The T5 Q&a Thread

[The Grim Reefer]

I have a 6 bulb Tek Elite with these 3 bulbs that I bought from a group buy
Geismann Actnic
UVL Super Actnic 420
UVL 75/25
What would be a good choice for the other 3 bulbs.
Thanks in advance

2 ATI Blue Plus and a Aquablue

 

[brad65ford]

Guys I need some sound advice please. I've started convering/experimenting with my 75g LED reef setup to half running now with 2 48" T5 bulbs. I purchase (don't shoot me) a 48" GLO 2 T5 fixture with a PowerGlo 18000k and Marine GLO bulb which actually looks pretty good. I know they have a bad wrap but I've prove that my LED lights just weren't working well with my setup/live stock. So to make a long story short I like the way T5's look and work with my corals. But I don't know which way to go next. I want to purchase another GLO fixture and get more bulbs but I don't know what bulbs would look good since I'm going to have 2 on one side of the tank and the other 2 on the opposite side with the LED's in the middle which will be dimmed for moon lighting. I know a lot of you guys run 6 different color bulbs but I'm thinking I might only be able to get away running 2 different bulbs since they will be far apart. So I'm asking what bulbs should I get for each of these two fixtures that will give me the best look and softie coral growth, I would like to go with ATI, Giesemann, Kz since they seem to be the highest like bulbs. Thanks in advanced guys for your help.

Brad

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Guys I need some sound advice please. I've started convering/experimenting with my 75g LED reef setup to half running now with 2 48" T5 bulbs. I purchase (don't shoot me) a 48" GLO 2 T5 fixture with a PowerGlo 18000k and Marine GLO bulb which actually looks pretty good. I know they have a bad wrap but I've prove that my LED lights just weren't working well with my setup/live stock. So to make a long story short I like the way T5's look and work with my corals. But I don't know which way to go next. I want to purchase another GLO fixture and get more bulbs but I don't know what bulbs would look good since I'm going to have 2 on one side of the tank and the other 2 on the opposite side with the LED's in the middle which will be dimmed for moon lighting. I know a lot of you guys run 6 different color bulbs but I'm thinking I might only be able to get away running 2 different bulbs since they will be far apart. So I'm asking what bulbs should I get for each of these two fixtures that will give me the best look and softie coral growth, I would like to go with ATI, Giesemann, Kz since they seem to be the highest like bulbs. Thanks in advanced guys for your help.

Brad

2 ATI Blue Plus.

 

[brad65ford]

TGR, nice choice http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGNicICYn7s I'm not sure what to do though. The other expensive choice is move my GLO over to my cichlid tank and order a 36 Inch 6x39W ATI SunPower T5 Fixture which would fit better in my canopy.

Those ATI Blue Plus, what k are they? Are they good for paly/zoas? They might be to blue though, maybe ATI Blue Specials with Blue Plus?

 

[rodneyri]

My ATI PM 8x54w arrived, nice looking light...my eyes are still adjusting to the brightness difference compared to my giesemann infinity MH unit. T5 is much softer but great spread, the giesemann seemed much more brighter to the eye - more intense

i am liking the softer T5 look though.

i started with this combo
Front
B+
ABS
P+
B+
P+
B+
ABS
B+

but changed to this because there was too much purple at the front of the tank
B+
ABS
B+
P+
B+
P+
B+
ABS

thinking of replacing the middle P+ with a daylight light to make the tank brighter

 

[VegasUSP]

My ATI PM 8x54w arrived, nice looking light...my eyes are still adjusting to the brightness difference compared to my giesemann infinity MH unit. T5 is much softer but great spread, the giesemann seemed much more brighter to the eye - more intense

i am liking the softer T5 look though.

i started with this combo
Front
B+
ABS
P+
B+
P+
B+
ABS
B+

but changed to this because there was too much purple at the front of the tank
B+
ABS
B+
P+
B+
P+
B+
ABS

thinking of replacing the middle P+ with a daylight light to make the tank brighter

Can you post a picture?

 

[Hagisan]

My new tank is 84x24x24 w/ about 76" of actual lighting area due to the weir being on the end. Would 2 36"x6 be enough light to spread the length of the tank with maybe a couple inch gap between the lights(or no gap and butt them up end to end?

Will this be enough light to sustain my monties that have been in my 90g AGA under 150w 14k mh?

TIA

 

[The Grim Reefer]

TGR, nice choice http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGNicICYn7s I'm not sure what to do though. The other expensive choice is move my GLO over to my cichlid tank and order a 36 Inch 6x39W ATI SunPower T5 Fixture which would fit better in my canopy.

Those ATI Blue Plus, what k are they? Are they good for paly/zoas? They might be to blue though, maybe ATI Blue Specials with Blue Plus?

22000K I would use a ATI Purple Plus with those.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

My new tank is 84x24x24 w/ about 76" of actual lighting area due to the weir being on the end. Would 2 36"x6 be enough light to spread the length of the tank with maybe a couple inch gap between the lights(or no gap and butt them up end to end?

Will this be enough light to sustain my monties that have been in my 90g AGA under 150w 14k mh?

TIA

Yes, more that enough assuming you get good fixtures.

 

[Hagisan]

Thank you for the reply Grim.

Yes, more than enough assuming you get good fixtures.

With that being said could I get away with 2 ATI 36 Inch 4x39W Powermodule T5HO High-Output Fixture?

Thanks again.

