The T5 Q&a Thread

[GSMguy]

4 ATI blue+
1 ATI purple+
1 GE 6500

 

[Fleur]

I was looking at Bulk Reef's website and they don't have the GE6500. Is there a good substitute for it? Or should I just buy from another retailer?

 

[GSMguy]

Reefgeek should have it.

 

[db1317]

Upgrading from an AquaticLife 4x54 fixture to a ATI Sunpower 6x54 fixture. I currently have the following bulbs in my AquaticLife(2 - blue+, 1 purple +, and 1 KZ new gen). They are only about 2 months old and was planning on using them in my new Sunpower fixture to help save a little money. I also have 2 barely used Geissman Midday and 2 ATI true actinics. It seems the recommendations from the thread have been 4blue+, 1purple+, and a GE6500. Could I use any combination of the bulbs I have, or should I purchase two more blue+ to use with what I have in my current fixture which would leave me with 4-blue+, 1-purple+, and 1-KZ new gen. Also, which order from front to back should I place the bulbs?

I'm concerned about bleaching with the upgrade...As far as light acclimation goes for my new fixture, I was thinking about having the fixture about 12-12.5" above the tank and starting off w/ 4 window screens, removing one weekly. Would there be a better way to acclimate my corals since I'm upgrading to a lot more light? Thanks for the help.

 

[stevedola]

I was looking at Bulk Reef's website and they don't have the GE6500. Is there a good substitute for it? Or should I just buy from another retailer?

the Geisemann midday is similar.

 

[alrha]

Any advantage to actinics in an 8bulb (48") dimmable sunpower? or will they not be noticeable among the other bulbs?

As a base I have 4x ATI Blue Plus.
Can play around with the other 4 bulbs.
Considering: 2x Super Actinic?, 1xPurple+ or Fiji Purple?, 1xGE6500 or 14k New Gen?

I am not impressed with the ATI Actinics I have now, cant notice any additional "pop" from them. Would consider trying the UVL Super Actinic or just scrap actinics alltogether.

 

[fredg89]

What do you all think about 3 Aquablue special 2 Blue+ and 1 Purple+

 

[M Woodhill]

This is a feedback and thanks thread to Mr. Grim Reefer.

I do love the color of ice white with tint of blue. Very cool combo.

I'd like to share again with those who r interested.

F--------->B

Blue+
6500k
Purple+
Blue+
Blue+
Blue+
6500k/5600k
Blue+

and these are pictures

 

[rtparty]

Any advantage to actinics in an 8bulb (48") dimmable sunpower? or will they not be noticeable among the other bulbs?

As a base I have 4x ATI Blue Plus.
Can play around with the other 4 bulbs.
Considering: 2x Super Actinic?, 1xPurple+ or Fiji Purple?, 1xGE6500 or 14k New Gen?

I am not impressed with the ATI Actinics I have now, cant notice any additional "pop" from them. Would consider trying the UVL Super Actinic or just scrap actinics alltogether.

Actinics are pointless outside of dusk/dawn. The UVL won't add anything more than the ATI.

The Blue Plus bulbs have a ton of actinic in them already.

For 8 bulbs I have found 5 ATI Blue Plus, 2 ATI Purple Plus and 1 GE 6500k is the best bet for most people.

 

[rtparty]

What do you all think about 3 Aquablue special 2 Blue+ and 1 Purple+

Extremely white with washed out colors. The Aquablue bulbs are bad. They are too harsh and wash a lot of color out.

For 6 bulbs go with 4 Blue Plus, 1 ATI Purple Plus and 1 GE 6500k.

 

[fredg89]

Ok, I was wondering because I like a more whiter look. The aquarium posted on this page looks a little bit too blue for me. I also thought the 6500k puts out a yellowish color.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

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

ATI 8 lamp 60 inch fixture would work fine for that

 

[The Grim Reefer]

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.

Front
Blue Plus
Purple Plus
Blue Plus
GE 6500K
Blue Plus

in each

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Any advantage to actinics in an 8bulb (48") dimmable sunpower? or will they not be noticeable among the other bulbs?

As a base I have 4x ATI Blue Plus.
Can play around with the other 4 bulbs.
Considering: 2x Super Actinic?, 1xPurple+ or Fiji Purple?, 1xGE6500 or 14k New Gen?

I am not impressed with the ATI Actinics I have now, cant notice any additional "pop" from them. Would consider trying the UVL Super Actinic or just scrap actinics alltogether.

