The T5 Q&a Thread

[rtparty]

Hi Guys, im sure this has been answered a million times so I am sorry, but I find a bunch of different info so im a little confused.

I have a 6 bulb t5 pendant that I will be hanging from supports very much like these:

http://media.photobucket.com/image/recent/JG1inNJ/IMAG0058.jpg

Its going over a rimless 36x18x20 tank and I am wondering how high above the water I can go? On the lights feet it sits 2 inches above the water but I would prefer it 4-6 when I hand it. is 24 inches to the sand bed okay or will I see a lot of benefit from that extra 2 inches?

4-6 inches is a good height. Especially if there is no acrylic shield to protect the bulbs and reflectors.

As far as the depth is concerned, it really depends on the fixture or retro kit. A good T5 unit has no problem penetrating 24" of water. Your 20" depth shouldn't be an issue unless you are using a really cheap Ebay special or something.

 

[TheReefChief]

4-6 inches is a good height. Especially if there is no acrylic shield to protect the bulbs and reflectors.

As far as the depth is concerned, it really depends on the fixture or retro kit. A good T5 unit has no problem penetrating 24" of water. Your 20" depth shouldn't be an issue unless you are using a really cheap Ebay special or something.

Its an Aquatic Life 6x + Moonlight unit. Def has nice reflectors but it also has an acrylic shield. I mainly want to add the extra height for some viewing room above the tank. Thanks for the input!

 

[isawill]

Hi there!

I have a 6bulb retro w/ slr above my 135gal with the following bulbs:
Front
Blue +
Aquablue
Blue +
6500K
Aquablue
Blue +

All ATI, except 6500K, which is GE. ulbs are 4 months old

I find that while the green colors really pop, the blue and especially purple is completely washed out...

What would you recommend I change to better see all range of colors?
I recently bought some beautiful LPS that were really purple/pink or blue under 20K MH, and I hardly see any of these colors in my tank...only the green really pops...

Thanks

 

[rtparty]

Its an Aquatic Life 6x + Moonlight unit. Def has nice reflectors but it also has an acrylic shield. I mainly want to add the extra height for some viewing room above the tank. Thanks for the input!

Aquatic Life fixtures are decent fixtures. Better than Current USA but below Tek. The depth shouldn't be a huge issue but I would change out the stock bulbs within the first couple months.

I wouldn't try any SPS more than halfway down the tank and wouldn't try a clam on the sandbed with stock bulbs. At least not a high light clam.

 

[rtparty]

Hi there!

I have a 6bulb retro w/ slr above my 135gal with the following bulbs:
Front
Blue +
Aquablue
Blue +
6500K
Aquablue
Blue +

All ATI, except 6500K, which is GE. ulbs are 4 months old

I find that while the green colors really pop, the blue and especially purple is completely washed out...

What would you recommend I change to better see all range of colors?
I recently bought some beautiful LPS that were really purple/pink or blue under 20K MH, and I hardly see any of these colors in my tank...only the green really pops...

Thanks

You are losing pinks and purples because you have no red light. The GE has a little but it is a harsh bulb and very yellow overall.

Trade out the Ge for an ATI Blue Plus and one of the Aquablue bulbs for an ATI Purple Plus.

 

[TheReefChief]

Aquatic Life fixtures are decent fixtures. Better than Current USA but below Tek. The depth shouldn't be a huge issue but I would change out the stock bulbs within the first couple months.

I wouldn't try any SPS more than halfway down the tank and wouldn't try a clam on the sandbed with stock bulbs. At least not a high light clam.

Great info thanks! I wont be keeping clams or SPS in the tank for a while anyways, nor SPS down low. And I am a patient reefer, so im sure the bulbs will be changed before any of that. What bulbs would you recommend? And do you think new bulbs will allow me to keep clams happily at the 4 inch height, if not would lowering it back close to the water help a ton with penetration?

 

[isawill]

You are losing pinks and purples because you have no red light. The GE has a little but it is a harsh bulb and very yellow overall.

Trade out the Ge for an ATI Blue Plus and one of the Aquablue bulbs for an ATI Purple Plus.

