The T5 Q&a Thread

[dball711]

Thanks much, appreciate the advice.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Anyone see a difference in the new ATI bulbs with the new improved phosphors compared to the original. Reef Geek has the original on sale.

I haven't seen them side by side over a tank, the new ones have a little better PAR though.

 

[pheromo]

on a 40" tall aquarium, obviously, t5 would not be the answer, but they might be all i have the ability to use because of overhead cabinet space and ventilation issues ... i was going to use a 6 bulb wavepoint retro reflector kit and line the entire inside of the canopy with reflectors ... but is there a unit that will have more output? would anything grow below thirty inches? brown zoas, rodactis?? thank you!

 

[The Grim Reefer]

on a 40" tall aquarium, obviously, t5 would not be the answer, but they might be all i have the ability to use because of overhead cabinet space and ventilation issues ... i was going to use a 6 bulb wavepoint retro reflector kit and line the entire inside of the canopy with reflectors ... but is there a unit that will have more output? would anything grow below thirty inches? brown zoas, rodactis?? thank you!

On a 40" yall tank I don't think even good T5 equipment is going to get enough light beyond about 2/3rds of the way down for corals. I wouldn't even think about using cheap equipment.

 

[pheromo]

thanks ... wavepoint is cheap?

 

[Omie]

Thanks you, really appreciate ur help

 

[wsurf4me]

Hi Grim,

I have a Marineland 92 gallon cube 30" x 30" x 24" deep with 8 - 24" T5's with Icecap reflectors 10" above the tank. I'm trying to keep both SPS and chalices/acans and am having a hard time getting the right balance either not enough light for decent SPS growth or burning the chalices and acans.The SPS are up high on the rockwork in the rear half of the tank - appx 10" below the surface. The chalices/acans are in the front half near to or on the bottom. I've moved bulbs to the current config front to back -

no bulb (off)
no bulb (off)
Geismann Actinic White
Fiji Purple
ATI blue +
ATI aquablue special
ATI blue +
ATI blue +

The fiji purple and aquablue special are on for 4 hours a day, the rest for 8 hours. I haven't seen much posted about photo period, is mine too short? What's the average photo period for sps? The chalices are tolerating the current setup but I'm wondering if I could use the front 2 bulbs for color or pop without introducing too much more par above them, what would you suggest?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hi Grim,

I have a Marineland 92 gallon cube 30" x 30" x 24" deep with 8 - 24" T5's with Icecap reflectors 10" above the tank. I'm trying to keep both SPS and chalices/acans and am having a hard time getting the right balance either not enough light for decent SPS growth or burning the chalices and acans.The SPS are up high on the rockwork in the rear half of the tank - appx 10" below the surface. The chalices/acans are in the front half near to or on the bottom. I've moved bulbs to the current config front to back -

no bulb (off)
no bulb (off)
Geismann Actinic White
Fiji Purple
ATI blue +
ATI aquablue special
ATI blue +
ATI blue +

The fiji purple and aquablue special are on for 4 hours a day, the rest for 8 hours. I haven't seen much posted about photo period, is mine too short? What's the average photo period for sps? The chalices are tolerating the current setup but I'm wondering if I could use the front 2 bulbs for color or pop without introducing too much more par above them, what would you suggest?

I'd up the dusk/dawn time to 10 hours. You could use a couple actinics in the empty slots.

 

[wsurf4me]

Thanks Grim, is there any point in increasing the photoperiod for the aquablue and fiji purple, I was thinking it may help with growth? Or do the blue pluses provide enough par? Is there anything available for the par ratings of different bulbs?

 

[reeferlover]

I receently sent up a 90gal reef ready AGA. The dim 48"18"24h and was worried about not having enough light penetration. i purchased a 6 bulb standard TEK, with ATI bulbs over course :dance: I have mu config like:

BLUE +
12k
BLUE +
12k
PURPLE +
BLUE +

And its too much! I cant believe it. I even have it raised 10" above the tank. AND I AM BLEACHING MY FAVIAS IN THE SAND!!! Thats 30" from the light. My first though was water parameters and wiithout listing them they are good with my calcium a little low around 400. So I purchased to giessmann pure actinics. I have heard these are the best actinics on the market. So my question is what sould my config be and should I move my light back down? I will be giving up a lot of par I know but I have an all LPS tank and dont really want a ton of growth just color. Thanks!

