The T5 Q&a Thread

[The Grim Reefer]

If I were to get rid of the clam, couold I keep a mixed reef with 30% +/- SPS with a nice 4 bulb setup and get good growth as well as good bulb combination color?

Also, what is your take on that 36" FishNeedIt 4 Bulb Fixture?

4 will work, 2 ATI Blue Plus, 1 ATI Aquablue and 1 ATI Purple Plus

Fish need it is just another cheap fixture. Unless they have proper active cooling and Mirro reflector material they can't run with ATI or even the Teks

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hey Grim, recently set up 40B using T5's for first time- what is the best configuration for a six bulb Tek fixture for a tank with lps, sps, clam and zoas. What is the best site to purchase the bulbs? Thanks very much for any help.

Never had this question before :lolspin:

Standard 6 lamp recommendation, 4 ATI Blue Plus, 1 ATI Aquablue and 1 ATI Purple Plus

Reefgeek.com

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hey Grim - I'm requesting your advice once again on a bulb combo- I have a ATI PM 8 x 54w 120g (4x 2 x2) mixed use with clams and generally dominant SPS's but a few softies and LPS's ... the tank is pretty well stocked and i'm always looking to improve or try new combo's. I've currently have a combo you recommended with a ultra blue, a few blue +, GE and a KZ. The combo has worked out well, just seeing if there was any new combinations you would suggest or just replace with the same?

Thanks in advance for all your time

Yeah, 4 Blue Plus, 2 Aquablue and 2 Purple Plus ATI lamps. If you want a deeper blue swap one Aquablue for another Blue Plus

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I have a 125Gal I am in the process of outfitting with the plan of it being LPS softie dominated. I want my corals to love me but I want coralline in this tank lol. I have a 36" 6 bulb t5ho setup over a 29 gal than will turn a solid purple rock white in a couple months. I cant even get coralline to grow on the glass except a few washed out looking specks. I am looking for bulb combinations/numbers that would promote the best corraline/lps/softie growth while making the colors pop. I would like a little realism as I want to see some relistic colors as well. Thanks.
Donald

3 ATI Blue Plus, 1 ATI Purple Plus and 2 ATI Aquablue.

 

[cdeboard]

Grim, I am doing a little research for my 300g tank. I love t5's, currently have a 4 bulb over my 90g. The 300 will be 96x30x25.... What would you recommend for t5's on a tank of that size for mostly softies, clams. I was thinking 2 48" Tek either 6 bulb or 8 bulb fixtures. Thanks for the help.

*EDIT* and as far as suggestions im talking fixtures.. not bulbs as you have answered that question several times before LOL

 

[n_senn]

LPS Softie 125

LPS Softie 125

3 ATI Blue Plus, 1 ATI Purple Plus and 2 ATI Aquablue.

This wouldn't be too much light for the coralline? I havent bought the fixture for the 125gal yet. Do you think a 6 bulb t5 setup would be optimum for LPS softie and coralline growth? Thank you.
Donald

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Grim, I am doing a little research for my 300g tank. I love t5's, currently have a 4 bulb over my 90g. The 300 will be 96x30x25.... What would you recommend for t5's on a tank of that size for mostly softies, clams. I was thinking 2 48" Tek either 6 bulb or 8 bulb fixtures. Thanks for the help.

Yeah, 2 8x48" fixtures.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

This wouldn't be too much light for the coralline? I havent bought the fixture for the 125gal yet. Do you think a 6 bulb t5 setup would be optimum for LPS softie and coralline growth? Thank you.
Donald

If you are really concerned swap one Aquablue for a ATI Actinic Blue

 

[reefsic]

What is the difference in terms of color and PAR when comparing the ATI AB Spc and the GE 6500?

To my understanding, they are very similar in color, but is there a huge difference in PAR???

 

[aquaph8]

Grim,
I'm kinda scared to use my new lights. I'm replacing the lighting in my signature with a sfiligoi 12 by 54 Watt. I'm worried about torching everything. What acclimation process would you go with for this change. Any thoughts on a bulb combo? Thanks again. Its really cool how much time you spend helping people. RC owes you a big thank-you.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

What is the difference in terms of color and PAR when comparing the ATI AB Spc and the GE 6500?

To my understanding, they are very similar in color, but is there a huge difference in PAR???

Bassackward. Similar PAR but the GE is white with a yellow tint the Aquablue is white with blue tint.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Grim,
I'm kinda scared to use my new lights. I'm replacing the lighting in my signature with a sfiligoi 12 by 54 Watt. I'm worried about torching everything. What acclimation process would you go with for this change. Any thoughts on a bulb combo? Thanks again. Its really cool how much time you spend helping people. RC owes you a big thank-you.

