The T5 Q&a Thread

[DerrickH]

Depends on the fixture.

If they are low end fixtures make sure to keep the SPS as high as you can in the tank and right under the bulbs.

Sunlight supply, dont know the exact models though. They are the "ready fit" 36" T5HO fixtures. Probably not the best but got them pretty cheap second hand.

 

[rtparty]

Sunlight supply, dont know the exact models though. They are the "ready fit" 36" T5HO fixtures. Probably not the best but got them pretty cheap second hand.

I am not familiar with that fixture but Sunlight Supply makes decent items so I wouldn't worry too much about your SPS.

They should be fine in the upper half of the tank.

 

[roni]

Another question.

Been looking at a dual T5/LED setup for my 300 gallon DD (72 x 36 x 27). My question is the following:

How far is the spill on a 4 ft T5 fixture if mounted 12" above the water surface? I plan on keeping SPS directly under the lights but like LPS and some softs. I also would like to leave 3-4" of sand on each side of the rock completely clear and 6" clear in the front.

In the past, I've used a 60" fixture mounted 12" high over a 72" tank without any problems, and that was with rock and corals to the very edges.


thanks in advance

 

[jhawksoon]

To anyone that can help. I've read 20-30 pgs in this thread to try to increase my knowledge in T5 lighting. I just started reefing about 7 months ago and was setup with a Odyssea 4x39w lighting system. I've figured out that this is about as cheap as it gets and as I would like to get into SPS I'm wondering what setup I need. My tank is 36"x18"x21" deep. My lights are contained in a canopy that has one open side on the back. I know ATI is considered the best, but also most expensive. What are the next two best fixtures? Also, being that the fixture will be in a canopy, will it get cooled enough? Thanks for the help.

 

[roni]

Another question.

Been looking at a dual T5/LED setup for my 300 gallon DD (72 x 36 x 27). My question is the following:

How far is the spill on a 4 ft T5 fixture if mounted 12" above the water surface? I plan on keeping SPS directly under the lights but like LPS and some softs. I also would like to leave 3-4" of sand on each side of the rock completely clear and 6" clear in the front.

In the past, I've used a 60" fixture mounted 12" high over a 72" tank without any problems, and that was with rock and corals to the very edges.


thanks in advance

I think I found my answer in this great thread for anyone wondering the same thing.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1641235&page=21

short answer is there is a dramatic dropoff when not under the fixture so at minimum you need a 5 ft fixture on a 6 foot tank, even if you leave bare areas. Hope this helps anyone who had the same question..Bummer since the fixture is amazing, and would have been perfect if 60"

 

[lockus]

I am redoing my lighting and adding 4 more t-5 bulbs to replace my vho atinics. I will be installing some new fans as well. My question is placement of the fans. Should I position the fans to blow across the length of the bulbs or across the endcaps for the inflow fans of the hood? An additional fan will be placed on center top of the hood for outflow.

 

[KDS 71]

grim,
im breaking down my reef tank and going fresh water..i have a ATI 36" 6 bulb SP..
i wont be growing anything and want to keep it...i dont have to blast alot of par anymore and want some attnic in the mix for the fish color....i now run 4 bl+..1 GE 6500...1 KZfigi ppl... any suggestions for good color on a fresh water tank?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Another question.

Been looking at a dual T5/LED setup for my 300 gallon DD (72 x 36 x 27). My question is the following:

How far is the spill on a 4 ft T5 fixture if mounted 12" above the water surface? I plan on keeping SPS directly under the lights but like LPS and some softs. I also would like to leave 3-4" of sand on each side of the rock completely clear and 6" clear in the front.

In the past, I've used a 60" fixture mounted 12" high over a 72" tank without any problems, and that was with rock and corals to the very edges.


thanks in advance

I'd want a 60" fixture for sure

 

[The Grim Reefer]

To anyone that can help. I've read 20-30 pgs in this thread to try to increase my knowledge in T5 lighting. I just started reefing about 7 months ago and was setup with a Odyssea 4x39w lighting system. I've figured out that this is about as cheap as it gets and as I would like to get into SPS I'm wondering what setup I need. My tank is 36"x18"x21" deep. My lights are contained in a canopy that has one open side on the back. I know ATI is considered the best, but also most expensive. What are the next two best fixtures? Also, being that the fixture will be in a canopy, will it get cooled enough? Thanks for the help.

6x39 watt Tek light would be enough

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I am redoing my lighting and adding 4 more t-5 bulbs to replace my vho atinics. I will be installing some new fans as well. My question is placement of the fans. Should I position the fans to blow across the length of the bulbs or across the endcaps for the inflow fans of the hood? An additional fan will be placed on center top of the hood for outflow.

Fan blowing in from the rear down one side's endcaps only. Place the label ends of the lamps on the side with the airflow

 

[The Grim Reefer]

grim,
im breaking down my reef tank and going fresh water..i have a ATI 36" 6 bulb SP..
i wont be growing anything and want to keep it...i dont have to blast alot of par anymore and want some attnic in the mix for the fish color....i now run 4 bl+..1 GE 6500...1 KZfigi ppl... any suggestions for good color on a fresh water tank?