 

[BPro32]

Can 5 24w t5's on workhorse ballasts and icecap reflectors get enough par on the bottom of a 20" tank to grow sps and a maxima? The footprint is about 20x16, can I fit 6 bulbs?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Thanks Grim, is there any point in increasing the photoperiod for the aquablue and fiji purple, I was thinking it may help with growth? Or do the blue pluses provide enough par? Is there anything available for the par ratings of different bulbs?

Yes, increasing the photoperiod of any of the lamps will help growth.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I receently sent up a 90gal reef ready AGA. The dim 48"18"24h and was worried about not having enough light penetration. i purchased a 6 bulb standard TEK, with ATI bulbs over course :dance: I have mu config like:

BLUE +
12k
BLUE +
12k
PURPLE +
BLUE +

And its too much! I cant believe it. I even have it raised 10" above the tank. AND I AM BLEACHING MY FAVIAS IN THE SAND!!! Thats 30" from the light. My first though was water parameters and wiithout listing them they are good with my calcium a little low around 400. So I purchased to giessmann pure actinics. I have heard these are the best actinics on the market. So my question is what sould my config be and should I move my light back down? I will be giving up a lot of par I know but I have an all LPS tank and dont really want a ton of growth just color. Thanks!

Unless you corals spend a whole lot of time under really crappy lights before you got the tek I can't imagine it being overkill on a 24" tall tank. Try the ectinics in place of a Blue Plus and Aquablue and see what happens.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Can 5 24w t5's on workhorse ballasts and icecap reflectors get enough par on the bottom of a 20" tank to grow sps and a maxima? The footprint is about 20x16, can I fit 6 bulbs?

Assuming you can run 5 lamps on the WH it should be enough light. Just make sure the Maxima is below the lamps.

 

[DustinB]

Unless you corals spend a whole lot of time under really crappy lights before you got the tek I can't imagine it being overkill on a 24" tall tank. Try the ectinics in place of a Blue Plus and Aquablue and see what happens.

That is strange. I'm coming from 2x250w MH to an ATI sunpower 6x54w and I've had 0 bleaching or any ill effects.

 

[wayne_sreef]

Hi Grim,

I am in the process of setting up a 300g tank 96Lx30Wx24T. I am planning to use two 48" T5 fixtures, is 8 bulbs ATI Sunpower good enough for a 30" wide sps dominated tank or I need to get 10 bulbs ATI PM. What is best combination of bulbs to use? TIA for your help.

 

[reeferlover]

i totally agree. but i did change out one of the aqua blue and 12k for pure actinic looks much better. maybe it because my water is very clear and i got the corals from unique corals so not sure what they were under. know it was mh though. I cant figure it out. im gonna try these bulbs and see what happens. I also moved the light back down so im not blinded and reduced the photoperiod by two hours.


thank grim

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hi Grim,

I am in the process of setting up a 300g tank 96Lx30Wx24T. I am planning to use two 48" T5 fixtures, is 8 bulbs ATI Sunpower good enough for a 30" wide sps dominated tank or I need to get 10 bulbs ATI PM. What is best combination of bulbs to use? TIA for your help.

It would really depend if you are going to place stuff out on the sand near the front go with ten. If not 8 should be fine.

 

[bobpiker]

Recommendation please for best 6 bulbs in my T5 Nova

Recommendation please for best 6 bulbs in my T5 Nova

Hello,

I have a Current Nova 48" T5 fixture with stock bulbs that seem to be doing an ok job but I would like to put together the best combination of bulbs to inspire coral growth and natural lighting. Any recommendations would be hugely helpful. I'm leaning towards Geissman or ATI from what I've read.

I'm sorry if I jumped in where I shouldn't have. Someone recommended to me that I post this question in the T5 thread.

Thanks,
Bob

 

[sdesi2005]

Grim,
I need some help. Its time to replace my bulbs on my 6 bulb powermod. Can you comment on my 2 thoughts for bulb combinations? Benefits & look of one over the other. And your recommendation.

What's the difference between the ATI Purple + vs. KZ Fiji Purple?

Blue +
Aquablue Special
KZ 14k
Blue +
Aquablue Special
KZ Fiji Purp or ATI Purple +

or

Blue +
Purple +
Blue +
Aquablue Special
Blue +
Blue +

Sorry for the long email and number of questions, but any help is really appreciated.