The T5 Q&a Thread

[rtparty]

Quick question.

Are the labels on the bulbs supposed to face up or down?

Doesn't matter

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hey Grim is there such a thing as too much lighting? The reason I ask is that all my SPS and even some of my LPS do not show any polyp extension during the day when the lights are on even if I try to entice them with food. After the lights have been off for a few hours or in the morning before work, I spotlight my tank with a flash light and all my SPS and my LPS (chalices, duncans, acans) are open. My setup is a 4x24w Aquaticlife with 2pcs. of ATI Blue Plus and 2pcs. of ATI Aquablue Spezial. Bulbs are 1 week old as I originally thought my bulb life was a factor but the did the same thing before as they do now. Also, if the tops of my Birdsnest are brown/black, is that mean they are getting burned? Any thoughts? I can't beleive that this type of fixture would put out any numbers even remotely close to an ATI PM or SP.

Not a big SPS guy but LPS typically extend the sweepers after light out. I seriously doubt 4 T5's would be too much for SPS unless you have a very shallow tank with the fixture sitting right above. Might check water flow and water parameters.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

a friend of mine is wanting to go with a 14-20 k look on 6 - 54 watt bulbs

What would be the best combo for that?

He really likes my icecap 420 bulbs. but I also have the icecap 12 k bulbs and they really take the blue look out of it, which I dont care for when all bulbs are on. I run 8 - 54w 1/2 420 - 1/2 12 K.

I'd do 4 ATI Blue Plus, 1 KZ Fiji Purple and 2 ATI Aquablue and try it with 1 vs 2 aquablues in the mix to see which he likes better.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Grim,

Thanks once again for the lighting tips a couple pages back

One more quick question, I read in another thread someone said 36 inch t5's wont reach the bottom of a 27 inch tank? Is this true? If someone was to run twelve 36 inch t5's on a 27 inch deep tank wouldnt that be fine or will 36 inch bulbs really not reach the bottom?

As long as you use good equipment should be OK. The 54 watt lamps are slightly better output.

 

[rzlinux]

Grim got the 8 bulb PM 36 inch on the elos 120 today. All I can say is WOW!.. Thanks for the lighting help.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

What? No pictures

 

[rzlinux]

What? No pictures

LOL sorry.

Here is the tank with the lights off. I'll get some pics tonight with the lights on so far its too bright to take pics with lights on...Or I dont know how.

http://http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1907814

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1907814

 

[The Grim Reefer]

nice!

 

[rzlinux]

nice!

Does water in the tank soften the lights or the overspill? As you can see I have nothing in the tank but a white towel. Any suggesitons on how to take pictures of a tank with bright lights?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Water should help

 

[Im Lon 2]

Has anyone had any experience with the ATI Purple Plus? How do people feel it compares to KZ Fiji Purple?

was wondering the same thing.

 

[Furo]

Hi Grim,

I would add in 1 more Aqua blue Special. Please let me know what do you think or suggest. Thanks
Front:
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue special
ATI Blue Plus
KZ Fiji Purple
ATI Blue Plus
GE 6500K Daylight
KZ Fiji Purple
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue special
ATI Blue Plus

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

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hi Grim,

I would add in 1 more Aqua blue Special. Please let me know what do you think or suggest. Thanks
Front:
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue special
ATI Blue Plus
KZ Fiji Purple
ATI Blue Plus
GE 6500K Daylight
KZ Fiji Purple
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue special
ATI Blue Plus

Looks fine, go with it.

 

[BriMc]

Hi Grim,
I picked up a current extream fixture. It has 2 brand new current 150w 14k's in it. Today I picked up 2 39w Giesemann pure actinic+ what would you use for the final 2 lamps? I am looking for color pop and growth.

 

[Jeremy-S]

I'm starting up a 125 gallon tank (6 feet long) I've trying to decide between a 4 or 6 bulb T5 Tek Fixture. As of right now, all I know I want is an anemone. But I also want to be able to get anything in the future and not have my lights limiting that.

Any thoughts on 4 or 6 bulb, also what bulbs to get? I don't want a very overpowered blue tank. Just very clear and crisp if that is possible.

-Jeremy

 

[Lynnmw1208]

My dilemma is almost the same as above but I'm looking at the 60" ATI sunpower fixture. 4 or 6 bulb? my tank is also 125g 22" deep.

this is what the site says about 4 bulb: Common Sizing Guideline: soft coral tanks up to 160 gallons, mixed reef tanks up to 130 gallons and SPS dominated tanks up to 105 gallons. Recommended Tank Depth: up to 30" with carefully planned placement of corals.

I want predominately soft corals to start, but eventually I want some LPS and maybe some SPS.

 

[DavidCC]

Grim,

I am changing the fixture and bulbs over my 75, I am going to a 6 x 54, this is the combo I'm thinking, Whats do you think?

Icecap Twilight
Giesman Aquablue
Icecap Actinic
Giesman Midday
Gieman Actinic Plus
Icecap Twilight

I'm still debating fixtures. I like that the Icecap has built in LED's, But I know I cant wrong with the TEK.

 

[Bad LS1]

Powermodule is better. You can mount something to the wall behind the tank to hand the PM from. Some people use pipe mounted to the wall of stand then use elbows or bend the pipe so it curves over the tank.

If you gotta use the tek just be careful where you place high light critters.

I just ran across the bent pipe mounting. Looks very interesting! I've pretty much decided on the PM. Now an 8 bulb recommendation would be great! I'm wanting a sort of blueish look where the colors really pop. Bright white isn't really what I like. I hope the owner doesn't mind I borrowed their pic but I love this look.

 

[Bad LS1]

Gotta watch those open top tanks when you host as many parties as you do.

That's no lie! Beer in the tank wouldn't be good.

 

[Rhegium]

Upgrade for RSM 130

Upgrade for RSM 130

Hi Grim,

Figured I would ask you since you seem to be the T5 king around here (reefgeek acknowledge's your presence). Anyway I have a RSM 130, and specs are 24" length, 19.7" width, 19.7" depth.

Link as follows:

http://www.redseafish.com/redseamax/Red_Sea_MAX_specs.html

Would putting an ati powermodule dimmable be too much on this. The reefgeek guys said I need an 8 bulb setup, or will 6 due? If so what configuration of bulbs would you recommend? (front to back please order so I don't mess it up).

Going to have lps, zoas, acans and clams with clams toward the front. Is the ATI too much for this tank?

Also saw you are going to LED, does that mean you feel now LED is better than t5? Why the change?

Thanks again.