rtparty
Raise The Reef!
I would get a 4x39w Tek then. You don't want to place an ATI right on the tank.
The T5 Q&a Thread
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I would get a 4x39w Tek then. You don't want to place an ATI right on the tank.
mjaustin22
New member
hey, I have a 58g all sps dominant tank with 2 250w mh and 2 95w vho and was looking to switch to t5's. I would need to be able to keep clams and sps all the way to the bottom but also need to have the light go inside my canopy. I'm not really interested in a diy setup and was looking at the 6x39 sunpower or 6x39 tek elite, I would love to go with the sunpower but i'm worried that it might not hang properly inside my canopy and so I was thinking about getting the tek elite with the legs. Will I be able to keep all my sps happy and thriving with the tek or should I figure out how to make the sunpower work. The tanks measures 36"L, 18"W, 21"T
Thanks
Thanks
skyshrimp
New member
Hello Grim,
Well my question is a two part one for my soon to be lps dominant tank. I currently have a 6x54w ati sunpower with the fan running on 7v and 6 inches above the water surface. Photoperiod is dawn lights 10am-12pm, then from 12pm to 8pm daylights are on. Then at 8pm-10pm dawn lights run.
Now my questions are using this t5 fixture for a lps system what would be the best bulb combo and fixture height for good growth and color for the lps. My current cimbo is this.
Front to back:
Ati blue plus
Ati blue plus
Ati blue plus
Ati aquablue
Ati blue plus
Ati aquablue
Kinda looks like a powder-ish blue color that looks funny. Hopefully your recommendations can put me on the right track. Thank in advance to grim or anyone that can help me.
Well my question is a two part one for my soon to be lps dominant tank. I currently have a 6x54w ati sunpower with the fan running on 7v and 6 inches above the water surface. Photoperiod is dawn lights 10am-12pm, then from 12pm to 8pm daylights are on. Then at 8pm-10pm dawn lights run.
Now my questions are using this t5 fixture for a lps system what would be the best bulb combo and fixture height for good growth and color for the lps. My current cimbo is this.
Front to back:
Ati blue plus
Ati blue plus
Ati blue plus
Ati aquablue
Ati blue plus
Ati aquablue
Kinda looks like a powder-ish blue color that looks funny. Hopefully your recommendations can put me on the right track. Thank in advance to grim or anyone that can help me.
.OptimusPrime.
Member
Hello,
I have been back and forth on this for awhile and I can't seem to make up my mind so asking for help.
I am fairly new to this hobby, but I know one of the most important things is your lighting. I recently purchased a 75 gallon (48L x 18W x 20H) and after reading and researching I have decided to go with Tek Elites with the tank mounting brackets. I cannot hang from the ceiling or inside my canopy or else I would have gone ATI.
I have no coral in the tank now but will in the future once I have the tank stable. Just trying to future proof as much as possible.
Can I get away with using 4 bulbs instead of 6? If 6 is better 39W or 54W?
In terms of bulbs..I wouldnt know where to start. I have seen this setup posted:
4 ATI Blue Plus, 1 ATI Purple Plus and 1 GE 6500k for 6 bulbs.
Any recommendations if I go with the 4x54W instead?
Thanks in advance for the help.
I have been back and forth on this for awhile and I can't seem to make up my mind so asking for help.
I am fairly new to this hobby, but I know one of the most important things is your lighting. I recently purchased a 75 gallon (48L x 18W x 20H) and after reading and researching I have decided to go with Tek Elites with the tank mounting brackets. I cannot hang from the ceiling or inside my canopy or else I would have gone ATI.
I have no coral in the tank now but will in the future once I have the tank stable. Just trying to future proof as much as possible.
Can I get away with using 4 bulbs instead of 6? If 6 is better 39W or 54W?
In terms of bulbs..I wouldnt know where to start. I have seen this setup posted:
4 ATI Blue Plus, 1 ATI Purple Plus and 1 GE 6500k for 6 bulbs.
Any recommendations if I go with the 4x54W instead?
Thanks in advance for the help.
websiteworld
In Memoriam
To promote some faster growth on my soft corals, zoas etc I was thinking about running a 10000k and a 6500k bulb this month on my tank, any thoughts? I also have a 420 actinic bulb, but I was going to pull it for three weeks.
