The T5 Q&a Thread
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SpareParts
New member
Hello - just got a 150 gallon tall (48 x 24 x 31). I want to use all T5 lighting. Am planning on clams and SPS corals. Thinking I'll get the TeK 8 x 54w. Can I ask if this is a good 8 tube light? And, what kind of moonlights one might use with it? And most importantly, what mix of bulbs to put in the light? How about a timer system?
GRIM- thanks for showing us the light!
GRIM- thanks for showing us the light!
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
For that tall of a tank you want to use an Aquactinics Solar Flare or there Constellation. I would probably go for the Flare. It's only 6 lamps but overdriven with Ice Cap equipment.
ganjero
saiperchémibatteilcorazon
Back on the market. I bought the Solar Flare 4 weeks ago from aquariumspecialty, it took 3+ weeks for me to get the fixture. Well, they couldnt put the ice cap fans on the fixture (they were out of them) so they sent it with cheaper ones and gave me no discount just an upgrade on shipping. I was really mad until I got my fixture.
That day when I saw the big box everything went away. I drilled holes on the ceiling and was ready for my new toy, until I put the bulbs on and turned it on. The lights didnt work. So I contacted the store where I got from (aquarium specialty) they had me call aquatinics, the person from aquatinics said that he didn't know what was wrong, and had me take the thing apart. Everything seem fine but the light didn't want to work. Then aquatinics told me to call ice cap, the ice cap person told me to take it apart and check all the wiring and endcaps. At this point I got really mad, I paid $800+ to get what is supposed to be one of the best fixtures out there and there I was calling all over the place and trying to repair something that was brand new.
It took aquarium specialty two days to tell how to return the fixture and get my money back (I will lose the shipping money to retunr it, not cool). I really wanted this fixture but it was a big disappointment. Now I'm trying to get an ATI powermodule, hopefully I will be able to get one or It will be between a TEK or keeping my MH for my SPS tank.
BTW I got this new light to replace the MHs that died on me, and because of the delay on shipping I lost half of my corals and the other half is not looking good. :mad2: :mad2: :mad2:
That day when I saw the big box everything went away. I drilled holes on the ceiling and was ready for my new toy, until I put the bulbs on and turned it on. The lights didnt work. So I contacted the store where I got from (aquarium specialty) they had me call aquatinics, the person from aquatinics said that he didn't know what was wrong, and had me take the thing apart. Everything seem fine but the light didn't want to work. Then aquatinics told me to call ice cap, the ice cap person told me to take it apart and check all the wiring and endcaps. At this point I got really mad, I paid $800+ to get what is supposed to be one of the best fixtures out there and there I was calling all over the place and trying to repair something that was brand new.
It took aquarium specialty two days to tell how to return the fixture and get my money back (I will lose the shipping money to retunr it, not cool). I really wanted this fixture but it was a big disappointment. Now I'm trying to get an ATI powermodule, hopefully I will be able to get one or It will be between a TEK or keeping my MH for my SPS tank.
BTW I got this new light to replace the MHs that died on me, and because of the delay on shipping I lost half of my corals and the other half is not looking good. :mad2: :mad2: :mad2:
TurningTim
New member
Hey Grim, I can't tell you how happy I am! Just got my new lamps and WOW what a difference! Talk about colors popin'!
This is what I ended up with.....
48" 6x54w
F
Blue+ (ATI)
Atcn+ (Geisemann)
6500k starcoat (GE)
Aquablue (ATI)
6500k starcoat (GE)
blue+ (ATI)
B
I have 2 @6500k, 1 Actn+ and an Aquablue leftover.
Anything you would change? I can't thank you enough for all the help!
Thanks again!
Tim
This is what I ended up with.....
48" 6x54w
F
Blue+ (ATI)
Atcn+ (Geisemann)
6500k starcoat (GE)
Aquablue (ATI)
6500k starcoat (GE)
blue+ (ATI)
B
I have 2 @6500k, 1 Actn+ and an Aquablue leftover.
Anything you would change? I can't thank you enough for all the help!
Thanks again!
Tim
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
Not really, just play around and see what you like.
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
The Tek is OK but if the tank is over 20 inches tall I wouldn't try sps anywhere but up on the rocks.
Hey Grim,
I have a 120 show tank (48X24X24) and I'm going to go with a T5 lighting setup. Do you like the Tek system or the Current USA system better? I'm open to other suggestions if there's something better out there. I kind of like the Tek simply because it does not have fans on the ends of the unit as far as I can tell. My canopy does not have any holes in the sides to allow for good airflow for side mounted fans and I don't really want to cut holes in the sides of the canopy. Of course, I'd like to use the best system available so I'm not completely opposed to cutting the canopy if I absolutely have to.
For this size tank do you recommend a 6 buld or an 8 bulb fixture? I plan to keep LOTS of SPS and some LPS as well as soft corals.
Lastly, what kind of bulbs do you recommend? Like anyone else, I like to see the colors of my corals pop so I'd like to lean toward the blues on the lighting.
Let me know what you think as I want to get something on order asap.
Thanks in adavance for your assistance!!!!
