The T5 Q&a Thread

[The Grim Reefer]

Is there a reason for getting the Fiji closer to the front of the aquarium? I am still trying to learn why some people place certain bulbs where they do.

You want unique lamps like the purple front of center so the light will hit the viewing side of the corals.

 

[jsehlms]

WHich bulbs for supplement?

WHich bulbs for supplement?

I'm looking to supplement my 2x250w MH Phoenix 14k bulbs. I want to add 2 t5 48" bulbs so I can get my zoas to 'pop' like they did in the tanks I bought them from.

Looking at getting either a LET or Sunlight supply 2x54w HO retro kit. Which bulbs should I get to supplement my Phoenix 14k DE bulbs?

This is for a standard 90g tank.

Thanks.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I'm looking to supplement my 2x250w MH Phoenix 14k bulbs. I want to add 2 t5 48" bulbs so I can get my zoas to 'pop' like they did in the tanks I bought them from.

Looking at getting either a LET or Sunlight supply 2x54w HO retro kit. Which bulbs should I get to supplement my Phoenix 14k DE bulbs?

This is for a standard 90g tank.

Thanks.

ATI Blue Plus.

 

[4tangs]

Panworld 200ps. I think it's just the ballast shutting down because everything else on the Neptune keep working fine. I'm gonna look for another dc8 and run it off a different outlet/breaker. Luckily I have two different circuits run to my tank. Think that would do it?

 

[4tangs]

Also..... The best height above the tank to mount let t5 reflectors?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Also..... The best height above the tank to mount let t5 reflectors?

4 to 6 inches. As far as the power issues I would plug the ballasts into a power strip then plug the pump in and see if the ballasts kick off. Could be your pump is putting noise on the line when it comes on and it's causing the ica caps to sense a fault and shut down. I suspect you just have too much on that DC8 but that's a quick check to make sure

 

[SGH360]

does anybody know how is the TEK elite PAR ratings?

 

[egunman]

Bulb order

Bulb order

I have a 8 bulb Tek Elite on a 48X24X24 120Gal. I have already bought some lights, but need help on what order to put them in. 1,2,7,8 are on one timer and 3,4,5,6 are on another. I would like to do a dusk/dawn on the 1278. I have LPS down low and have some SPS up high and would like to see some better growth.

Here are the bulbs that I have.
5 ATI Blue Plus
1 ATI Purple Plus
1 ATI Aquablue Special
2 GE 6500K Daylight
2 UVL Actinic White 12000K

Any help would be appreciated

Eric

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Blue Plus in 1,7 and 8. Purple plus in 2 and the GE in 4. Rest don't matter

 

[fastpcuser]

Hi, I have 55G with 4x54W T5HO bulb with IC 660 Ballast. I mostly keep SPS and some of my Corals look to be bleached from alot of light. What would be best Bulb Combination for good growth and color.

Current Bulb Cimbination (front to back)

Blue plus
Blue plus
Aquablue Special
Blue Plus

Thank you

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hi, I have 55G with 4x54W T5HO bulb with IC 660 Ballast. I mostly keep SPS and some of my Corals look to be bleached from alot of light. What would be best Bulb Combination for good growth and color.

Current Bulb Cimbination (front to back)

Blue plus
Blue plus
Aquablue Special
Blue Plus

Thank you

Swap out the aquablue for a ATI Purple Plus and dump the 660 for two 2x54 standard T5 ballasts.

 

[BPro32]

I just received a used tek and was told it came with 2 brand new ati blue plus. Here is a pic, do they look new to you?

 

[BPro32]

Also, how much will this affect performance?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Lamps look like they've been around a while. The crap on the reflectors should be cleaned with vinegar but really doesn't affect performance much.

 

[mikesreef]

Add T5's to existing Leds

Add T5's to existing Leds

I have a 130 gal tank with two retro leds (72 lights) by Ecoxotic. I wanted to add T5s as the leds are not sufficient for SPS. The tank is 48x24x26. My overflows are 9x6, led retro 9x9. I was thinking 3-4 24"bulbs and 2 48"bulbs. How many bulbs would I need to add.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I have a 130 gal tank with two retro leds (72 lights) by Ecoxotic. I wanted to add T5s as the leds are not sufficient for SPS. The tank is 48x24x26. My overflows are 9x6, led retro 9x9. I was thinking 3-4 24"bulbs and 2 48"bulbs. How many bulbs would I need to add.

I'd almost have to see how the LED's are laid out. If they are one watt LED's they don't put out real big numbers.

 

[mikesreef]

T5's with Leds

T5's with Leds

They are 1 watt leds. Also I am going to use an icecap 660 which now I think will only run 4 bulbs. I am thinking of putting the Leds to the rear of the tank on the side of the overflows. Then use 4 T5's (48") toward the middle/front of tank. Your thoughts?

 

[jnc914]

Need some lighting help. I am currently running 2 Tek Elite 6x54W fixtures on a Deep Dimension SPS tank. My current bulbs are as follows from front to back:
BLue +
Aquablue Special
KZ Fiji Purple
Aquablue Special
Blue +
Actinic
Aquablue Special
Blue +
Purple +
Aquablue Special
Blue+
Actinic

I am getting great growth and good color. The tank looks like a crisp 12-14K, but I want more blue. Thinking of switching out 2 Aquablue Special with GE 6500K and switching the other 2 aquablue special to Blue +. Will this switch significantly hinder the current growth I am seeing? Is there a better alternative? Thanks in advance.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

They are 1 watt leds. Also I am going to use an icecap 660 which now I think will only run 4 bulbs. I am thinking of putting the Leds to the rear of the tank on the side of the overflows. Then use 4 T5's (48") toward the middle/front of tank. Your thoughts?

I'd try to spread the LED's around if possible. Especially if they are the Royal Blues. 4 T5's should do it with the LED's. I wouldn't use the Ice Cap ballast though.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Need some lighting help. I am currently running 2 Tek Elite 6x54W fixtures on a Deep Dimension SPS tank. My current bulbs are as follows from front to back:
BLue +
Aquablue Special
KZ Fiji Purple
Aquablue Special
Blue +
Actinic
Aquablue Special
Blue +
Purple +
Aquablue Special
Blue+
Actinic

I am getting great growth and good color. The tank looks like a crisp 12-14K, but I want more blue. Thinking of switching out 2 Aquablue Special with GE 6500K and switching the other 2 aquablue special to Blue +. Will this switch significantly hinder the current growth I am seeing? Is there a better alternative? Thanks in advance.

I would do the GE Swap then try the Blue Pluses in place of the Actinics instead. More blue and an increase in growth. You might need to also swap out the Aquablues for Blue Pluses too but the color will be way better and you will end up with more PAR in the long run. Actinics don't do much once all the lights are on.