The T5 Q&a Thread

[The Grim Reefer]

Would this along with the KZ Fiji purple give good color as well?

Also, do I turn on 2 ATI Blue+ before the KZ Fiji purple and the 3rd ATI Blue+ to simulate dusk/dawn?

yes and yes

 

[bct15]

I plane to supplement my 63 inch long tank with four retrofits 80w t5s. My main lighting is 2 250w MH, 14k or maybe 20k. What is the best color combination for supplementing, and dusk and dawn effect. I was thinking either 1 purple plus, 1 blue plus, 2 true actinics...or 1 purple plus, two blue plus, 1 true actinic.

Thanks

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I plane to supplement my 63 inch long tank with four retrofits 80w t5s. My main lighting is 2 250w MH, 14k or maybe 20k. What is the best color combination for supplementing, and dusk and dawn effect. I was thinking either 1 purple plus, 1 blue plus, 2 true actinics...or 1 purple plus, two blue plus, 1 true actinic.

Thanks

I'd do 3 blue plus and a Purple Plus. The actinics don't do as much as the blue plus once the main lights come on.

 

[hamiltonguy]

yes and yes

Thanks man, appreciate it.

 

[bct15]

I'd do 3 blue plus and a Purple Plus. The actinics don't do as much as the blue plus once the main lights come on.

Thanks

 

[stevedola]

In a 6 bulb sunpower what is the difference between running 4 B+ & 2 P+ and 4B+, 1 P+ and 1 GE 6500k? is the GE only for sps tanks? I used to run the GE back in the day and it was very yellowish. Mostly just softies and a few LPS in the tank(90g). id like a nice 15k-20k color. Am I better off with the 4b+ and 2p+ ?

 

[tgee]

Bleaching

Bleaching

I'm running 6x54w with IC 440 and 660 ballasts and IC reflectors over my 90g. These are mounted in the canopy, which is kind of low, so the bulbs are only a couple of inches above the water. I've been having problems with SPS losing color, so I'm starting to think they're bleaching. Some are only about 7 or 8 inches below the lamps.

Current setup from to back:
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Purple Plus
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aqua Blue Special
ATI Blue Plus

Cycle: dawn/dusk (#1 and 4) 11 hours. Others are on for 9 hours.

All water parameters are good, and I don't have big algae issues. Do you think I should try different bulbs, reduce the photoperiod, or raise the canopy (won't be easy). Or something else?

Thanks.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

In a 6 bulb sunpower what is the difference between running 4 B+ & 2 P+ and 4B+, 1 P+ and 1 GE 6500k? is the GE only for sps tanks? I used to run the GE back in the day and it was very yellowish. Mostly just softies and a few LPS in the tank(90g). id like a nice 15k-20k color. Am I better off with the 4b+ and 2p+ ?

GE will make yellow colors show up better and make the overall look a little brighter is all.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I'm running 6x54w with IC 440 and 660 ballasts and IC reflectors over my 90g. These are mounted in the canopy, which is kind of low, so the bulbs are only a couple of inches above the water. I've been having problems with SPS losing color, so I'm starting to think they're bleaching. Some are only about 7 or 8 inches below the lamps.

Current setup from to back:
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Purple Plus
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aqua Blue Special
ATI Blue Plus

Cycle: dawn/dusk (#1 and 4) 11 hours. Others are on for 9 hours.

All water parameters are good, and I don't have big algae issues. Do you think I should try different bulbs, reduce the photoperiod, or raise the canopy (won't be easy). Or something else?

Thanks.

I'd get rid of the Ice Cap ballasts. You really don't need to overdrive the lamps so not only will they last longer you'll solve your bleaching issue too.

 

[tgee]

I'd get rid of the Ice Cap ballasts. You really don't need to overdrive the lamps so not only will they last longer you'll solve your bleaching issue too.

Thank for the quick reply. Interesting answer, which I hadn't thought of. I guess this is a case where "more" isn't always "better"!. Thanks.

 

[Sport507]

Ok I have a 90 gal. 24H x 18W x 48L. I keep LPS, SPS and fish. I have a Aquaticlife 48" 6 blub, 5T HO 54W with auto timer and the light sets about 3" above the tank.

Front
1 DL
2 ANT
3 DL
4 ANT
5 DL
6 ANT
Back

The timer buttons are marked White, Blue, and Nitht (LEDS) all can be programed Individually.

The first I have come on in the morning is Blue and it turns on 2 &4
Then a few hours later I have the White come on which is 1,3,5 & 6

What would look best in this set-up and give me that richness I see in other DT tanks on here yet take care of my corals too.

