The T5 Q&a Thread

[ibdone]

Hi Grim, I currently have a standard-90g FOWLR. Purchased a MH combo w/ the intension of adding coral in the future. For now, can you give me some bulb replacement recommendations emphasizing on ‘fish color-popping’ while still having the possibility to add/sustain basic corals? Sure appreciate it.

48" Fixture
• 2-MH 250W
• 4-T5HO 54W

(BTW, Nice job on this thread!)

 

[MJT82]

Lighting Gurus! I have been given an 8 bulb Current T5 setup (the bulbs do not have individual reflectors) and I am interested in maximizing its use over my reef. Currently I'm only using 4 bulbs in the fixture, but I thought I'd like to bump up to 8. I'm keeping mostly softies/zoas/and LPS, but I want to venture into a few easier SPS in the near future. I like more of a 14k, more toward the 20k look in color. What should I do? Thanks in advance!!

 

[TimeConsumer]

I've got a 4x54w Catalina fixture I bought secondhand. It has individual reflectors, so I'm pretty satisfied with the quality. However, I'm sure the ballasts are sub-par compared to the better fixtures. I realized I can purchase two ATI ballasts for $80. So I was considering installing the new ballasts, and cutting some holes to install a few 80mm computer fans into the fixture as well. Would this increase the PAR output of my bulbs enough to warrant about $100 cost?

I also want to replace my current bulbs with some higher quality ones. What would you recommend for a mixed reef; mostly LPS, a couple deresa clams (not on the sandbed), and a few digitata high up on the rockwork.

Edit: 75 gallon tank, probably need that info

 

[KSzegi]

Should be fine with 8 plus the LED's.

Thanks Grim, appreciate your input!!

 

[AquamanSE]

I think I'd just buy a 6 lamp fixture and call it good. Just hang it 10 inches or so above the tank.

Grim thought I should have pointed out the frag tank will be mainly acropora im looking for plenty of PAR here....I was thinking a 36 inch fixture to have some area for LPS. *So in this case would a 6bulb be still a solid choice? Also might as well give your bulb line up. Thanks Grim for all your thoughts in advance:thumbsup:

 

[rtparty]

Grim or Ryan...have you seen par measurements on the LET 24" Retro's? I am thinking seriously about adding 4 of them around a LumenArc III Mini that has a 10K XDE bulb in it...looking to wash out some of the yellow and add a little par at the same time. I don't really want to go with actintics unless there are some new ones with higher par but also don't want to drown everything in blue.

The LET retros are top of the line. They are the only retro I would buy for my tanks. If I am going to buy new, buy right.

I personally would run like 3 Blue Plus and 1 Purple Plus

 

[rtparty]

I am setting up a 75. It will be softies and mainly zoanthids. I need a fixture with mounting legs and prefer black color. I have read good and bad of most all the fixtures. I was thinking of a 6 bulb Tek Elite. Are the noisy fan issues solved? Can you recomend a fixture, how many and what kind of bulbs I need. My main concern is getting the corals to "pop". Is a regular tek ok? And if this is overkill what other would you recomend?

Either Tek will work. You will want an external fan and no acrylic shield if you get the regular Tek.

If you have to have legs then I would get the Tek Elite. The fan issues were solved from what I heard.

For 6 bulbs I like one of two setups

4 ATI Blue Plus and 2 ATI Purple Plus

or

4 ATI Blue Plus, 1 Purple Plus and 1 GE6500k

 

[jbannick18]

Speaking of Let retros,

Would a 4x54w retro of LET be enough to keep a mixed reef with proper coral placement in a 75 gallon?

Also was thinking of making some sort of housing out of it so that I could have fans installed/acrylic shield and ballast in one. At that point would it be worth the extra 20 to get a 4x54w tek and just run a fan over it or would the LET outperform them that much?

Thanks RT

 

[rtparty]

Hi Grim, I currently have a standard-90g FOWLR. Purchased a MH combo w/ the intension of adding coral in the future. For now, can you give me some bulb replacement recommendations emphasizing on "˜fish color-popping' while still having the possibility to add/sustain basic corals? Sure appreciate it.

48" Fixture
"¢ 2-MH 250W
"¢ 4-T5HO 54W

(BTW, Nice job on this thread!)

Don't know much about the MH. Maybe ask in the MH thread. I liked Phoenix 14k bulbs when I ran MH for about 4 months.

For the T5's I would be looking at using 2 ATI Purple Plus and 2 ATI Blue Plus.

 

[rtparty]

Speaking of Let retros,

Would a 4x54w retro of LET be enough to keep a mixed reef with proper coral placement in a 75 gallon?

Also was thinking of making some sort of housing out of it so that I could have fans installed/acrylic shield and ballast in one. At that point would it be worth the extra 20 to get a 4x54w tek and just run a fan over it or would the LET outperform them that much?

