The T5 Q&a Thread

[The Grim Reefer]

Should work fine except I would use a GE 6500K daylight in place of one of the Aquablues.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9794433#post9794433 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by brandon0350
would 4 60" t5s with 2 ati blue plus, 2 ati aquablue overdriven with 2 icecap 660s with the new tek 2 reflectors be sufficient lighting for a 60x18x24 mixed reef with a few sps on top?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9795697#post9795697 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Shade00
Hey Grim, I've read through most of this thread and and the T5 PAR thread - lots and lots of great info - maybe I missed it, but do you have the PAR reading on a GE 3000k bulb? Right now I'm running nothing but a GE 3000k and an ATI Blue Plus, and I'm digging it - so are my corals. Might be too red/orange for most people, but I'm not huge on lots and lots of blue. Anyway, I was just curious about how the PAR on the 3000k ranked.

The 3000K had a little higher PAR than the new style 6500K.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9795888#post9795888 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Josh125
Hi - I'm getting ready to order my lights for the 29. I'm going for a 14K-ish look, ha. Can you please confirm I have my bulb selection correct?

ATI Blue Plus
UVL Aquasun
UVL Super Actinic
ATI Aquablue


Also, I read a lot about upgrading reflectors on the TEK retro to ICE CAPS. How do I do this, do I just call reefgeek on ask them? I don't see that option on their website.

As always, thanks.

Yep, just call. The mix of lamps you have will be close to 14K. If you like a little more blue swap the Aquablue out for a blue plus.

 

[Josh125]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9796066#post9796066 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Yep, just call. The mix of lamps you have will be close to 14K. If you like a little more blue swap the Aquablue out for a blue plus.

I am guessing that swap would get me closer to 20K and if I remember keep the PAR roughly the same, correct?

I so wish there was a picture directory with everyone's bulb combo....

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Yep.

 

[sevenkillers]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9677246#post9677246 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
A 8x80 watt Ice Cap retro is about the best choice. I would run a GE 6500K, a Gieseman midday, 2 Aquablues 3 blue Pluses and a Pure actinic.

I am having trouble finding a fixture that is 72 inch long.
They are some available at ebay. Any luck with those?
Any help is appreciated.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Aquactinics makes the only good 72" T5 setup.

 

[tbone28]

Best T5 setup for 180g mixed reef?

Best T5 setup for 180g mixed reef?

Hi Grim,

Tank will be 6' x 2' x 2', mixed reef (~50% SPS)

I'm looking at the Aquactinics Constellation and ATI's (Sunpower vs. Powermodul)

What do you think is the best setup?

Some thoughts:

Aquactinics: 14x39w (72" wide, but only 14" deep)

Sunpower: 4 of the 4x39w (72" wide and 18-20" deep)
Sunpower: 2 each of the 4x39w & 6x39w (72"W & 23-24" deep)
Sunpower: 1 each of the 4x54w & 6x54w(48"W and 23-24" deep)

Powermodul: 1 of the 10x54w (48"W & 22" deep)
Powermodul: 1 of the 8x54w (48"W & 18" deep)
Powermodul: 2 each of the 10x39w (72"W & 22" deep)
Powermodul: 2 each of the 8x39W (72"W & 18" deep)

Aquactinics is the cheapest, and easiest to install, but is it deep enough?

Sunpower vs. Powermodul:
Looks are not important to me. Fixtures will be hidden.
Sunpower is much cheaper, but only has 1 fan per fixture. Powermodul will have 1 fan for every 2 bulbs. Are the extra fans worth the extra money?

Thanks

 

[tbone28]

Best T5 setup for 180g mixed reef?

Best T5 setup for 180g mixed reef?

Hi Grim,

Tank will be 6' x 2' x 2', mixed reef (~50% SPS)

I'm looking at the Aquactinics Constellation and ATI's (Sunpower vs. Powermodul)

What do you think is the best setup?

