The T5 Q&a Thread

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<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9805499#post9805499 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tbone28
Grim,

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

I answered you on the last page. Hang lose for the Sunpowers from ATI if you can. I will have one here to play with shortly. If it performs even close to the Powermodule it will be the way to go.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9805786#post9805786 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
I answered you on the last page. Hang lose for the Sunpowers from ATI if you can. I will have one here to play with shortly. If it performs even close to the Powermodule it will be the way to go.
Click to expand...

How many bulbs should I use for a mixed reef? The Sunpowers come in 4-bulb and 6-bulb fixtures. Sorry to bother!
 
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? Thanks.
 
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<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9805835#post9805835 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tbone28
How many bulbs should I use for a mixed reef? The Sunpowers come in 4-bulb and 6-bulb fixtures. Sorry to bother!
Click to expand...

6
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9806218#post9806218 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
6
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Thanks, Grim! So I'll get on the waiting list with Greg at ReefGeek for 2 of the 6x39W fixtures. That'll give me 468 watts spread 72" end-to-end and 10" front-to-back.

I suppose I'll keep any SPS in the upper-half of the tank, right below the lights, and my softies elsewhere?
 
I sure hope they perform close to the Powermodules. The cost savings are huge! Can't wait for your review! Thanks for your help :)
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9805875#post9805875 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 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? Thanks.
Click to expand...

Grim, any ideas on a bulb combo for this? Or is it just a bad idea? Thanks for all your advice so far.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9807567#post9807567 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by maveric3444
Grim, any ideas on a bulb combo for this? Or is it just a bad idea? Thanks for all your advice so far.
Click to expand...

Run a Actinic and a Blue Plus for dusk/dawn and a Blue Plus, Actinic and a Sun/daylight lamp for your main.
 
Thanks Grim For your great advice. I didn't specifically ask you a question but reading through here I found a response from you to another reefer that guided me to my answer. I picked up a TX5 Series Aquactinics 48" 5 lamp T5 fixture and went with one of your bulb arrangements. It looks great. A clean looking white with a perfect hint of blue. Thanks again for your support on here.

1. ATI Aquablue
2. UVL Super Actinic Dawn
3. UVL Aquasun
4. ATI Blue Plus Dawn
5. ATI Blue Plus
 
Thanks for the heads up guys and the information. I think I flooded you with too many questions at once and my main question slipped through...

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

I know the ATI Powermodules would be awesome, but I'm going to have to wait on them... I'm sure I won't be able to talk the wife into it until I show some results. I barely got the entire project approved on the budget banking on the Nova Extremes.

If you haven't read my other post, I've just gotten my green jello tank back under control. I could get the Powermodules if I pushed, but that doesn't help me with my desire for a custom acrylic sump/fuge design for the limited stand space, now does it... :D

So back to my question: For the next year or so, during which I won't be stocking the tank heavily anyway, will I be able to get by with the Nova Extreme w/lunar fixture and exchange the lamps with the following for an added plus:

2x ATI Aquablue
2x ATI Blue+
1x GE 3000k
1x UVL SuperActinic

I am looking to purchase the Powermodule next summer as long as I can produce great results with this new tank.

Thanks again, everyone!
 
Grim,

I have the ever-challenging 92 gallon corner tank on order. I would love to go with halides, but the heat in s. florida would require I get a chiller and there is really no room for one.

Instead, I am planning to retrofit into the canopy 4 x 36 watt T5s on individual Icecap reflectors (running across the front of the tank from left to right), and 4 X 24 watt T5s behind those. I will be using Icecap reflectors and 2 Icecap 660 ballasts, so I assume the lamps will be overdriven. I am also thinking of staggering the lamps (left to right) to try and eliminate any dark spots on the sides.

What kind of bulb combination would you recommend? I prefer a blue look (equivalent to, say, 14k halides with PC actinic supplementation).

I am planning on keeping softies, LPS and a clam or two. No SPS at this time.

Thanks.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9810555#post9810555 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by deucetowe
Thanks for the heads up guys and the information. I think I flooded you with too many questions at once and my main question slipped through...

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

I know the ATI Powermodules would be awesome, but I'm going to have to wait on them... I'm sure I won't be able to talk the wife into it until I show some results. I barely got the entire project approved on the budget banking on the Nova Extremes.

If you haven't read my other post, I've just gotten my green jello tank back under control. I could get the Powermodules if I pushed, but that doesn't help me with my desire for a custom acrylic sump/fuge design for the limited stand space, now does it... :D

So back to my question: For the next year or so, during which I won't be stocking the tank heavily anyway, will I be able to get by with the Nova Extreme w/lunar fixture and exchange the lamps with the following for an added plus:

2x ATI Aquablue
2x ATI Blue+
1x GE 3000k
1x UVL SuperActinic

I am looking to purchase the Powermodule next summer as long as I can produce great results with this new tank.

Thanks again, everyone!
Click to expand...

You should be fine and yes the lamps are interchangable
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9810615#post9810615 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sirjohn
Grim,

I have the ever-challenging 92 gallon corner tank on order. I would love to go with halides, but the heat in s. florida would require I get a chiller and there is really no room for one.

Instead, I am planning to retrofit into the canopy 4 x 36 watt T5s on individual Icecap reflectors (running across the front of the tank from left to right), and 4 X 24 watt T5s behind those. I will be using Icecap reflectors and 2 Icecap 660 ballasts, so I assume the lamps will be overdriven. I am also thinking of staggering the lamps (left to right) to try and eliminate any dark spots on the sides.

What kind of bulb combination would you recommend? I prefer a blue look (equivalent to, say, 14k halides with PC actinic supplementation).

I am planning on keeping softies, LPS and a clam or two. No SPS at this time.

Thanks.
Click to expand...


I would do one UVL Aquasun and 1 UVL Super Actinic in each size and then use Blue Plus for the rest as a start. Order a GE 6500K in each size as a spare and to allow you to play with different combinations of lamps.
 
Thank you Grim.

As far as bulb placement, does this combination look okay to you?

Blue Plus - 36 watt
Blue Plus - 36 watt
Super Actinic - 36 watt
Aquasun (or GE 6500k) - 36 watt
Aquasun (or GE 6500k) - 24 watt
Super Actinic - 24 watt
Blue Plus - 24 watt
Blue Plus - 24 watt

Thanks again.
 
any thoughts on the tek II reflectors? i wanted to get a retro w/ 2 36 slr reflectors for my 60" bulbs but my supplier said to go with the 60" tek II cuz they are just as good?
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9811811#post9811811 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sirjohn
Thank you Grim.

As far as bulb placement, does this combination look okay to you?

Blue Plus - 36 watt
Blue Plus - 36 watt
Super Actinic - 36 watt
Aquasun (or GE 6500k) - 36 watt
Aquasun (or GE 6500k) - 24 watt
Super Actinic - 24 watt
Blue Plus - 24 watt
Blue Plus - 24 watt

Thanks again.
Click to expand...


Should at least be a good place to start
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9813239#post9813239 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by brandon0350
any thoughts on the tek II reflectors? i wanted to get a retro w/ 2 36 slr reflectors for my 60" bulbs but my supplier said to go with the 60" tek II cuz they are just as good?
Click to expand...

The Tek 2's are like 3" wide so make sure you have room. As far as I know there has been no PAR comparisons yet so I dont know where the supplier got the info about "just as good"/
 
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