The T5 Q&a Thread

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Lighting advice for a novice please.

Lighting advice for a novice please.

Hi Grim,
I'd like to join the many others that you've so graciously helped with lighting advice. I don't know exactly what I want to put in my tank yet, but I want to make sure that I don't limit myself with by the lighting that I choose. Is that possible? I don't think I want MH. I'm trying to keep the electric bill as low as possible. You can see my build thread here http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1684130
My first question is which way should I go, fixture or retro-fit? From what I've read, you're a big fan of ATI fixtures. I would think that with the room that I have in my canopy that I could go either way, but I think retro-fitting would be preferred? Should I have eight lights or would six be enough? It is a 70 gallon tank. Thanks Grim, if you need more information let me know. Being new, I'm not sure what info to provide with my question.
Dennis
 
Im Planning a 10 bulb set up for a 60x24 foot print tank, How far above the tank should I set it? I want to Build the Canopy, but Im hoping I can keep it somewhat short, like a 12" which would place the lights about 10 Inches(give or take) above the water. Will this work?
 
coyote97 said:
Hi Grim,
I'd like to join the many others that you've so graciously helped with lighting advice. I don't know exactly what I want to put in my tank yet, but I want to make sure that I don't limit myself with by the lighting that I choose. Is that possible? I don't think I want MH. I'm trying to keep the electric bill as low as possible. You can see my build thread here http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1684130
My first question is which way should I go, fixture or retro-fit? From what I've read, you're a big fan of ATI fixtures. I would think that with the room that I have in my canopy that I could go either way, but I think retro-fitting would be preferred? Should I have eight lights or would six be enough? It is a 70 gallon tank. Thanks Grim, if you need more information let me know. Being new, I'm not sure what info to provide with my question.
Dennis
Click to expand...

6 lamps, fixture or retrofit would be fine. I'd do a Ice Cap retro with 2 lamps, UVL Actinic White and GE 6500K Daylight on an ICE Cap 430 ballast and 4 blue Plus on 2 standard T5 ballasts. The 43o will give you a little extra mojo. If you don't plan on SPS or clams I would't worry about it.
 
darb85 said:
Im Planning a 10 bulb set up for a 60x24 foot print tank, How far above the tank should I set it? I want to Build the Canopy, but Im hoping I can keep it somewhat short, like a 12" which would place the lights about 10 Inches(give or take) above the water. Will this work?
Click to expand...

You can place the lamps as low as 4" above the tank and be fine/ I would only do 8 lamps, 10 are not needed and with reflectors probably wouldn't even fit.
 
Hi Grim,
I know this is probably in here somewhere, but, I have a 75g mixed,sps, lps, and softies, with a 4x54 nova extreme slr and a 2x54 nova extreme slr. In the 4x54 I have 2 ati aquablue and 2 ati blue+. In the 2x54 I have stock current actinic and 10k. I want to slowly change to mainly sps and some lps. What bulbs and what order front to back would you recommend. I like some blue, but not TOO blue. Thanks
Chris
 
I'm running a 36" 6bulb set up with control in 1 & 6, 2 &4, 3&5. I run currently all Guiesman bulbs. on a 65gl rr tank 36x18x24? Getting good growth.

not in this order

4- blue +
1- Act +
1- midday

I would like a litlle better color in my pinks and reds. I have a line on two new pro colors would you replace any of these or use a different bulb?

Thanks In advance!
 
Jade said:
Hi Grim,
I know this is probably in here somewhere, but, I have a 75g mixed,sps, lps, and softies, with a 4x54 nova extreme slr and a 2x54 nova extreme slr. In the 4x54 I have 2 ati aquablue and 2 ati blue+. In the 2x54 I have stock current actinic and 10k. I want to slowly change to mainly sps and some lps. What bulbs and what order front to back would you recommend. I like some blue, but not TOO blue. Thanks
Chris
Click to expand...

Front
Blue Plus
UVL Actinic White
Blue Plus
Ge 6500K Daylight
Blue Plus
Blue Plus
 
cjilge said:
I'm running a 36" 6bulb set up with control in 1 & 6, 2 &4, 3&5. I run currently all Guiesman bulbs. on a 65gl rr tank 36x18x24? Getting good growth.

not in this order

4- blue +
1- Act +
1- midday

I would like a litlle better color in my pinks and reds. I have a line on two new pro colors would you replace any of these or use a different bulb?

Thanks In advance!
Click to expand...

You could swap out the Midday for a Pro Color.
 
Grim,
Thanks for the advice. One more question. Who do you like for your lighting supplier? I think I remember reading reefgeek?
 
The Grim Reefer said:
I would do 7 lamps.

Front
ATI Blue Plus
KZ Fiji Purple or UVL 75/25
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus
Fiji or 75/25
Blue Plus.

You don't have to overdrive the lamps. You can get a reefkeeper or some other controller to run the lights.
Click to expand...

Thanks, do you still recommend the aquaillumination reflectors?
 
Hey Grim,

So I've got a 75 g tank. I upgraded from a 4 bulb PC light set-up in early July to the 48" 6 bulb NEP set-up with standard bulbs. Until the upgrade I had mainly softies with a few LPS. After getting the NEP, I added a few SPS - to the upper part of the tank. I expected to see growth, but don't seem to be seeing any growth with the SPS - and their colors are fading.

I planned to eventually change out the lamps, but had hoped not too do it so soon. I've read thru the thread and know the recommendation for replacing all the bulbs - 4 ATI Blue Plus, 1 GE 6500 K Daylight, and 1 UVL Actinic White.

What would be your recommendation if I wanted to change only 2 or 3 of the bulbs now, and do the remaining bulbs in another 3-6 months?

Thanks!
 
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