The T5 Q&a Thread

Status
Not open for further replies.
LISound said:
Ive been searching and reading...what's the best way to fit a sunpower in an open top hood (canopy)? can't seem to find much info specific to that light. it's a 24" light going over a 30" long tank. so I will have air flow on either side and the open top.
Click to expand...

It's no thing as long as the canopy has a few inches on the side to vent the air out of the fixture and the top is open so the intake fan isn't blocked.
 
Grim,

I've noticed over the past couple years that my reds/pinks of my sps seem to have lost their previous pop. I'd like to make the plunge and try a couple T5 supplements to my 400W radium. I feel I may have oversaturated the corals by the 6 hrs of MH and always trying to keep the tank lit for a couple more hours in the evening for more viewing pleasure. The push to sometimes having the MH on for 8-9hrs may be a contributing factor. So, I've decided to try a few T5 bulbs for some 'viewing' light, but not the intense mid-day power of all 400W Radium.

Any suggestions on bulb mix to make some reds/pinks pop, but not lose my blues and purples?
 
Aquablues(12k) and actinic lighting

Aquablues(12k) and actinic lighting

I have a question about the bulbs I have. I've been thinking about taking out my aquablues and putting in my spare blue pluses I have. Only thing that is stopping me from doing this is that ive read that the more blue the slower the growth. My current combo is this.

Front to back:
Ati Aqua blue
Ati Blue plus
Wave point Actinic blue
Kz Fiji purple
Ati Blue plus
Ati aquablue

I wan to remove the aqua blues and put in the blue pluses I have but will this slow my growth rates on my corals. The blue pluses are supposed to put out just as much par as a aqua blue bulb from the charts I've seen. Also I know actinics are pleasing to the eye but is this helping my growth in anyway. I don't wanna change bulk and my growth drops off drasticly. Help me out here folks.
 
The Grim Reefer said:
4 blue plus 1 purple plus and depending on personal taste a KZ new gen for a more 20K blue look or a GE 6500K for a more 15K look
Click to expand...

Hi All (and Grim, would love your thoughts),
I have a 65 gallon Red Sea Max mixed reef with 6 T5s a few inches above the water (covered tank). Many of my corals are a bit washed out / browned (SPS and LPS). I've noticed corals slightly shaded have better color in many cases. Are my lights too strong / close? Should I consider only running 4 bulbs, just changing the bulbs I'm using, or perhaps it doesn't have much to do with the light? I'm using (front to back):
ATI Blue Plus
ATI AquaBlue Special
ATI Purple Plus
ATI AquaBlue Special
ATI Blue Plus
ATI AquaBlue Special

From reading here, I may be overdoing it on the AquaBlue Special. I think I'll try 4 Blue Plus going forward, 1 Purple Plus, and not sure on the third bulb. Grim mentions KZ New Gen (14k) or GE 6500k, and I was considering sticking with AquaBlue Special as well. What differences might I expect in look (less blue with the GE?), coral color, and growth between those three? The KZ bulb looks pretty similar to the AquaBlue Special?

Considering most of my SPS is near the back of the tank and LPS and softies more towards the front, what bulb layout should I use?

I'm also interested in skyshrimp's question - will more Blue Plus slow growth? Although personally I'm more concerned with color and health than growth (most are decent size already!). Thanks so much for your thoughts,
--Kyle
 
kyley said:
Hi All (and Grim, would love your thoughts),
I have a 65 gallon Red Sea Max mixed reef with 6 T5s a few inches above the water (covered tank). Many of my corals are a bit washed out / browned (SPS and LPS). I've noticed corals slightly shaded have better color in many cases. Are my lights too strong / close? Should I consider only running 4 bulbs, just changing the bulbs I'm using, or perhaps it doesn't have much to do with the light? I'm using (front to back):
ATI Blue Plus
ATI AquaBlue Special
ATI Purple Plus
ATI AquaBlue Special
ATI Blue Plus
ATI AquaBlue Special

From reading here, I may be overdoing it on the AquaBlue Special. I think I'll try 4 Blue Plus going forward, 1 Purple Plus, and not sure on the third bulb. Grim mentions KZ New Gen (14k) or GE 6500k, and I was considering sticking with AquaBlue Special as well. What differences might I expect in look (less blue with the GE?), coral color, and growth between those three? The KZ bulb looks pretty similar to the AquaBlue Special?

Considering most of my SPS is near the back of the tank and LPS and softies more towards the front, what bulb layout should I use?

I'm also interested in skyshrimp's question - will more Blue Plus slow growth? Although personally I'm more concerned with color and health than growth (most are decent size already!). Thanks so much for your thoughts,
--Kyle
Click to expand...

If you were to add the GE 6,500K your tank would defnatly pick up a slightly more yellow look compared to the way it looks now. If you started with this from scratch you would not notice the added yellow but with a sudden change it will probably be noticable to you. The other thing is that GE 6,500K bulb wil give you a nticable increase in the growth rate of the corals.

As I look at the data I will agree with you that the KZ is simular to the Aqua Blue with the exception that the KZ special has a little more kick in the reds. This kick in the reds would help if you have loads of red corals that you want to accent. You could also Use a purple plus here that gives a nice peak in both the red and blue range.

