The T5 Q&a Thread

[tmerf11]

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.

Roger that. Appreciate it. I'll probably just put the work in to make some room above the tank so I've got the space to move it up and down a bit.

 

[hail_sniper]

i am wondering if i have enough light. my corals do not seem to be 'thriving'(1.027sg, .2 phos, 5 nit, 8.2 ph, 460 cal, 9dkh)

it is a 30 g cube that is about 20" deep. i placed my montis about 6 inches from the top of the water.. they dont seem too happy. my other setup has just 10k's and actinics at near the same wattage and theyre growing like no tomm.

my t5 system is 4" above the water, which is 4 x 24w.

front
ATI AB special
ATI Blue plus
ATI AB special
ATI Purp plus (thinking of switching this with a blue plus, what do you think?)

Much thanks!

 

[salsipuedes]

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

24x16x16. thing is since its a flat backed hexagon tank, its not 16 all the way across. its closer to 12 on the ends, and middle 16 inches of the 24inch length is 16 inches wide.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

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??

Should be fine, you might need to slip in an Actinic or two to tone things down if you have any lower light critters in the tank.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

i am wondering if i have enough light. my corals do not seem to be 'thriving'(1.027sg, .2 phos, 5 nit, 8.2 ph, 460 cal, 9dkh)

it is a 30 g cube that is about 20" deep. i placed my montis about 6 inches from the top of the water.. they dont seem too happy. my other setup has just 10k's and actinics at near the same wattage and theyre growing like no tomm.

my t5 system is 4" above the water, which is 4 x 24w.

front
ATI AB special
ATI Blue plus
ATI AB special
ATI Purp plus (thinking of switching this with a blue plus, what do you think?)

Much thanks!

If you have a decent fixture it should be fine. Move that Purple Plus to the second from front position and replace the front Aquablue with another Blue Plus and your tank will look better.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

24x16x16. thing is since its a flat backed hexagon tank, its not 16 all the way across. its closer to 12 on the ends, and middle 16 inches of the 24inch length is 16 inches wide.

4 lamps should be enough. Not a whole ot of options unless you want to build an LED fixture.

 

[EvilE]

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

Damn. I will try to change my order before they send the lamps.:uhoh2:

 

[fastpcuser]

Have 55G with:

ATI Blue Plus
ATI Purple plus
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Blue Plus


I was thinking of switch one of the blue plus for 10K or 75/25 which one would be better or just leave it like it is ?

I'm trying to grow SPS mostly but have some zoos too.

Thank you

 

[R33f3r]

Have 55G with:

ATI Blue Plus
ATI Purple plus
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Blue Plus


I was thinking of switch one of the blue plus for 10K or 75/25 which one would be better or just leave it like it is ?

I'm trying to grow SPS mostly but have some zoos too.

Thank you

I would try a KZ new gen and see how that looks. It's 14k kinda of like the 75/25 but way more par and your tank will still be bluer than with a 10k or aquablue.

 

[Jstdv8]

Grim,
I've got a 120g mixed reef with a nova extreme pro 6 light fixture.

Are you recommending 4 blue +, 1 purple plus and a GE 6500K?

I currently have the crummy current USA bulbs 3 10k's and 3 actinics

are the ATI's going to give me better color and better growth at the same time or is it a trade off for looks?

Thanks

 

[TimeConsumer]

Well after much thought and searching through the archives, I'm going to bite the bullet and buy an ATI Sunpower 4x54w for my 75 gallon and get rid of the two other fixtures. Thanks for your advice rtparty.

 

[bryman]

One more question please - What order front to back should I run these bulbs? Right now they are:
Front----------
B+
B+
AB Special
P+
B+
B+
Back-----------

Thanks!

Hi again T5 gurus. I've been using a 6 bulb Sunpower over my 90G Oceanic Tech tank with good results. Per Grim's advice, I switched my bulbs about 8 months ago to:
4 Blue +
1 Purple +
1 Aquablue special

I love the look of this combination and growth has been great. I am about to change my bulbs with the same combo after about 8 months. Right now the fixture is about 8" above the water. After I change the bulbs, should I raise the fixture for a while so that the corals don't get shocked? If so how much? Thanks!

