The T5 Q&a Thread

[The Grim Reefer]

If it is a 24" Sunpower then change the fans to 7.5V. That is where I have mine and that is where I get the correct temp. When I changed it to 9v it only dropped 1 degree and was much louder. Just my experience though.

My 24" Sunpower isn't bright at all. I am actually concerned that SPS won't like it much. I have the tank just running in the basement but I have some zoos and a cabbage coral directly under the bulbs and they are happy as can be. They aren't melting like others have reported.

Someone with a Powermodule went from 7.5 to 9 volts and is getting much better PAR retention than he did with the 7.5 setting. I would be shocked if the SunPower wouldn't have the same results.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

can anyone confirm that the sunpaq 16.5" pin2pin bulbs are discontinued? Everywhere I look, out of stock. Looked on current usa site only to find a 16 3/8" pin2pin...you think they replaced it with this one?

Dunno, they would be be called "18" lamps. Check out Nano Tuners, they have UVL 18 inch lamps on the way.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Curious, why does the fiji go in front of the Aquablue? I have a Tek 4 bulb setup and just got my fiji bulb to replace my Actinic White. I have the bulbs arranged like this for no reason:

blue+
Aquablue
Fiji
blue+

Thanks for the input...

(fyi.. I did read most of the posts so I could upgrade my bulbs and really tried not be another person to ask a question. :rollface

You want the light from the odd lamp (Fiji) front of center to make sure that light is striking the viewing side of your corals.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

hi grim,
first of all, thank you for your help on here!!!

i have a 6 light, 36", 39W T5 setup on my mixed reef tank. the tank came with 4 new bulbs (2 red sea max 10,000K and 2 RSM HO Actinic bulbs).

i would like to use this bulbs first but need to purchase 2 more bulbs to complete the 6.
which 2 additional bulbs would you recommend for this setup? 2 ATI blue +?

any particular arrangement?

also, where do you guys recommend purchasing your lights online as my LFS doesn't have a great inventory?

thank you!!!

Yeah, Blue Pluses. Put one at the front and one towards the rear. Other than that just get your dusk/dawn is a blue plus and actinic.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Thanks Grim and Rt. The light isn't overly bright, but plenty bright none the less. you are correct, if I drop my light down to the 6 inch range, the sps will be about 15 inches away. Should be enough? I have GSP, Frogspawn, Branching Hammer on the bottom and they are not fried. Nepthea at the edge on day two. It's fine too. I'm watching the birdsnest, digita and chalice higher on day one. Thanks guys.

I think it will be fine.

 

[rtparty]

Someone with a Powermodule went from 7.5 to 9 volts and is getting much better PAR retention than he did with the 7.5 setting. I would be shocked if the SunPower wouldn't have the same results.

It was kangym in his PAR readings thread. I posted in there about what I was getting temp wise at 7.5v.

In my mind it reasons that on a 4 foot fixture you would have to have higher fan speeds because there is more heat being produced. A short 2 foot fixture the air exits much quicker.

Just my thoughts.

PS - Do you think it would look terrible to move the GE to the back?

ATI Blue Plus
KZ Fiji Purple
ATI Blue Plus
GE 6500K

 

[The Grim Reefer]

It was kangym in his PAR readings thread. I posted in there about what I was getting temp wise at 7.5v.

In my mind it reasons that on a 4 foot fixture you would have to have higher fan speeds because there is more heat being produced. A short 2 foot fixture the air exits much quicker.

Just my thoughts.

PS - Do you think it would look terrible to move the GE to the back?

ATI Blue Plus
KZ Fiji Purple
ATI Blue Plus
GE 6500K

Yeah, the GE's light will reflect off the back, Try it and see but I think you will see what I mean. Maybe not.

 

[madmike]

Sunpower height

Sunpower height

So if finally got my 2 6x80 watt ATI sunpowers fired up over my 12 foot long tank and I am wondering at what height do you think I should set them. I was running 250 watt radiums on HQI ballasts on a 24" tall tank before and that is what the corals are used to. The current tank is only 20" tall. I am running 3 ATI blue plus, 2 aqua blue specials, and 1 KZ fiji in each fixture. The tank is mostly sps, lps, light loving anemones (carpet and a H.mag).

Thanks

 

[GT_Jacket]

Grim and company,

My 8 x 54w ATI PM should arrive today.

Question on bulb installation:

1) Does it matter which side (left/right or in relation to the exhause vents) the bulb brand label goes on?
2) does it matter whether the label if facing up towards the inside of the fixture or down towards the water?


Thanks,
Brett

 

[The Grim Reefer]

So if finally got my 2 6x80 watt ATI sunpowers fired up over my 12 foot long tank and I am wondering at what height do you think I should set them. I was running 250 watt radiums on HQI ballasts on a 24" tall tank before and that is what the corals are used to. The current tank is only 20" tall. I am running 3 ATI blue plus, 2 aqua blue specials, and 1 KZ fiji in each fixture. The tank is mostly sps, lps, light loving anemones (carpet and a H.mag).

Thanks

6 inches or so above the tank should be a good place to start.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Grim and company,

My 8 x 54w ATI PM should arrive today.

