The T5 Q&a Thread

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Hello grim thank you for you services.

I have read lots of valuable info on this thread but this time i need advice strait from the source.

I have been keeping coral for 3 yrs in my 60 gal long 48lx12wx24h. The last year i decided to go sps and i built a fixture that allowed me to get 6 bulbs in my 12 wide space. 4 aquactinc slr's, and a 2 bulb slr from a 2 bulb current extreme fixture. 2 4 "coral vue fans to cool them. I know its a frankenfixture but i think it works too well.

To the point i am pretty positive i have had strait A's on my test results(parims) for the last yr and nothing but bleached corals and sps with stn. Some sps have been alive bleached and growing for a year now. Corals in the shade seem to do much better and display much deeper colors.

I am not even saying it is the lighting for sure that is the root of all my issues But it will help to know if i am over doing for my size tank. Plus the more in the light my corals are the faster they seem to wither.


I am running now

ati blue+
ABS
blue+
75.25
blue+
blue +

I have tried a few other combos and bulbs with the same results just little variations in the coral colors i had left, but no change in the pale bleached out look they have.

So just wondering what you or anyone else thinks i should have over my tank?. How many bulbs and what combo is the best for almost all sps and a maxima clam?(who seems to do well on the sand right now)

thank you
brandon
 
Bluephish13 said:
Hello grim thank you for you services.

I have read lots of valuable info on this thread but this time i need advice strait from the source.

I have been keeping coral for 3 yrs in my 60 gal long 48lx12wx24h. The last year i decided to go sps and i built a fixture that allowed me to get 6 bulbs in my 12 wide space. 4 aquactinc slr's, and a 2 bulb slr from a 2 bulb current extreme fixture. 2 4 "coral vue fans to cool them. I know its a frankenfixture but i think it works too well.

To the point i am pretty positive i have had strait A's on my test results(parims) for the last yr and nothing but bleached corals and sps with stn. Some sps have been alive bleached and growing for a year now. Corals in the shade seem to do much better and display much deeper colors.

I am not even saying it is the lighting for sure that is the root of all my issues But it will help to know if i am over doing for my size tank. Plus the more in the light my corals are the faster they seem to wither.


I am running now

ati blue+
ABS
blue+
75.25
blue+
blue +

I have tried a few other combos and bulbs with the same results just little variations in the coral colors i had left, but no change in the pale bleached out look they have.

So just wondering what you or anyone else thinks i should have over my tank?. How many bulbs and what combo is the best for almost all sps and a maxima clam?(who seems to do well on the sand right now)

thank you
brandon
Click to expand...

Cut down a couple blue pluses and watch your critters, 6 lamps over 12" is a lot but that tank is tall so I dunno.
 
The Grim Reefer said:
Any of those listed would be a upgrade to be sure. I'd say 20 percent up to maybe 0 for the ATI
Click to expand...

Im sorry for being airheaded, but I dont quite understand!

In other words, switching to the 6 bulb ATI fixture would be a lateral move with no significant difference...and switching to either the Constellation or the TEK would be a 20% upgrade, performance wise???
 
reefsic said:
Im sorry for being airheaded, but I dont quite understand!

In other words, switching to the 6 bulb ATI fixture would be a lateral move with no significant difference...and switching to either the Constellation or the TEK would be a 20% upgrade, performance wise???
Click to expand...


I bet there is supposed to be a 5 in front of that 0. The ATI is a HUGE improvement over a Catalina fixture.
 
reefsic said:
Im sorry for being airheaded, but I dont quite understand!

In other words, switching to the 6 bulb ATI fixture would be a lateral move with no significant difference...and switching to either the Constellation or the TEK would be a 20% upgrade, performance wise???
Click to expand...

Sorry, typo, 30%
 
Ok so I'm coming into this thread late in the game, but I have a question that you may alread my have answered which is a good posibility with 200+ pages.

I have a standard 30 gallon long tank that measures 36" in length. What would be a good fixture that would allow me to keep sps and acros that is reasonably priced?

