The T5 Q&a Thread

[The Grim Reefer]

Nice to see you are still offering bulb advice after all these years!

I'm finally converting over to T-5's after running my MH's and VHO combo. I liked the look of the Radium 20K and actinic VHO's I've been running for the past few years.

I'm now moving to a 12 bulb 39W Sfiligoi fixture. What bulb combo should I be looking for? I run a mixed LPS and SPS 4x3x2 tank and would love to see some of the reds, pinks and golds pop!

Thanks in advance!

Try 8 ATI Blue Plus, 2 ATI Purple Plus and 2 GE 6500K Daylights.

 

[pwoller]

Grim,

48x24x20 tank, mostly sps and lps. What fixture would you recommend out of these? Sunpower 6 bulb, Tek Elite 6 or 8 bulb, or the Tek 6 or 8 bulb? I could probably mod the tek to add fans if they help that much.

 

[funny718]

hey grim just got a new tek 6X58 48" i wanted to go with 3 ati blue+
2 aqua blue
1 Kz purple
More for an sps tank, how would u have it front to back? also height of the lights it 120g tech tank 48x24x24 thanx

 

[A. Grandis]

Hello Grim!
I've asked you for advice before and did very good with the choices you gave me, so here I am again!

Question is:
What combination would you suggest for a 120 gal for zoa and softs. I've got an 8 bulb ATI PM fixture ready.

I would like the colors to come out, but keep the blue.

Thanks a lot,
Grandis

 

[mike810]

How long do you guys run your bulbs before changing them out? I'm around the 10 month mark. I have them in a ATI PM, Bulbs are 6 ati b+,1 kz fiji purple and 1 ati aqua b.

 

[blades326]

I have a NEP 12 bulb on my 125 and would like any advise on bulb combos. i have SPS and a few LPS in the shaded areas.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

hey grim just got a new tek 6X58 48" i wanted to go with 3 ati blue+
2 aqua blue
1 Kz purple
More for an sps tank, how would u have it front to back? also height of the lights it 120g tech tank 48x24x24 thanx

Blue Plus front and bacl slots then whatever you think looks good. I gotta say you don't have much light for SPS in a 120.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hello Grim!
I've asked you for advice before and did very good with the choices you gave me, so here I am again!

Question is:
What combination would you suggest for a 120 gal for zoa and softs. I've got an 8 bulb ATI PM fixture ready.

I would like the colors to come out, but keep the blue.

Thanks a lot,
Grandis

If you want a blue look try 6 Blue Plus and 2 ATI Purple Plus. Grab a GE 6500K Daylight for a spare and in case you think it's too blue.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

How long do you guys run your bulbs before changing them out? I'm around the 10 month mark. I have them in a ATI PM, Bulbs are 6 ati b+,1 kz fiji purple and 1 ati aqua b.

If you have a lot of SPS I'd think about changing lamps any time now, 10 months to a year is about right

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I have a NEP 12 bulb on my 125 and would like any advise on bulb combos. i have SPS and a few LPS in the shaded areas.

4 rows of Blue Plus, 1 row of Aquablue and 1 row of ATI Purple Plus

 

[want2reef]

Hey Grim,

I am going to give a 6 bulb T5 fixture a try.

I am currently running 250w Radiums on my 120g SPS only tank.

I'm looking to get around the same output, but my main priority is to get the most pop out of the t5's as possible.

Thanks

 

[King Ron]

i am new to this hobby . i have a 55gal FWLR 9lbs of live sand . 25 lbs of LR and 9 fish and a cleaning crew. now i do all my own water tests and do water changes every 2 weeks .but i am looking to understand my tech specs. like if i have 2 48'' T8 1 actinic blue and 1 10,000k day both 32 watts what would be the tech specs so i can check to see if i have the right lighting for the fish or frags i want. oh lights on from 4pm till 11pm ET and l.e.d. blue moon light on 11pm till 4am

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hey Grim,

I am going to give a 6 bulb T5 fixture a try.

I am currently running 250w Radiums on my 120g SPS only tank.

I'm looking to get around the same output, but my main priority is to get the most pop out of the t5's as possible.

Thanks

You ain't gonna get the same output as radiums with only 6 lamps over a 120 even with an ATI fixture.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

i am new to this hobby . i have a 55gal FWLR 9lbs of live sand . 25 lbs of LR and 9 fish and a cleaning crew. now i do all my own water tests and do water changes every 2 weeks .but i am looking to understand my tech specs. like if i have 2 48'' T8 1 actinic blue and 1 10,000k day both 32 watts what would be the tech specs so i can check to see if i have the right lighting for the fish or frags i want. oh lights on from 4pm till 11pm ET and l.e.d. blue moon light on 11pm till 4am

Light is OK for most soft corals but not much else. Forget watts per gallon, its an outdated guide. 4 T5 lamps would be what you want over a 55.

 

[blennymower]

Grim,

First of all, thanks for what you do here. Also, do you have a thread or website where you have pics of your tank and equipment?

Lastly, I have a standard 20 gallon (24''L x 16''H x 12''W) and I'm about to put a 24'' 4 lamps Sunpower ATI fixture with 2 blue + and 2 Aqua Blue Special lamps. I'm aiming for good color and maximum par. What do you think? Thinking on putting the fixture right on top of the tank.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Grim,

First of all, thanks for what you do here. Also, do you have a thread or website where you have pics of your tank and equipment?

Lastly, I have a standard 20 gallon (24''L x 16''H x 12''W) and I'm about to put a 24'' 4 lamps Sunpower ATI fixture with 2 blue + and 2 Aqua Blue Special lamps. I'm aiming for good color and maximum par. What do you think? Thinking on putting the fixture right on top of the tank.

Don't have much in the way of pics of the new tank.

I'd pull one Aquablue for a Purple Plus but it should be way enough PAR for that tank

 

[irocz2280]

Hey grim just wanted to say thanks for the recommendations for t-5
s I like the color although I thought it was going to be too blue for me it is actually perfect and my sps colors are slowly coming back. Thank you again and anyone who is doubtful about ur suggestions give grim the benefit of the doubt and trust him I don't think you will be disappointed.

 

[want2reef]

You ain't gonna get the same output as radiums with only 6 lamps over a 120 even with an ATI fixture.

Would 6 bulbs be enough for the SPS to still grow at a decent rate and give a little more pop?

If so, can you give me a combo?

Thanks
Again

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Would 6 bulbs be enough for the SPS to still grow at a decent rate and give a little more pop?

If so, can you give me a combo?

Thanks
Again

Directly below the lamps

4 ATI Blue Plus, 1 ATI Aquablue and 1 GE 6500K Daylight

 

[willisworldwide]

new 55 gal setup

new 55 gal setup

Ok so here's the deal i'm new to this whole saltwater setup. i just got a standard 55g 48x13x23 i want to build a custome light set up my thought is 4x 54 watt t-5 any ideas on what bulbs for a mixed tank?? also any help in pointing me to a good place to buy them would be much appreciated.