The T5 Q&a Thread

[The Grim Reefer]

I ordered a 24" tek fixture for my 17g (24"x12"x14") and was wondering how high I should raise the light so I don't cook my corals? I'm going with this bulb combo that you recommended:
blue plus
aquablue
fiji purple
blue plus

6 inches or so above the tank

 

[Stripe01]

6 inches or so above the tank

I was thinking about canceling the tek and switching it with the 24" sundial (which you previously mentioned) fixture to save some money. Will the sundial handle all types of SPS with the bulb set up I mentioned before?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I was thinking about canceling the tek and switching it with the 24" sundial (which you previously mentioned) fixture to save some money. Will the sundial handle all types of SPS with the bulb set up I mentioned before?

SHould be fine

 

[Tank2379]

Alright I just went with these bulbs for SPS in my 72 Bow Front I have the NEP fixture

Front to Back
Blue Plus
Aqua Blue Special
Blue Plus
KZ Fiji Purple
Blue Plus
Aqua Blue Special

Let me have your input Grim if this will work mostly SPS on top some on bottom but mostly LPS and Zoa on Bottom, will this give me good growth with color? let me know what ya think?

Thanks
Frankie.

 

[Bud's Reef]

I'm sure this has been asked and answered before but I don't see it within the last few pages. What is the recommended life of T5s that are not being overdriven? I assume the useful life varies by manufacturer and bulb, but looking for a working average.

 

[jnc914]

Grim- I am starting a new tank and going back from a FOWLR to a Reef. I have a 200G Deep Dimension tank (48x36x27) and am running an 8-bulb Tek Light. I intend on keeping SPS near the top, LPS middle and bottom, softies and Zoa near the bottom, and somewhere down the road a clam or two. What's your suggestions?

 

[rtparty]

I'm sure this has been asked and answered before but I don't see it within the last few pages. What is the recommended life of T5s that are not being overdriven? I assume the useful life varies by manufacturer and bulb, but looking for a working average.

If they are properly cooled, one year for a mixed tank. 9-10 months for a full blown SPS tank.

Not cooled, I would assume 6-7 months.

 

[rtparty]

Grim- I am starting a new tank and going back from a FOWLR to a Reef. I have a 200G Deep Dimension tank (48x36x27) and am running an 8-bulb Tek Light. I intend on keeping SPS near the top, LPS middle and bottom, softies and Zoa near the bottom, and somewhere down the road a clam or two. What's your suggestions?

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

May need to tweak the positions for dusk/dawn

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Alright I just went with these bulbs for SPS in my 72 Bow Front I have the NEP fixture

Front to Back
Blue Plus
Aqua Blue Special
Blue Plus
KZ Fiji Purple
Blue Plus
Aqua Blue Special

Let me have your input Grim if this will work mostly SPS on top some on bottom but mostly LPS and Zoa on Bottom, will this give me good growth with color? let me know what ya think?

Thanks
Frankie.

Bout as good as you can get on that fixture so if they were doing fine before they will do good now.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I'm sure this has been asked and answered before but I don't see it within the last few pages. What is the recommended life of T5s that are not being overdriven? I assume the useful life varies by manufacturer and bulb, but looking for a working average.

10 to 18 months but in most cases 1 year.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Grim- I am starting a new tank and going back from a FOWLR to a Reef. I have a 200G Deep Dimension tank (48x36x27) and am running an 8-bulb Tek Light. I intend on keeping SPS near the top, LPS middle and bottom, softies and Zoa near the bottom, and somewhere down the road a clam or two. What's your suggestions?

A lot more light. You could keep SPS near the top directly below the fixture. As far as lamps 5 ATI Blue Plus, 2 GE 6500K Daylights and 1 UVL Actinic white is what I would use.

 

[Bud's Reef]

If they are properly cooled, one year for a mixed tank. 9-10 months for a full blown SPS tank.

Not cooled, I would assume 6-7 months.

10 to 18 months but in most cases 1 year.

Thanks guys! It looks like it is time to get new ones.

 

[jnc914]

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

May need to tweak the positions for dusk/dawn

A lot more light. You could keep SPS near the top directly below the fixture. As far as lamps 5 ATI Blue Plus, 2 GE 6500K Daylights and 1 UVL Actinic white is what I would use.

Thanks guys. I may need to forgo some of my SPS plans. I don't want to have to go back to MHs, too pricey at this point.
Grim- How many more bulbs would you do for the DD tanks (36" depth x 27" height)?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Thanks guys. I may need to forgo some of my SPS plans. I don't want to have to go back to MHs, too pricey at this point.
Grim- How many more bulbs would you do for the DD tanks (36" depth x 27" height)?

12 rows of lamps over that tank.

 

[reefsic]

Hi Grim,

One question for you...

I've been running an 8x54w Catalina Aquarium Solar Fixture running a mix of ATI, KZ, & UVL bulbs for the past year and its been doing pretty well. I believe its powered by a pair of Advance Ballasts. Colors are awesome, PE is great & growth is slow but consistent.

I have been contemplating upgrading my Fixture to either a TEK 8 bulb, Constellation 7 bulb or an ATI 6 bulb; if so, is it work the time/money/effort and how drastic will the results be (i.e. color, intensity, growth, etc.)?

Cheers
Ray

 

[bayarea49]

Hey grim. Have a 6 bulb tek wit
2 giesman 10k
3 giesman actinic +
and 1 ati procolor

I posted earlier but forgot to post the bulbs I have already. I want growth and color!

what bulbs should I replace to get the 14k pheonix mh look with a purple/pinkish heavy tint? Thanks!

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hi Grim,

One question for you...

I've been running an 8x54w Catalina Aquarium Solar Fixture running a mix of ATI, KZ, & UVL bulbs for the past year and its been doing pretty well. I believe its powered by a pair of Advance Ballasts. Colors are awesome, PE is great & growth is slow but consistent.

I have been contemplating upgrading my Fixture to either a TEK 8 bulb, Constellation 7 bulb or an ATI 6 bulb; if so, is it work the time/money/effort and how drastic will the results be (i.e. color, intensity, growth, etc.)?

Cheers
Ray

Any of those listed would be a upgrade to be sure. I'd say 20 percent up to maybe 0 for the ATI

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hey grim. Have a 6 bulb tek wit
2 giesman 10k
3 giesman actinic +
and 1 ati procolor

what bulbs should I replace to get the 14k pheonix mh look with a purple/pinkish look? Thanks!

3 Blue Plus, 2 ATI Aquablue and 1 UVL Actinic White.

 

[bayarea49]

sweet! Thanks! Who makes the blue plus? And will that combo make a pinkish purple look?

3 Blue Plus, 2 ATI Aquablue and 1 UVL Actinic White.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

sweet! Thanks! Who makes the blue plus? And will that combo make a pinkish purple look?

ATI and yes you will see purplish tint. It will be minor but adding a second reddish lamp will be overkill unless you want a VHO pink look.