The T5 Q&a Thread

[afishfanatic]

4 bulb ATI Sunpower in the 24" version.

3 ATI Blue Plus and 1 ATI Purple Plus for the bulbs. Make sure you can hang the fixture though. There are no legs for ATI and they shouldn't be set right on the tank.

Thanks Ryan!

If I went with the 6 bulb fixture, what arrangement would you use? Is the 6500 not necessary for good growth?

 

[rtparty]

Thanks Ryan!

If I went with the 6 bulb fixture, what arrangement would you use? Is the 6500 not necessary for good growth?

The 6 bulb will probably be a little overkill for your situation but it would work.

The GE isn't really used for GREAT color as you posted. If you go with a bulb then I would use the GE but not in a 4 bulb setup. It is too powerful with only 4 bulbs and you won't get the great colors that the blue light brings along.

For 6 bulbs I would use 4 ATI Blue Plus, 1 ATI Purple and 1 GE 6500k.

 

[afishfanatic]

The 6 bulb will probably be a little overkill for your situation but it would work.

The GE isn't really used for GREAT color as you posted. If you go with a bulb then I would use the GE but not in a 4 bulb setup. It is too powerful with only 4 bulbs and you won't get the great colors that the blue light brings along.

For 6 bulbs I would use 4 ATI Blue Plus, 1 ATI Purple and 1 GE 6500k.

Ryan,

The reason I asked about the 6 bulb fixture is because my sump is actually 24 inches wide, but has a divider to make a prop tank and a fuge. I was thinking the 6 bulb would be good to light both sides.

 

[rtparty]

Ryan,

The reason I asked about the 6 bulb fixture is because my sump is actually 24 inches wide, but has a divider to make a prop tank and a fuge. I was thinking the 6 bulb would be good to light both sides.

The 6 bulb will work but make sure you have plenty of room to raise the fixture if you need to. I would want to keep it up off the water if possible.

Do you have any pics of the setup?

 

[afishfanatic]

The 6 bulb will work but make sure you have plenty of room to raise the fixture if you need to. I would want to keep it up off the water if possible.

Do you have any pics of the setup?

 

[afishfanatic]

The 6 bulb will work but make sure you have plenty of room to raise the fixture if you need to. I would want to keep it up off the water if possible.

Do you have any pics of the setup?

This is a top down view showing the divider.


There is a gap of 6" between the top of the sump and the top of the water.

There is 12" from the top of the sump to the bottom of the tank.

 

[rtparty]

This is a top down view showing the divider.


There is a gap of 6" between the top of the sump and the top of the water.

There is 12" from the top of the sump to the bottom of the tank.

I still think you only need a 4 bulb unit. I used a 4x24w Sunpower over my 40 gallon breeder and it was plenty of light for anything I wanted.

You could probably get away with a cheaper fixture that can sit right on the sump. Just get some good bulbs and maybe an external fan to help keep the heat away.

 

[scionreefing]

I have a 6 bulb t5 setup. 2 on a work horse ballast and 4 on an icecap ballast. I'm try for great color with max growth ratio. I am open to ATI giessman and those korallan bulbs.

Raffle grabber

 

[swissgaurd]

hi grim im in need of your help again
i will be aquiring a new tank soon
dim. are 60" x 36" x 24" eurobraced.
four inches will have a 4" sandbed so that leaves me with a 20" view
i have a 48" x 6 bulb sunpower.

not sure what to do with the lighting .will i need to add another fixture to get 12 bulbs or upgrade to an entire new fixture.

my bulbs now are
4 blue plus
1 purple plus
1 aquablue special
if i was to run 2 x 6 bulb fixtures what would be your bulbs of choice

this tank will be sps only

thanks
vic

 

[afishfanatic]

I still think you only need a 4 bulb unit. I used a 4x24w Sunpower over my 40 gallon breeder and it was plenty of light for anything I wanted.

You could probably get away with a cheaper fixture that can sit right on the sump. Just get some good bulbs and maybe an external fan to help keep the heat away.

Thanks Ryan. I am going to take your advice on the 4 bulb fixture. But I have one more option that I would like your advice on. What do you think about going with something like this:

http://www.aquacave.com/cebu-sun-24-1-x-mogulbr-base-metal-halide-t5-br-led-lighting-system-br-by-hamilton-technology-2925.html

I would still get the (4) T5's and have a MH. My thinking here would be to run the halide for about 2 hrs and then the T5's for the remainder of the shift. Thoughts?

 

[rtparty]

I have a 6 bulb t5 setup. 2 on a work horse ballast and 4 on an icecap ballast. I'm try for great color with max growth ratio. I am open to ATI giessman and those korallan bulbs.