I would do 8 ATI Blue Plus, 2 ATI Aquablue and 2 ATI Purple Plus with a couple of GE 6500K Daylight lamps as spares so you can play around with the mix too.

A layer or two of fiberglass window screen over the tank is a good way to acclimate. Just give the critters a week or so under the lights then pull a layer.

 

[spoofer]

Thanks, I'll get you pics when i get them installed

Yeah, 4 Blue Plus, 2 Aquablue and 2 Purple Plus ATI lamps. If you want a deeper blue swap one Aquablue for another Blue Plus

 

[Anthrax15]

I was able to find a 36" Tek 4 bulb fixture so I will be buying that.

Bulbs I am looking to get are:

ATI BluePlus x2
ATI AquaBlue
ATI PurplePlus

Another reefer has it and I really like the way it looks.

Also this combo:

ATI blue plus
ATI aquablue spezial
UVL super actinic
ATI blue plus

I have seen both and like the second one more but would like some recommendations.

 

[cdness]

Well I just lost a lamp last night in my IC Retro so I had to install an older spare until I get new ones. It is a 6 lamp IC 660 driven retro over a 75G standard dimension tank. The lamps are in this order front to back currently (unsure of brands and models at the moment)

White
Actinic (Blue Plus I believe)
White
White
Actinic (Blue Plus I believe)
Fiji-Purple

What would you recommend as the new lamp selection for this configuration? I am not fussy on brand but want some good quality lamps with a high PAR value. I do prefer the lighter blue look rather than the heavy actinic look which is why I have more white than actinic in the mix.

 

[lowfi]

Hi Grim,

I know you've answered this question a million times but was thinking about upgrading my stock 36" 6x39w NEP fixture bulbs and was debating what colors to buy. I've been to your website and saw that you recommended 4 Blue+, a GE 6500K and either an ATI purple+ or a fiji purple. For some reason, I feel like I recently read a post from you on here recommending a UV 39W 12000K Actinic White (50/50) bulb in the mix instead of the latter purple+ or fiji purple. What are the benefits of this bulb? I know that UV tends to have rather high par levels.

So right now I have in the "cart" 4 blue+, GE 65K, and the UV 50/50 12K. How does this sound compared to the purple+/fiji purple, and what would the bulb order be front to back for my SPS/LPS 40breeder.

Also, would an extra fan help boost output levels on this fixture?

Thanks Grim, this thread is epic.

Cheers!

Sean

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Well I just lost a lamp last night in my IC Retro so I had to install an older spare until I get new ones. It is a 6 lamp IC 660 driven retro over a 75G standard dimension tank. The lamps are in this order front to back currently (unsure of brands and models at the moment)

White
Actinic (Blue Plus I believe)
White
White
Actinic (Blue Plus I believe)
Fiji-Purple

What would you recommend as the new lamp selection for this configuration? I am not fussy on brand but want some good quality lamps with a high PAR value. I do prefer the lighter blue look rather than the heavy actinic look which is why I have more white than actinic in the mix.

3 ATI Blue Plus 2 ATI Aquablue and a ATI Purple Plus

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hi Grim,

I know you've answered this question a million times but was thinking about upgrading my stock 36" 6x39w NEP fixture bulbs and was debating what colors to buy. I've been to your website and saw that you recommended 4 Blue+, a GE 6500K and either an ATI purple+ or a fiji purple. For some reason, I feel like I recently read a post from you on here recommending a UV 39W 12000K Actinic White (50/50) bulb in the mix instead of the latter purple+ or fiji purple. What are the benefits of this bulb? I know that UV tends to have rather high par levels.

So right now I have in the "cart" 4 blue+, GE 65K, and the UV 50/50 12K. How does this sound compared to the purple+/fiji purple, and what would the bulb order be front to back for my SPS/LPS 40breeder.

Also, would an extra fan help boost output levels on this fixture?

Thanks Grim, this thread is epic.

Cheers!

Sean

Do the purple plus. I recoed the UVL lamp because they gave close to the same look as the fiji for 10 bux less, the ATI gives exactly the same look for 10 bux less

 

[cdness]

Thanks Grim!

 

[lowfi]

So just to make sure...

ATI Blue+ x4
GE 6500K x1
ATI Purple+ x1

What's the difference between the blue+ and purple+ and what effect does it have on the tank/corals? I looked at the spectral charts and the purple+ seems to have a tad bit more light in the red/yellow spectrum.

Also, how do you feel about the ATI procolor as a random bulb to try the color. Reefgeek has them for $10. Is this bulb good for anything? What colors does it enhance? Debating on getting it for a backup or to play with. Cant find much info on it..cheap though...

Thanks a lot,

Sean