The T5 Q&a Thread

[biecacka]

quick question, i have a 72 inch fixture with 4 36inch 96wt pc bulbs and 3 250wt MH. im thinking of switching the pc bulbs out for T5. how hard would this be and what wattage would be similar to output and length of my current set up. i have a softy lps tank
thanks
corey

 

[The Grim Reefer]

It is an HO fixture. What order should those bulbs be put in the fixture?

Blue in front and whichever other slot is paired with it for the Dusk/dawn, other than that just don't place the purple lamp first or last and it wont matter.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Upgrading to a 120 in a few months... 6x54 tek or 8x54 tek?

If i get the 6x54 can i add a strip of reefbrite LEDs or similar?

I plan on using a canopy, keeping lps, maybe a little sps, and maybe a few softies. Just want something that will give me good growth and great color.

Thanks in advance.

Run a fan over the top of the fixture and it will help with output. Just have it blowing in from the rear. I'd do 8x54 for sure.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

quick question, i have a 72 inch fixture with 4 36inch 96wt pc bulbs and 3 250wt MH. im thinking of switching the pc bulbs out for T5. how hard would this be and what wattage would be similar to output and length of my current set up. i have a softy lps tank
thanks
corey

You'd have to run 36inch T5's side by side, 39 watt lamps.

 

[nanoreef16g]

Blue in front and whichever other slot is paired with it for the Dusk/dawn, other than that just don't place the purple lamp first or last and it wont matter.

Thank you sir!

 

[FSU3NOLES28]

Run a fan over the top of the fixture and it will help with output. Just have it blowing in from the rear. I'd do 8x54 for sure.

Thank you!

 

[FSU3NOLES28]

Run a fan over the top of the fixture and it will help with output. Just have it blowing in from the rear. I'd do 8x54 for sure.

Pretty dumb question for most id assume but what benefits do i gain by running a 8x54 fixture over a 6x54?

 

[DrBegalke]

I am sure this has been asked/answered elsewhere...

Which bulbs do you recommend for a 72", 12 bulb fixture?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Pretty dumb question for most id assume but what benefits do i gain by running a 8x54 fixture over a 6x54?

You're right



I KILL ME!!!


Because of the 24 inches front to rear. 6 lamps wont provided enough light spread to cover it very well.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I am sure this has been asked/answered elsewhere...

Which bulbs do you recommend for a 72", 12 bulb fixture?

X2 for a 6 lamp fixture. 4 Blue Plus 1 Purple Plus and a GE 6500K

 

[biecacka]

39wt bulbs will be enough??
thats sweet!
good ballast?

 

[FSU3NOLES28]

You're right



I KILL ME!!!


Because of the 24 inches front to rear. 6 lamps wont provided enough light spread to cover it very well.

Figured that was the case.

Thanks again.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

39wt bulbs will be enough??
thats sweet!
good ballast?

Yeah but your gonna want like 3 rows at least, 2 in front and 1 behind the halides so you're talking 6 lamps. Reefgeek probably has triad ballasts.

 

[TropTrea]

Eh, Call me crazy but I'll defer to the opinion of the guy who did the experiments and has published works until someone with better qualifications makes a case against his findings. It isn't like I shied away from recommending lamps with red output after reading this article. I always suspected they didn't do much for growth considering their use in horticulture but I didn't figure they would limit growth but unless someone is using nothing but red lamps I don't supect you'd see a difference in growth with or without them.

But also note his closing statement that only one coral was used and that considerable different results could be possible with different corals.

This brings me my next upgrade on bulbs that I'll be doing in the next few weeks. Presently my thoughts are going like this.

front
Atinic 4200 <dawns to dusk>
Blue Plus <mid day>
Blue Plus < Dawn to Dusk>
Purple Plus <mid day>
Blue Plus <Dawn to Dusk>
Aqua Blue Special <mid day>
Atinic 420 <Dawn to Dusk>
Bbue Plus <Mid day>

I'm hoping to get a very deep blue effect in the Dawn to Dusk period, while getting a spectrum a bit bluer than the standard 14,000K but nowwhere as blue as the 20,000K on the mid day period. I will also be switching to 4 1 watt 450 nm moon lights on the 120 gallon tank. Note Ill be using all ATI bulbs.

I'd like your comments on what you like or dislike with this set up and why?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

But also note his closing statement that only one coral was used and that considerable different results could be possible with different corals.

This brings me my next upgrade on bulbs that I'll be doing in the next few weeks. Presently my thoughts are going like this.

front
Atinic 4200 <dawns to dusk>
Blue Plus <mid day>
Blue Plus < Dawn to Dusk>
Purple Plus <mid day>
Blue Plus <Dawn to Dusk>
Aqua Blue Special <mid day>
Atinic 420 <Dawn to Dusk>
Bbue Plus <Mid day>

I'm hoping to get a very deep blue effect in the Dawn to Dusk period, while getting a spectrum a bit bluer than the standard 14,000K but nowwhere as blue as the 20,000K on the mid day period. I will also be switching to 4 1 watt 450 nm moon lights on the 120 gallon tank. Note Ill be using all ATI bulbs.

I'd like your comments on what you like or dislike with this set up and why?

Mix of lamps is probably OK but I'd move the Purple Plus and Aquablue each one slot forward in your daylight set so you get the aquablue spectrum shining on the viewing side of all your corals. I'd even consider placing the purple plus in your dusk/dawn set to see what you think, I love the look it gives. Try it with 2 blue plus and a actinic and 2 actinics and a blue to see what you think. It's not for everyone but it reminds me of a sunset at the beach.

 

[biecacka]

The fixture only has 2 rows. One on each side of MH. I'm not replacing those just swapping out the pc bulbs for T5

 

[Lhewie]

what corals can i keep with a 4-bulb t5 fixture?

i have 2 ati blue+ , 1 ati purple, 1 KZ new generation bulb.

 

[rtparty]

what corals can i keep with a 4-bulb t5 fixture?

i have 2 ati blue+ , 1 ati purple, 1 KZ new generation bulb.

What size tank and what fixture?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

The fixture only has 2 rows. One on each side of MH. I'm not replacing those just swapping out the pc bulbs for T5

Not sure 2 rows of T5' will be enough. They are 5/8th wide so you'd have room for more, or should have.

 

[Lhewie]

What size tank and what fixture?

AquaticLife T5 HO and Lunar Light Fixtures 48" Fixture