I'd just run 4 lamps. 2 Blue Plus and 2 GE's would probably get you good color, just a little blue with some nice pop.

 

[KDS 71]

I'd just run 4 lamps. 2 Blue Plus and 2 GE's would probably get you good color, just a little blue with some nice pop.

any specific order grim?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Blue front and rear

 

[STEELERFAN747]

Hey Grim. I was hoping for a little help. A while ago I mentioned I wanted to switch out the lamps out of my 6 bulb current 20" fixture with the UVL lamps but unfortunatly the only bulbs they have come out with are 1/4" smaller.
You had recommended I go with
FRONT
454
Actinic white
454
Indigo Sun
454
454 for 20k look or Indigo Sun for a close to 12k. Problem I have besides the size is they did not come out with a 454. They only have the Actinic White, Aqua Sun (10k), Indigo Sun & Super Actinic.
I also have the choice to go with the Current brand bulbs which even though are not as good, they are the right size. They offer what they call Flora (6700k) what it came with (10k), a 12k, 420nm & 460nm. I would really be interested in as close to 14k look as possible. Do you think this is possible with any of those choices.

Thanks for your help

 

[STEELERFAN747]

Hey Grim. I was hoping for a little help. A while ago I mentioned I wanted to switch out the lamps out of my 6 bulb current 20" fixture with the UVL lamps but unfortunatly the only bulbs they have come out with are 1/4" smaller.
You had recommended I go with
FRONT
454
Actinic white
454
Indigo Sun
454
454 for 20k look or Indigo Sun for a close to 12k. Problem I have besides the size is they did not come out with a 454. They only have the Actinic White, Aqua Sun (10k), Indigo Sun & Super Actinic.
I also have the choice to go with the Current brand bulbs which even though are not as good, they are the right size. They offer what they call Flora (6700k) what it came with (10k), a 12k, 420nm & 460nm. I would really be interested in as close to 14k look as possible. Do you think this is possible with any of those choices.

Thanks for your help

My mistake. I just found out that Aquatic Life also makes 18" bulbs and they offer Ardent White (10k), Natural White (6000k), Pink Roseate (650nm) & 420/460nm.

Again, any help that you could give would be greatly appreciated.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

My mistake. I just found out that Aquatic Life also makes 18" bulbs and they offer Ardent White (10k), Natural White (6000k), Pink Roseate (650nm) & 420/460nm.

Again, any help that you could give would be greatly appreciated.

Try a natural white, pink roseate and 4 460 Aquatic Life lamps.

 

[jhawksoon]

6x39 watt Tek light would be enough

Grim,

Thanks for the help. I'm assuming the Tek Elite would be better since it has a built in fan system. Also, I have read where you suggest leaving off the acrylic shield. My current system has a shield and gets salt on it. It sits 4-5 inches off of the water. Should I leave the shield off of the Tek or does the salt on the current system indicate that there is water spray that would be hitting the bulbs if the shield was not there? Thanks for all of the help.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Grim,

Thanks for the help. I'm assuming the Tek Elite would be better since it has a built in fan system. Also, I have read where you suggest leaving off the acrylic shield. My current system has a shield and gets salt on it. It sits 4-5 inches off of the water. Should I leave the shield off of the Tek or does the salt on the current system indicate that there is water spray that would be hitting the bulbs if the shield was not there? Thanks for all of the help.

Either Tek should work. Rule of thumb is leave the shield on if it has a fan and don't use a shield if it doesn't have fans.

 

[STEELERFAN747]

Try a natural white, pink roseate and 4 460 Aquatic Life lamps.

Thanks for the help but do you mean in that order from front to back

natureal white
pink roseate
460
460
460
460


or the same way you mentioned earlier

natural white
460
roseate
460
460
460
??????

I ask not only to get the right combo but also because my system has a 2 stage lighting which lights the actinics 1st for dawn/dusk but they are placed front to back

actinic
white
actinic
white
actinic
white

Thanks again

 

[bheron]

Hey Grim, :wavehand:
I'm amazed whenever I check this thread at how much advice you give on selecting bulbs. You should get something for this!

Anyway, I hate to say it but I'm here to ask now. You helped with my first T5 purchase back in 2005 and since then I've tried a few different mixtures of bulbs in recent orders. Sad to say, I can't tell or remember which was the best!

Anyway, I have 8x80W bulbs and am going to order from Reefgeek as always. I prefer lighting in the middle and maybe slightly blue/actinic. Def dont like the white or too yellow. But for the lift of me I can't figure out the difference between all of their bulbs! Yikes.

Right now I'm thinking:

1) 80W Aquablue Special T5 HO Fluorescent
2) 80W True Actinic 03 T5 HO Fluorescent

3) 80W Aquablue Special T5 HO Fluorescent
4) 80W True Actinic 03 T5 HO Fluorescent

5) 80W Aquablue Special T5 HO Fluorescent
6) 80W True Actinic 03 T5 HO Fluorescent

7) 80W Aquablue Special T5 HO Fluorescent
8) 80W True Actinic 03 T5 HO Fluorescent

Not too fancy. Any ideas? :rollface: