The T5 Q&a Thread

[ducktales]

I think the light on my Tek 6 Bulb fixture is getting old and I need to replace them as I'm having some cyano problems. I'm also getting a hanging kit since they're on legs right now sitting about 6 inches from the water.

I have a 40 Gallon Breeder with the Tek 6 bulb with legs.

How high Should I hang the light and how long should I leave them on for?

I'm keeping LPS, SPS and softies (mixed reef)

How does this combo look?

Front:
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Blue Plus
KZ Fiji Purple
ATI Aquablue Special
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Blue Plus
Back


Thanks,

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I think the light on my Tek 6 Bulb fixture is getting old and I need to replace them as I'm having some cyano problems. I'm also getting a hanging kit since they're on legs right now sitting about 6 inches from the water.

I have a 40 Gallon Breeder with the Tek 6 bulb with legs.

How high Should I hang the light and how long should I leave them on for?

I'm keeping LPS, SPS and softies (mixed reef)

How does this combo look?

Front:
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Blue Plus
KZ Fiji Purple
ATI Aquablue Special
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Blue Plus
Back


Thanks,

I would keep it about 4" above the water so it doesn't get salt spray on the lamps or reflectors. Mix looks good.

 

[JM68]

Hey Grim, last year i asked for advise on t5 bulbs for my 8 bulb fixture. I'm just curious if i should just replace the bulbs with the same ones that are in there now or if there has been any new bulbs developed that would give me better light output. What is currently the best 8 bulb configuration? Thanx

 

[goldenboy]

Thanks Grim,
I'm new to the whole T-5 thing, so what bulbs should I put in the fixture to start off with?

Get a 6 lamp Tek and install fans in all the holes in the canopy. Try to mount the fixture so the fans blow against the sides of slightly above the sides, should do well.

 

[ducktales]

I would keep it about 4" above the water so it doesn't get salt spray on the lamps or reflectors. Mix looks good.

I was thinking about like 8-10 inches above the water. Mainly because the 40g breeder is shallow. I'm afraid that there is too much light if it's that close to the water. hmm.

6x39w for a 40 breeder. I believe they're 18 inches deep.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hey Grim, last year i asked for advise on t5 bulbs for my 8 bulb fixture. I'm just curious if i should just replace the bulbs with the same ones that are in there now or if there has been any new bulbs developed that would give me better light output. What is currently the best 8 bulb configuration? Thanx

I would do 5 ATI Blue Plus, 1 GE 6500K Daylight and 2 UVL Actinic White.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Thanks Grim,
I'm new to the whole T-5 thing, so what bulbs should I put in the fixture to start off with?

4 ATI Blue Plus, 1 UVL Actinic White and a GE 6500K Daylight.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I was thinking about like 8-10 inches above the water. Mainly because the 40g breeder is shallow. I'm afraid that there is too much light if it's that close to the water. hmm.

6x39w for a 40 breeder. I believe they're 18 inches deep.

Could go higher then play it by ear once the critters have had a chance to acclimate and lower it as needed.

 

[Smiless]

Look at Reefgeek's LET retrofits, be fine for a 20" tall.

Thanks Grim.

The only difference I can see between the LET's and the Icecap retrofits is the reflectors? They both use the icecap 660 ballast. Why did you suggest the LET's over the Icecap's?

 

[rtparty]

Thanks Grim.

The only difference I can see between the LET's and the Icecap retrofits is the reflectors? They both use the icecap 660 ballast. Why did you suggest the LET's over the Icecap's?

The LET reflectors are better than IceCap. They put more light back into the tank.

Also don't get the V-HO setups that use an IceCap ballast. There is no reason to overdrive on a 20" tall tank. Get the standard High Output version with spec t5 ballasts.

 

[Smiless]

The LET reflectors are better than IceCap. They put more light back into the tank.

Also don't get the V-HO setups that use an IceCap ballast. There is no reason to overdrive on a 20" tall tank. Get the standard High Output version with spec t5 ballasts.

Great!

Can you suggest a bulb combo for 12 54w using geisemann and uvl bulbs?

 

[goldenboy]

I can get a 4-bulb 48" ATI Sunpower used. How does that rank with the Tek 6-bulb 48". In other words, can I get away with a 4-bulb ATI in a 110 gallon tank?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I can get a 4-bulb 48" ATI Sunpower used. How does that rank with the Tek 6-bulb 48". In other words, can I get away with a 4-bulb ATI in a 110 gallon tank?

If you want corals or clams out on the sand you'll want 6 lamps. The Sunpower will have more PAR but it will be a more narrow area.

 

[manhorsedog]

can I keep a clam in a 40 gallon breeder with a 4x39 fixture? also most of the corals are soft with a few lps but i would like to get the best color. I dont mind losing some growth for color, any bulb ideas?

thanks

 

[Atlantus]

I have been reading all day it seems so I am just going to post and hope for a reply.

Grim I am running a 75g tank with LPS, Zoa's, and maybe BTA in the future. What would be the best 4 bulb set up using Giesemann and UVL.

Tank is a 48"x18"x18" with lights 6" above water.
Not overdring lights.

Thank you in advance

 

[rtparty]

I have been reading all day it seems so I am just going to post and hope for a reply.

Grim I am running a 75g tank with LPS, Zoa's, and maybe BTA in the future. What would be the best 4 bulb set up using Giesemann and UVL.

Tank is a 48"x18"x18" with lights 6" above water.
Not overdring lights.

Thank you in advance

With only Gmann and UVL that will be tough.

Maybe 2 Actinic Plus, 1 UVL 75/25 and 1 Gmann Aquablue

 

[ReefSafari]

So my wife is setting up a 40g Breeder to do mainly soft corals (Zoanthids, Mushrooms, Leathers, ect...) and a few LPS (Candy Cane, Duncans, Blastos, ect..) She really wants to go T5 route for her tank, she has been eyeing the T5 fixture by Finnex with the LED's...It only has 4 bulbs plus the LED's, It says it has Individual Reflectors, Build in cooling Fan, and blue LED's, ect...She is curious if anyone has had any expereince with this fixture?

http://www.finnex.net/index.php?opt...4&product_id=126&Itemid=61&vmcchk=1&Itemid=61

The blue actinic LED's I imagine would help make the corals pop, her rockwork and the way she has her corals its very minimal, would the extra 2 bulbs of a 6 bulb fixture really matter all that much? If she did go with a 4 bulb fixture, I would probably like to replace the bulbs that are in it, she likes the look of my 14k metal halide on my tank, is there a combo for a 4 bulb fixture anyone can recomend, one that will provide good growth AND make the corals pop...?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

can I keep a clam in a 40 gallon breeder with a 4x39 fixture? also most of the corals are soft with a few lps but i would like to get the best color. I dont mind losing some growth for color, any bulb ideas?

thanks

As long as the fixture is above the clam it will be fine

2 ATI Blue Plus, 1 ATI Aquablue and a KZ Fiji Purple would be good.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

So my wife is setting up a 40g Breeder to do mainly soft corals (Zoanthids, Mushrooms, Leathers, ect...) and a few LPS (Candy Cane, Duncans, Blastos, ect..) She really wants to go T5 route for her tank, she has been eyeing the T5 fixture by Finnex with the LED's...It only has 4 bulbs plus the LED's, It says it has Individual Reflectors, Build in cooling Fan, and blue LED's, ect...She is curious if anyone has had any expereince with this fixture?

http://www.finnex.net/index.php?opt...4&product_id=126&Itemid=61&vmcchk=1&Itemid=61

The blue actinic LED's I imagine would help make the corals pop, her rockwork and the way she has her corals its very minimal, would the extra 2 bulbs of a 6 bulb fixture really matter all that much? If she did go with a 4 bulb fixture, I would probably like to replace the bulbs that are in it, she likes the look of my 14k metal halide on my tank, is there a combo for a 4 bulb fixture anyone can recomend, one that will provide good growth AND make the corals pop...?

Once all the lights come on those LED's probably wont make a difference so I wouldn't count on them for anything but dusk/dawn

Front
ATI Blue Plus
KZ Fiji Purple
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus

That will be a little more blue than your 14K but should look sweet with softies and zoos.

 

[goldenboy]

Thanks Grim,
Based on availability and timing, I've narrowed it down to these fixtures. The 8-bulb tek or the 6-bulb Tek Elite.

Which one of these would you go with.

tx

As long as the fixture is above the clam it will be fine

2 ATI Blue Plus, 1 ATI Aquablue and a KZ Fiji Purple would be good.