The T5 Q&a Thread

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I'm putting a 40g breeder together, planning on a seagrass/macro tank, with the emphasize on the plants and soft coral, but it's possible that I may have a few SPS colonies and a clam later on if it looks like nutrient levels will allow it.

I'm planning on a LET retrofit kit, the current plan is a six bulb, 24" fixture, and I will probably add an LED stunner strip to try and get some shimmer. Should I be looking at a 36" fixture instead?

Do you have bulb recommendations?
 
JByer323 said:
I'm putting a 40g breeder together, planning on a seagrass/macro tank, with the emphasize on the plants and soft coral, but it's possible that I may have a few SPS colonies and a clam later on if it looks like nutrient levels will allow it.

I'm planning on a LET retrofit kit, the current plan is a six bulb, 24" fixture, and I will probably add an LED stunner strip to try and get some shimmer. Should I be looking at a 36" fixture instead?

Do you have bulb recommendations?
Click to expand...


The 24" will be fine for your tank. If you keep SPS or a clam just place them under the bulbs on not a side. Make sure to get a couple fans to help cool things down.

For bulbs I would do something like 2 Blue Plus, 2 GE6500k, 1 ATI Aquablue and 1 ATI Purple Plus. It will be a nice white combo for the macro tank.
 
rtparty said:
The 24" will be fine for your tank. If you keep SPS or a clam just place them under the bulbs on not a side. Make sure to get a couple fans to help cool things down.

For bulbs I would do something like 2 Blue Plus, 2 GE6500k, 1 ATI Aquablue and 1 ATI Purple Plus. It will be a nice white combo for the macro tank.
Click to expand...

Thanks Ryan.
 
Its time for me to replace my lights on an Aquatinics 72 inch 7x2 bulb configuration fixture. I prefer a whitish blue look to the tank. Any suggestions?
 
vder said:
Its time for me to replace my lights on an Aquatinics 72 inch 7x2 bulb configuration fixture. I prefer a whitish blue look to the tank. Any suggestions?
Click to expand...

Blue Plus
GE 6500K Daylight
Blue Plus
Purple Plus
Blue Plus
GE 6500K Daylight
Blue Plus

Might have to tweak that to get a good dusk/dawn combo but it should look good.
 
How about this order for my 5 bulb set up: Any suggestions

Blue Plus
GE 6500K Daylight
Blue Plus
Purple Plus
New gen 14k

i have no clue im just going off other post with a 6 bulb/ 4 bulb combo
 
Hi, I purchased a 6x39w tek fixture for my frag tank a little while back and want to add some fans to it but I am not sure where to put them?
Should I get some pc fans and mount them on the fixture somehow or should I get a clip on fan and just point it at the fixture?
So I guess I am wondering if I should cut a couple of holes out ontop of the fixture and install pc fans or if I would just get a cheap clip on fan from like walgreens but if the clip on how should I point it?
Thanks in advance! You guys rock!

Edit: almost forgot, would it be worth while to remove the ballast from the fixture and mount them external? Basically make them remote ballasts instead of internal.
 
HighlandReef said:
Hi, I purchased a 6x39w tek fixture for my frag tank a little while back and want to add some fans to it but I am not sure where to put them?
Should I get some pc fans and mount them on the fixture somehow or should I get a clip on fan and just point it at the fixture?
So I guess I am wondering if I should cut a couple of holes out ontop of the fixture and install pc fans or if I would just get a cheap clip on fan from like walgreens but if the clip on how should I point it?
Thanks in advance! You guys rock!

Edit: almost forgot, would it be worth while to remove the ballast from the fixture and mount them external? Basically make them remote ballasts instead of internal.
Click to expand...

Clip on fan blowing against the center rear of the fixture. Make sure the air doesn't blow on the lamps. Having the fan a little higher than the fixture so it blows down over the top a little worked best.
 
I keep reading good things about the KZ New Gen. Where does it fit in the Blue Plus - Purple Plus - GE Daylight range?

