The T5 Q&a Thread

[badpvtdan]

Hmmmm so my IceCap 660 ballast died and I am wondering about getting fixed or buying a new ballast. I was using this ballast to drive 4 bulbs. I have another 660 driving 2 bulbs. Grim, have you heard anything about the new CoralVue ballast or would you have a suggestion on a different ballast? One that could run 3 or 4 4-foot bulbs? Thanks so much.

 

[BigRedNole]

I am new to this thread. I had planned on going the LED route, but the initial outlay is probably beyond my current life needs right now.

I have a standard 90g tank. I have done a search through this thread for others questions on a 90g fixture and bulb configuration. From the info I gathered, the ATI Sunpower 6x54W is the best option it sounds like. I did a quick search online and it seems like this fixture with bulbs is around $600. That is half the price of the 2x AI Sols modules I was looking at.

I look forward to going through the information here to help determine the best course of action. If my bonus is 2x what I expect, then I may still go with the AI Sols. It is highly unlikely that will happen, so I have to "settle" for T5. I do not see it much as settling, just going a different direction until finances are less of an issue.

 

[ugluk]

Where is the cheapest place to buy these bulbs?

Are there any big sales worth waiting for?

 

[lbheyman]

Hey Grim, I know this has been asked and I have searched through pages and pages of this thread to try and find the answer but here it is. I have a 4 bulb set up that has 2 separate timers on the fixture, 1,3 & 2,4. I will be replacing the stock bulbs soon and need a suggestion. I have mostly LPS and softies. I like the look of the 14k Mh bulbs I used to have. Any suggestions? Thanks.

 

[AsahiToro]

Grim,

Can you help me again? I'm setting up a 13.3g Mr Aqua tank (11.4" deep) and have a dual bulb 24w T5 HO fixture. I also bought a used Panorama 453nm/blue LED strip that I'm going to mount to it. My question is what color should I go with on the T5s with the 453nm strip included? Should I go with 2 two whiteish bulbs (UVL Aquasuns/14kish) or should I go with one white (UVL Aquasun) and one blue (UVL 454) T5 bulb? I don't want it to be too blue in the tank. Would two Aquasuns overpower the Panorama? I don't have access locally to ATI bulbs and the UVLs are the best I can get. The Aquasun/454 combo was what I originally wanted to go with but now I'm reconsidering with the Panorama 453nm strip included.

Thanks for any advice.

 

[madkat]

On a 29" tall tank be careful about placing high light critters, upper half only.

Front
ATI Blue Plus
KZ Fiji Purple
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue

Grim, thank you for the previous reccommendation.

I have now stepped up to 180 Gallon. 24x24x72. I beleve I can squeeze in at least 2 more lamps....

How would you change the above to include at least 2 additional lamps? Should I use some additional spectrum lamps?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Aquablue about center with a purple front and rear of center. a bit.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Blues in the dusk/dawn slots and the others however looks best to you, just try to spread them out so you get even distribution.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Grim, 24"x24"x18"H Cube. Mixed SPS and LPS Reef. Should I go with ATI powermodule or Sunpower? I was thinking 6x24watt. Also which bulbs? I like my tank a little on the Blue side.

Thanks!

4 Blue Plus 1 Aquablue and 1 Purple Plus, all ATI lamps. Sunpower should be enough for that tank.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hmmmm so my IceCap 660 ballast died and I am wondering about getting fixed or buying a new ballast. I was using this ballast to drive 4 bulbs. I have another 660 driving 2 bulbs. Grim, have you heard anything about the new CoralVue ballast or would you have a suggestion on a different ballast? One that could run 3 or 4 4-foot bulbs? Thanks so much.

Unless your tank is 24" or taller I'd run standard ballasts. If not you are sorta married to the coralvue ballasts.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Where is the cheapest place to buy these bulbs?

Are there any big sales worth waiting for?

