The T5 Q&a Thread

[The Grim Reefer]

Hi Grim, If i want to reuse 48" 2x 250 DE Phoenix HQI, what 2 T5 would go well w/ this combo? Probably more color pop with additional PAR.

Thanks in advance

ATI Blue Plus in front and KZ Fiji Purple behind

 

[mudguard2005]

Thanks

 

[t00lfan]

t5 lighting

t5 lighting

Hi grim...reading your replies looks as if your the person who could help. I have a Nova Extreme 4 X 39 HO 36inch on my 30L. Sits 4 inches above waterline. Have mainly SPS and LPS with a few softies and a clam. Bulbs back to front Geismann super actinic, GE 6500K, ATI Blue Plus, ATI 12000K Aquablue Special. Had 12 hour photo period but cut down to 8 due to lack of color and growth of coral and coralline. Parameters are good. I was told 8 hour photoperiod which seems to help the bleaching look of some acros, as well as lack of coralline growth in lighted areas...What should be my photo period and the most efficient bulb order? (4got to note just recently switched to these bulbs...was running 2 10000k slimpaq and 2 slimpaq actinic. Better bulbs should help my problem)

 

[mlb75]

Yoccm,

Trust me the ATI Grim has recommended will work great, I recently put one over my 180 and have LPS doing great at the very ends of the tank and even a couple lower light SPS down near the substrate. The only thing I'd consider would be going to the 10 bulb model since you've got the room (assuming 30" depth and 26 height). I must say I was a little anxious going with the fixture (I was running 400watt MH) but now I wish I'd made the jump long ago.

BTW thanks again Grim for the sound advice on both the fixture and bulb combo. The only thing I did different was I added a GE 3K in the middle.

Mike

The IC LED's Look good but don't depend on them for additional PAR. The Constellation isn't going to get a ton of light to the sand over that tall of a tank. I would be worried about clams on the bottom with that fixture.

Thanks Grim - the tank will be built into the corner of the wall with one of the sides showing as well as the front. I was a little worried that the 60" might not show enough light on the end that is showing.

Do you think the aquatinics constellation 72" 14 bulb would work or is that not enough light?

Also was wondering what you thought about the IceCap LED Lunar lights - I was thinking of putting some on the sides of my fixture to get some moonlight effect?

 

[asonitez]

Yoccm,

Trust me the ATI Grim has recommended will work great, I recently put one over my 180 and have LPS doing great at the very ends of the tank and even a couple lower light SPS down near the substrate. The only thing I'd consider would be going to the 10 bulb model since you've got the room (assuming 30" depth and 26 height). I must say I was a little anxious going with the fixture (I was running 400watt MH) but now I wish I'd made the jump long ago.

BTW thanks again Grim for the sound advice on both the fixture and bulb combo. The only thing I did different was I added a GE 3K in the middle.

Mike

What did the GE 3K do for you mike?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hi grim...reading your replies looks as if your the person who could help. I have a Nova Extreme 4 X 39 HO 36inch on my 30L. Sits 4 inches above waterline. Have mainly SPS and LPS with a few softies and a clam. Bulbs back to front Geismann super actinic, GE 6500K, ATI Blue Plus, ATI 12000K Aquablue Special. Had 12 hour photo period but cut down to 8 due to lack of color and growth of coral and coralline. Parameters are good. I was told 8 hour photoperiod which seems to help the bleaching look of some acros, as well as lack of coralline growth in lighted areas...What should be my photo period and the most efficient bulb order? (4got to note just recently switched to these bulbs...was running 2 10000k slimpaq and 2 slimpaq actinic. Better bulbs should help my problem)

Run the Actinic and Blue Plus about 10 hours and add the other 2 in for about 5 hours and see what happens.

 

[Stripe01]

I'm looking for a decent T5 fixture that would work good over a tank with these dimensions:
(24in X 12in X 14in)
I'm not looking to spend over $450 if possible.

 

[rond310]

just finished a DIY canopy and have 4 T-5's ready to go I was going to use ATI Blue Plus for bulbs 1 and 4 to go on first and shut off last (dawn and dusk), bulb 2 is a Actinic White and bulb 3 is 6500K. Approximately what color will this come out to and does the arraingment sound good to you guys. I also have cooling fans on both ends but do I need them on both ends or should I just change that so they only are cooling the label end.

Thanks,

 

[rtparty]

I'm looking for a decent T5 fixture that would work good over a tank with these dimensions:
(24in X 12in X 14in)
I'm not looking to spend over $450 if possible.

a 4x24W ATI Sunpower would be sweet. They run like $410 with bulbs.

A Current USA fixture would work well over that tank also. With the tank being so shallow you don't need a big old fixture. You could just need to change out the bulbs on it.