 

[matttg]

hey guys i would read the 430 page thread but i think it would take me a few years,
i have a quick question

i need to light up 700mmx600mm (wide) 540mm tall.
i currently have a 8x39w solarmax t5 unit
running 4 blue+ 1 kz purple 1 attinic 1 pro colour one aqua blue special
(all ati tubes except the kz purple)

i dont need the light to go the full 900mm of my tank (the weir cuts allmost 200mm off the end)

i was wondering if a 6x24w Ati powermodule would be sufficent to light it, (as the powermodule put out alot more par then a solarmax)

heres some pics

i was thinking
1ulv super attinic
1 ulv attinic
1 kz purple
1aqua blue special
2 blue +

cheers

 

[Drae]

Quick question. Enlighten me! No pun intended. I have two 4 bulb fixtures over a 150 gallon display. I have 6 brand new ATI bulbs ( 3 blue plus, 2 aqua blue specials, and 1 purple plus) and the other two bulbs are a new 10k and a 420/460 from aquatic life. Combo please. BTW, I can purchase additional bulbs if needed. Also water to sand is 21". Bulbs are roughly 6-1/2" above water surface. Sps/lps?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Have 55G with:

ATI Blue Plus
ATI Purple plus
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Blue Plus


I was thinking of switch one of the blue plus for 10K or 75/25 which one would be better or just leave it like it is ?

I'm trying to grow SPS mostly but have some zoos too.

Thank you

Try something like a Giesemann Aquablue or a Aquascience 15K Special if you can find it.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Grim,
I've got a 120g mixed reef with a nova extreme pro 6 light fixture.

Are you recommending 4 blue +, 1 purple plus and a GE 6500K?

I currently have the crummy current USA bulbs 3 10k's and 3 actinics

are the ATI's going to give me better color and better growth at the same time or is it a trade off for looks?

Thanks

I know you from somewhere else, now it's gonna bug me....

Yeah, better color and growth with those lamps.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

One more question please - What order front to back should I run these bulbs? Right now they are:
Front----------
B+
B+
AB Special
P+
B+
B+
Back-----------

Thanks!

Maybe swap the position of the aquablue and purple plus.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

hey guys i would read the 430 page thread but i think it would take me a few years,
i have a quick question

i need to light up 700mmx600mm (wide) 540mm tall.
i currently have a 8x39w solarmax t5 unit
running 4 blue+ 1 kz purple 1 attinic 1 pro colour one aqua blue special
(all ati tubes except the kz purple)

i dont need the light to go the full 900mm of my tank (the weir cuts allmost 200mm off the end)

i was wondering if a 6x24w Ati powermodule would be sufficent to light it, (as the powermodule put out alot more par then a solarmax)

heres some pics

i was thinking
1ulv super attinic
1 ulv attinic
1 kz purple
1aqua blue special
2 blue +

cheers

Nice tank. I would stick with 8 lamps. 6 isn't enough, especially those 6 you listed. I'd do 5 blue plus, 2 purple and 1 Geisemann Midday.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Quick question. Enlighten me! No pun intended. I have two 4 bulb fixtures over a 150 gallon display. I have 6 brand new ATI bulbs ( 3 blue plus, 2 aqua blue specials, and 1 purple plus) and the other two bulbs are a new 10k and a 420/460 from aquatic life. Combo please. BTW, I can purchase additional bulbs if needed. Also water to sand is 21". Bulbs are roughly 6-1/2" above water surface. Sps/lps?

I'd run 5 Blue Plus, 2 Purple Plus and a GE daylight. If the fixture is Tek or better you'll be fine with SPS up on the rocks a little

 

[tcp316]

Blue Plus

Blue Plus

Front
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Actinic White
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Blue Plus
Blue Plus
GE 6500K Daylight
Blue Plus

That was one of the best mixes I have ever seen. You could use an Aquablue in number 4 so you start with Blue Pluses on 3 and 5 for dusk/dawn, then add in 2 Blue Plus and the Aquablue then add the actinic white and GE for midday.

I am changing out the color on my 90 gallon tank. I just added 2 ATI blue plus. Is there a difference in ATI blue plus and blue plus?
I have a 6 bulb unit and when I replaced 2 of my bulbs that i thought were out, they didn't come on. Will 4 bulbs still be good enough for my 90 gallon? it is a 4 ft long tank.