The T5 Q&a Thread

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Looking for opinions on a T5 setup for my new 55 gallon, eventually going to be a mixed reef. I'm looking at either a TEK 4 bulb or a Nova extreme pro 6 bulb. I really can't spend over $400 for everything but looking for the best possible fixture for the money. Thanks.

4 bulb tek. If you can, get the tek elite instead. The cooling will help bulb life.
 
I'm sure this has been asked and answered but, how do Giesemann bulbs compare the the ATI's? Is there a significant performance difference?
 
I'm sure this has been asked and answered but, how do Giesemann bulbs compare the the ATI's? Is there a significant performance difference?

In terms of PAR and longevity, ATIs are far superior to giesemann. I don't know why geisemann thinks their bulbs are worth so much.
 
Rt and Grim,

I see tha 5-BP, 2-PP and a GE is a bulb combo that you suggest for an ATI, whats the over all color and PAR compaired to 4-BP, 2-AB, Ge, PP? thanks for all you help with this thread.
-m
 
Rt and Grim,

I see tha 5-BP, 2-PP and a GE is a bulb combo that you suggest for an ATI, whats the over all color and PAR compaired to 4-BP, 2-AB, Ge, PP? thanks for all you help with this thread.
-m

The PAR will be just about the same.

The second setup will be quite white with very little blue. Colors will probably look washed out.
 
What do you recommend for an 8 Bulbs PM? I want my SPS to keep growing relatively fast but I do like to see the color pop during dusk and dawn.
 
After being out of the hobby for two years following a move across the country, the site of my empty 75G tank staring back at me with only sand and live rock in it is finally getting at me. I'm going to bring it back but this time, instead of going with FOWLR, I want to go full reef. That means that I'll need to upgrade my lights and I want to go with a T5 fixture. My goal is to achieve an appealing tank for color while having the flexibility to take my tank in any direction with corals, anemones and clams.

I've dug through this thread and others, it seems that going with a six-bulb fixture is preferred over a four-bulb fixture in order to get better color. That makes sense to me. I'll be going with a 48" 6x54W setup, but what fixtures are recommended? Due to numerous reasons, I'll need to go with a fixture that has legs. The TEK Elite meets my needs, but what others meet a quality recommendation? ATI appears to be a clear winner, but I'm unaware of them being able to be mounted as I need them to be. Do Hamilton and/or Aquactinics fall into the realm of quality fixtures? Any others I should consider?

I apologize for asking a question that doubtless has been answered. I just can't seem to locate it.

Thanks for any and all responses.
 
After being out of the hobby for two years following a move across the country, the site of my empty 75G tank staring back at me with only sand and live rock in it is finally getting at me. I'm going to bring it back but this time, instead of going with FOWLR, I want to go full reef. That means that I'll need to upgrade my lights and I want to go with a T5 fixture. My goal is to achieve an appealing tank for color while having the flexibility to take my tank in any direction with corals, anemones and clams.

I've dug through this thread and others, it seems that going with a six-bulb fixture is preferred over a four-bulb fixture in order to get better color. That makes sense to me. I'll be going with a 48" 6x54W setup, but what fixtures are recommended? Due to numerous reasons, I'll need to go with a fixture that has legs. The TEK Elite meets my needs, but what others meet a quality recommendation? ATI appears to be a clear winner, but I'm unaware of them being able to be mounted as I need them to be. Do Hamilton and/or Aquactinics fall into the realm of quality fixtures? Any others I should consider?

I apologize for asking a question that doubtless has been answered. I just can't seem to locate it.

Thanks for any and all responses.

If you gotta have legs stick with the Tek Elite.
 
Grim - thanks from me too - read your last post.

I have a 4x T5 and a 2X T5 with basically the same setup and I want to grow softies... same recommendation on bulbs? What about timing / run times? I can control the bulbs in sets of 2... (which come on when for how long)?

Thanks!
 
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