The T5 Q&a Thread

[The Grim Reefer]

Hey Grim just got my bulbs in for my Tek 48'' Tek 8x54 im looking for a good 20k look.

Here are the bulbs.

5,blue+
3,aquablue special
2,purple plus

thanks,

5 blue plus 2 purple plus and 1 aquablue

 

[The Grim Reefer]

:wave:Hello Everyone.

Prior to reading through the thread I thought I knew what the right lighting combination was but I am a little less confident now. I have a 90g with an 8 bulb tek fixture.

Can someone please suggest what I should be using and what the bulb placement should be? Also, my fixture has 2 switches, how long should I keep each of the switches on for and should they overlap while on?

Thank you in advance!

Front
BLue Plus
Purple Plus
Blue Plus
GE 6500K Daylight
Blue Plus
Purple Plus
Blue Plus
Blue Plus

Dusk/dawn 10 to 12 hours and the rest 6 to 10 hours.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I have 6 T5 lamps over a 120 and want a 20K Look at dawn/dusk and at least a 16K look during the day.

I am thinking:

3 Blue +
2 aquablue
1 Figi purple

Will this get the the color I am looking for and 2 will these provide a sufficient spectrum for sps since it will be on the lower side of intensity for the tank?

Should be close. 6 lamps over a 120 is a little low so be careful where you place high light corals.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

hey grim could you give me you thoughts on this combo


front
ati blue plus
ati purple
ge 6500
ati blue plus
kz new gen 14k
ati blue plus

thanks

Should look good

 

[The Grim Reefer]

How would you arrange them front to back Grim? I set them up this way with the 2 Actinics as dawn/dusk, and the 4 other bulbs for daylight.

Blue front and rear. other than that doesn't matter.

 

[Woznickiaj]

thanks but i want to know which 2 bulbs for dusk/dawn and which 2 for 6-10 hrs? Sorry i couldnt be more specific. Your number 1.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

thanks but i want to know which 2 bulbs for dusk/dawn and which 2 for 6-10 hrs? Sorry i couldnt be more specific. Your number 1.

Either 2 blue Plus or a Blue Plus and Purple Plus for dusk/dawn, try both and decide which you like. Just swithc the lamps positions a little to get the combo you want.

 

[Woznickiaj]

Thanks a lot , I really apreciate your knowledge and advice!

 

[georgiadawg]

I am building a 30x30x24 gallon tank, would you go with the ati 8x24 powermodule or would the 6x24 be enough for a mixed reef?

 

[carnut]

A little info 8 foot tank 24 deep

Right side 24x4 sunpower 2 ati blue plus
1 Fiji purple
1 ati actinic
This mix i like the colour and the brightness

Middle of tank 8 bulb powermodule 3 ati actinic
3 blue plus
2 Fiji purple
A little white in colour

Left side of tank 24x4 sunpower 2 blue plus
1 actinic
1 super actinic

Not as bright to the eye

Any suggestions in bulb mix from one side to the other, would like to balance out the colour.

Thanks

Hey Grim,

I as just told I can get a deal on uvl or geismann bulbs. Any bulb suggestions or are ati better?

Thanks Again

 

[The Grim Reefer]

i am building a 30x30x24 gallon tank, would you go with the ati 8x24 powermodule or would the 6x24 be enough for a mixed reef?

8

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hey Grim,

I as just told I can get a deal on uvl or geismann bulbs. Any bulb suggestions or are ati better?

Thanks Again

Use the Giesemann if the deal is good enough. Actinic Plus instead of blue plus, Aquaflora instead of Purple. I wouldn't use actinics.

 

[Reefing102]

Hey Grim,

It's time for me to replace my T5 bulbs in my 4 bulb, 24" fixture. Right now I have the stock TRU bulbs.
2 x 10K
2 x Actinic

I am looking at the ATI bulbs. It appears from what I have read that alot of them are more blue in color. I'd like to keep the whiter look more than the blue.
Can you give me your suggestion as to the bulb combo?
If it aids any in your decision, all the bulbs turn on and off at the same time due to only one switch on the fixture.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hey Grim,

It's time for me to replace my T5 bulbs in my 4 bulb, 24" fixture. Right now I have the stock TRU bulbs.
2 x 10K
2 x Actinic

I am looking at the ATI bulbs. It appears from what I have read that alot of them are more blue in color. I'd like to keep the whiter look more than the blue.
Can you give me your suggestion as to the bulb combo?
If it aids any in your decision, all the bulbs turn on and off at the same time due to only one switch on the fixture.

2 ATI Blue Plus, 1 GE 6500K Daylight and 1 ATI Purple Plus

 

[love83blue]

Hey Grim im running an 8 bulb Tek fixture and im wanting it a little more blue than it is my lighting combo is:

Front
blue+
blue+
purple+
blue+
purple+
aquablue special
blue+
blue+

My question is rather than putting in another blue+ what other bulb is good to get a deeper blue look?
Or would it be a deep,deep blue with another blue+?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hey Grim im running an 8 bulb Tek fixture and im wanting it a little more blue than it is my lighting combo is:

Front
blue+
blue+
purple+
blue+
purple+
aquablue special
blue+
blue+

My question is rather than putting in another blue+ what other bulb is good to get a deeper blue look?
Or would it be a deep,deep blue with another blue+?

KZ New Gen instead of the Aquablue.

 

[rysher]

i currently have a 4 bulb t5 with the following bulb combo per your advise:
ATI bulbs front to back
aquablue special
blue +
purple +
blue +

i plan to get the stunner LED strips for supplemental lighting and encourage growth but still want to keep the shimmer. which one will i get?
1. 445nm Blue
2. Magenta/453nm Blue
3. Magenta/12,000°K White
4. 12,000°K White/445nm Royal Blue
5. 8,000°K White


thanks for the help.

EDIT: this is for a zoanthid only tank 40breeder.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

i currently have a 4 bulb t5 with the following bulb combo per your advise:
ATI bulbs front to back
aquablue special
blue +
purple +
blue +

i plan to get the stunner LED strips for supplemental lighting and encourage growth but still want to keep the shimmer. which one will i get?
1. 445nm Blue
2. Magenta/453nm Blue
3. Magenta/12,000°K White
4. 12,000°K White/445nm Royal Blue
5. 8,000°K White


thanks for the help.

445 blue.

 

[wasian8]

Hi grim,

I have a 6 bulb 60" retrofit tek fixture. wondering what the best light combo is + which bulbs to run for my dusk/dawn.Tank is 25'' deep and lights are about 5-6" above the water. Thanks for your input!

 

[DerrickH]

rtparty or Grim

Hoping you gents can help me with this. I purchased 4 new ATI bulbs based off of the bazzilion of recomendations on here that were pretty similar to my setup. 2 blue+, one purple+, and one aquablue spl. I have 2 seperate fixtures, both 36" over my 40g acrylic tank(with stupid euro bracing on top covering the back half of the tank). Ive played around with placement a bit but cant seem to find something I like. I also want to run the fixtures independent. One for morning, then both for midday, then one for late afternoon. Whats your recommendations for bulb placement?

Current setup that looks ok but would like your opinion
Front
Purp+
Aquaspl
blue+
blue+
back