Will that still give me enough PAR down low for clams or an LTA?
Lights are about 22" above sand bed...

 

[Pchromis]

T5 Lighting re-lamp

T5 Lighting re-lamp

I reposted this here as it seems the better place!


My 95g 36x25x24 has been running for about 20 months now. Until recently I have been able to successfully keep some softies...Colt coral, polyps and zoos. They seem to be in regression and even the mushrooms aren't thriving like they should. Even the once hardy green star polyps have died off
I did have a phosphate problem which has been corrected using a reactor.
All water parameters are ideal...as per LFS water test.

Lighting is my next concern. Bulbs are about 10 months old and am sure I need to replace them.

I have a 8x36w ATI retrofit with individual reflectors.
5 Blue Plus lamps
1 6500k daylight
1 Aquablue special
1 fiji purple

My first thought is to replace the current lamp configuration with one that will give me more blue..the tank is a little too white for my liking.
What color combo would give me a bluer effect AND good coral growth?

My other thought would be to replace the current T5 light fixture with a new system, either MH or even LED.

Or could I say remove 4 lamps from the T5 keeping the BluePlus and mix it up with an MH or led setup.

So basically I am looking for a more blue effect in the tank and good coral growth.

Any ideas would be appreciated....

 

[Pescado Amigo]

T5 Wave Point retro

T5 Wave Point retro

I am ready to relamp my 36" 4 lamp T5 retro from Wave Point. I could read 400 pages, or just ask. Which four lamp combo is recommended for SPS? Which for LPS? Which for zoos? These are on three different 30 gallon breeders that are set up as frag tanks.

Thanks in advance.

pedro

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I reposted this here as it seems the better place!


My 95g 36x25x24 has been running for about 20 months now. Until recently I have been able to successfully keep some softies...Colt coral, polyps and zoos. They seem to be in regression and even the mushrooms aren't thriving like they should. Even the once hardy green star polyps have died off
I did have a phosphate problem which has been corrected using a reactor.
All water parameters are ideal...as per LFS water test.

Lighting is my next concern. Bulbs are about 10 months old and am sure I need to replace them.

I have a 8x36w ATI retrofit with individual reflectors.
5 Blue Plus lamps
1 6500k daylight
1 Aquablue special
1 fiji purple

My first thought is to replace the current lamp configuration with one that will give me more blue..the tank is a little too white for my liking.
What color combo would give me a bluer effect AND good coral growth?

My other thought would be to replace the current T5 light fixture with a new system, either MH or even LED.

Or could I say remove 4 lamps from the T5 keeping the BluePlus and mix it up with an MH or led setup.

So basically I am looking for a more blue effect in the tank and good coral growth.

Any ideas would be appreciated....

If its in the budget I'd go with LED's. Hit the DIY forum here at RC, there are lots of info there on builds.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I am ready to relamp my 36" 4 lamp T5 retro from Wave Point. I could read 400 pages, or just ask. Which four lamp combo is recommended for SPS? Which for LPS? Which for zoos? These are on three different 30 gallon breeders that are set up as frag tanks.

Thanks in advance.

pedro

I'd do 2 ATI Blue Plus 1 Aquablue and 1 Purple Plus for all 3 tanks, Grab an extra blue plus or 2 so you can play with the mixes.

 

[brannock_16]

Bulb combo?

Bulb combo?

Hello all...and especially Grimm,

I have a 6 bulb 48 inch Tek lighting system on my 48 inch 120 gallon tank. My tank is LPS dominant with some zoanthids and a few montis in there as well. To be more specific, my tank is dominated by acan lords. I really want to be able to allow the colors of the lords to POP but still be able to allow for optimal growth.


With these needs in mind what bulb combination should I utilize? I want to stick with either geisseman or ATI bulbs for my tank. I am noticing a bit of cyano creeping up on me due to the age of the current bulbs.

I look forward to your response so I can get some new bulbs with my tax return!

Thanks,

Robert

 

[Pchromis]

If its in the budget I'd go with LED's. Hit the DIY forum here at RC, there are lots of info there on builds.

That is a possibility for me....As LEDs go, wha is a comparable wattage? Blue led to white led ratio?

