The T5 Q&a Thread

[The Grim Reefer]

Ughhh..............way to much blue & overall dark.

I've had a 4 bulb T5 setup for a while over a 75g but it was mainly just fish...........ice cap 660, individual reflectors.

I've moved all my corals into this tank & went with recommendations here.

2 ATI blue plus
1 fiji purple
1 aqua blue special

waaaay to blue & dark. I swapped out one of the blue plus for a special & I have the colors I want now but the overall brightness of the tank is terrible.

I admit I've been a halide guy for 20 years but the overall brightness for viewing purposes is very disappointing. I find myself squinting to see the subtle colors & overall detail that were easy to see under halides. Is there anything I can do? Adding two more bulbs makes me feel that it won't get any brighter, just more of the same.

I fear that I may have to use two 175 watt halides & use these T5's as supplements to fit my tastes.

Using reflectors?

Just friday I went and installed new lamps in a friend's 4 lamp Ice Cap rig over a 75, 2 ATI Blue Plus, 2 ATI Purple Plus which are about as bright as an aquablue. Pulling off PAR of 281 at the sandbed and looks plenty bright to me. Could be the missing shimmers that you are jonesing for. It shouldn't look dark unless there is a ballast problem or something. If you had a 10K halide try this

Blue Plus
Fiji Purple
GE 6500K Daylight
Blue Plus

Probably will look a little closer to what you are used to. More white with a hint of blue.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hi all just upgraded from pc's to t5's,my question is how high should my fixture be from the water "custom canopy"

If it has a splash shield it can be as low as you want it, otherwise 4 to 6 inches above the water is good.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hi I have a 55 gallon 48 in tank. I have 4 54 watt t5 light that i just installed in the canopy and was wondering what you would suggest bulb wise. The bulbs that came with it are current Atlantic and 10k but I don't like the look. right now I have 3 Atlantic and one 10k and its to blue. Any suggestions.

Try adding a ATI Pro Purple in place of one of the blues.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hi Grim with 8 t5ho (ice cap 660 x2) and bulbs as you recommended - will it be enough for a 90 gallon - later on wanting sps? also that thin acrylic over the retro fit t5ho does it have any effects?- good or bad?

6 lamps with good reflectors is all you need over a 90.

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

 

[The Grim Reefer]

120 g 24x24x48" Current lights: PC

I would like T5 ... but understand I may have to mix in MH. I have a LARGE hood that I could retro. But, I could toss it for a fixture since my wife thinks it's TOO BIG.

I would like to try SPS

What light fixture or retro do you recommend for quality, value, and dependability?

Thanks

ATI 8x54 watt Powermodule would let you raise anything.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Why the Purple plus? I am guessing because it still has strong blue tones, while promoting some warmer tones for reds, orange, and yellows. And I will also guess that by adding a 10,000k it will add too much white, washing out some of the colors. Am I on the right track?

Personal taste but the Purple Plus does look purple and bumps up pink and purple colors that get lost under blue light.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Dig dig dig dig dig... just making sure that the Nova Extreme Pro combination is still the same as posted on Grims website:

36" NEP 6 Bulb

ATI Blue+
UVL Super Actinic
ATI Blue+
UVL Aquasun
ATI Blue+
ATI Blue+

SPS/LPS/Clams in my tank. I wanted to go with all ATI bulbs but they dont have a couple on the site that I am ordering from (Like the GE6500), and I want to order everything from 1 place.

Thanks,
/D

Blue Plus
ATI Purple Plus
Blue Plus
GE 6500K Daylight
Blue Plus
Blue Plus

Reefgeek should have all those lamps.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hi,

I am redoing my sump and I will be including a small coral propagation section. I am thinking a 24" tek 4 bulb unit hanging somewhere around 10 inches above the water surface. Sump water level will be somewhere around 10 inches deep. I am more interested in growth and coloration of the corals and less interested in aesthetics. What would a good bulb combo be?

3 ATI Blue Plus and a GE 6500K daylight. You get color and growth.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Just a heads up.

