The T5 Q&a Thread

[smokey30]

Ok that sounds good, cause paying $600 for a 36" Ati light and bulbs is a little over the lighting budget for this tank. So would keeping it 12" over the tank give me enough par to keep sps and any other corals I may want to put in the tank?

 

[Whattup32526]

Thanks grim, for the time being, what 4 bulb combo should i use and how far off the water do they need to be ? I want good color and growth as it is a propagation tank

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Ok that sounds good, cause paying $600 for a 36" Ati light and bulbs is a little over the lighting budget for this tank. So would keeping it 12" over the tank give me enough par to keep sps and any other corals I may want to put in the tank?

Thing is with a 36" fixture you can move to a bigger tank should the mood strike down the road. Either will work though.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Thanks grim, for the time being, what 4 bulb combo should i use and how far off the water do they need to be ? I want good color and growth as it is a propagation tank

with the IC ballast at least 6 inches up.

 

[asonitez]

Grim,
I got my 14 Bulb Constellation tonight with the following bulbs that were purchased in December


ATI 39w Actinic Purple Maybe FIJI
Aquascience Blue
ATI 39w Aqua Blue Plus
Aquascience Blue
ATI 39w Aqua Blue Plus
Aquascience Blue
ATI 39w Actinic Purple Maybe FIJI


Your Reccomended Bulb Configuration is

ATI 39w Aqua Blue Plus
UVL Actinic White
ATI 39w Aqua Blue Plus
UVL 75/25
ATI 39w Aqua Blue Plus
GE 6500K Daylight
ATI 39w Aqua Blue Plus




I want growth and Eye Popping colors when the Actinics are on. My Fixture is resting directly on my 125 Gallon Standard tank and I plan to raise it up about 4" or more off of the top rim. I am keeping SPS, LPS, and some Softies. What is your suggestion. The person I got this from apparently loved the blue look. I more like the look of 14K Phoenix bulbs.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Grim,
I got my 14 Bulb Constellation tonight with the following bulbs that were purchased in December


ATI 39w Actinic Purple Maybe FIJI
Aquascience Blue
ATI 39w Aqua Blue Plus
Aquascience Blue
ATI 39w Aqua Blue Plus
Aquascience Blue
ATI 39w Actinic Purple Maybe FIJI


Your Reccomended Bulb Configuration is

ATI 39w Aqua Blue Plus
UVL Actinic White
ATI 39w Aqua Blue Plus
UVL 75/25
ATI 39w Aqua Blue Plus
GE 6500K Daylight
ATI 39w Aqua Blue Plus




I want growth and Eye Popping colors when the Actinics are on. My Fixture is resting directly on my 125 Gallon Standard tank and I plan to raise it up about 4" or more off of the top rim. I am keeping SPS, LPS, and some Softies. What is your suggestion. The person I got this from apparently loved the blue look. I more like the look of 14K Phoenix bulbs.

Just to reiterate my reco is for BLUE Plus lamps, Not AQUABLUE Plus. The mix I PMed you will be about what you are looking for.

 

[smokey30]

Has anyone seen or have any input on the new Tek Light Elite I am considering this as a cheaper alternative to the ATI Sunpower for my 50 gallon. It would be the 6x39 version

 

[nugget]

T5 lighting scedule

T5 lighting scedule

Grim,

Been a lurker for quite some time, thank you for your advice.

Need help with my lighting schedule - would like to keep a BTA in my 67 gallon:

Tank is 48 x 18 x 18
ATI 4 bulb fixture
2 ATI Blue +
1 ATI Aquablue
1 UVL Actinic White

What do you suggest as the first 2 bulbs to go on, and how long before the second set of bulbs go on. I have heard a few differing opinions as to the dawn/dusk schedule, and how long to keep all 4 bulbs on. Would love help from the master. thanks!

 

[CBehr]

Hot hot can T5 bulbs get before they start to become damaged? I put a couple smaller fans on one end of my hanging 48" retro kit. They are blowing on the ends that have the labels and that end remains cool, however the opposite end still gets pretty hot. They are about at the point where I can't hold my finger on them. Should I get one of those thermo guns and check it out?

 

[rtparty]

Has anyone seen or have any input on the new Tek Light Elite I am considering this as a cheaper alternative to the ATI Sunpower for my 50 gallon. It would be the 6x39 version

There is no release date on them and very little info. Getting one is taking a gamble IMO. It could be a big reward or a total loss. They keep pushing the release date back.

The one thing I do know, is that they are using Workhorse ballasts in them and that is a MAJOR downside. Workhorse ballasts are not made for T5 and can ruin the bulbs faster.

