The T5 Q&a Thread

[The Grim Reefer]

Sunpower will do fine. 4 Blue PLus, 1 Purple Plus and 1 GE 6500K would be where I would start.

GE in the middle, and the purple plus towards but not in the front.

 

[garygb]

Thank you Ryan. Good to know the info. about bulb length. I'm not sure when or where or exactly what I read about bulb length and output. I'm considering a new tank, but not certain of the length yet. Either a 24 or 36 inch will be the likely fixture, and my plan is an ATI Sunpower.

 

[rogergolf66]

If the fixture is the one I am thinking, I would think it is close to a Current USA fixture or a Catalina fixture. That means you are almost 50% behind an ATI. The couple Catalina fixtures I have seen were hitting around 100 PAR at 24". An ATI can be well over 300 PAR at the same distance. I have seen some hit in the 400s even.

As far as the actinic goes, a TON more light. Most actinics are 2-3x behind a good blue bulb. The ATI Blue Plus is the highest PAR bulb on the market right now and when tested by Grim was in the 320 range if I remember correctly. The highest actinic was the UVL actinic at like 150 PAR.

Ok so update on solar xtream with those bulbs been running 18 different sps from low light caps and birdsnest, sunset monties to med light coral and high light sps. The low light stuff started bleaching because the lights I'm guessing. I put the corals all mid level and hight bassed on recommendations from this thread. It seems that the solar xtream with this combo is stronger then first thought. I just thought I would post this for others. I will update every now and then.

Roger

 

[FSU3NOLES28]

So I had everything all set to get a 120g and run 8x54 Tek lights. Well I did some more measuring and I don't think I can cut the extra 6 inches on the 120 so I'm going to have to stick with the 90. :-/

Is a 8x54 Tek too big for a 90? I planned to put a canopy on the top for looks.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

So I had everything all set to get a 120g and run 8x54 Tek lights. Well I did some more measuring and I don't think I can cut the extra 6 inches on the 120 so I'm going to have to stick with the 90. :-/

Is a 8x54 Tek too big for a 90? I planned to put a canopy on the top for looks.

6 lamps would be fine over that tank. If you already have the fixture I think you'll play hell squeezing it into a canopy.

 

[FSU3NOLES28]

6 lamps would be fine over that tank. If you already have the fixture I think you'll play hell squeezing it into a canopy.

Was afraid you were going to say that.

 

[skiwez]

265 gallon Softie and LPS lighting options?

265 gallon Softie and LPS lighting options?

Hi,

I'm currently in the planning stages of upgrading to a 265 gallon 7X24X2.5 and am wondering what would be ideal lighting for a LPS and softy dominated tank?

Was thinking of 6 X 36 inch bulbs doubled up end to end for a total of 12 bullbs? Will that be enough light? There is no plan of adding clams or SPS anytime in the near future.

Thanks,
Skiwez

 

[ibmgeek]

Hey guys, trying to help my uncle with his bulb choices, but have been out of the hobby for a while. Any suggestions for 2 Aquactinics 36" 39Wx5 fixture? Did some searching through the thread but most common sizes seem to be 4 or 6 bulb combos. Any help appreciated, thank you.

 

[RattlerSkin]

Grim-

I just set up my 60G tank which is 48x16x15 and I have an ATI SunPower 6x54 fixture. I intend on keeping my current LPS/NPS and eventually adding an anemone and clams, with the possibility of SPS at a later date. Based on your prior recommendations, the fixture is currently set up as (minus one blue plus, as I havent purchased it yet):

FRONT
Blue Plus
Purple Plus
Blue Plus
GE 6500K
Blue Plus
Aquablue (To be replaced by Blue Plus, but I havent gotten it yet)

It is a little too white for me right now, so I was wondering what you thought about this:

FRONT
Blue Plus
Purple Plus
Blue Plus
Aquablue
Actinic
Blue Plus

What do you think? I want the extra pop from the actinic, and since I need to get a new bulb anyway, I figured I could get the extra blue and the color gains in one bulb. The GE 6500k is replaced by the Aquablue, which covers nearly the identical color spectrum, so I lose some of the white, gain blue and dont lose my full spectrum bulb.

 

[rtparty]

Grim-

I just set up my 60G tank which is 48x16x15 and I have an ATI SunPower 6x54 fixture. I intend on keeping my current LPS/NPS and eventually adding an anemone and clams, with the possibility of SPS at a later date. Based on your prior recommendations, the fixture is currently set up as (minus one blue plus, as I havent purchased it yet):

FRONT
Blue Plus
Purple Plus
Blue Plus
GE 6500K
Blue Plus
Aquablue (To be replaced by Blue Plus, but I havent gotten it yet)

It is a little too white for me right now, so I was wondering what you thought about this:

FRONT
Blue Plus
Purple Plus
Blue Plus
Aquablue
Actinic
Blue Plus

What do you think? I want the extra pop from the actinic, and since I need to get a new bulb anyway, I figured I could get the extra blue and the color gains in one bulb. The GE 6500k is replaced by the Aquablue, which covers nearly the identical color spectrum, so I lose some of the white, gain blue and dont lose my full spectrum bulb.

The actinic is pointless. You will not see the pop when all bulbs are on.

The aquablue bulbs just wash out your color and that is why the GE is recommended. It adds in a more natural element better color.

