The T5 Q&a Thread

[MstgKillr]

MH and T5 Help

MH and T5 Help

Mr. Grim or anyone else.

Please help me out.

I know this is a T5 thread but I still think my questions are relevant.

I am leaning toward a MH and T5 combo for my new tank rather than all T5. I want the shimmer.

The tank will be an Oceanic 156 gallon mixed reef including sps and clams and it will have to have a canopy. The dimensions will be 60 x 24 x 25.

What combo would you recommend for both the MH and T5, including bulbs, ballasts, configuration, run times, moonlights etc...

Basically design my lighting system for me.


Thanks,
Jason

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9586398#post9586398 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Dudester
Thanks so much! Yes, I spoke with one of the Geeks (can't remember his name) and he said he's expecting the 10 bulb fixture, hopefully in several months. I'm on the waiting list . Regarding the bulbs, I assume you were giving the order in your standard front --> back, or would you mix them up? I seemed to think that the bulbs should be positioned to compliment the specific corals beneath them? Again, sorry if this is a sophomoric question.

Yeah, you want to space the lamps around.

Front

Blue Plus
Aquablue
Super Actinic
Aquasun
Blue Plus
Super Actinic
Aquasun
Super Blue
Aquablue
Blue Plus

You may need to tweak that around so the ballast pairings make sense for dusk/dawn

 

[AquaPython]

Grim,
hi again -
do you know anything about aquaMedic brand bulbs?
they have 3 types :

Ocean Blue 20,000 K 400-500nm with 420nm Peak

Ocean White 10,000 K Tropical Daylight

Planta 5,000 K Red and Blue Peaks

would these be worth getting? why or why not?

 

[tbone28]

ATI Powermodule/Sunpower for 180g 6'x2'x2'?

ATI Powermodule/Sunpower for 180g 6'x2'x2'?

Grim,

I'm in the planning stages for a 180g mixed reef w/ majority of SPS. I'd prefer the ATI Powermodule for this tank.

Is it confirmed that this will be available in the US? When?
What's the best setup for this size tank?
Does it come in a 72" length?

If the ATI Powermodule is not going to be available, what setup do you recommend?

Any difference in performance between the Powermodule and Sunpower?

Will I need a chiller with T5's?

Thanks for your help

 

[rooroo]

Aquapython,

I used the Aquamedic 10K bulbs on my setup overdriven and they burn out like crazy. I think they'd be fine on a HO setup that is not overdriven but I can't keep mine from burning out. Otherwise they seem fine. The 10K color is a little yellow for my tastes. FYI, premiumaquatics has them for $9 a bulb.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9591025#post9591025 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by AquaPython
Grim,
hi again -
do you know anything about aquaMedic brand bulbs?
they have 3 types :

Ocean Blue 20,000 K 400-500nm with 420nm Peak

Ocean White 10,000 K Tropical Daylight

Planta 5,000 K Red and Blue Peaks

would these be worth getting? why or why not?

I think I would stick with good lamps.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Re: ATI Powermodule/Sunpower for 180g 6'x2'x2'?

Re: ATI Powermodule/Sunpower for 180g 6'x2'x2'?

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9591657#post9591657 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tbone28
Grim,

I'm in the planning stages for a 180g mixed reef w/ majority of SPS. I'd prefer the ATI Powermodule for this tank.

Is it confirmed that this will be available in the US? When?
What's the best setup for this size tank?
Does it come in a 72" length?

If the ATI Powermodule is not going to be available, what setup do you recommend?

Any difference in performance between the Powermodule and Sunpower?

Will I need a chiller with T5's?

Thanks for your help

Check with reefgeek as far as availability goes. For a 72" tank you have 2 choices, 2 36" fixtures or 1 72" Aquactinics constellation fixture which uses 7 rows of 2 36" lamps. As far as the difference between the sunpower and power module dunno, I assume they will be close.

 

[tbone28]

Re: Re: ATI Powermodule/Sunpower for 180g 6'x2'x2'?

Re: Re: ATI Powermodule/Sunpower for 180g 6'x2'x2'?