Some thoughts:

Aquactinics: 14x39w (72" wide, but only 14" deep)

Sunpower: 4 of the 4x39w (72" wide and 18-20" deep)
Sunpower: 2 each of the 4x39w & 6x39w (72"W & 23-24" deep)
Sunpower: 1 each of the 4x54w & 6x54w(48"W and 23-24" deep)

Powermodul: 1 of the 10x54w (48"W & 22" deep)
Powermodul: 1 of the 8x54w (48"W & 18" deep)
Powermodul: 2 each of the 10x39w (72"W & 22" deep)
Powermodul: 2 each of the 8x39W (72"W & 18" deep)

Aquactinics is the cheapest, and easiest to install, but is it deep enough?

Sunpower vs. Powermodul:
Looks are not important to me. Fixtures will be hidden.
Sunpower is much cheaper, but only has 1 fan per fixture. Powermodul will have 1 fan for every 2 bulbs. Are the extra fans worth the extra money?

Thanks

 

[The Grim Reefer]

If you aren't in a big hurry Sun Power hands down. 2 of the 36" units would be the way to go. I will have one in my hot little hands in a few days. If the performance is close to the power module it will be a way better deal, about 50 bux less than the Power Module. Fauna Marin has a fixture that would work great but the price is way too high on those.

 

[maveric3444]

Ok I think I have a new idea. I want to use the new 24" Aquactinics TX5 fixture but starting out it will likely be too much light at 14" above the sand since Ill be doing beginner corals. Can I use the two bulb circuit for morning and evening actinics and shut them off when I turn the three bulb circuit on? Then I have the capability to advance to higher light corals later. Also, what bulb combo would you suggest if I can go this route?

 

[tbone28]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9802093#post9802093 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
If you aren't in a big hurry Sun Power hands down. 2 of the 36" units would be the way to go. I will have one in my hot little hands in a few days. If the performance is close to the power module it will be a way better deal, about 50 bux less than the Power Module. Fauna Marin has a fixture that would work great but the price is way too high on those.

Not in a hurry at all. Timeline is 2-3 months to set-up the tank, but I would like to pre-order with Greg at ReefGeeks.

So what combination of the 36" units do you suggest?

They come in 4-bulb and 6-bulb fixtures.

I was actually considering hanging 4 fixtures: 4 of the 4x39watts. Overkill?

I'm eagerly awaiting your test results of the Sunpower. I'm curious if the extra fans that the Powermodul justify the price.

 

[jamesdawson]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9802093#post9802093 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
If you aren't in a big hurry Sun Power hands down. 2 of the 36" units would be the way to go. I will have one in my hot little hands in a few days. If the performance is close to the power module it will be a way better deal, about 50 bux less than the Power Module. Fauna Marin has a fixture that would work great but the price is way too high on those.

If SunPowers are only $50 less than equivalent #bulbs PowerModuls than thats not a great deal at all. In Europe the SunPower lists for about 1/2 the price of PowerModuls.

P.S., I would like to get one if the price is right .

James

 

[tbone28]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9802690#post9802690 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jamesdawson
If SunPowers are only $50 less than equivalent #bulbs PowerModuls than thats not a great deal at all. In Europe the SunPower lists for about 1/2 the price of PowerModuls.

P.S., I would like to get one if the price is right .

James

Based on an email from Greg at ReefGeek, the approximate differences in price for 36" fixtures will be:

One 8-bulb Powermodule will cost $250 more than two 4-bulb SunPowers

One 10-bulb Powermodul will cost $350 more than one 4-bulb + one 6-bulb Sunpower

The savings are pretty significant. However, you need to hang 2 Sunpower fixtures to get the same # of bulbs in 1 Powermodule. You also get fewer fans in the Sunpower.

Personally, I don't mind hanging multiple fixtures, because they will all be inside of cabinetry.

 

[deucetowe]

Yo, Gurus!

