The T5 Q&a Thread

[The Grim Reefer]

Just installed 48" TEK 4 bulb last night suspended from ceiling.How high should I start off with,was using 4 bulb Power Compact over a 55 gallon tank?Also, will blowing fan across top of tank also help cool bulbs or does fan need to blow on bulbs/fixture?

4 to 6 inches above the water does well.

If you can do a fan where it blows over the top of the fixture at like a 45 degree angle from above it will do a good job cooling things

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Whats the recommended height to hang above the water?

4 to 6 inches

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hi Grim,
Standard 75G tank, fish, assorted corals from a couple SPS to zoas, LPS and softies.
I have just added 2 T5's to the 4 PC's I had... PC's were 2 Odyssea actinics, and 2 Hamilton 10,000K's. total of 260W
the T5's I added in front, an ATI aquablue and an ATI Blue Plus with individual reflectors.
All are about 8" above the water.
The Tank looks MUCH better, colors pop more etc. Would these bulbs be my best choice, or are there others I should consider in this configuration?
Thanks,
Dave

Those are OK, I would swap a purple plus for the Aquablue but what you have is good too.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

hi grim,

back again-more questions! using a 40g breeder. you recommended a tek 6 bulb light. would you recommend the elite version? after running the numbers i could get a ati sunpower for 135.oo more? would this be a better option? it comes with fans,shield,hanging kit+bulbs-560. the tek would be about 425. for the same set-up. do you need some kind for fan for the tek?
also, how high off water do you hang it? 8-10"?
what bulb combo?(i really liked my radiums-with so many different bulbs,maybe this will give better coloration).
how long should the bulbs last? some say 9 months others 18?
thanks again for your time. i would like to get this right the first time and call it a day.

happy reefing, john

Standard tek would work. Sunpower would work a lot better and be able handle an upgrade to a deeper tank. Tek about 6 inches above the tank should grow anything.

10 months to a year on lamps 4 Blue Plus 1 Aquablue and 1 Purple Plus

 

[jeninjohnk]

thanks!

 

[SABOB]

Grim, Thanks for all your help.Lovin the color from the new fixture and bulbs( your recommendation).Awesome to get advice from experts on this site.

 

[5ft24]

Those are OK, I would swap a purple plus for the Aquablue but what you have is good too.

Cool,
Thanks

 

[jhoff]

replaceing bulbs

replaceing bulbs

HI All

It's time to change out my bulbs for my 6x39w sunpower just wanted to know if i change them all at one time and raise the fixture or 3 bulbs one week and 3 the next week.

Thanks Jim

 

[JG1]

For those of you running only B+ and FP, does it not wash out your reds and purples?

 

[Dono]

Hey everyone! Newbie setting up my first tank. Standard 75gal (20" depth). I'll be using IceCap Reef Illuminations
6 x T5 & LED Combo but I'm not sure what bulb combination to use.

I'll be keeping Zoas and SPS for sure, so I would like to make sure I have sufficient lighting.

Thanks!

 

[The Grim Reefer]

HI All

It's time to change out my bulbs for my 6x39w sunpower just wanted to know if i change them all at one time and raise the fixture or 3 bulbs one week and 3 the next week.

Thanks Jim

2 every 4 or 5 days is how I would do it.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

For those of you running only B+ and FP, does it not wash out your reds and purples?

The purple lamp adds red spectrum so purple and reds should stand out better.

 

[The_Uga]

Has anyone tested the D-D Powerchrome AquaPink yet? They are available from my lfs, how do they compare the the KZ Fiji?

 

[Omie]

Ati blue actinic???

Ati blue actinic???

Hi Grim,
Another question... I'll buy the ATI bulb, but don't know wich one is the blue... If you can please help me, what is the difference between the BLUE PLUS+ and the TRUE ACTINIC 03 and wich one you recomend me...
Thanks again,
Omar
P.S. This is my fixture and the MH would be the Radium 20k

[/IMG]

 

[dball711]

Hi Grim, looking for an opinion on lighting a 40 gal breeder for SPS colonies and frags. 24" ATI sunpower 4 or 6 bulb unit? Tank is only 16" deep, is the 6 bulb unit overkill or will it give me the opportunity to have more bulb choice like adding a purple plus to the blue plus and aquablue mix?

Thanks!

 

[bkov]

Hey,
I know you probably already answered this for someone else but i cant find anything from quickly searching. What 4 bulb combo do you recommend to maximize coral growth? Its a odysey fixture, 4 39w t5 bulbs....

 

[RocketSurgeon]

Hey,
I know you probably already answered this for someone else but i cant find anything from quickly searching. What 4 bulb combo do you recommend to maximize coral growth? Its a odysey fixture, 4 39w t5 bulbs....

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showpost.php?p=17911397&postcount=8368

 

[ejcatmul]

Anyone see a difference in the new ATI bulbs with the new improved phosphors compared to the original. Reef Geek has the original on sale.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hi Grim,
Another question... I'll buy the ATI bulb, but don't know wich one is the blue... If you can please help me, what is the difference between the BLUE PLUS+ and the TRUE ACTINIC 03 and wich one you recomend me...
Thanks again,
Omar
P.S. This is my fixture and the MH would be the Radium 20k

[/IMG]

Blue Plus if you want blue and a lot of PAR. Actinic is violet.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hi Grim, looking for an opinion on lighting a 40 gal breeder for SPS colonies and frags. 24" ATI sunpower 4 or 6 bulb unit? Tank is only 16" deep, is the 6 bulb unit overkill or will it give me the opportunity to have more bulb choice like adding a purple plus to the blue plus and aquablue mix?

Thanks!

Yeah, go with 6 lamps.