Question on bulb installation:

1) Does it matter which side (left/right or in relation to the exhause vents) the bulb brand label goes on?
2) does it matter whether the label if facing up towards the inside of the fixture or down towards the water?


Thanks,
Brett

There are vents between the reflector and end cap on one side, place the labels there, up or down doesn't matter.

 

[madmike]

Thanks grim!

 

[rxonco]

Ok...can someone help me out with a couple of recommendations on bulbs. I'm finally at the lighting phase for my new 90 gal tank. I'll be installing the a retro-fit 4x54watt with individual reflectors for now. My coral preference is going to be LPS, softies, and an occasional monti.

Question being:
What's going to be a good color combination?
Here's what's been recommended from my local club's site:
blue+
super actinic
aquablue
blue+

Will this be a little too blue. I want a bright tank yet be blue enough for colors pop out. Would I get too much wash out with a 10 or 12k in place of the aquablue?

 

[mudguard2005]

I am building a 125gl tank. 60x24x20 rimless. I currently have 36" (2xHQI with 4 PC).

Will there be benefits/advantage to move to T5? Advantage as in cost saving, cooler, etc.?
If so, which fixture, size and # of bulbs should I get? Thanks.

 

[rtparty]

Ok...can someone help me out with a couple of recommendations on bulbs. I'm finally at the lighting phase for my new 90 gal tank. I'll be installing the a retro-fit 4x54watt with individual reflectors for now. My coral preference is going to be LPS, softies, and an occasional monti.

Question being:
What's going to be a good color combination?
Here's what's been recommended from my local club's site:
blue+
super actinic
aquablue
blue+

Will this be a little too blue. I want a bright tank yet be blue enough for colors pop out. Would I get too much wash out with a 10 or 12k in place of the aquablue?

Blue Plus
KZ Fiji Purple
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus

Will be about a 14k look and really pop colors.

 

[MVlk]

Hello,

Hopefully this issue has not already been addressed. I have scanned back several pages and have not seen this question posed... I apologize in advance if it has.

I, like many NEP 20" owners, have been stuck with the limited 2 bulb choices from Current. Nano Tuners announced presale of new UVL bulbs that will work in this fixture. I have confirmed this via email and another owner had a chat with them. In anticipation of this wonderful new option, I am trying to figure out which bulbs to choose now that I have more than 2 choices. I would like something like the standard 6 bulb choices often repeated on this thread. I like a more blue look in the 14K-20k range. My tank is quickly becoming a SPS dominant tank, but of course want to balance color with growth. (In reality my SPS is doing pretty well on the stock bulbs"¦ but think I can do better and get a nicer color balance from new.) Probably more emphasis on color than growth if forced to choose.<o>></o>>
<o></o>
The new bulbs are 30w as seen below. This is compared to the Current bulbs which are 20w. Nano Tuners has stated there should be no issue in this difference running with the Current NEP original ballast. If anyone feels this is incorrect, please let me know.<o></o>
<o></o>
Below are the new UVL choices. In theory if deemed preferable, the Current 10K and Actinic bulbs could be in the mix as well. I am assuming the Current Actinic would not as I recall it tested very poorly in Par readings.
<o></o><o></o>
030w T5-R VHO - UVL 454 18"
030w T5-R VHO - UVL Actinic White 18"(12000K)
030w T5-R VHO - UVL Aquasun 18"
030w T5-R VHO - UVL Indigo Sun 18"
030w T5-R VHO - UVL Super Actinic 18"


Additional question while I am at it. What height would be recommended for this fixture.
<o></o>
Please let me know your recommendations. They are greatly appreciated! In thanks for this assistance and guidance I promise to post par reading of before and after if I can get hold of my club's meter.

I believe the other NEP 20" owners will benefit from this greatly as well. <o></o>

 

[kpg007]

Hi Grim;

I could use your opinion. I have a 48" - 55G tank and the 4 bulb T5 light (no name brand) on it is subpar. Corals are mainly SPS with a handful of LPS (Acans mostly). I'd like to add a clam to the bottom as well.

Question 1: Should I pick up a 4 bulb or 6 bulb Tek light hood?

I'm kind of leaning towards the 6 bulb myself.

Question 2: Assuming 6 bulb, how about this combo for looks and growth:

**Front**
Blue +
KZ Coral Light II (14K)
Blue + (or Actinic?)
KZ Fiji Purple
KZ Coral Light (10K)
Blue +

Thanks;
Kelly Grimm (another Grimm reefer!)

 

[smokey30]

$500 from the ole tax returns to spend on t5 lighting for my new 50 gallon build. The tank dimensions are are 36x18. What to buy? Any suggestions?

 

[yerboy]

Hey grim setting up a 48x36x24 190 gallon sps system with the 10 bulb powermodule. Any suggestions on bulb combinations?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I am building a 125gl tank. 60x24x20 rimless. I currently have 36" (2xHQI with 4 PC).

Will there be benefits/advantage to move to T5? Advantage as in cost saving, cooler, etc.?
If so, which fixture, size and # of bulbs should I get? Thanks.

I would use a 8x54 watt ATI Powermodule. You could have the fixture hanging 8 inches or so above the tank and still get plenty of PAR.