By the time you have paid for the Tek Elite you are are within a Sunpower range. The Sunpower might be like $30 more.

 

[pura vida mi]

Should be good

Grim, supplier shipped a UVL 75/25 vs. Actinic White. Is there a big difference in these 2 bulbs?

So set up is the following:
48" 6x54watt #1 blue+, #2 blue+, #3 UVL 75/25, #4 GE6500, #5 blue+, #6 blue+

24" 2x24watt #1 blue+, #2 UVL 75/25.

Again, only bulb that was off your suggestion is the 75/25 48" - Actinic White was your suggestion.

Thanks in advance.

 

[guilloryreef]

Hi Grim,

I've got a 240 gallon tank (8'X2'X2') that is currently running 2 rows of the following bulbs overdriven by 3 Icecap 660s:
front to back:

New Generation 14000K
ATI Blues +
ATI Blues +
Fiji Purple
ATI Blues +
ATI Blues +


I've been running this combination of bulbs for 1.5 years and really like the color and have really good growth on my mixed reef. I am getting a new canopy made and want to add 4 more T5's but don't know which bulbs to add. Can you help me out with that?

Many thanks for your insight on this thread! :beer: It is where I got the combo above.

 

[roscozman]

Grim,

Looking for the best place to place fans in my canopy. Below is a pic where you can see the previous owner has cutouts for fan placement. These cutouts are in the back of the canopy. Is this the best place to put a couple of fans?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Has anyone seen or have any input on the new Tek Light Elite I am considering this as a cheaper alternative to the ATI Sunpower for my 50 gallon. It would be the 6x39 version

Not yet

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Grim,

Been a lurker for quite some time, thank you for your advice.

Need help with my lighting schedule - would like to keep a BTA in my 67 gallon:

Tank is 48 x 18 x 18
ATI 4 bulb fixture
2 ATI Blue +
1 ATI Aquablue
1 UVL Actinic White

What do you suggest as the first 2 bulbs to go on, and how long before the second set of bulbs go on. I have heard a few differing opinions as to the dawn/dusk schedule, and how long to keep all 4 bulbs on. Would love help from the master. thanks!

just an example would be DD on at 10am they mains on at 11 or 12 then back off at say 8 or 9pm and the DD off at 9 or 10PM.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hot hot can T5 bulbs get before they start to become damaged? I put a couple smaller fans on one end of my hanging 48" retro kit. They are blowing on the ends that have the labels and that end remains cool, however the opposite end still gets pretty hot. They are about at the point where I can't hold my finger on them. Should I get one of those thermo guns and check it out?

As long as you keep the label end cooled it shouldn't be an issue. If they aren't overdriven they shouldn't get hot enough to get damaged anyway. You just wont get optimum output.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Grim, supplier shipped a UVL 75/25 vs. Actinic White. Is there a big difference in these 2 bulbs?

So set up is the following:
48" 6x54watt #1 blue+, #2 blue+, #3 UVL 75/25, #4 GE6500, #5 blue+, #6 blue+

24" 2x24watt #1 blue+, #2 UVL 75/25.

Again, only bulb that was off your suggestion is the 75/25 48" - Actinic White was your suggestion.

Thanks in advance.

Not a huge difference other than PAR and less red. 75/25 will probably be fine.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hi Grim,

I've got a 240 gallon tank (8'X2'X2') that is currently running 2 rows of the following bulbs overdriven by 3 Icecap 660s:
front to back:

New Generation 14000K
ATI Blues +
ATI Blues +
Fiji Purple
ATI Blues +
ATI Blues +


I've been running this combination of bulbs for 1.5 years and really like the color and have really good growth on my mixed reef. I am getting a new canopy made and want to add 4 more T5's but don't know which bulbs to add. Can you help me out with that?

Many thanks for your insight on this thread! :beer: It is where I got the combo above.

I would add a row of GE 6500K Daylights new the center and perhaps another row of New Generations if you like them. That should make a drastic change in the overall look you have now, just tweak it so greens and yellows brighten up.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Grim,

Looking for the best place to place fans in my canopy. Below is a pic where you can see the previous owner has cutouts for fan placement. These cutouts are in the back of the canopy. Is this the best place to put a couple of fans?

Back good, where they have them in the back BAD.

Install your lamps so the label ends are at the center and mount a couple fans there so they blast the lamp ends.

 

[guilloryreef]

I would add a row of GE 6500K Daylights new the center and perhaps another row of New Generations if you like them. That should make a drastic change in the overall look you have now, just tweak it so greens and yellows brighten up.

Thanks again!!!