 

[rtparty]

just finished a DIY canopy and have 4 T-5's ready to go I was going to use ATI Blue Plus for bulbs 1 and 4 to go on first and shut off last (dawn and dusk), bulb 2 is a Actinic White and bulb 3 is 6500K. Approximately what color will this come out to and does the arraingment sound good to you guys. I also have cooling fans on both ends but do I need them on both ends or should I just change that so they only are cooling the label end.

Thanks,

On my 4 bulb ATI Sunpower I run the following bulbs.

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

It is like a 12k look to me. Way too white but I have LED's coming in to hopefully make it a tad bluer. In the meantime I may switch out the GE for an ATI Aquablue to give me more of a 14k look.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I'm looking for a decent T5 fixture that would work good over a tank with these dimensions:
(24in X 12in X 14in)
I'm not looking to spend over $450 if possible.

Check out the current sundial. You should be able to get it and new lamps (stock ones suck) in your budget, Id get 2 ATI Blue Plus, ATI Aquablue and a KZ Fiji Purple.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

a 4x24W ATI Sunpower would be sweet. They run like $410 with bulbs.

A Current USA fixture would work well over that tank also. With the tank being so shallow you don't need a big old fixture. You could just need to change out the bulbs on it.

The ATI would be great, if he wanted to cook up some seafood gumbo :lolspin:

 

[The Grim Reefer]

On my 4 bulb ATI Sunpower I run the following bulbs.

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

It is like a 12k look to me. Way too white but I have LED's coming in to hopefully make it a tad bluer. In the meantime I may switch out the GE for an ATI Aquablue to give me more of a 14k look.

Might consider a Giesemann Aquablue, it's has a slightly less blue look, depends exactly what you are looking for.

 

[rtparty]

The ATI would be great, if he wanted to cook up some seafood gumbo :lolspin:

You can always run an actinic......or 4!:spin2:

 

[Rhegium]

75 Gallon 48 Inch Tank

75 Gallon 48 Inch Tank

Hi Grim, you seem to be the expert on this so thanks in advance. To be honest so much out there, I just am confused and looking for extra advice.

Tank is 20 inches deep and have had it for 3 years. Used to have a ton of corals, had a crash about over a year ago and have just rebuilt the system.

Currently, I have 125 pounds of live rock with sump and refugium going on a reverse lighting system with macro algae and 5 fish.

Looking to add some SPS and LPS as well as a clam (definately a yellow leather and some zoos). Can you recommend a fixture and what bulbs to use for this.

Been looking at the Nova Extreme Pro 6 bulb system. Can you recommend something better? Also will T5s, work in this type of setup, I really don't want to go to metal halide with a chiller.

Thanks again

 

[rond310]

Thanks Rparty. I actually like the whiter look when all the lights are on so I will see what I get when I turn these bulbs on and then make my adjustments from there.

Also, what photoperiod do you suggest. I was thinking blue plus goes on at 11am off at 10pm and the other two lights on at 1pm off at 8pm. Does this sound right.

 

[t00lfan]

Thanks grim I will try that.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hi Grim, you seem to be the expert on this so thanks in advance. To be honest so much out there, I just am confused and looking for extra advice.

Tank is 20 inches deep and have had it for 3 years. Used to have a ton of corals, had a crash about over a year ago and have just rebuilt the system.

Currently, I have 125 pounds of live rock with sump and refugium going on a reverse lighting system with macro algae and 5 fish.

Looking to add some SPS and LPS as well as a clam (definately a yellow leather and some zoos). Can you recommend a fixture and what bulbs to use for this.

Been looking at the Nova Extreme Pro 6 bulb system. Can you recommend something better? Also will T5s, work in this type of setup, I really don't want to go to metal halide with a chiller.

Thanks again

For a clam I would honestly go with the 6 lamp ATI Sunpower. A Tek would let you keep a clam on the rocks but that aint right. Do it right. I wouldn't try it with the Nova.

For lamps
Front
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Actinic White
ATI Blue Plus
GE 6500K Daylight
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Blue Plus

Your clam will thank you.

 

[bucman727]

Hey grim, I have a 6x80 watt t-5 fixture on my aga 125. i want to keep a mixed reef mostly lps and some sps. I want to change out the lights that came with fixture to giesmanns. what would you recommend for bulbs? Switches are 1,2,4 and 3,5,6. Thanks in advance.

 

[rtparty]

Hey grim, I have a 6x80 watt t-5 fixture on my aga 125. i want to keep a mixed reef mostly lps and some sps. I want to change out the lights that came with fixture to giesmanns. what would you recommend for bulbs? Switches are 1,2,4 and 3,5,6. Thanks in advance.

If all you can get is Gmann then I would try 3 Actinic Plus, 1 actinic, 1 Midday and 1 Aqua Flora.