I'm setting up a new 75gal tank and am looking at the 48", 6-54W Tek light with mounting brackets for the fixture. Tank size is the following: 48"long x 21" tall x 18.5" deep. My wife does not want a hanging fixture in our living room.

I definitely want lunar lights, so I need to get some input on lunar light mounting methods. I must have a very professional finish, so should I just go with the Nova Extreme 48" 8-bulb fixture that already has the lunars included instead of the Tek and deal with 3rd party lunar? I'm open to any solutions, but I'd like to keep unsightly wires from cluttering up any part of the tank.

Can I exchange the T5 bulbs in the Noa Extreme with your recommendations from earlier in this thread?

I want to be able to keep whatever I want in the future, with quality, not quantity of organisms being my focus. Definitely a clam, some SPS, and anemones... Going to try my luck with a Valentini puffer, Foxface, Clown, etc.

I have a tremendous amount of respect for you guys. Thanks for any and all input.

 

[jamesdawson]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9802973#post9802973 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by deucetowe
Yo, Gurus!

I'm setting up a new 75gal tank and am looking at the 48", 6-54W Tek light with mounting brackets for the fixture. Tank size is the following: 48"long x 21" tall x 18.5" deep. My wife does not want a hanging fixture in our living room.

I definitely want lunar lights, so I need to get some input on lunar light mounting methods. I must have a very professional finish, so should I just go with the Nova Extreme 48" 8-bulb fixture that already has the lunars included instead of the Tek and deal with 3rd party lunar? I'm open to any solutions, but I'd like to keep unsightly wires from cluttering up any part of the tank.

Can I exchange the T5 bulbs in the Noa Extreme with your recommendations from earlier in this thread?

I want to be able to keep whatever I want in the future, with quality, not quantity of organisms being my focus. Definitely a clam, some SPS, and anemones... Going to try my luck with a Valentini puffer, Foxface, Clown, etc.

I have a tremendous amount of respect for you guys. Thanks for any and all input.

You would be smart to get a SunPower or for the ultimate cool looks--a PowerModul, they will blow away both the Tek and the Nova in PAR and efficiency. They can be hung or set on top of a tank. ReefGeek has them coming in a month or two. Better call and reserve one (no charge for this) in order to ensure getting one on the first shipment. Coolest thing about ATI fixtures is they only have one wire from the fixture to a remote mountable box where it splits into multiple wires for the bulbs. Very clean setup IMHO!

Lunar lights are easy to do as an add-on, there are lots of different options out there. I use the lunar light that came with my Tunze MultiController and love the way it auto dims and brightens through the moonlight cycle

James

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9802690#post9802690 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jamesdawson
If SunPowers are only $50 less than equivalent #bulbs PowerModuls than thats not a great deal at all. In Europe the SunPower lists for about 1/2 the price of PowerModuls.

P.S., I would like to get one if the price is right .

James

A Fauna Marin 6x54 unit is 600 bux with the lamps. Reefgeek says the Sunpower will be about 100 bucks less with lamps. 500 with lamps, not sure what the 6x54 watt Powermodule will go for.

 

[ChiiBear]

From ReefGeek, not sure the limited time is over or not.

> For a limited time the prices below include your choice of bulbs.

> ATI 48" Powermodule: 4-54W T5 HO Fluorescents ~ $489.00

> ATI 48" Powermodule: 6-54W T5 HO Fluorescents ~ $719.00

 

[The Grim Reefer]

So the Sun Power is a couple hundred less than the powermodule, that seems about right in line with what I've heard.

 

[tbone28]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9802484#post9802484 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tbone28
Not in a hurry at all. Timeline is 2-3 months to set-up the tank, but I would like to pre-order with Greg at ReefGeeks.

So what combination of the 36" units do you suggest?

They come in 4-bulb and 6-bulb fixtures.

I was actually considering hanging 4 fixtures: 4 of the 4x39watts. Overkill?

Grim,

Did you forget about me? I'd like to tap your knowledge and experience! :rollface: