The T5 Q&a Thread

[The Grim Reefer]

Thanks, so front to back should be

blue+
blue+
purple
blue+

Move the purple up one

 

[cmaxwell39]

Hey Grim,

I have a 150 gal tank (72X24X20) I am currently running a Aquatinics Constelation over it. I have the chance to buy a used 8x80w Sunpower. My question is, will the sunpower be overkill for a 20" tall tank, and how much of an upgrade will it be from the Constelation.

I am not unhappy with the constelation fixture, just saw this one used, and the price isn't bad, so I got to thinking......:idea:

By the way the tank is SPS dominant. Thanks for your time.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hey Grim, before reading this thread I convinced myself into getting the following replacement bulbs for my 36" Nova Extreme Pro. Can a good combo be made out of this? I mostly have LPS and green hair algae =)

3x ATI Blue+
ATI Purple Plus
ATI Aquablue Special
UVL Super Actinic

Yeah, just place the Purple front of center with the Aquablue rear of center. Others don't much matter.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

ok grim, you have convinced me to bite the bullet and buy a 6 bulb for my 34g solana....now what bulbs can you reccoment? looking for a nice 20k+ look....lovin purples...

4 Blue Plus and 2 Purple Plus

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I'm setting up a 50 gal. 36x18x18 I believe. I plan on having mostly softies/Lps. With a few sps like slimer birdbest caps. I'm looking at getting the 6 bulb 36" tek light from brs and was trying to decide what bulb combo would be best. I like more of a blue display. Also do you know or recommend a diff fixture that might be better around the same price? Tek is 280 + bulbs. I plan on hanging the light. I have a canopy. Canopy is 15" tall overall but only opens with front doors.

4 ATI Blue Plus, 1 ATI Purple Plus and a GE 6500K Daylight

Do yourself a favor and mount a 4" fan in the back side of the canopy where it will blow against the rear edge of the fixture in the center.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

hey guys, what do you think about this ? http://www.amazon.com/Lithonia-Ligh...ref=sr_1_2?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1304208858&sr=1-2

it states its HO, i did a search and havent seen many people (if anyone) with this set up

It's not going to be something that will produce a ton of intensity, that isn't what high bays are designed for. If your tank isn't over 18 inches tall or you only want LPS and softies it might be OK.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I am going to be switching out my bulbs on my NEP and looking at going with...
8 ATI Blue +
2 Giessmann mid days
2 ATI Purple +

How will this combo be for mostly SPS growth and color?

Should be fine.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hey Grim,

I have a 150 gal tank (72X24X20) I am currently running a Aquatinics Constelation over it. I have the chance to buy a used 8x80w Sunpower. My question is, will the sunpower be overkill for a 20" tall tank, and how much of an upgrade will it be from the Constelation.

I am not unhappy with the constelation fixture, just saw this one used, and the price isn't bad, so I got to thinking......:idea:

By the way the tank is SPS dominant. Thanks for your time.

If your mostly SPS it isn't overkill and will be a significant upgrade. I suspect lamp replacement will be less expensive depending on shipping costs.

 

[cmaxwell39]

Thanks Grim. What would you recommend for a bulb combo on the 8 bulb unit? It comes with 6 blue+, 1 Purple+, and an aquablue special. I was thinking maybe switching out a blue+ for another aquablue, or maybe even a GE 6500?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Thanks Grim. What would you recommend for a bulb combo on the 8 bulb unit? It comes with 6 blue+, 1 Purple+, and an aquablue special. I was thinking maybe switching out a blue+ for another aquablue, or maybe even a GE 6500?

Switch out the Aquablue for the GE and see what you think=

 

[heyyoitsnicky]

4 Blue Plus and 2 Purple Plus

What kind of bulb is a blue plus? Actinic? Also, will that combo have alot of fluorescent? What position fir the bulbs front to back?

Also, is there a real big difference between the sunpower and powermodule?