I have a 120 show tank (48X24X24) and I'm going to go with a T5 lighting setup. Do you like the Tek system or the Current USA system better? I'm open to other suggestions if there's something better out there. I kind of like the Tek simply because it does not have fans on the ends of the unit as far as I can tell. My canopy does not have any holes in the sides to allow for good airflow for side mounted fans and I don't really want to cut holes in the sides of the canopy. Of course, I'd like to use the best system available so I'm not completely opposed to cutting the canopy if I absolutely have to.
For this size tank do you recommend a 6 buld or an 8 bulb fixture? I plan to keep LOTS of SPS and some LPS as well as soft corals.
Lastly, what kind of bulbs do you recommend? Like anyone else, I like to see the colors of my corals pop so I'd like to lean toward the blues on the lighting.
Let me know what you think as I want to get something on order asap.
Thanks in adavance for your assistance!!!!
Iammatt219
Member
Grim, I am in the process of setting up a 125, and just got my aquactinics 14 bulb constellation, what is the bulb combo that you would recommend
Thanks in ADvance
Thanks in ADvance
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
I would go with either the Aquactinics Solar Flare or the Constellation. Constellation would be better because the fans are on top.
For lamps try
Front
Blue Plus
Super Actinic
UVL Aquasun
Blue Plus
GE 6500K
Blue Plus
Aquablue
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
Look ^^^ Should be good for yours too
Aquactinics
Registered Member
ganjero,
I am sorry that we were not able to help you with your fixture’s problem over the phone. The Solar Flares are designed that in most cases replacement parts can be shipped out and easily replaced by the customer. In your case we could not determine over the phone exactly what the problem was. Our normal policy is when the complete fixture needs to be replaced we send you out a replacement fixture. Unfortunately, we are currently out of Solar Flares. The only option we have is to have the fixture shipped back and repaired. I understand that this would put you back more days but I have no other option.
At the time of your order, we and the manufacturer of the fans were out of stock and did not know when the fans would be back in stock. We did use our standard fans, with your permission, to get the fixture out to you faster. To also help you get the fixture faster we upgraded the shipping to 2nd day ($75+ over the standard shipping charge) of which we took care of the extra cost.
I understand you would like a refund for the fixture. I would still like to offer to have the fixture repaired (The IC fans are now in stock) and shipped back to you along with refunding you the shipping cost for sending this fixture back to us. Please let us know which you would like.
Thank you and again we are very sorry.
Tom
Aquactinics
I am sorry that we were not able to help you with your fixture’s problem over the phone. The Solar Flares are designed that in most cases replacement parts can be shipped out and easily replaced by the customer. In your case we could not determine over the phone exactly what the problem was. Our normal policy is when the complete fixture needs to be replaced we send you out a replacement fixture. Unfortunately, we are currently out of Solar Flares. The only option we have is to have the fixture shipped back and repaired. I understand that this would put you back more days but I have no other option.
At the time of your order, we and the manufacturer of the fans were out of stock and did not know when the fans would be back in stock. We did use our standard fans, with your permission, to get the fixture out to you faster. To also help you get the fixture faster we upgraded the shipping to 2nd day ($75+ over the standard shipping charge) of which we took care of the extra cost.
I understand you would like a refund for the fixture. I would still like to offer to have the fixture repaired (The IC fans are now in stock) and shipped back to you along with refunding you the shipping cost for sending this fixture back to us. Please let us know which you would like.
Thank you and again we are very sorry.
Tom
Aquactinics
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
Hey Ganjero
Sounds like Aquactinics is willing to make things right for you. I'd give him a chance, the Solar Flare would be a great fixture for what you want to do. Your next best option would be there Constellation unit. Until the ATI Power Modules are available in the US there isn't much to compete with the Aquactinics stuff.
Sounds like Aquactinics is willing to make things right for you. I'd give him a chance, the Solar Flare would be a great fixture for what you want to do. Your next best option would be there Constellation unit. Until the ATI Power Modules are available in the US there isn't much to compete with the Aquactinics stuff.
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
There is a waiting list. A few people have gotten them but I am not sure who it was.
nomadnumber29
New member
Hey Grim,
I have a 140 gal tank 48x24x28 and wanted to get a lighting system that wouldn't limit what I can keep. I like the halides but livinging in florida would mean almost certainly needing to get a chiller. I'm trying to avoid that so I was thinking maybe a aquatinics constellation 7 bulb set-up. Will this allow me to keep clams and sps. And if so what would you recommed as far as bulbs( I was thinking about going with geismann)/placement.
Thanks!
I have a 140 gal tank 48x24x28 and wanted to get a lighting system that wouldn't limit what I can keep. I like the halides but livinging in florida would mean almost certainly needing to get a chiller. I'm trying to avoid that so I was thinking maybe a aquatinics constellation 7 bulb set-up. Will this allow me to keep clams and sps. And if so what would you recommed as far as bulbs( I was thinking about going with geismann)/placement.
Thanks!
Hey Grim,
I'm getting conflicting opinions on the exclusive use of T5's for my setup. My local expert tells me that T5 won't be enough light for SPS corals. I'm being encouraged to look back at a halide/T5 combo. You are the expert on T5... what are your thoughts?
Thanks!
stony_corals
New member
Any "expert" that says that T5s won't be enough light for sps is no expert.
stony_corals
New member
I'd do the Solar Flare....you'd be able to keep anything.
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