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9592287#post9592287 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Check with reefgeek as far as availability goes. For a 72" tank you have 2 choices, 2 36" fixtures or 1 72" Aquactinics constellation fixture which uses 7 rows of 2 36" lamps. As far as the difference between the sunpower and power module dunno, I assume they will be close.

Thanks for your quick reply. I did call ReefGeek, and confirmed with Greg that they will be receiving both the powermodule and sunpower lines in a few months.

Which would you go with for an SPS-dominated tank: ATI or Aquactinics?

Would you go with 2 36" fixtures (more surface coverage, less wattage) or, say, the ATI 8 or 10x80w( 60" length, but more wattage)?

Do you think I'd need a chiller?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Re: Re: Re: ATI Powermodule/Sunpower for 180g 6'x2'x2'?

Re: Re: Re: ATI Powermodule/Sunpower for 180g 6'x2'x2'?

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9592395#post9592395 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tbone28
Thanks for your quick reply. I did call ReefGeek, and confirmed with Greg that they will be receiving both the powermodule and sunpower lines in a few months.

Which would you go with for an SPS-dominated tank: ATI or Aquactinics?

Would you go with 2 36" fixtures (more surface coverage, less wattage) or, say, the ATI 8 or 10x80w( 60" length, but more wattage)?

Do you think I'd need a chiller?

You shouldn't need a chiller. You need to check on the availablility of 80 watt ATI units, last I heard that wasn't going to happen due to ballast issues. I would probably go with the Aquactinics based on the look. It is a PITA to place 2 fixtures over a tank.

 

[MstgKillr]

Mr. Grim or anyone else.

Please help me out.

I know this is a T5 thread but I still think my questions are relevant.

I am leaning toward a MH and T5 combo for my new tank rather than all T5. I want the shimmer.

The tank will be an Oceanic 156 gallon mixed reef including sps and clams and it will have to have a canopy. The dimensions will be 60 x 24 x 25.

What combo would you recommend for both the MH and T5, including bulbs, ballasts, configuration, run times, moonlights etc...

Basically design my lighting system for me.


Thanks,
Jason

 

[JOSEPHLB]

Grim,

Here are the four 39w T5's lit up over my empty 65g. Looks pretty good, in my opinion, for only four bulbs. Nevermind the fingerprints & dust; since the tank has been sitting empty since November.

The bulbs used are:
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Aquasun
UVL Super Actinic
ATI Aquablue

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9593150#post9593150 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by MstgKillr
Mr. Grim or anyone else.

Please help me out.

I know this is a T5 thread but I still think my questions are relevant.

I am leaning toward a MH and T5 combo for my new tank rather than all T5. I want the shimmer.

The tank will be an Oceanic 156 gallon mixed reef including sps and clams and it will have to have a canopy. The dimensions will be 60 x 24 x 25.

What combo would you recommend for both the MH and T5, including bulbs, ballasts, configuration, run times, moonlights etc...

Basically design my lighting system for me.


Thanks,
Jason

I would do a couple 250 watt 10K XM's in Lumenarc minis with a 3 lamp 80 watt T5 retro running 2 Blue Plus and 1 Pure Actinic lamp.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9593446#post9593446 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by JOSEPHLB
Grim,

Here are the four 39w T5's lit up over my empty 65g. Looks pretty good, in my opinion, for only four bulbs. Nevermind the fingerprints & dust; since the tank has been sitting empty since November.

The bulbs used are:
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Aquasun
UVL Super Actinic
ATI Aquablue

So get some water in the damn thing

 

[FunGuy]

Perfect timing for a photo! I was going to ask for some pics. If anyone else has some pics of a similar size tank filled, please post it so I can decide if the lights are strong enough and looks good.

I was considering changing a 58g Oceanic to 4-39 watt T5 icecap retros powered by an icecap 660 in the canopy. I primarily will have softies and LPS. I'll consider a clam or anemone possibly. Current VHO setup sucks. Lots of corals can't hold their color at all.