Reefgeek usually has as good of prices as anyone.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hey Grim, I know this has been asked and I have searched through pages and pages of this thread to try and find the answer but here it is. I have a 4 bulb set up that has 2 separate timers on the fixture, 1,3 & 2,4. I will be replacing the stock bulbs soon and need a suggestion. I have mostly LPS and softies. I like the look of the 14k Mh bulbs I used to have. Any suggestions? Thanks.

2 Blue Plus, 1 Aquablue and one Purple Plus ATI lamps should get you about where you want to be.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Grim,

Can you help me again? I'm setting up a 13.3g Mr Aqua tank (11.4" deep) and have a dual bulb 24w T5 HO fixture. I also bought a used Panorama 453nm/blue LED strip that I'm going to mount to it. My question is what color should I go with on the T5s with the 453nm strip included? Should I go with 2 two whiteish bulbs (UVL Aquasuns/14kish) or should I go with one white (UVL Aquasun) and one blue (UVL 454) T5 bulb? I don't want it to be too blue in the tank. Would two Aquasuns overpower the Panorama? I don't have access locally to ATI bulbs and the UVLs are the best I can get. The Aquasun/454 combo was what I originally wanted to go with but now I'm reconsidering with the Panorama 453nm strip included.

Thanks for any advice.

454 for sure. Aquasun would work but I'd rather have an actinic white if you can get it.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Grim, thank you for the previous reccommendation.

I have now stepped up to 180 Gallon. 24x24x72. I beleve I can squeeze in at least 2 more lamps....

How would you change the above to include at least 2 additional lamps? Should I use some additional spectrum lamps?

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

 

[fishcraze_1]

Have a quesion on Tek Fixtures.

Looking into getting one for my 95 gallon wave

Its mainly soft and LPS tank

Currently have Metal Halides with Power Compacts

but with summer fast approaching wanna swithch to T5's

Have seen alot of nice tanks with Tek Fixtures, im sure ATI's are better , but kinda outta my price range

Which is better TEk 6 bulb or Tek Elite 4 bulb

and which bulb combinations should i go with

 

[AsahiToro]

454 for sure. Aquasun would work but I'd rather have an actinic white if you can get it.

Grim,

Thanks for the great advice. I made a mistake typing that up. I meant the UVL Indigo Sun, not Aqua Sun. So do I go?
-1 UVL Indigo Sun/1 UVL 454/1 453nm Pamorama strip (this is what I have now but I can swap some bulbs out at the LFS)
-2 UVL Indigo Suns/1 453 Panorama strip
-some other 2 bulb combo UVLs/1 453nm Panorama strip

Thanks again.

 

[AugustWest]

4 Blue Plus 1 Aquablue and 1 Purple Plus, all ATI lamps. Sunpower should be enough for that tank.

Thanks Grim, I may now be going with a 30"30"x18"H Cube. I'm a little worried about the coverage on this tank with the 24" fixture.

so, 6x24W or 8x24w Sunpower or powermodule ? and what combination of bulbs for this tank? SPS and LPS mixed reef.

Thanks alot!

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Have a quesion on Tek Fixtures.

Looking into getting one for my 95 gallon wave

Its mainly soft and LPS tank

Currently have Metal Halides with Power Compacts

but with summer fast approaching wanna swithch to T5's

Have seen alot of nice tanks with Tek Fixtures, im sure ATI's are better , but kinda outta my price range

Which is better TEk 6 bulb or Tek Elite 4 bulb

and which bulb combinations should i go with

6 lamp, NO SPLASH SHIELD.

4 blue plus, 1 aquablue and 1 purple plus, all ATI lamps. Put a blue plus in the front and rear slots, other than that whatever looks good to you.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Grim,

Thanks for the great advice. I made a mistake typing that up. I meant the UVL Indigo Sun, not Aqua Sun. So do I go?
-1 UVL Indigo Sun/1 UVL 454/1 453nm Pamorama strip (this is what I have now but I can swap some bulbs out at the LFS)
-2 UVL Indigo Suns/1 453 Panorama strip
-some other 2 bulb combo UVLs/1 453nm Panorama strip

Thanks again.

454 and Indigo sun should be OK.

 

[fishcraze_1]

Thanks Grim, 6 bulb it is,