 

[banzai75x]

Do ATI's have legs are do you always have to mount them to the ceiling?

 

[brad65ford]

22000K I would use a ATI Purple Plus with those.

Ok I went a head and purchased another glo fixture. I'm confused at what your saying. So you recommend I run blue plus and purple plus for each fixture? Sucks I wish I could see what they'd look like first.

 

[NCMBM]

You are gonna need about 5 more of those Gmann Actinic Plus bulbs. The Aquablues you are running are a white bulb. No blue to them especially when overdriven.

I would bet your corals are also pretty upset at how much light you are giving them using an overdriven setup on a shallow tank. There is NO need for the IceCap ballasts on your tank.

If it were my tank I would sell the IceCap ballasts and buy some spec T5 ballasts that don't overdrive the bulbs. I would then run 5 ATI Blue Plus, 2 ATi Purple Plus and 1 ATI Aquablue. You can use the Gmann counterpart bulbs if that is what is available to you. 5 Actinic Plus, 2 Aquapink, 1 Aquablue

I got this light system with the tank, its a custom aluminum frame and I can raise or lower it easily. The tank is 30 x 67 x 18, I am using this for a sump, holding and frag grow out for my 60gal display. The lighting is too strong? Its definately white but 450 watts is too much?

There is 13" of water, approx 110gallons. How high should I place the lights as it is? I have 2 more actinics I will add and take two of the giesmann aquablues out.

That would give me:
Giesmann Actinic Plus
Zoomed 420nm actinic(purple color)
ATI Aquablue Special
Giesmann Aquablue Plus
Giesmann Aquablue Plus
ATI Aquablue Special
Zoomed 420nm
Giesmann Actinic Plus

I am open to all advice on this, the frags are not happy with the current light setup. Only the euphylia and zooanthids seem to like it, leathers hate it. Turquoise stag seems to like the light and green slimer but hydnophora doesn't and most of the acros are ****ed. The bulbs were old when I first turned it on, the new bulbs are much brighter. Had some red bulbs on it but they were black at both ends and the brand was unrecognizable. I can order just about anything so let me know what is best.

Thanks

 

[lhemphill]

Lighting advice needed

Lighting advice needed

I need some advice on lighting, I am starting a 90gallon SW that is
48Lx18.25Wx34.50H. Right now I am looking at TEK-Lighting or NOVA coralife T5 HO lighting. I am going to do a soft coral setup, what type of lighting is need for this and am I looking at the right stuff? I have been told I need a 6 bulb, although that is coming from the LFS. Can anyone shed some knowledge? Is six bulb necessary and if so what type of bulbs.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Thank you for the reply Grim.


With that being said could I get away with 2 ATI 36 Inch 4x39W Powermodule T5HO High-Output Fixture?

Thanks again.

6 lamp fixtures at a minimum and only if you don't plan on anything on the sandbed.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Do ATI's have legs are do you always have to mount them to the ceiling?

You can make cross braces to sit them on, otherwise they have to hang them but there are hanging poles you can get that attach to the stand or the wall behind the tank to hang them from.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Ok I went a head and purchased another glo fixture. I'm confused at what your saying. So you recommend I run blue plus and purple plus for each fixture? Sucks I wish I could see what they'd look like first.

If you are running 4 lamps I would run 2 Blue Plus, 1 Aquablue and 1 Purple Plus.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I got this light system with the tank, its a custom aluminum frame and I can raise or lower it easily. The tank is 30 x 67 x 18, I am using this for a sump, holding and frag grow out for my 60gal display. The lighting is too strong? Its definately white but 450 watts is too much?

There is 13" of water, approx 110gallons. How high should I place the lights as it is? I have 2 more actinics I will add and take two of the giesmann aquablues out.

That would give me:
Giesmann Actinic Plus
Zoomed 420nm actinic(purple color)
ATI Aquablue Special
Giesmann Aquablue Plus
Giesmann Aquablue Plus
ATI Aquablue Special
Zoomed 420nm
Giesmann Actinic Plus

I am open to all advice on this, the frags are not happy with the current light setup. Only the euphylia and zooanthids seem to like it, leathers hate it. Turquoise stag seems to like the light and green slimer but hydnophora doesn't and most of the acros are ****ed. The bulbs were old when I first turned it on, the new bulbs are much brighter. Had some red bulbs on it but they were black at both ends and the brand was unrecognizable. I can order just about anything so let me know what is best.

Thanks

13" tall overdriving is a real waste. Get standard ballasts, your critters will be a lot happier. In the meantime I would run one ballast using 2 Actinic Plus and 2 Aquablues and see what your critters think.

 

[lhemphill]

Thanks for the quick response, do you have any suggestions on brands?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I need some advice on lighting, I am starting a 90gallon SW that is
48Lx18.25Wx34.50H. Right now I am looking at TEK-Lighting or NOVA coralife T5 HO lighting. I am going to do a soft coral setup, what type of lighting is need for this and am I looking at the right stuff? I have been told I need a 6 bulb, although that is coming from the LFS. Can anyone shed some knowledge? Is six bulb necessary and if so what type of bulbs.

6 isn't necessary but advisable. For a softy setup I would get the tek

Run 2 ATI Actinic Lamps, 2 ATI Blue Plus, 1 ATI Purple Plus and 1 GE 6500K daylight. Once you decide you want to move to LPS and some stonies you can replace the actinics with blue plus lamps and still have enough light. With a 4 lamp fixture you wouldn't have that option.