I have tested a ATI Purple Plus. If it's not the same lamp as a fiji purple I'll turn in my PAR meter. It did show higher par but the Fiji lamp I had want new. I looked at the lamps through a spectrometer and both spectrums look identical. If there are any differences I can't see them

 

[Daimyo68]

Thanks for the fast reply Grim, headin to Reefgeeks now to place my order

 

[R@ck78]

Grim, I have a 24x24x24 cube that I am wanting to put T5's on. What fixture should I go with and how many bulbs. I do not want to limit myself as to what corals I can/cant have. Do you think a good 4 bulb fixture would do or defiantly 6 bulbs? What bulb combo also?

Thanks
Mark-

 

[rtparty]

Just a heads up.

I have tested a ATI Purple Plus. If it's not the same lamp as a fiji purple I'll turn in my PAR meter. It did show higher par but the Fiji lamp I had want new. I looked at the lamps through a spectrometer and both spectrums look identical. If there are any differences I can't see them

The Grim Reefer strikes again!

No big surprise here though, ATI and KZ are made in the same factory. I will gladly save my $10 and use ATI over KZ any day.

Now if we can get ATI to produce a bulb between the Aquablue and Blue Plus. Call it the Blue Minus or something.....:rolleye1:

Grim do you have a spectrometer or was it a buddy's?

If you have one can you post spectrum plots?

 

[rtparty]

Grim, I have a 24x24x24 cube that I am wanting to put T5's on. What fixture should I go with and how many bulbs. I do not want to limit myself as to what corals I can/cant have. Do you think a good 4 bulb fixture would do or defiantly 6 bulbs? What bulb combo also?

Thanks
Mark-

8x24w ATI Powermodule.

For 24" front to back you need 8 bulbs for coverage.

 

[PlanoReefer]

Looking for some bulb ideas to cover a 90g. Thinking about doing a T5/LED Combo with 4x54w reef geek T5 retro kit, and 2x Reef Brite strips. Should I go for all white LED's and supplement with blue T5 bulbs?

Ryan

 

[alsteezy1st]

Hi guys, new here. Just wondering what would be the best fixture for my 75 gallon tank? The dimensions are 48L x 15W x 25H, and I plan on keeping a mxiture of LPS/SPS/soft corals. I was thinking of an ATI sunpower 6 x54w fixture. Any help would be appreciated, thanks.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

The Grim Reefer strikes again!

No big surprise here though, ATI and KZ are made in the same factory. I will gladly save my $10 and use ATI over KZ any day.

Now if we can get ATI to produce a bulb between the Aquablue and Blue Plus. Call it the Blue Minus or something.....:rolleye1:

Grim do you have a spectrometer or was it a buddy's?

If you have one can you post spectrum plots?

It's mine but just a sight one. If I had a good macro lens I could take a picture but unfortunately......

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Grim, I have a 24x24x24 cube that I am wanting to put T5's on. What fixture should I go with and how many bulbs. I do not want to limit myself as to what corals I can/cant have. Do you think a good 4 bulb fixture would do or defiantly 6 bulbs? What bulb combo also?

Thanks
Mark-

8x24 Powermodule. 6 lamps would work but might leave you short if you want clams.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Looking for some bulb ideas to cover a 90g. Thinking about doing a T5/LED Combo with 4x54w reef geek T5 retro kit, and 2x Reef Brite strips. Should I go for all white LED's and supplement with blue T5 bulbs?

Ryan

I'd do 3 Blue Plus and a Purple plus with the white LED's.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hi guys, new here. Just wondering what would be the best fixture for my 75 gallon tank? The dimensions are 48L x 15W x 25H, and I plan on keeping a mxiture of LPS/SPS/soft corals. I was thinking of an ATI sunpower 6 x54w fixture. Any help would be appreciated, thanks.

That would be great.

 

[thegame1]

I'd do 3 Blue Plus and a Purple plus with the white LED's.

Why? I've been thinking of the same thing, but with four t5 and 24 leds. I did not know if i shoud do all white or all blue or half and half. what do you think.