I'd run 5 Blue Plus, 2 Purple Plus and a GE 6500K. You've seen what the actinics DON'T do.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

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

8 lamps. Teks aren't that powerful so as long as the softies are in the bottom they should be happy

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Upgrading from an AquaticLife 4x54 fixture to a ATI Sunpower 6x54 fixture. I currently have the following bulbs in my AquaticLife(2 - blue+, 1 purple +, and 1 KZ new gen). They are only about 2 months old and was planning on using them in my new Sunpower fixture to help save a little money. I also have 2 barely used Geissman Midday and 2 ATI true actinics. It seems the recommendations from the thread have been 4blue+, 1purple+, and a GE6500. Could I use any combination of the bulbs I have, or should I purchase two more blue+ to use with what I have in my current fixture which would leave me with 4-blue+, 1-purple+, and 1-KZ new gen. Also, which order from front to back should I place the bulbs?

I'm concerned about bleaching with the upgrade...As far as light acclimation goes for my new fixture, I was thinking about having the fixture about 12-12.5" above the tank and starting off w/ 4 window screens, removing one weekly. Would there be a better way to acclimate my corals since I'm upgrading to a lot more light? Thanks for the help.

Add 2 Actinics to what you have now.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Upgrading from an AquaticLife 4x54 fixture to a ATI Sunpower 6x54 fixture. I currently have the following bulbs in my AquaticLife(2 - blue+, 1 purple +, and 1 KZ new gen). They are only about 2 months old and was planning on using them in my new Sunpower fixture to help save a little money. I also have 2 barely used Geissman Midday and 2 ATI true actinics. It seems the recommendations from the thread have been 4blue+, 1purple+, and a GE6500. Could I use any combination of the bulbs I have, or should I purchase two more blue+ to use with what I have in my current fixture which would leave me with 4-blue+, 1-purple+, and 1-KZ new gen. Also, which order from front to back should I place the bulbs?

I'm concerned about bleaching with the upgrade...As far as light acclimation goes for my new fixture, I was thinking about having the fixture about 12-12.5" above the tank and starting off w/ 4 window screens, removing one weekly. Would there be a better way to acclimate my corals since I'm upgrading to a lot more light? Thanks for the help.

Add the 2 Actinics to what you have now.

 

[nutfluff]

Hi everyone. My tank is heading into it's fourth month and things are finally holding steady. I am currently suffering from the "you buy cheap, you buy twice" syndrom and my lights are next on my hit list. I am currently running 6 54W WavePoint T5's over my 75 gallon that is 21" Deep. Light fixture is 7" from the water line. I am using this fixture for 4 of the lights which are also Wave Points. 2 are the Blue Wave. 1 is the Sun Wave and 1 is the Coral Wave (purple). This is this fixture...

http://www.marinedepot.com/Wave_Poi...WavePoint_Technology-ZP01019-FILTRTRF-vi.html

And these are the bulbs...

http://www.wave-point.com/Lighting_folder/LampMain.html

The other two are also Blue Wave but running on a GLO Hagen fixture...

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0..._m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0QW5NF2C4JRSS94JX824

Not thrilled with the look or growth at the moment and would like to know your thoughts about upgrading to the recommended ATI Blue Plus, Purple Plus and 6500K.

I just plan on softies and LPS. Can I just upgrade the bulbs with these fixtures or need the ATI fixture? Or should I just stick with what I have?

Thanks in advance!

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hi everyone. My tank is heading into it's fourth month and things are finally holding steady. I am currently suffering from the "you buy cheap, you buy twice" syndrom and my lights are next on my hit list. I am currently running 6 54W WavePoint T5's over my 75 gallon that is 21" Deep. Light fixture is 7" from the water line. I am using this fixture for 4 of the lights which are also Wave Points. 2 are the Blue Wave. 1 is the Sun Wave and 1 is the Coral Wave (purple). This is this fixture...

http://www.marinedepot.com/Wave_Poi...WavePoint_Technology-ZP01019-FILTRTRF-vi.html

And these are the bulbs...

http://www.wave-point.com/Lighting_folder/LampMain.html

The other two are also Blue Wave but running on a GLO Hagen fixture...

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0..._m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0QW5NF2C4JRSS94JX824

Not thrilled with the look or growth at the moment and would like to know your thoughts about upgrading to the recommended ATI Blue Plus, Purple Plus and 6500K.

I just plan on softies and LPS. Can I just upgrade the bulbs with these fixtures or need the ATI fixture? Or should I just stick with what I have?

Thanks in advance!

You should be OK with that unit. Just get some good lamps. Add 4 Blue Plus to the Sun Wave and Purple wave.

 

[nutfluff]

Thanks alot Grim! Would you think that I can change all 4 at once or need to step them through? Also, what would your ideal positions be as well as light cycle? I can control the 2 and 4 fixture separately. Currently running the two blue from 7am-10am then all six until 7PM going back to 2 from 7PM-10PM...