The T5 Q&a Thread

[tetor]

hi t5ho experts
i have a lot of softies, but i want to start grow lps and sps
i have a tek 6x54 which will be your best bulb configuration
thanks a lot
i´ll be waiting your opinions and recomendations

 

[skratchiechan]

just tried

front
blue +
blue +
purple +
aquablue special
back

and seems like the fish are more active... am I tripping or can this be possible?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Thanks Grim. I probably won't replace the bulbs for a few months since these are very new but when I do, I was planning on doing both bulbs ATI Blue Plus because I heard that gives you more of a straight 12000k look and I used to love that look when I had MH lighting. Right now my tank is more of a white slight yellow tint color.

Would the corals have good growth and color pop with 2 ATI Blue Plus on my tank?

2 Blue Plus will look 20K but you'll get good growth. One Blue Plus and one 10K will probably be more what you want

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Is the KZ New Generation a better option than the ATI Aquablue?

Yeah, it/s more blue and wont wash out colors like the AB can.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

hi t5ho experts
i have a lot of softies, but i want to start grow lps and sps
i have a tek 6x54 which will be your best bulb configuration
thanks a lot
i´ll be waiting your opinions and recomendations

4 blue plus 1 purple plus and a GE 6500K

 

[The Grim Reefer]

just tried

front
blue +
blue +
purple +
aquablue special
back

and seems like the fish are more active... am I tripping or can this be possible?

Share whatever you've been smoking.

I don't see light making a big difference

 

[roni]

Sorry if this question has been answered before but considering a 300 DD tank (72 x 36W x 27T) and was wondering whether a 10 x 80W powermodule would have enough coverage. I'm planning on leaving the front 3-5" bare and it will be a mixed reef with some LPS in the lower parts of the tank.

Also, what bulb combo do you think would be best? I like a 14K overall look.

Thanks in advance.

 

[thebanker]

Yeah, it/s more blue and wont wash out colors like the AB can.

Dang it. I was torn between the two, and went with the AB Special. I shoulda gone KZ.

 

[marinehrnt]

I was just about to put in my order for the 4x54 Tek elite and now I'm wondering if it's worth the extra $60 over the original Tek to get the cooling fans and acrylic shield. Any thoughts?

 

[moondoggy4]

I have the Tek Elite 6X54 and they have fixed the fans, no problems so far. I believe that most people here are fans of active cooling fixture.

 

[Genin]

2 Blue Plus will look 20K but you'll get good growth. One Blue Plus and one 10K will probably be more what you want

Thanks again Grim.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Sorry if this question has been answered before but considering a 300 DD tank (72 x 36W x 27T) and was wondering whether a 10 x 80W powermodule would have enough coverage. I'm planning on leaving the front 3-5" bare and it will be a mixed reef with some LPS in the lower parts of the tank.

Also, what bulb combo do you think would be best? I like a 14K overall look.

Thanks in advance.

Should be fine

6 Blue Plus, 2 Purple Plus and 2 GE6500K for lamps.

 

[roni]

Should be fine

6 Blue Plus, 2 Purple Plus and 2 GE6500K for lamps.

Thanks, appreciate it.

 

[BPro32]

Is one fan blowing on the label end of retros good enough inside a canopy or do I need a second fan as an exhaust of the hot air inside?

 

[tundra1000]

Hey, I need some experienced thoughts on what bulbs to buy for a DIY T5 fixture for my 54g corner. Water height is 20" and the fixture can sit up to 10" off the top of the water. I plan on using Fullam workhorse ballasts and aquactinics 2" reflectors. With the 2" reflectors I can fit 4 24" and 2 18" bulbs. It does not seem like there is a wide variety of 18" bulbs but I am trying to fit as much under the hood as I can. Probably no SPS, maybe up near the top, but I would love a clam on the sandbed if I can.

So I am looking for bulb reccomendations or any suggestions to what I have already laid out. I don't mind spending dough on good bulbs but I don't want to go any higher on hardware, hence the fullam's. I also could not say that "I prefer a bluer tank or a whiter tank" because I really don't know. I would just like to start with a good color spectrum and then go from there.

Thank you for any help,
Matt

 

[mr_cali]

Thanks Grim!!

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Is one fan blowing on the label end of retros good enough inside a canopy or do I need a second fan as an exhaust of the hot air inside?

Should be fine as long as there is enough air movement for the air to be vented out of the canopy.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hey, I need some experienced thoughts on what bulbs to buy for a DIY T5 fixture for my 54g corner. Water height is 20" and the fixture can sit up to 10" off the top of the water. I plan on using Fullam workhorse ballasts and aquactinics 2" reflectors. With the 2" reflectors I can fit 4 24" and 2 18" bulbs. It does not seem like there is a wide variety of 18" bulbs but I am trying to fit as much under the hood as I can. Probably no SPS, maybe up near the top, but I would love a clam on the sandbed if I can.

So I am looking for bulb reccomendations or any suggestions to what I have already laid out. I don't mind spending dough on good bulbs but I don't want to go any higher on hardware, hence the fullam's. I also could not say that "I prefer a bluer tank or a whiter tank" because I really don't know. I would just like to start with a good color spectrum and then go from there.

Thank you for any help,
Matt

Using good lamps with crappy ballasts doesn't make a lot of sense to me but oh well.

Use a Current 10K and 460 Blue for the 18" lamps and 3 ATI Blue Plus and 1 Purple Plus for the 24".

 

[schroder_reef]

Hey Grim, never have had T-5s before but going to setup a 75 gal standard 4 ' mainly sps soon. I can't decide between the ATI Sunpower 6 bulb and the 6 bulb Tek (regular) ($200) difference. I would go with your bulb recommendations on your site. For sps and a 75 gal is there a reason to go with one over the other? Thanks in advance.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hey Grim, never have had T-5s before but going to setup a 75 gal standard 4 ' mainly sps soon. I can't decide between the ATI Sunpower 6 bulb and the 6 bulb Tek (regular) ($200) difference. I would go with your bulb recommendations on your site. For sps and a 75 gal is there a reason to go with one over the other? Thanks in advance.

ATI because it's better. 4 Blue Plus, 1 Purple Plus and a GE 6500K Daylight.