Personlay I would think that your combination of Blues and Aqua would make the tank look almost too blue for my personal taste. I'd consider adding a simply 10,000K bulb to whiten things up slightly without getting the yellowish tint. Then I'd also swich at least one of the Aqua Blues with a Purple to pop the reds a little.

Keep in mind though that color is very subjective. For what I consider ideal Johnny might call too blue and Jack could call not blue enough.
 
DeathWish302 said:
Grim,

I've noticed over the past couple years that my reds/pinks of my sps seem to have lost their previous pop. I'd like to make the plunge and try a couple T5 supplements to my 400W radium. I feel I may have oversaturated the corals by the 6 hrs of MH and always trying to keep the tank lit for a couple more hours in the evening for more viewing pleasure. The push to sometimes having the MH on for 8-9hrs may be a contributing factor. So, I've decided to try a few T5 bulbs for some 'viewing' light, but not the intense mid-day power of all 400W Radium.

Any suggestions on bulb mix to make some reds/pinks pop, but not lose my blues and purples?
Click to expand...

One ATi Blue Plus and one ATI Purple Plus is where I would start.
 
skyshrimp said:
I have a question about the bulbs I have. I've been thinking about taking out my aquablues and putting in my spare blue pluses I have. Only thing that is stopping me from doing this is that ive read that the more blue the slower the growth. My current combo is this.

Front to back:
Ati Aqua blue
Ati Blue plus
Wave point Actinic blue
Kz Fiji purple
Ati Blue plus
Ati aquablue

I wan to remove the aqua blues and put in the blue pluses I have but will this slow my growth rates on my corals. The blue pluses are supposed to put out just as much par as a aqua blue bulb from the charts I've seen. Also I know actinics are pleasing to the eye but is this helping my growth in anyway. I don't wanna change bulk and my growth drops off drasticly. Help me out here folks.
Click to expand...

Growth won't drop off when using Blue Plus bulbs. The whole notion that 6500k light grows corals better than a 20k bulb is false. Advanced Aquarist actually did a study and found that 20k bulbs grew some coral the fastest. The only corals in the wild that get hit with a 6500k light are very shallow reefs. The overwhelming majority of reefs are found between 30-90 feet below water.

This means that in the wild our corals are getting hit with only blue light. I would opt to go with 4 ATI Blue Plus, 1 ATI Purple Plus and 1 GE6500k.
 
kyley said:
Hi All (and Grim, would love your thoughts),
I have a 65 gallon Red Sea Max mixed reef with 6 T5s a few inches above the water (covered tank). Many of my corals are a bit washed out / browned (SPS and LPS). I've noticed corals slightly shaded have better color in many cases. Are my lights too strong / close? Should I consider only running 4 bulbs, just changing the bulbs I'm using, or perhaps it doesn't have much to do with the light? I'm using (front to back):
ATI Blue Plus
ATI AquaBlue Special
ATI Purple Plus
ATI AquaBlue Special
ATI Blue Plus
ATI AquaBlue Special

From reading here, I may be overdoing it on the AquaBlue Special. I think I'll try 4 Blue Plus going forward, 1 Purple Plus, and not sure on the third bulb. Grim mentions KZ New Gen (14k) or GE 6500k, and I was considering sticking with AquaBlue Special as well. What differences might I expect in look (less blue with the GE?), coral color, and growth between those three? The KZ bulb looks pretty similar to the AquaBlue Special?

Considering most of my SPS is near the back of the tank and LPS and softies more towards the front, what bulb layout should I use?

I'm also interested in skyshrimp's question - will more Blue Plus slow growth? Although personally I'm more concerned with color and health than growth (most are decent size already!). Thanks so much for your thoughts,
--Kyle
Click to expand...

Your colors are lacking because of the Aquablue bulbs. They are white as can be and wash out colors.

Your thoughts are right on. Go with 4 ATI Blue Plus, 1 ATI Purple Plus and 1 GE6500k or KZ New Generation. I like the GE myself because it brings in some yellows and greens that are missed elsewhere. My favorite 6 bulb combo is 4 Blue Plus and 2 Purple Plus however.

Turn down your photoperiod if your corals are getting too much light.
 
BfishLpond78 said:
I have a 36 gal bow front, 30' wide, would i be able to have a mixed reef using this fixture below or is this too much light? Would like to have LPS, SPS and Clams...

http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5...r_T5_High-Output_Fixture_w!_Controller_by_ATI

Any bulb recommendations are welcomed as well.
Click to expand...

I think a 6 bulb fixture is too wide for your tank. I would go with the standard 4x24w ATI Sunpower.

That will be able to provide you enough light for anything you want.

For 4 bulbs:
2 ATI BLue Plus, 1 ATI Purple Plus and 1 KZ New Generation

For 6:
4 ATI Blue Plus, 1 GE 6500k and 1 ATI Purple Plus
 
Thank you very much for the response.

I kept getting mixed answers if a 4 bulb would let me keep anything. But i've learned it has to do with PAR, reflectors and quality of bulbs as well. I'm glad I can go with a 4 bulb fixture.

