The T5 Q&a Thread

[The Grim Reefer]

hello grim,
Just upgrade to 60" 8x80W ATI PM on a 60x24x24 both sides view tank with Softies and LPS and is going to stock some SPS. Would a 60" 8x80W be too much for my softies and LPS?

Would this order be ok for mixed reef tank with blue color and get a really cool Dusk/dawn effect too? What would be the best height to hang the light above the tank water level?

Front
UVL Super Actinic
UVL 75/25
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus
KZ Fiji Purple
ATI Super Actinic
ATI Blue Plus
Back

Thanks in advance for your help.

Hang the fixture about 6" above. Also use 2 ATI Purple Plus instead of the Fiji Purple and 75/25/

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I finally decided on a four bulb tek fixture for my 75 gal tank. I also just picked up a squamousa clam. My combo is front to back

Actinic plus
Aqua blue plus
Ati purple
Actinic plus

I didn't get the six bulb due to budget. Do you think I will be ok growing sps? or am I limited and also clams. I got the squamousa due to less light need.

Not much light for a clam, make sure it's one a rock below the reflectors. SPS will be good as long as they are also below the reflectors.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Understood. I have 6 overdriven bulbs already. I think there is enough par with those. I was just wondering if adding 2 Actinics would enhance the colors or would they get washed out by the other 6 bulbs.

Once all the lights are on I doubt you are going to notice much difference.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

any recommendations on a 45 gal zoa/softie tank with 2 sps's (birdsnest and pseudopora)

its a 4x39w fixture. TIA

2 ATI Blue Plus, 1 Aquablue and a Purple Plus

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hey Grim, Thanks for your time in advance. You have helped so many people with their lights, I was hoping you could help me.

I am setting up a 48"x30"x24" 150g. I am having a very hard time choosing what lighting option to go with. My options are;

1. T-5's. I'm assuming I would want 10-12 bulbs, which probably ends up meaning 2 fixtures. Set up will probably run me like around $1,200+, then $200 every 6-8mo on bulb changes. Tried and true systems with lots of versatility.

2. LED's. I can build my own system for that tank for about $750. New/semi unproven technology.

Everything in me want's to go with the LED set up for numerous reasons, but I'm not 100% sold on their long term viability. Any input is greatly appreciated.

Don't know that you can do LED's over that tank for 750 but that's the way I would go. You are going to want about 8 rows of LED and at least 16 LED's per row.

My 120 is running 6 rows of 14 with no optics and I am pulling PAR in the low 100's on the sand which is fine for what I am doing with this tank.

If I were doing a tank the size of yours I would do 8 rows of 18 LEDs with no optics. Hit the DIY section if you go the route, there are bunches of LED threads there. You can get some ideas from people with more LED experience than me.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hey how are Helios bulbs? My not so LFS has some in a bargain bin.

The Super Blue was a nice lamp but you gotta be careful, they make lamps in standard and metric lengths, we use metric length for our stuff so be careful. You want the 45" lamps, not 48"

 

[thebanker]

I just found the super blue in your PAR meter thread. It said 225 vs the 330-something from the Blue+. Even the Current bulb outputs 250-ish, so is the color somewhat unique?

Good tip on the lengths... I would not have even noticed.

 

[SquidHC]

Don't know that you can do LED's over that tank for 750 but that's the way I would go. You are going to want about 8 rows of LED and at least 16 LED's per row.

My 120 is running 6 rows of 14 with no optics and I am pulling PAR in the low 100's on the sand which is fine for what I am doing with this tank.

If I were doing a tank the size of yours I would do 8 rows of 18 LEDs with no optics. Hit the DIY section if you go the route, there are bunches of LED threads there. You can get some ideas from people with more LED experience than me.

Yeah, with the quantity you listed I'd be looking at about $1300. Thanks again. For some reason, the guru of T-5's telling me to go with LED's makes me feel better. However, the 150 is a 48" tank, not a 60". You have 6 rows in your 48" tank? Why go 8?

One last thing I guess. Can you provide a link to info explaining PAR, and what good PAR numbers actually are? I understand it's a reading of light intensity, but thats about it. To be able to keep clams/anenomes on the sand bed, what kind of par numbers would someone need?

Thanks again.

 

[Alysiak00]

2 ATI Blue Plus, 1 Aquablue and a Purple Plus

who makes the aquablue and the purple plus? is it ati?

also how does the purple plus compare to the fiji purple. TIA again you have been a big help!

 

[smokey30]

Have a question obviously about bulbs I currently have the following in my ATI 6 bulb sunpower:
Front:
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue
Purple Plus
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Blue Plus

I want to get rid of one of the Aquablues and put another Blue Plus just wanted to know what place I should put the new bulb

 

[sahin]

Grim, can you help me with this as well:

Are you employed by RC to answer "grim what combo T5 should I go for..." questions all day!

Thanks for all your help in this thread. You come back time after time and answer the same questions many times over!

You're a credit to the hobby. Have a good night...well its alomst 11pm here in the UK.

 

[rtparty]

Have a question obviously about bulbs I currently have the following in my ATI 6 bulb sunpower:
Front:
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue
Purple Plus
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Blue Plus

I want to get rid of one of the Aquablues and put another Blue Plus just wanted to know what place I should put the new bulb

Try switching the order before adding a new bulb. You pretty much have it backwards. Move the Blue Plus to the front and the Aquablues back.

Blue Plus
Purple Plus
Blue Plus
Aquablue
Blue Plus
Aquablue

 

[vic8361]

want to add three more bulbs to my retro. I now have six bulbs with slr reflectors and want to know if they make any good reflectors that aren't as wide as the slr's, because I'm running out of room.
thanks,
Vic

 

[rtparty]

What reflectors do you have now? Tek? Icecap? LET?

Aquactinics are the narrowest at 2" a piece. Icecap and LET are right around 2.5" each.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Yeah, with the quantity you listed I'd be looking at about $1300. Thanks again. For some reason, the guru of T-5's telling me to go with LED's makes me feel better. However, the 150 is a 48" tank, not a 60". You have 6 rows in your 48" tank? Why go 8?

One last thing I guess. Can you provide a link to info explaining PAR, and what good PAR numbers actually are? I understand it's a reading of light intensity, but thats about it. To be able to keep clams/anenomes on the sand bed, what kind of par numbers would someone need?

Thanks again.

Because your tank is 30 inches front to back, mine's 24

 

[The Grim Reefer]

who makes the aquablue and the purple plus? is it ati?

also how does the purple plus compare to the fiji purple. TIA again you have been a big help!

Yes ATI and yes as mentioned numerous times in the thread the Purple is the same as the fiji

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Have a question obviously about bulbs I currently have the following in my ATI 6 bulb sunpower:
Front:
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue
Purple Plus
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Blue Plus

I want to get rid of one of the Aquablues and put another Blue Plus just wanted to know what place I should put the new bulb

Front

 

[spiderlai]

Hang the fixture about 6" above. Also use 2 ATI Purple Plus instead of the Fiji Purple and 75/25/

Thanks Grim, would you advise "ATI Actinic Blue" to replace UVL Super Actinic because UVL has no 60" available.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Thanks Grim, would you advise "ATI Actinic Blue" to replace UVL Super Actinic because UVL has no 60" available.

Yep

 

[liz62]

24" cube tank - will a ATI Sunpower 6x24 be sufficient lighting for a SPS tank?