The T5 Q&a Thread

[kripas]

3 ATI Blue Plus and a Purple Plus

Thanks for reply Grim,I have this fixture,where Do I put the Purple Plus? or should I do 2 Blue plus and 2 Purple Plus? Thanks!

 

[The Grim Reefer]

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!

4 should be fine

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Thanks for reply Grim,I have this fixture,where Do I put the Purple Plus? or should I do 2 Blue plus and 2 Purple Plus? Thanks!

2nd from front for the purple lamp

 

[sirreal63]

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

I'd do 3 Blue Plus and a Purple plus

Thanks...I think I am going to give this a try. I already knew the LET Retro's were the best, but was hoping someone had tested the par of the 24" models.

 

[rtparty]

Thanks...I think I am going to give this a try. I already knew the LET Retro's were the best, but was hoping someone had tested the par of the 24" models.

All lengths of T5's are within like 5% of each other. Hopefully Grim can post his reflector numbers once again. I don't have them saved.

The LET reflectors were just behind ATI reflectors. The biggest difference between the LET retro and an ATI fixture is the cooling.

 

[sirreal63]

These won't be cooled, but should be able to balance out the 10K's, the added par is just a bonus.

Thanks Ryan.

 

[EvilE]

been outta the loop with the t5's lately. I need mine changed out soon. Where is the current best, cheapest place to get good T5's shipped?

 

[Saltwatercoral2]

4 should be fine

I dont want to qustion you lol as you know what your talking about and i dont. 4 will cover a 24 inch wide space?

 

[tgee]

Is the GE 6500K Daylight labeled on the bulb as such? I have GE Ecolux High Output 6500K, and wondering if it's the same or a different animal altogether.

Thanks.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

been outta the loop with the t5's lately. I need mine changed out soon. Where is the current best, cheapest place to get good T5's shipped?

Reefgeek as far as I know but check bulk reef supply and premium aquatics, maybe aquacave.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I dont want to qustion you lol as you know what your talking about and i dont. 4 will cover a 24 inch wide space?

Good catch, I didn't notice the 24" depth, 6 should be fine for that but 8 would give you more color options. At only 18" tall I'd be tempted to go with an 8 lamp tek

 

[EvilE]

Reefgeek as far as I know but check bulk reef supply and premium aquatics, maybe aquacave.

Thanks very much Grim! Also I have a 55 gallon mixed reef, I have 4 T5's. what t5's would you use? I have the ones you recommend last time, cant remember what they are exactly tho. One actinic, 2 daylight and a purple. The purple and actinic I run dust and dawn and the all 4 for daytime. What 4 combo would you use again?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Is the GE 6500K Daylight labeled on the bulb as such? I have GE Ecolux High Output 6500K, and wondering if it's the same or a different animal altogether.

Thanks.

Pretty sure that is the animal. Haven't heard of anything new coming out.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Thanks very much Grim! Also I have a 55 gallon mixed reef, I have 4 T5's. what t5's would you use? I have the ones you recommend last time, cant remember what they are exactly tho. One actinic, 2 daylight and a purple. The purple and actinic I run dust and dawn and the all 4 for daytime. What 4 combo would you use again?

3 Blue Plus and a Purple Plus for a more 20k look or add a Aquablue in place of a blue plus for more 14K

 

[EvilE]

3 Blue Plus and a Purple Plus for a more 20k look or add a Aquablue in place of a blue plus for more 14K

I went with aquacave (cheapest shipping, plus rc discount code).

The bulbs I chose were all ATI: 2 blue+, 1 aquablue, and 1 true actinic.

I plan on running a blue+ and actinic for dust and dawn, and all 4 for daytime.
Thoughts?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I went with aquacave (cheapest shipping, plus rc discount code).

The bulbs I chose were all ATI: 2 blue+, 1 aquablue, and 1 true actinic.

I plan on running a blue+ and actinic for dust and dawn, and all 4 for daytime.
Thoughts?

Thats fine although the Purple Plus gives better colors than the actinic. The red spectrum adds back in colors the blue light misses.

 

[tmerf11]

I'm going to be going with a Sunpower (8x54) and was wondering about how high above the tank (120) is recommended. The space it's going might be a little tight right now and I was wondering whether or not I need to do some work to open it up. As it is right now I'm looking at having it about 2 to 3 inches above the tank and wasn't sure if that was enough??

 

[salsipuedes]

I am going to be setting up a 25gallon flat back hex with either 4 24watt t5s or 6 24watt t5s. Its going to be a frag tank / grow out tank. Any recommendations as to what will give me the best / fastest growth while still preserving color?

 

[rtparty]

I'm going to be going with a Sunpower (8x54) and was wondering about how high above the tank (120) is recommended. The space it's going might be a little tight right now and I was wondering whether or not I need to do some work to open it up. As it is right now I'm looking at having it about 2 to 3 inches above the tank and wasn't sure if that was enough??

I would start it out at a minimum of 8". 2 to 3" is way too close IMO for any ATI setup. You will fry corals with it being that close.

Get the dimmable version and you can keep it closer to the tank if you want. That way you can dial it down to like 60% or so and not fry your stuff.

 

[rtparty]

I am going to be setting up a 25gallon flat back hex with either 4 24watt t5s or 6 24watt t5s. Its going to be a frag tank / grow out tank. Any recommendations as to what will give me the best / fastest growth while still preserving color?

How wide is the tank? That will determine how many bulbs to use.