The T5 Q&a Thread

[teebone110]

T5 Lighting combo Question for Grim Reefer?

T5 Lighting combo Question for Grim Reefer?

Hey Grim,

Quick question for you...

I just put in a 6 light retrofit into my canopy, running on Fulham Workhorse-7 ballasts x 2

Fulham recommends a minimum of 3 light per ballast, so here is my configuration:

ATI Blue +
ATI Purple
ATI Blue +

ATI Blue +
ATI AquaBlue Special
ATI AquaBlue Special

I looks too blue with all lights powered up?

I configured this order because I wanted to simulate dusk/dawn on a single ballast, but this forces me to keep the two AquaBlue Specials on the same Ballast.

I don't care for the blue look, so that is why I opted for another AquaBlue Special instead of a Blue+. This arrangement is still making my tank look too blue..

Any recommendations?

Thanks in advance.

T

 

[wesleyforbes2]

Hello Mr. Grim, I am still waiting for your reply to my post...

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hey, What light combo would be best for some sps near the top?

middle

 

[The Grim Reefer]

currently i'm keeping an SPS dominated with 14" height and i run

ATI Blue plus
ATI purple plus
ATI tru actinic
ATI Blue plus

its mainly for the colour but (please correct me if i'm wrong) it seems like the actinic doesn't really do much for the sps growth or colouration? could be replaced with a blue plus for better par. would this be better for sps?

same like saleen2881 i'm wondering about the best 4 bulb combo for sps. blue special was too white for me thats why i swapped it for purple plus but if the benefits are there i may swap back :hmm4:

Ar only 14" tall you might see better growth replacing the actinic with a blue plus. Maybe not. You may already be giving the critters all the light they can use.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

So my current setup is 2 Blues 1 purple and 1 white. i want to take out either the purple or white to give my tank more blue lighting. which bulb should i replace. the purple or white? ive heard you dont need white bulb to grow corals

Yeah, take out the white.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Grim,
Whats your take on this...
ATI PM 8*54watt on a 5x2x2 150 sps tank?
I do plan on upgrading to a 54x30x20high will this work well for this as well?

If you are going to a 30" tank I'd grab a 10 lamp unit instead. Specially if you want clams or any other high light critters out on the sand.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hello, I basically joined ReefCentral just to get to talk with you.

I have a standard 90 gallon tank, I have mostly LPS and a few soft. I dream to have a colorful tank full of SPS and perhaps a clam or two. I was wondering if you think that an ATI Sunpower 6 x 54 would supply enough light to forfill my dream? Light combo maybe something like this, looking for a 14-15K:

GE 65K
Blue+
Aquablue
KZ Fiji or Purple Plus
Blue+
Aquablue or Blue+

Thanks in advance!

Front
Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus
KZ or Purple Plus
Blue Plus
Blue Plus
Aquablue or Blue Plus

With just 6 lamps I don't think I'd try a GE 6500K and a Purple lamp with any aquablues.

Front
Blue Plus
Purple Plus
Blue Plus
GE 6500K Daylight
Blue Plus
Blue Plus

Should look about right.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hey Grim,

Quick question for you...

I just put in a 6 light retrofit into my canopy, running on Fulham Workhorse-7 ballasts x 2

Fulham recommends a minimum of 3 light per ballast, so here is my configuration:

ATI Blue +
ATI Purple
ATI Blue +

ATI Blue +
ATI AquaBlue Special
ATI AquaBlue Special

I looks too blue with all lights powered up?

I configured this order because I wanted to simulate dusk/dawn on a single ballast, but this forces me to keep the two AquaBlue Specials on the same Ballast.

I don't care for the blue look, so that is why I opted for another AquaBlue Special instead of a Blue+. This arrangement is still making my tank look too blue..

Any recommendations?

Thanks in advance.

T

Take out one of the aquablues and replace it with a GE 6500K daylight or Giesemann Midday. Then you may or may not need to put that blue plus back in.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hello Mr. Grim, I am still waiting for your reply to my post...

Patience grasshopper, patience. It isn't like I get paid to do this stuff. I answer the questions as I get the chance.

 

[wesleyforbes2]

Sorry, I apologize!

So keeping a 90 gallon with SPS and clams will definately be possible supplied by the light of the 6x54 ATI Sunpower?

Thank you very much!

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Sorry, I apologize!

So keeping a 90 gallon with SPS and clams will definately be possible supplied by the light of the 6x54 ATI Sunpower?

Thank you very much!

yes, keep your clams happy as a clam :mixed:

 

[straydum]

Ar only 14" tall you might see better growth replacing the actinic with a blue plus. Maybe not. You may already be giving the critters all the light they can use.

wow i didn't think it'd be enough light and was really entertaining the idea of adding 1 or 2 more bulbs to the fixture. now i'm reconsidering :rollface:

would clams be happy on the sand with 4 bulbs?

 

[Harry_Y]

I asked this in a standalone thread but it is probably better asked here


Frag Tank Lighting - Bulb Choice?

I was thinking about using all ATI Blue+ Bulbs (4 total) over my frag tank.
I'm looking for growth and color, but something algae won't like as much
Are there any downsides to using all ATI Blue+ bulbs?

Thank you

 

[Tank2379]

Grim what's your take on LED lights compared to the T-5s we are using today. Does the LED have that huge of an advantage over T-5. I am thinking about switching but I guess if it aint Broke don't fix huh?

Thanks
Frankie

 

[jond]

Should be quite a bit more light. Hard to guess exactly how much.

For lamps I'd do 6 Blue Plus, 2 Aquablues and 2 Purple Plus.

Grim - I think I'm going to pull the trigger on the powermodule. What bulb order do you recommend for the above lamps?

Thanks!

 

[chefmike]

What are most of you doing when replacing your T5 bulbs?

I have a Tek 8 bulb unit that is getting all new bulbs next week.

I can raise them, reduce photoperiod, etc...

Any input?

 

[jtrim123]

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

This will be sufficient for Sps and clams in a 90.

Also in which order would you suggest.

Thanks for all your help.

 

[rtparty]

I asked this in a standalone thread but it is probably better asked here


Frag Tank Lighting - Bulb Choice?

I was thinking about using all ATI Blue+ Bulbs (4 total) over my frag tank.
I'm looking for growth and color, but something algae won't like as much
Are there any downsides to using all ATI Blue+ bulbs?

Thank you

One HUGE disadvantage is that there is no spectrum to grow or color the corals. Blue Plus bulbs are great but you need more than just blue light for corals.

Throw a Purple Plus into the mix and you should be good.

 

[rtistique]

What is a good fixture for a 36 long 30 wide and 24 deep tank. I originally started with a 400 watt mh, but have switched from sps to softies and lps. I have heat issues and feel my corals wont open up as nice under this intense light right now. I like fixtures with legs versus suspended for aesthetic reasons. I dont know if I can skate by with 6 bulbs vs 8 or 10. Thanks

 

[JEFFRO33]

Hey Grim I know you have probably been asked this question a million times but here it goes.I am currently doing a retrofit on a current 48" 2 120 mh and four power compact.I am going to switch the pc to a icecap 660 to run 4 t5 bulbs.The mh will remain.The tank is 4x2x2 mostly zoo's and softies.The live rock runs from the bottom to about an inch from the top in areas.What do you think would be a good setup to go with?