and 25% off any bulbs ordered with it). Would this be an upgrade from my current unit? What bulb combination would you go with? I'm not a fan of super deep blue look, but I want my corals to pop!

HUGE upgrade.

Don't use the acrylic shield and keep the fixture 6 inches off the water. Then get an external fan to help cool the bulbs for better bulb life and performance.

For bulbs I would go with

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

If they carry KZ bulbs then get the KZ New Generation instead of the Aquablue from ATI.

 

[rtparty]

Grim,
I'm looking to set up a 200g 48x36x27. I'm going to be getting an ATI fixture, and im wondering with the tank being a bit wide would i be able to get 1 8or10 bulb fixture or would i be better off getting 2 fixtures with the same amount of bulbs so that i can spread them out a bit. And as far as bulbs go, I'm looking for a good combo. My main concern is growth. After that color, but I don't want anything too blue. ill be going for a mixed reef with sps, and clams.

A 10 bulb is the minimum I would go on a 36" tank. I would really shoot for 12 bulbs.

2 ATI Sunpowers in the 6x54w version would work great.

As far as bulbs go, I would run something like 8 ATI Blue Plus, 2 ATI Purple Plus and 2 ATI Aquablue.

Grab an extra Aquablue to play with.

 

[nivekid]

rtparty, thanks for the quick reply. Will i be able to keep sps, or possibly a clam, with this light. Also, your bulb combinations doesn't include any daylight, any reason for that? Would it be really blue? Lastly, is this a good deal or is their a better one out there? Sorry for all the questions, first reef!

 

[rtparty]

rtparty, thanks for the quick reply. Will i be able to keep sps, or possibly a clam, with this light. Also, your bulb combinations doesn't include any daylight, any reason for that? Would it be really blue? Lastly, is this a good deal or is their a better one out there? Sorry for all the questions, first reef!

You will be able to keep whatever you want as long as water parameters are in check.

The Purple Plus and Aquablue are both daylight bulbs. If you go back and read the last 2 pages you will learn a lot about lighting for corals.

Reefgeek is also having a sale on Tek fixtures and bulbs right now. I like both companies.

 

[kellerexpress]

ATI Blue Plus
KZ Fiji Purple
UVL SA
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus

Might need to switch the Aquablue and Blue plus in front of it for dusk/dawn.

Just keep the Fiji Purple front of center and don't clump similar bulbs together.

Thanks Ryan, question though.. would you rather have the purple plus in the dusk/dawn spot over the actinic?

 

[rtparty]

Thanks Ryan, question though.. would you rather have the purple plus in the dusk/dawn spot over the actinic?

It really depends on what you are trying to accomplish with the dusk/dawn.

If you want crazy pop out of greens and oranges then use the actinic. The Fiji Purple/Blue Plus combo makes other colors pop nicely.

It is really an experiment game and seeing which you like better.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Grim slithers in the back door

 

[rtparty]

Grim,

Any idea what hanging kits will work with the TX5?

Pretty sure Aquactinics is shutting up shop or something. NO ONE is carrying their stuff anymore and I can't find a hanging kit for my new light.

 

[ReefSwagg]

Hey, Grim. I picked HP a Coralvue 36" T5 4 bulb figure w/ bluetooth leds. I went with the recommended ATI's...

Blue plus
Purple plus
Aquablue
Blue plus

It just seems like a TON of blue. Could the fixture have anything to do with this? Even with the less turn off it looks the same... just curious. Thanks in advance for any info you may have on this.

 

[ryunbaik]

Hello, i'm not an expert on lighting so I must ask the pro! I need your help
First, I have a 33gallon long tank which is only about 12" in depth. I'm looking to get a 4x54w fixture on top of it. I'm guessing SPS should be fine on this. Let me know the bulb combination. Also, I have a 40 gallon breeder with a 4x39w Tek Light fixture which i'm only going to keep softies and lps. What would be the best combination of bulbs for this one as well. Appreciate all that you do and thank you in advanced!

by the way, i would like good growth, good color and something that would look great on SLR camera :d

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Grim,

Any idea what hanging kits will work with the TX5?

Pretty sure Aquactinics is shutting up shop or something. NO ONE is carrying their stuff anymore and I can't find a hanging kit for my new light.

Aquarium lights was never Aquatinics main line so I imagine they are concentrating on what pays the bills. I am sure the standard hanging kits would work for the TX5 but I think you would have to install studs in the fixture as I remember.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hey, Grim. I picked HP a Coralvue 36" T5 4 bulb figure w/ bluetooth leds. I went with the recommended ATI's...

Blue plus
Purple plus
Aquablue
Blue plus

It just seems like a TON of blue. Could the fixture have anything to do with this? Even with the less turn off it looks the same... just curious. Thanks in advance for any info you may have on this.

It is a lot of blue. If you don't like the look swap out the Aquablue for a GE 6500K Daylight

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hello, i'm not an expert on lighting so I must ask the pro! I need your help
First, I have a 33gallon long tank which is only about 12" in depth. I'm looking to get a 4x54w fixture on top of it. I'm guessing SPS should be fine on this. Let me know the bulb combination. Also, I have a 40 gallon breeder with a 4x39w Tek Light fixture which i'm only going to keep softies and lps. What would be the best combination of bulbs for this one as well. Appreciate all that you do and thank you in advanced!

by the way, i would like good growth, good color and something that would look great on SLR camera :d

2 ATI BLue Plus, 1 ATI Aquablue and 1 ATI Purple Plus for both tanks

 

[Hirobo]

2 ATI Blue Plus, 1 ATI Purple Plus/KZ Fiji Purple and 1 UVL Super Actinic

Thank you for the reply which way would you run these

back to front
figi purple
blue plus
mh
super actinic
blue plus

 

[venom550pm]

Grim,

I picked up a used Current Outer Orbit Pro fixture for a 120g tank. I have 2 brand new 15k 250 watt XM bulbs for the halides. Also received 2 brand new Geismann t5's, one is a Pure Actinic, and the other is an Actinic +. If i were to use these t5's, what other 2 bulbs would you recommend. If i were to buy 4 new T5's, what would you recommend to compliment the 15k XM's? Thanks in advance for the help!

Phil

 

[westreef]

Hi Grim,
When I was in vacation, my friend accidentally broke my ATI Blue Plus. He has replaced it with Hamilton Technology's Actinic Blue. Is this equivalent? Looking at it with my eyes seems to be very close.

Thanks

Hi Grim,
Are these two lamps similar? Should I change it back to ATI Blue Plus?

Thanks

 

[JoeMomma]

Hi all,

I have a 4'x2'x2' 120 gallon and looking to get a T5 light for it. Is an ATI 10x54W Powermodule overkill? Should I stick with the 8 bulb version?

Thoughts on a good combination of bulbs?

Thanks!