Also just curious is it possible to use T5s in place of VHOs on a 180 gallon and still have the same effects or will the roughly 30" depth not work well with the T5s? I'm only asking because I heard compared to the VHOs the power consumotion of the t5s would be more efficient
 
Drewbaby said:
Ok so I'm coming into this thread late in the game, but I have a question that you may alread my have answered which is a good posibility with 200+ pages.

I have a standard 30 gallon long tank that measures 36" in length. What would be a good fixture that would allow me to keep sps and acros that is reasonably priced?

Also just curious is it possible to use T5s in place of VHOs on a 180 gallon and still have the same effects or will the roughly 30" depth not work well with the T5s? I'm only asking because I heard compared to the VHOs the power consumotion of the t5s would be more efficient
Click to expand...

I would look into the Current USA stuff or a Tek fixture. You will just want to change the bulbs in the Current fixture.
 
I think I'll go w/ the Tek 8x54 for my 90. The fixture w/o bulbs is fairly priced and I have 6,brand new, out of the 8 bulbs already. Will that be adequate to replace my Oddyssea 500w MH. To be fair the Oddyssea may be cheap but, the new ballasts are putting out the desired wattage. Reflectors are questionable though.
 
Hey grim I have question for you? I have a 72" 12-39w bulb set up on my 125g and I need to replace the bulbs but I am looking for a good 12k look. So what bulbs and brands should I go with.

Thanks
Chris
 
maroon2 said:
I think I'll go w/ the Tek 8x54 for my 90. The fixture w/o bulbs is fairly priced and I have 6,brand new, out of the 8 bulbs already. Will that be adequate to replace my Oddyssea 500w MH. To be fair the Oddyssea may be cheap but, the new ballasts are putting out the desired wattage. Reflectors are questionable though.
Click to expand...

It will if you can fit it over that tank. I'd look at the 6 lamp ATI Sunpower instead. Better fit and more PAR to the bottom.
 
quickgray02 said:
Hey grim I have question for you? I have a 72" 12-39w bulb set up on my 125g and I need to replace the bulbs but I am looking for a good 12k look. So what bulbs and brands should I go with.

Thanks
Chris
Click to expand...

Front
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Actinic White
ATI Blue Plus
GE 6500K Daylight
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue
 
Hey Grim-- I'm in the process of upgrading from a 75 to a 120 gallon tank. The 120 will be mostly SPS, with some LPS and what not on the sand bed likely. On my 75 gallon i used a 6x54 watt ATI sunpower, will this be ok for the 120? I think that ideally another bulb or two would be nice, but is it completely necessary in your mind?
 
Joel A said:
Hey Grim-- I'm in the process of upgrading from a 75 to a 120 gallon tank. The 120 will be mostly SPS, with some LPS and what not on the sand bed likely. On my 75 gallon i used a 6x54 watt ATI sunpower, will this be ok for the 120? I think that ideally another bulb or two would be nice, but is it completely necessary in your mind?
Click to expand...

I'd think about 8 lamps if you are planning clams on the bottom or spreading the SPS around much. As long as the SPS are below the reflectors they should be OK any level in the tank with the 6 lamp
 
hmm, so think i could get away with it if i planned the aquascape all around the center of the tank, and leave a bit of room in the front and back? This is what i had planned anyways as i wanted to leave room front and back for good circulation, and i think it looks better too.
 
Joel A said:
hmm, so think i could get away with it if i planned the aquascape all around the center of the tank, and leave a bit of room in the front and back? This is what i had planned anyways as i wanted to leave room front and back for good circulation, and i think it looks better too.
Click to expand...

Yep
 
Hey Grim, is this what you'd typically recommend for a 6 bulb NEP fixture for a standard 75g(48" x 18" x 21") tank? I dont plan on keeping any of the high light SPS and generally dont prefer SPS but I do have a few near the top of the tank.

ATI Blue Plus
UVL Actinic White
ATI Blue Plus
GE 6500K Daylight
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Blue Plus
 
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