Also, is that the best bulb combo? I was going to go for 4 bulbs and if that's strong enough, leave it at that or add the dusk/dawn extra 2 bulbs later

Thanks guys.

 

[bigfruits]

Hey JOSEPHLB, that was the combo i was gonna try. can you post a pic when you have some water and liverock in there or pm me with it?

cheers
-z

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9595281#post9595281 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by FunGuy
Perfect timing for a photo! I was going to ask for some pics. If anyone else has some pics of a similar size tank filled, please post it so I can decide if the lights are strong enough and looks good.

I was considering changing a 58g Oceanic to 4-39 watt T5 icecap retros powered by an icecap 660 in the canopy. I primarily will have softies and LPS. I'll consider a clam or anemone possibly. Current VHO setup sucks. Lots of corals can't hold their color at all.

Also, is that the best bulb combo? I was going to go for 4 bulbs and if that's strong enough, leave it at that or add the dusk/dawn extra 2 bulbs later

Thanks guys.

I would try this for a 14K halide look (little bluish) 1 uvl Super Actinic, 1 UVL Aquasun, 1 Aquablue, 1 Blue Plus. ACCLIMATE YOUR CORALS. You are probably going to double the light output the critters get now. I would run the T5's a week with no reflectors. Then add the reflectors to the super actinic and the blue plus for a week. Add a reflector to the aquablue the week after that and then the Aquasun.

 

[FunGuy]

Thanks for the info Grim Reefer. I will likely take your advice. I didn't know the lighting would be so drastic to need acclimation, but I will take it slowly I'll try the light bulb combo too. Bulbs were listed back to front right?

Thanks again.

 

[tbone28]

Re: Re: Re: Re: ATI Powermodule/Sunpower for 180g 6'x2'x2'?

Re: Re: Re: Re: ATI Powermodule/Sunpower for 180g 6'x2'x2'?

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9592950#post9592950 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
You shouldn't need a chiller. You need to check on the availablility of 80 watt ATI units, last I heard that wasn't going to happen due to ballast issues. I would probably go with the Aquactinics based on the look. It is a PITA to place 2 fixtures over a tank.

ReefGeek emailed me earlier. You're right. The 80watt units won't be available.

Looks are not as important to me as performance. The T5's will be hidden behind cabinetry. How hard is it to hang 2 fixtures over the tank?

I was thinking 2 of the 10x39w fixtures (3' each), placed end to end. The 10-bulb fixtures are 22" wide, so I'd have great coverage on a 6'x2'x2' tank. Do you think the 780 watts is overkill on an SPS-dominated mixed reef?

Looks aside, do you think the Aquactinics is still the better performer?

I'm also curious to hear your findings when you recieve your Sunpower. Speaking with Greg from ReefGeek, he's saying performance should be similar to the Powermodule for half the price. It just doesn't look as nice. I'd like to see if you find the same.

Thanks

 

[cmc5dc]

What is the easiest way to clean the reflectors????

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: ATI Powermodule/Sunpower for 180g 6'x2'x2'?

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: ATI Powermodule/Sunpower for 180g 6'x2'x2'?

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9596024#post9596024 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tbone28
ReefGeek emailed me earlier. You're right. The 80watt units won't be available.

Looks are not as important to me as performance. The T5's will be hidden behind cabinetry. How hard is it to hang 2 fixtures over the tank?

I was thinking 2 of the 10x39w fixtures (3' each), placed end to end. The 10-bulb fixtures are 22" wide, so I'd have great coverage on a 6'x2'x2' tank. Do you think the 780 watts is overkill on an SPS-dominated mixed reef?

Looks aside, do you think the Aquactinics is still the better performer?

I'm also curious to hear your findings when you recieve your Sunpower. Speaking with Greg from ReefGeek, he's saying performance should be similar to the Powermodule for half the price. It just doesn't look as nice. I'd like to see if you find the same.

Thanks

I would be surprised if there was a major difference in performance from a Sunpower to a Power Module. At this point I really couldn't tell you which is the better performer between the ATI and Aquactinics. If you can get 10x39 watt fixtures I would say 2 of the Sunpowers is the way to go.