Thanks grim

 

[jlaudiofreak]

GrimReefer have a question for you. I have a 36" 6 bulb Tek fixture that I just picked up. The bulbs need to be replaced. Right now it is set up like this
Actinic
blue plus
blue plus
blue plus
blue plus
actinic
I want a look like radium or somethis close to that blue. I also want some good growth out of my sps. Any info would be great.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

What kind of bulb is a blue plus? Actinic? Also, will that combo have alot of fluorescent? What position fir the bulbs front to back?

Also, is there a real big difference between the sunpower and powermodule?

Thanks grim

If it were actinic it would be called actinic. It's blue but fluoresces corals really nice. Positions are all that critical other than make sure at least one dusk/dawn is a Blue plus and a purple isn't the first or last lamp in the mix. Not a huge difference in output on the two ATI fixtures.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

GrimReefer have a question for you. I have a 36" 6 bulb Tek fixture that I just picked up. The bulbs need to be replaced. Right now it is set up like this
Actinic
blue plus
blue plus
blue plus
blue plus
actinic
I want a look like radium or somethis close to that blue. I also want some good growth out of my sps. Any info would be great.

4 Blue Plus, 1 purple plus and a GE 6500 daylight. Blue Plus first and last, other than that purple plus front of center and you'll be fine.

 

[Alex T.]

This thread is SICK long!

OK, I'm starting to experiment with t5 setups on a 30 gallon breeder plumbed into my 150 SPS tank. Which fixture, bulb combination and bulb amount (4 or 6) would be best for the 12" depth of a 30 breeder? The tank will be 100% sps and clams.

Also, is it necessary to overdrive a t5 bulb for sps at this depth? Please help.

 

[Skidooguy2002]

Hi guys!, I dont mean to butt in but ive been reading pages upon pages of this thread and my eyes are going crazy. I have a question about lighting and Im not sure exactly wich bulbs to purchase. I am brand new to the hobby and got talked into (Price was right) starting with a 150g tank. The tank is 72x18x29, The fixture that I got with it I beleive is a 72''CA 6 bulb fixture with staggered 60'' T bulbs. The current bulbs look to be on their last leg and need replaced. I want to be able to have things like a clam and other corrals that grow twards the bottom....is this possible with this fixture? What bulbs and set-up would you guys suggest?

Thanks for helping a newbie!

 

[The Grim Reefer]

This thread is SICK long!

OK, I'm starting to experiment with t5 setups on a 30 gallon breeder plumbed into my 150 SPS tank. Which fixture, bulb combination and bulb amount (4 or 6) would be best for the 12" depth of a 30 breeder? The tank will be 100% sps and clams.

Also, is it necessary to overdrive a t5 bulb for sps at this depth? Please help.

Eh, you should go back through the dozens of page splits before they changed the software.

4 lamp Tek fixture would be fine for that tank. 2 ATI Blue Plus, 1 ATI Aquablue and a Purple Plus for lamps. No need to overdrive on anything less than 24" tall.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hi guys!, I dont mean to butt in but ive been reading pages upon pages of this thread and my eyes are going crazy. I have a question about lighting and Im not sure exactly wich bulbs to purchase. I am brand new to the hobby and got talked into (Price was right) starting with a 150g tank. The tank is 72x18x29, The fixture that I got with it I beleive is a 72''CA 6 bulb fixture with staggered 60'' T bulbs. The current bulbs look to be on their last leg and need replaced. I want to be able to have things like a clam and other corrals that grow twards the bottom....is this possible with this fixture? What bulbs and set-up would you guys suggest?

Thanks for helping a newbie!

You will need to drop some serious coin to have clams and SPS in that tank. 6x80 ATI Powermodule at a minimum. The fixture you have now, even with good lamps is only good for LPS and softies except for some SPS right on top of the rocks. 4 ATI Blue Plus, 1 ATI Aquablue and 1 ATI Purple Plus for lamps.

 

[Borchers]

Grim,
Do you think that 2 54 watt T-5's is enough for Actinic lighting for a 120 Gallon reef or should I double up and do 4 54 watt bulbs.

 

[Skidooguy2002]

Thanks alot Grim! I knew going in that this fixture was probable temp. But I need to find a solution for the time being until I can get what I really need. Any sugestions for an ideal lighting fixture for this tank so I can do what I want?