The T5 Q&a Thread

[The Grim Reefer]

Hey Grim,
You seem to be the foremost expert on T5 lighting here on RC so I've got a question for you. I'm in the process of setting up a 90 gallon system. I have an 8 bulb, individual reflector T5 setup that seems to be a TEK knock off. The tank is a standard 90, 24" tall. I am hoping to have clams in the tank and was wondering, in your opinion, if the fixture would be adequate for them? I am hoping to build an arch and have them attach on various parts of it, from the bottom of the tank to the top of the arch. I plan on the arch being around 18" tall. Thanks in advance for you time.
Shane

Probably be OK if it is a Sunlight Supply fixture. If it is that cheap Ebay crap I don't know that I would trust it for clams.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

grim i just ordered an 4x24 ATI sunpower to go over a 17gal rimless sps build and was wondering what lamp choices you would recomend to color the tank a nice blue, somewhat like sonnys rimless reef. i was looking at doing
front
Giesemann actinic plus 22k
KZ coral light 14k
KZ fiji purple
ATI blue plus
-thanks

That would be fine although I doubt you will see any difference between the blue plus and actinic plus. They are both nice blue lamps.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I am in the process of putting up another tank and was going to move the light off my 75 onto it. It is a coralife 2-150 watt hqi with powercompacts and I just can't get the color I want from any bulb combo I try. The 75 is mixed tank sps,monti's and a few chalice. I was leaning to a tek light but with adding on the splash shield, legs, etc. it takes the $$ more than the "boss":sad2: wants me to spend. The next light on the list was the Nova Extreme Pro, I know it does not have true individual reflectors and that I will want to change out the bulbs fairly quick but it does have active cooling which should help out with PAR and lifespan of the bulbs and ballast correct ????

Tom

Forget the splash shield on the Tek, it kills the output. Just do it with the legs.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

What about the new Tek lights that are coming out with the active cooling? If you ran ATI bulbs in the 8 bulb tek would that be sufficient? Or do I pretty much have to use halides?

Without having used the new Tek I couldn't say if it would work or not. ATI has better reflectors so I will be surprised if the Tek will match it but you never know. At this point I would say Powermodule or Halides.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Been running this combination for about a year and coming up on a bulb change. SPS Dominated 120 (24 inches depth) Any new spin on this combo for growth and color? Fixtue is a Tek 8x54

ATI Blue Plus
UVL 75/25
GE 6500K
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Actinic White
ATI Blue Plus
UVL 75/25
ATI Blue Plus

I might pull the rear 75/25 for another Blue Plus if it were mine but the combo looks good to me.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Looking for a 12k-14k look using 6x T5's I have two icecaps that will run the 6 bulbs, one icecap will run 4 for about 10 hours and the other icecap will run two bulbs for 12 hours with a hour headstart on the main bulbs..

What do you say about this list in this order in placement grim?

Front
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Atinic White
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aqua Blue
ATI Aqua Blue
Back

Please update the list above with what you'd think is best for placement as well as to get that 12k-14k look.. I'd really like to house lps and sps aswell as clams as I'm a clam junky! the tank is a 90 gallon with a depth of about 24-1/2 inchs...

Thanks for your time and wisdom! :rollface::fun4:

Front
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Atinic White
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aqua Blue
ATI Blue Plus
Back

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I have a ATI powermodule 6 bulb over a 40g breeder that is manly SPS, what bulb combination should i use I LIKE BLUE,

Try 5 ATI Blue Plus and a UVL Actinic White. Grab an ATI Aquablue to try in case you think 5 Blue Plus is too much blue.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Best recommendation for a palythoa and zoa only tank

fixture is 4x24w T5

Looking for a combo that will bring out the best colors in the corals.

2 ATI Blue Plus, 1 ATI Aquablue, 1 UVL Actinic WHite

 

[DetroitCrow]

Front
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Atinic White
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aqua Blue
ATI Blue Plus
Back

Thank you so much grim... So you like that setup and layout for a 12k-14k look? (Your da lighting man!)

BTW - my LFS told me that I can't do sps only running T5's I must goto MH to have sps's?!?!?

 

[dustinc]

Cracked the top of my tank today. I just bought a 6x24 ATI Sunpower fixture, so I don't want to have to buy a new light, but don't want the same tank either as it is a 20" cube. How deep front to back would be the deepest you would go for sufficient coverage front to back for SPS? Thanks

 

[mifangongzhu]

Hello, I am new to the sight. The president of my local club suggested that I talk to "The Grim Reefer" about lighting. I am getting ready to replace all my T5s, I have an 8 bulb fixture on each of my reef tanks. I was wondering if there is any pattern I should use when I put the bulbs in if I go with what was suggested earlier in this thread: 4 ATI Blue Plus, 1 ATI Aquablue, 2 UVL Actinic White and a GE 6500K Daylight. I have a lot of zoos, mushrooms, a big dendro, and rics. Thank you for your advice.

 

[tonyespinoza]

Hey Grim - Any suggestions for what T5's to run over a chaeto fuge?

 

[fliynhi]

?

?

Probably be OK if it is a Sunlight Supply fixture. If it is that cheap Ebay crap I don't know that I would trust it for clams.

Thanks Grim. It is the Sunlight fixture, I just wasn't sure how well known it was so I didn't mention it by name. I appreciate your time answering my question and will probably follow your advice for UWUALineman as far as bulb selection goes.

 

[boostat4500]

Thank you Grim! You suggested 3 ATI Blue Plus, 1 UVL Actinic White, 1 GE 6500K Daylight and 1 ATI Aquablue for my 75G. What order would you recommend? I have 3 switches for spots 1-2, 3-4, and 5-6. It's 2 separate fixtures if your wondering about the split.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Thank you so much grim... So you like that setup and layout for a 12k-14k look? (Your da lighting man!)

BTW - my LFS told me that I can't do sps only running T5's I must goto MH to have sps's?!?!?

I think I'd fine a new LFS, Based on the facts at hand I would say they are full of crap.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Cracked the top of my tank today. I just bought a 6x24 ATI Sunpower fixture, so I don't want to have to buy a new light, but don't want the same tank either as it is a 20" cube. How deep front to back would be the deepest you would go for sufficient coverage front to back for SPS? Thanks

24" if you are careful where you place the high light critters.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hello, I am new to the sight. The president of my local club suggested that I talk to "The Grim Reefer" about lighting. I am getting ready to replace all my T5s, I have an 8 bulb fixture on each of my reef tanks. I was wondering if there is any pattern I should use when I put the bulbs in if I go with what was suggested earlier in this thread: 4 ATI Blue Plus, 1 ATI Aquablue, 2 UVL Actinic White and a GE 6500K Daylight. I have a lot of zoos, mushrooms, a big dendro, and rics. Thank you for your advice.

Blue lamp front and rear with the Actinic white front of center and the GE rear of center with a blue lamp separating them

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hey Grim - Any suggestions for what T5's to run over a chaeto fuge?

GE 6500K Daylights

 

[DetroitCrow]

I think I'd fine a new LFS, Based on the facts at hand I would say they are full of crap.

I thought you've posted a few time in this thread about being able to have sps's under T5's...

Thanks as always... you need to get paid for this info

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Thank you Grim! You suggested 3 ATI Blue Plus, 1 UVL Actinic White, 1 GE 6500K Daylight and 1 ATI Aquablue for my 75G. What order would you recommend? I have 3 switches for spots 1-2, 3-4, and 5-6. It's 2 separate fixtures if your wondering about the split.

Blue Plus
Actinic WHite
Blue Plus
GE
Aquablue
Blue Plus