Switching the Aquablue for a Blue Plus should get you to where you want.

 

[rtparty]

Hey guys, trying to help my uncle with his bulb choices, but have been out of the hobby for a while. Any suggestions for 2 Aquactinics 36" 39Wx5 fixture? Did some searching through the thread but most common sizes seem to be 4 or 6 bulb combos. Any help appreciated, thank you.

So 10 bulbs?

6 ATI Blue Plus, 2 ATI Purple Plus and 2 GE6500k. Grab an extra Blue Plus or two to play with.

 

[reef rider]

Hey Grim, I'm running a 30 gal, 30x12x18.5 mixed reef (lps,sps), with a Aquaticlife, 4 bulb, 24", T5 fixture. Built in timers, dusk to dawn. What would you suggest for bulb replacements to benifit my corals. Getting ready to puchase now. Thanks!

 

[TropTrea]

Grim,

Currently I'm having a custom 90g rimless 48Hx24Dx18H reef tank by Reef Savvy made, and it will be a mixed reef with the more SPS and and a nice amount of lps on the bottom other coral mixed in. I'm undecided which fixture and lighting combination to go with. After hours of reading I've decided to run with the ATI 48" fixture, but not sure if I should run with the 6 or 8 bulb setup. Also, I'm undecided between the dimmable, Sunpower or Powermodule. From my reading, it seems that the Sunpower would be the best bang for the buck. As for the lighting, UVL lighting suggested I use 3 454 and 3 Indigo Sun. ReekGeek suggested I use 4 ATI Blue Plus, 1 ATI Aquablue, and 1 ATI Purple Plus. Considering I like it blue but not to blue were everything looks blurry, I wanted your expertise if these options are good. Picking bulbs suck!

Please advise

Overall I like Reefgeeks susestion. However you have some choice considering you like things Blue. The Aqua Blue will give you the most blue with the other bulbs they suggest. Hoiwever you can up your PAR rating on a meter by either substituting thae Aqua Blue Special with either any full spectrum light. I'd use a 10,000K or 12,000K to keep the bluish tint. But you can also use the 6,500K bulb which will nuetralize even more of the blue but give you an even higher PAR reading per the meter.

 

[rtparty]

Overall I like Reefgeeks susestion. However you have some choice considering you like things Blue. The Aqua Blue will give you the most blue with the other bulbs they suggest. Hoiwever you can up your PAR rating on a meter by either substituting thae Aqua Blue Special with either any full spectrum light. I'd use a 10,000K or 12,000K to keep the bluish tint. But you can also use the 6,500K bulb which will nuetralize even more of the blue but give you an even higher PAR reading per the meter.

Ummm, the Aquablue bulb is a full spectrum bulb that resides in the 10-12k range.

 

[rtparty]

Hey Grim, I'm running a 30 gal, 30x12x18.5 mixed reef (lps,sps), with a Aquaticlife, 4 bulb, 24", T5 fixture. Built in timers, dusk to dawn. What would you suggest for bulb replacements to benifit my corals. Getting ready to puchase now. Thanks!

2 ATI Blue Plus, 1 ATI Purple Plus and 1 KZ New Generation.

 

[TropTrea]

So I had everything all set to get a 120g and run 8x54 Tek lights. Well I did some more measuring and I don't think I can cut the extra 6 inches on the 120 so I'm going to have to stick with the 90. :-/

Is a 8x54 Tek too big for a 90? I planned to put a canopy on the top for looks.

I'm running a Tek 8 bulb fixture on my 120 gallon. The only thing is if you build your own canopy You need to build it around the fixture like I did. And also line up some holes in the side of the fixture with the fans. for air flow. Comercial canopies will probably be too tight of a fit.

Your holes for the air flow can be eaisly covered with a speaker grill so they look neat from the outside. I think one of the biggest drawbacks with canopies is that they reduce too much of the air flow for T-5 lighting.

 

[reef rider]

Thanks Ryan. Could you tell me placement, for my dawn to dusk timer, and the look these bulbs will produce. I also have blue LED's. Right now, bulbs that came with fixture are 2 blue actinic and 2 10k. The 10k are on for 10 hr., blue actinic for 12hr, then blue LED. Im not familiar with the KZ New Generation bulb, or where to purchase them. Appreciate the help.

 

[Froggy]

I posted a new thread and then realized this would probably be the best spot for the question.

I am changing my lighting to all T5 on my standard 120 mixed reef. My self debate is whether I should go with a 6 or 8 bulb Tek fixture over the 120. I have a mixed reef with SPS, LPS, and softies. I do not want to fry the LPS and softies but want enough punch for the SPS. Thus, my self debate :hammer:

What do you think?

Here is my new thread I started with a bit more info.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2090599

 

[dixiedog]

THREE BLUE PLUS and a 65k??

THREE BLUE PLUS and a 65k??

Anyone seen this combo??

 

[Fleur]

I am new and have a 75 gallon tank. I just bought a used 6 bulb tek fixture and have no idea what bulbs are currently in it. I would like to replace them but, am not sure what to get. I have live rock, some fish, and a few soft corals. On one of my pieces of live rock I had some gps pop up, at least that is what it looks like but, it doesn't seem to be growing. It actually seems to be shrinking since I put the new fixture on the tank. I think it is too bright. What bulbs would you suggest I purchase? Thanks for you guidance!