Thanks for the bulb recommendation.
 
T5 Bulb Selection

T5 Bulb Selection

Hey Grim, I have a 60x24x28 tank with a 8x80w ATI Powermodule. I am looking to improve the pop in the color and am looking for some recommendations. The top of my tank is SPS dominated tank with LPS in middle to bottom. If I don't go with a GE 6500 will I be sacrificing growth on my SPS? I am thinking of something like this for a setup.

Front
1 - ATI Blue Plus
2 - UVL Actinic white
3 - ATI Blue plus
4 - ?
5 - ATI Aquablue Spezial
6 - Blue Plus
7 - UVL Actinic white
8 - ATI Blue Plus

I am wondering if I should put another Blue Plus, Aquablue or maybe a ATI Purple Plus in the 4 slot, or if this looks like a good setup at all? Not sure of the PAR on the purple plus or if I would be losing too much growth? I currently use a GE 6500 in the four spot but am looking for better color. I have never used the UVL Actinic White but have been reading a lot of posts from Grim recommending them so I am thinking of giving them a try. Thanks for the help
 
For dawn/dusk setup on the TEK 6 bulb, I had Blue + in slot 1 and 6, it was way too blue for my taste, I replaced the Blue + in slot 1 with a Purple +. My bulb order is now
Purp +
Blue +
New Gen
B+
New Gen
B+

Would this be the ideal setup for the lamps that I have? Should I replace the P+ with a New Gen?
Thanks
 
Bill Shea said:
Hey Grim, I have a 60x24x28 tank with a 8x80w ATI Powermodule. I am looking to improve the pop in the color and am looking for some recommendations. The top of my tank is SPS dominated tank with LPS in middle to bottom. If I don't go with a GE 6500 will I be sacrificing growth on my SPS? I am thinking of something like this for a setup.

Front
1 - ATI Blue Plus
2 - UVL Actinic white
3 - ATI Blue plus
4 - ?
5 - ATI Aquablue Spezial
6 - Blue Plus
7 - UVL Actinic white
8 - ATI Blue Plus

I am wondering if I should put another Blue Plus, Aquablue or maybe a ATI Purple Plus in the 4 slot, or if this looks like a good setup at all? Not sure of the PAR on the purple plus or if I would be losing too much growth? I currently use a GE 6500 in the four spot but am looking for better color. I have never used the UVL Actinic White but have been reading a lot of posts from Grim recommending them so I am thinking of giving them a try. Thanks for the help
Click to expand...

Not Grim here but Ill say from my experience I'd go with a Purple Plus in that 4th position. This should bring your reds out lot better yet not give you a yellowish tint.
 
Hi guys....I believe that you get what you pay for but I want to double check with the experts...looking for new set up for a 40 gal breeder so the debate is either the

36 inch 6x39W Sunlight Supply Tek Light

or

ATI 36 Inch 6x39W SunPower T5 (for 200.00 more)

Is it that much of a difference?...with the difference I can buy the ATI bulbs and have money left......by the way the project is for an All SPS tank...so I need to be able to put corals on the bottom and on top....thanks guys...Grim thanks for all the help too
 
Hi,

I am building a 36"x36"x18"deep tank with an overflow on the back wall in the center. It will be an mixed reef tank, I am looking at an ATI sunpower 36" 8-bulb would this be enough light? The reef structure would be no wider then 30" And what would be a good bulb mix?

THXs
 
rtparty said:
Your thoughts are right on. Go with 4 ATI Blue Plus, 1 ATI Purple Plus and 1 GE6500k or KZ New Generation. I like the GE myself because it brings in some yellows and greens that are missed elsewhere. My favorite 6 bulb combo is 4 Blue Plus and 2 Purple Plus however.

Turn down your photoperiod if your corals are getting too much light.
Click to expand...

Dennis, Ryan, thanks for your help. I run my lights 9 hours per day - too much?

What order should I put the lights in considering the SPS are towards the back (should the KZ New Gen or GE 6500k be over them?) and LPS/softies more towards the front? Something like this (front to back)?
Blue Plus
Blue Plus
Purple Plus
KZ New Gen or GE 6500k
Blue Plus
Blue Plus

Or maybe:
Blue Plus
Blue Plus
Purple Plus
Blue Plus
KZ New Gen or GE 6500k
Blue Plus

Or maybe:
Blue Plus
Purple Plus
Blue Plus
Blue Plus
KZ New Gen or GE 6500k
Blue Plus

Or?? Thoughts? Thanks,
--Kyle
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

AZBigJohn
New Build... I'm back
2
Replies
23
Views
607
griss
griss
A
Fleece filter bypass problems (Innovitech X filter)
Replies
1
Views
71
Vinny Kreyling
Vinny Kreyling
griss
  • Sticky
Sources for Metal Halide Bulbs, Ballasts & Fixture
Replies
13
Views
979
oreo57
oreo57
T
Octo Various 10 Pump
Replies
1
Views
95
Tanksanyway
T
M
ATO Problem in JBJ NanoCube 24g
Replies
0
Views
127
MNtadpole
M
Back
Top