Wouldn;t know what to look for!

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hello all...and especially Grimm,

I have a 6 bulb 48 inch Tek lighting system on my 48 inch 120 gallon tank. My tank is LPS dominant with some zoanthids and a few montis in there as well. To be more specific, my tank is dominated by acan lords. I really want to be able to allow the colors of the lords to POP but still be able to allow for optimal growth.


With these needs in mind what bulb combination should I utilize? I want to stick with either geisseman or ATI bulbs for my tank. I am noticing a bit of cyano creeping up on me due to the age of the current bulbs.

I look forward to your response so I can get some new bulbs with my tax return!

Thanks,

Robert

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

 

[viks]

Hey Grim.

I'm soon to be setting up a 48x22x18 Rimless tank. It will be a mixed reef with SPS, AND LPS.

I was on the rimless thread and posted a question with regards to lighting. CRD suggested I ask you. I was wondering if need a 6 or 8 bulb T5 set up. I was thinking of either TEK Elite or ATI. CRD mentioned a used Aquactinics Constellation which uses 7 bulbs. I would love to hear you thoughts.

Cheers
Viks

Below is CRD response.

If you go ATI I would go with 6, Tek 8. Another option, especially for increased variability, is purchasing a used Aquactinics Constellation which uses 7 bulbs on three switches. Bulbs 1-4-7, 2-6, 3-5 and is equipped with two cooloing fans. Great fixture but no longer manufactured. Shoot this question over to Grim on the T5 Q&A thread, if you haven't already, for some extra input. Good luck with the new setup !


__________________
- CRD

 

[The Grim Reefer]

That is a possibility for me....As LEDs go, wha is a comparable wattage? Blue led to white led ratio?

Wouldn;t know what to look for!

About 60 3 watt Cree LED's

4 rows of 15. I would do 40 Royal Blues and 20 Neutral White.

 

[brannock_16]

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

Is there any reason to prefer the ATI bulbs to geisseman bulbs? Also, from front to back what would be the preferred order of bulbs?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hey Grim.

I'm soon to be setting up a 48x22x18 Rimless tank. It will be a mixed reef with SPS, AND LPS.

I was on the rimless thread and posted a question with regards to lighting. CRD suggested I ask you. I was wondering if need a 6 or 8 bulb T5 set up. I was thinking of either TEK Elite or ATI. CRD mentioned a used Aquactinics Constellation which uses 7 bulbs. I would love to hear you thoughts.

Cheers
Viks

Below is CRD response.

If you go ATI I would go with 6, Tek 8. Another option, especially for increased variability, is purchasing a used Aquactinics Constellation which uses 7 bulbs on three switches. Bulbs 1-4-7, 2-6, 3-5 and is equipped with two cooloing fans. Great fixture but no longer manufactured. Shoot this question over to Grim on the T5 Q&A thread, if you haven't already, for some extra input. Good luck with the new setup !


__________________
- CRD

For a rimless tank I would go with a 6 lamp Powermodule so you can hang in a little higher above the tank. Like 10 to 12 inches. You will get plenty of par and the light will be able to spread out over the whole tank.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Is there any reason to prefer the ATI bulbs to geisseman bulbs? Also, from front to back what would be the preferred order of bulbs?

Blue in front and back, purple front of center. Other than that doesn't matter. I have had numerous people tell me they have had better luck with the ATI over the Giesemann in the long run. The ATI's supposedly hold their color and PAR longer. In my limited tests it seems like the PAR does fall off the Giesemanns sooner but I haven't kept them running long enough to say about the color.

 

[viks]

For a rimless tank I would go with a 6 lamp Powermodule so you can hang in a little higher above the tank. Like 10 to 12 inches. You will get plenty of par and the light will be able to spread out over the whole tank.

Thanks Grim.

Do you think I could go with the ATI Sunpower, is it as good as the Powermodule. I'd like to save some money, but if it's worth it in the long run to get the Powermodule then I would, i think its another $350 more.

Also, I'm not sure what bulb set up to go with, or even brands as i'm new to reefkeeping. Could you suggest a good combination knowing that i want to keep a mixed reef etc.

Cheers.
Viks