Related to that, I have a mix of old and new bulbs in my 8-bulb ATI Powermodule. Current configuration is:

Blue Plus
Purple Plus
Blue Plus
GE 6500K Daylight
Blue Plus
Purple Plus
Actinic Plus
Blue Plus

I would like a whiter look and assume the best thing to do is swap out the Actinic for another Blue Plus and then one of the Purple Plus for another GE Daylight. Would that swing things too far in the other direction? And related to my first question, should I consider the KZ New gen in this mix or would it not make an improvement?
 
Texsun said:
I keep reading good things about the KZ New Gen. Where does it fit in the Blue Plus - Purple Plus - GE Daylight range?

Related to that, I have a mix of old and new bulbs in my 8-bulb ATI Powermodule. Current configuration is:

Blue Plus
Purple Plus
Blue Plus
GE 6500K Daylight
Blue Plus
Purple Plus
Actinic Plus
Blue Plus

I would like a whiter look and assume the best thing to do is swap out the Actinic for another Blue Plus and then one of the Purple Plus for another GE Daylight. Would that swing things too far in the other direction? And related to my first question, should I consider the KZ New gen in this mix or would it not make an improvement?
Click to expand...

New Gen is about half way between the Aquablue and Blue Plus. I think your initial idea is probably right on, Add a blue and swap a purple for a GE
 
Texsun said:
I keep reading good things about the KZ New Gen. Where does it fit in the Blue Plus - Purple Plus - GE Daylight range?

Related to that, I have a mix of old and new bulbs in my 8-bulb ATI Powermodule. Current configuration is:

Blue Plus
Purple Plus
Blue Plus
GE 6500K Daylight
Blue Plus
Purple Plus
Actinic Plus
Blue Plus

I would like a whiter look and assume the best thing to do is swap out the Actinic for another Blue Plus and then one of the Purple Plus for another GE Daylight. Would that swing things too far in the other direction? And related to my first question, should I consider the KZ New gen in this mix or would it not make an improvement?
Click to expand...

I run for my 8 Bulb PM
B+
P+
B+
GE6500
B+
KZ New Gen
B+
B+

I feel it has a 15K look. What did you think when you saw it?
 
How does the Aquablue special compare to the 6500k GE, par and color. Currently have the AB special but thinking about swapping for 6500 K.
 
New Tank not set up yet and still aquiring equipment. DT 24x24x17H 20G long sump. Plan on mixed reef, might in the future do a few sps but not too soon. I am confused on which fixture to get, from what I'm reading a 5 bulb T5 would be enough but not sure. Way too much too consider. Also not sure about wattage with how many bulbs? Please point me in the right direction, maybe a couple different fixtures, wattage, ect..
 
Schennj said:
How does the Aquablue special compare to the 6500k GE, par and color. Currently have the AB special but thinking about swapping for 6500 K.
Click to expand...

PAR is pretty close. The GE has quite a bit more green and yellow to it. There is not hint of blue at all with it.
 
RL321 said:
New Tank not set up yet and still aquiring equipment. DT 24x24x17H 20G long sump. Plan on mixed reef, might in the future do a few sps but not too soon. I am confused on which fixture to get, from what I'm reading a 5 bulb T5 would be enough but not sure. Way too much too consider. Also not sure about wattage with how many bulbs? Please point me in the right direction, maybe a couple different fixtures, wattage, ect..
Click to expand...

6 bulbs is the absolute minimum but I would want 8 for 24" front to back.

Aquatic Life, Tek and ATI should all work for 6 bulbs if I remember right.

ATI is one of the only companies that makes an 8 bulb fixture in the 24" length.
 
rtparty said:
6 bulbs is the absolute minimum but I would want 8 for 24" front to back.

Aquatic Life, Tek and ATI should all work for 6 bulbs if I remember right.

ATI is one of the only companies that makes an 8 bulb fixture in the 24" length.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the quick response, How would this fixture do (SunPower T5 High-Output Light Fixture
ATI 24" 6x24W SunPower - $399.95) Here is the tank:


DSC02687.jpg
 
RL321 said:
Thanks for the quick response, How would this fixture do (SunPower T5 High-Output Light Fixture
ATI 24" 6x24W SunPower - $399.95) Here is the tank:


DSC02687.jpg
Click to expand...

6 should work and I would definitely go with the ATI Sunpower.

Just raise the fixture up a little bit for more spread. Like keep the fixture 10 inches off the top of the tank.
 
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