Raffle grabber

4 ATI Blue Plus, 1 ATI Purple Plus and 1 GE 6500k

Try to get the Purple and a Blue on the Workhorse. Make sure you have some fans cooling the bulbs as well.

 

[rtparty]

hi grim im in need of your help again
i will be aquiring a new tank soon
dim. are 60" x 36" x 24" eurobraced.
four inches will have a 4" sandbed so that leaves me with a 20" view
i have a 48" x 6 bulb sunpower.

not sure what to do with the lighting .will i need to add another fixture to get 12 bulbs or upgrade to an entire new fixture.

my bulbs now are
4 blue plus
1 purple plus
1 aquablue special
if i was to run 2 x 6 bulb fixtures what would be your bulbs of choice

this tank will be sps only

thanks
vic

You will need another 4 bulb at least. A 6 bulb may look a little better though.

For 10 bulbs: 7 ATI Blue Plus, 2 ATI Purple Plus and 1 GE 6500K

For 12 bulbs: 8 ATI Blue Plus, 2 ATI Purple Plus and 2 GE 6500k

 

[rtparty]

Thanks Ryan. I am going to take your advice on the 4 bulb fixture. But I have one more option that I would like your advice on. What do you think about going with something like this:

http://www.aquacave.com/cebu-sun-24-1-x-mogulbr-base-metal-halide-t5-br-led-lighting-system-br-by-hamilton-technology-2925.html

I would still get the (4) T5's and have a MH. My thinking here would be to run the halide for about 2 hrs and then the T5's for the remainder of the shift. Thoughts?

I wouldn't run a MH around your sump. That will add a ton of heat in that small area. I also don't like the T5's that close to the MH, you will be replacing bulbs a lot more often.

Just my thoughts.

 

[afishfanatic]

I wouldn't run a MH around your sump. That will add a ton of heat in that small area. I also don't like the T5's that close to the MH, you will be replacing bulbs a lot more often.

Just my thoughts.

OK. I just ordered an ATI 4 x 24W fixture. :fun4: The bad thing is that you have me considering going T5 for my main display.. What would your recomendations be for a 96"Lx31"Wx29"H tank that will be mainly sps with some lps lower in the tank?

I currently run 3 400W MH over my 175 sps tank with VHO sup. It would br great to use some of my existing lighting for the new tank, but the key for me is to do it RIGHT the first time. SO having to buy all new equip is OK with me if it is the best option. Thanks!

 

[rtparty]

OK. I just ordered an ATI 4 x 24W fixture. :fun4: The bad thing is that you have me considering going T5 for my main display.. What would your recomendations be for a 96"Lx31"Wx29"H tank that will be mainly sps with some lps lower in the tank?

I currently run 3 400W MH over my 175 sps tank with VHO sup. It would br great to use some of my existing lighting for the new tank, but the key for me is to do it RIGHT the first time. SO having to buy all new equip is OK with me if it is the best option. Thanks!

Going to T5 on that large of a tank is kind of tricky. You might be able to get away with 2 - 8 bulb ATI Sunpowers or you might need to go to the 10 bulb Powermodules.

Or if you have a canopy then you can retro. If you were to go retro you could keep the VHO's and use those.

There are a lot of options. One drawback to T5's on a large tank is how much the bulb replacements will cost each year. I mean 20 bulbs a year will run you $400!

Maybe just switching your VHO's out for T5 or even LED would cut some costs in bulbs and electricity.

 

[swissgaurd]

You will need another 4 bulb at least. A 6 bulb may look a little better though.

For 10 bulbs: 7 ATI Blue Plus, 2 ATI Purple Plus and 1 GE 6500K

For 12 bulbs: 8 ATI Blue Plus, 2 ATI Purple Plus and 2 GE 6500k

is the GE bulb recommended over the aquablue special

thanks
vic

 

[rtparty]

is the GE bulb recommended over the aquablue special

thanks
vic

Yeah it brings out more color compared to an Aquablue. I hate the Aquablue bulbs as they wash out color in the corals. Another good Aquablue replacement is the KZ New Generation but it will make the tank more blue overall.

 

[wes42079]

I am looking to purchase a 40 gallon acrylic aquarium (36L x 15w x 16h). If I purchase a T5 ATI 36" 4x24 or Tek 6x36, will the light be too intense if I place the fixture directly over the aquarium? I am only stocking LPS and chalice's.

I don't have the means of hanging it for the moment.

 

[scionreefing]

4 ATI Blue Plus, 1 ATI Purple Plus and 1 GE 6500k

Try to get the Purple and a Blue on the Workhorse. Make sure you have some fans cooling the bulbs as well.

Is there any reason you prefer ATI over geissmans?

Raffle grabber

 

[rtparty]

Is there any reason you prefer ATI over geissmans?

Raffle grabber

Better PAR, hold their color and PAR longer, better company, and cheaper.