Thanks RT

I like 6 bulbs over a 75. 4 bulbs is a tough setup because finding the right bulb combo is a nightmare.

You can get away with 4 if you want to save the money. I would try 2 ATI Blue Plus, 1 KZ New Generation and 1 ATI Purple Plus.

 

[rtparty]

Lighting Gurus! I have been given an 8 bulb Current T5 setup (the bulbs do not have individual reflectors) and I am interested in maximizing its use over my reef. Currently I'm only using 4 bulbs in the fixture, but I thought I'd like to bump up to 8. I'm keeping mostly softies/zoas/and LPS, but I want to venture into a few easier SPS in the near future. I like more of a 14k, more toward the 20k look in color. What should I do? Thanks in advance!!

Either 5 ATI Blue Plus, 2 ATI Purple Plus and 1 GE6500k

or

6 ATI Blue Plus and 2 ATI Purple Plus

 

[rtparty]

I've got a 4x54w Catalina fixture I bought secondhand. It has individual reflectors, so I'm pretty satisfied with the quality. However, I'm sure the ballasts are sub-par compared to the better fixtures. I realized I can purchase two ATI ballasts for $80. So I was considering installing the new ballasts, and cutting some holes to install a few 80mm computer fans into the fixture as well. Would this increase the PAR output of my bulbs enough to warrant about $100 cost?

I also want to replace my current bulbs with some higher quality ones. What would you recommend for a mixed reef; mostly LPS, a couple deresa clams (not on the sandbed), and a few digitata high up on the rockwork.

Edit: 75 gallon tank, probably need that info

It will work for a 75 but don't try anything too crazy on the bottom. The Catalina fixtures put out less PAR than a Tek but a little more than the Current USA stuff.

The reflectors actually hold them back along with the ballasts and lack of cooling.

I would start with ballasts and cooling and you should be good.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Grim or Ryan...have you seen par measurements on the LET 24" Retro's? I am thinking seriously about adding 4 of them around a LumenArc III Mini that has a 10K XDE bulb in it...looking to wash out some of the yellow and add a little par at the same time. I don't really want to go with actintics unless there are some new ones with higher par but also don't want to drown everything in blue.

I'd do 3 Blue Plus and a Purple plus

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I am setting up a 75. It will be softies and mainly zoanthids. I need a fixture with mounting legs and prefer black color. I have read good and bad of most all the fixtures. I was thinking of a 6 bulb Tek Elite. Are the noisy fan issues solved? Can you recomend a fixture, how many and what kind of bulbs I need. My main concern is getting the corals to "pop". Is a regular tek ok? And if this is overkill what other would you recomend?

Standard Tek would be OK, just be careful where you put the light hungry critters. 4 Blue Plus. 1 Purple Plus and 1 GE 6500K Daylight.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hi Grim, I currently have a standard-90g FOWLR. Purchased a MH combo w/ the intension of adding coral in the future. For now, can you give me some bulb replacement recommendations emphasizing on "˜fish color-popping' while still having the possibility to add/sustain basic corals? Sure appreciate it.

48" Fixture
"¢ 2-MH 250W
"¢ 4-T5HO 54W

(BTW, Nice job on this thread!)

2 14K Phoenix halids with 3 ATI Blue Plus and 1 Purple Plus T5

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Lighting Gurus! I have been given an 8 bulb Current T5 setup (the bulbs do not have individual reflectors) and I am interested in maximizing its use over my reef. Currently I'm only using 4 bulbs in the fixture, but I thought I'd like to bump up to 8. I'm keeping mostly softies/zoas/and LPS, but I want to venture into a few easier SPS in the near future. I like more of a 14k, more toward the 20k look in color. What should I do? Thanks in advance!!

5 Blue Plus, 2 Purple Plus and a GE 6500K

 

[TimeConsumer]

It will work for a 75 but don't try anything too crazy on the bottom. The Catalina fixtures put out less PAR than a Tek but a little more than the Current USA stuff.

The reflectors actually hold them back along with the ballasts and lack of cooling.

I would start with ballasts and cooling and you should be good.

I'm torn between two paths right now.

I could frankenstein the Catalina and use that. Or I could leave it stock and use it with a 2x54w Coralife fixture (got it for free) that's collecting dust.

Which route would give me the most PAR for my dollars? Buy 6 high quality bulbs for both fixtures every year, or upgrade the Catalina and only buy 4 bulbs a year and use a little less electricity?

I figure it would cost me $100 for new reflectors and $80 for new ballasts. (by the way, which would be of more benefit to replace?)

Thanks in advance for your help

 

[MJT82]

Thanks Grim!

 

[Saltwatercoral2]

looking for a ATI light for my 90 gallon shallow, dimensions are 48 Long x 24 Wide x 18 high. How many bulbs would I need? I dont plan for any sps corals, just lps, softies, clams anenome. Thanks!

 

[ibdone]

Much appreciated!