Here is a picture of it but it look much more blue/better than it looks in person. It's much whiter with when you see it in person. If I could get it to look like the pick I'd be happier but I do want it very bright.



Thanks for the help.

 

[Sport507]

Not sure the attachment worked.

 

[Akrite]

Its time to replace the bulbs on my ATI PM 8 Bulbs. I normally run 5 ATI Blue Plus, 2 ATI Aqua Blue Special and 1 KZ Fiji Purple. I have noticed sometimes ATI Aqua Blue Special are recommended and other times GE 6500K. Whats the difference? I also have a SPS dominate tank.

 

[mightymizz]

My display currently runs 6x39.
Front to back:
ATI Blu +
KZ fiji purple
ATI aquablu special
ATI blu +
ATI blu +
ATI blu +

I am also setting up a 4 bulb Tek T5 for a frag tank. Corals will most likely go from my frag tank into display. Which bulb setup might I want for frag tank where growth is important, but should I also keep in mind if it is too different they might get shocked going into my display tank. Oh, I'm talking about SPS. Thanks man!

Also, any cleaner or polisher to help re-polish the reflectors on Tek? I got it used and it looks like some of the reflectors are not as shiny as they used to be.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Ok I have a 90 gal. 24H x 18W x 48L. I keep LPS, SPS and fish. I have a Aquaticlife 48" 6 blub, 5T HO 54W with auto timer and the light sets about 3" above the tank.

Front
1 DL
2 ANT
3 DL
4 ANT
5 DL
6 ANT
Back

The timer buttons are marked White, Blue, and Nitht (LEDS) all can be programed Individually.

The first I have come on in the morning is Blue and it turns on 2 &4
Then a few hours later I have the White come on which is 1,3,5 & 6

What would look best in this set-up and give me that richness I see in other DT tanks on here yet take care of my corals too.

Here is a picture of it but it look much more blue/better than it looks in person. It's much whiter with when you see it in person. If I could get it to look like the pick I'd be happier but I do want it very bright.

View attachment 150856

Thanks for the help.

ATI Blue Plus
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Purple Plus
ATI Blue Plus
GE 6500K Daylight
ATI Blue Plus

 

[tiller25]

i am in the middle of planning my rimless 75g build now. I do not want to keep sps, but i am thinking about clams and/or an anemone. Would i need to go with a 4 or 6 bulb fixture? Also i would like to achieve a nice white/slightly blue look. what bulb combo would you recommend. thank you

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Its time to replace the bulbs on my ATI PM 8 Bulbs. I normally run 5 ATI Blue Plus, 2 ATI Aqua Blue Special and 1 KZ Fiji Purple. I have noticed sometimes ATI Aqua Blue Special are recommended and other times GE 6500K. Whats the difference? I also have a SPS dominate tank.

In your case I'd do 2 purple plus and the GE with the Blue Pluses. The GE is better with more lamps because it has some yellow which brings out more color and because of all the blue plus it wont make the tank look yellow.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

My display currently runs 6x39.
Front to back:
ATI Blu +
KZ fiji purple
ATI aquablu special
ATI blu +
ATI blu +
ATI blu +

I am also setting up a 4 bulb Tek T5 for a frag tank. Corals will most likely go from my frag tank into display. Which bulb setup might I want for frag tank where growth is important, but should I also keep in mind if it is too different they might get shocked going into my display tank. Oh, I'm talking about SPS. Thanks man!

Also, any cleaner or polisher to help re-polish the reflectors on Tek? I got it used and it looks like some of the reflectors are not as shiny as they used to be.

Vinegar to clean the reflects. Use 2 Blue Plus 1 Aquablue and a Purple Plus for the 4 lamp system

 

[The Grim Reefer]

i am in the middle of planning my rimless 75g build now. I do not want to keep sps, but i am thinking about clams and/or an anemone. Would i need to go with a 4 or 6 bulb fixture? Also i would like to achieve a nice white/slightly blue look. what bulb combo would you recommend. thank you

I'd do a 6 lamp 39 watt fixture raised a bit higher above the tank. I think the rimless look better with a smaller fixture length wise. 10 inches or so above the tank

I'd do 4 ati Blue Plus, 1 ati purple Plus and a GE 6500K Daylight for lamps.

 

[sprig6]

I am having trouble finding T12 actinics and actinic whites VHO's at my LFS. I though I heard somewhere that I can run the T5's on my icecap 660, was wondering if this is true? If so how can I make this happen. What kind of endcaps or retro kit will I need and will I get the same amount of light as I would if I was using T12, 2 VHO super actinic and 2 blue actinics? Thanks.