I have a two bulb setup.
I have a two bulb setup.
scionreefing
New member
Haven't really looked for ATI but the lfs here sells geissmans for 18 to 24 bucks for 4ft.
Raffle grabber
rtparty
Raise The Reef!
If you want SPS and clams all over, ATI. Bad idea in the canopy though for any T5 fixture. You could probably use a 6x24w ATI Sunpower and that would be a better fit in the canopy.
Can you ditch the canopy and hang the ATI that way?
You MUST have really good air movement in the canopy to make the ATI or Tek Elite work. Most companies will void your warranty if they know the fixture was in a canopy too.
rtparty
Raise The Reef!
Raise the fixture to about 10" to start. Change the combo too by dumping the Aquablues. You will get much better color without them.
I would be inclined to throw in at least one actinic to the mix to lower PAR.
Maybe try something like 3 ATI Blue Plus, 1 KZ New Generation, 1 ATI Purple Plus and 1 UVL Super Actinic.
rtparty
Raise The Reef!
Go with the 6 bulb, you will be happier in the end that you did. You need to go with the 54w because that is 48" and your tank is 48". If you go with the shorter fixture you wouldn't be able to use the tank mounts.
Your bulb combo is perfect.
rtparty
Raise The Reef!
It might help but it might not. Corals need blue light to grow as well.
I would go with an ATI Aquablue and Blue Plus and look into another fixture with 4 bulbs.
rtparty
Raise The Reef!
Tell them to switch to ATI! LOL
You can use Geisemann if they are them most available. They aren't bad bulbs, there is just better out there in my opinion.
The equivalents are like this:
ATI Blue Plus Gmann Actinic Plus
ATI Aqaublue Gmann Aquablue
ATI Purple Plus Gmann AquaPink
skyshrimp
New member
Any particular order I should arange them from front to back
.OptimusPrime.
Member
Thanks for the help!
That Bulb combo is that front to back?
How many hours a day should I run the lights? All 6 for 8-10hrs?
Also, I may have missed it but I can't seem to find anywhere that states if the tek elites come with a built in timer or I would have to purchase separate? If seperate any recommendations?
Should I just buy a cheaper fixture (nova pro) with a built in timer and then just replace the bulbs?
Thanks again!
rtparty
Raise The Reef!
I would go with the Tek myself but 6 bulbs really isn't enough for 30" front to back. 8 bulbs is the minimum I would be looking at for coverage purposes.
Might be worth it go with a retro kit using ATI ballasts and LET reflectors. Ice Cap reflectors are good but there are better available for the same price.
rtparty
Raise The Reef!
Something like this
Blue
Purple
Blue
New Gen
Actinic
Blue
That would be a good start but you might need to play with the order a little bit.
rtparty
Raise The Reef!
No that is not front to back.
Blue
Purple
Blue
GE
Blue
Blue
Most people keep all 6 bulbs on for about 8 hours or so. It is up to you in the end. Just watch the corals.
DO NOT downgrade to a cheaper fixture. You will hate yourself forever when you can't keep certain corals.
Any standard timer will work to control the lights. I hate the built in timers that some fixtures come with. When that timer goes out (and it will go out) you are screwed.
goodtimes2
New member
Planning to switch to T5 lighting for a 5 feet long x 30 inches deep X 24 inch high euro brace tank that will mostly SPS . What is the current thought on the best light fixture , bulbs and how to set them up for the best color. Also how high off the water should the fixture be set. Lastly what is the expexted PAR at 12 and 18 inches down. Thanks
rtparty
Raise The Reef!
8x80w or even an 8x54w ATI Sunpower. If you have the money, the Powermodule is worth the extra cash.
Same 8 bulb combo that can be found in the last 10 pages:
5 ATI Blue Plus, 2 ATI Purple Plus and 1 GE 6500k.
Keep the fixture anywhere from 6-10" off the water surface and there is NO way to calculate PAR like that. Without a meter you are just shooting in the dark. The PAR could be anywhere from 100 - 500 depending on bulbs, fixture and other influences.
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