The T5 Q&a Thread

[jadeguppy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11766405#post11766405 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
If Sylvania has blue lamps do 3 of those and a super actinic UVL. Otherwise use the AquaZ blue Pros for the blue lamps.

Should all my bulbs be blue? Don't I need something for growth or am I misunderstanding? I'm switching to T5 because I don't like the mh color and have no room for actinics with it on so I will be getting rid of the mh. I probably should have explained that better the first time.

BTW, thanks for all you do for us!

 

[Reefbound1]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11766553#post11766553 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Try this

Front
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Aquasun
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Pro Color
ATI Blue Plus
UVL 75/25
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus

Will this combo also have good growth like I have now or will it slow a little... well it has to be better because everything is washed out with the lights I have now ...

 

[gsechen]

Hi grim, do you know anything about the cadlights t5 fixture. its High Output 6 x 24w bulbs T5 lighting (10,000k daylight, 03 true actinic blue) 144 watts. Is this sufficient lighting for sps or more for zoas? I just want my zoas to have good color. It doesn't ahve individual reflectors so I guess its not as strong as it can be.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11770479#post11770479 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by MikePowell
hey Grim. What is the "BEST" par meter. some of the locals where i live would like to get one and i iwas wondering which one we should get.

Dunno about "Best" but this is what most people use

www.apogee-inst.com

Model QMSS remote sensor.

 

[LoyalConvict]

O.k. i already know what fixture i want but dont know what bulbs to get, i want to keep LPS SPS softies and maybe some clams, i'm buying the Tek-Light 8x54, its going on a 90 with about a 3-4 inch sand bed, i want good growth and color, any suggestions would be awesome

thanks
-ted

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11770522#post11770522 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tinnghe
by fan array you mean like computer fans?

http://www.aquariumspecialty.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=1266

The doctors sell the Azoo fans for around 30 bux.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11770639#post11770639 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Nap
Transferring an existing set-up to a new tank and I am going to switch to new lighting at the same time. The new tank is a 120 (48X24X24) and is a mix of LPS, softies, and a few SPS. System has been running for 10+ years on MH. I am going T5 because I want more of the "blue look" which MHs just aren't as good at, and I want to get my electricity costs down (been using 2X 400w MH). The following lights are the three I am debating between and I just can't make up my mind.

-Aquactinics Solar Flare 6X54 48"

-Aquactinics Constellation 7X54 48"

-ATI Powermodule 8X54 48"

I know the air movement and reflectors are what set these apart from the field but what sets these apart from each other? (other than the obvious number of bulbs). If price wasn't a concern and you just wanted to keep the healthiest tank which would you choose and why?
Thanks so much for all the help.
-Ian

EDIT: Looks like reefgeek only has the 6X54 ATI in stock, would that be a major step down?

Solar Flare is overdriven so it hase more punch BUT if you are doing a ton of SPS you don't really need to overdrive.

I would say the Constellation and 6 lamp ATI are a tie for output. Really comes down to the astetics of the fixture. The constellation is black and the ATI is silver. I'd drift towards the Constellation because of the color and extra lamp but thats because I don't really care for the look of the silver fixture.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

oops

 

[EvilE]

Grim, do you prefer the UVL super actinic or the ATI True Blue actinic?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11772142#post11772142 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jadeguppy
Should all my bulbs be blue? Don't I need something for growth or am I misunderstanding? I'm switching to T5 because I don't like the mh color and have no room for actinics with it on so I will be getting rid of the mh. I probably should have explained that better the first time.

BTW, thanks for all you do for us!

3 Blues, 1 Actinic and 2 10K's. The Blues will have nearly as much PAR as the 10K's if they are the same as the ATI Blue Plus lamp which Sylvania also makes.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11772230#post11772230 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Reefbound1
Will this combo also have good growth like I have now or will it slow a little... well it has to be better because everything is washed out with the lights I have now ...

Thats going to have pretty good PAR and should bring out a lot of color.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11772775#post11772775 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by gsechen
Hi grim, do you know anything about the cadlights t5 fixture. its High Output 6 x 24w bulbs T5 lighting (10,000k daylight, 03 true actinic blue) 144 watts. Is this sufficient lighting for sps or more for zoas? I just want my zoas to have good color. It doesn't ahve individual reflectors so I guess its not as strong as it can be.

If the tank isn't over about 18" tall it would be fine.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11774531#post11774531 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by LoyalConvict
O.k. i already know what fixture i want but dont know what bulbs to get, i want to keep LPS SPS softies and maybe some clams, i'm buying the Tek-Light 8x54, its going on a 90 with about a 3-4 inch sand bed, i want good growth and color, any suggestions would be awesome

thanks
-ted

Front
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Actinic
UVL Aquasun
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Pro Color
ATI Aquablue
UVL 75/25
ATI Blue Plus

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11774611#post11774611 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by EvilE
Grim, do you prefer the UVL super actinic or the ATI True Blue actinic?

ATI at the present time.

 

[xenon]

Hey Grim!

What is currently the best T5 fixture in you're opinion?

ATI Powermodule?

If so do you think its worth 2X the price compared to the tek light?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

ATI is the best I know of and Aquactinics is right there too as far as performance.

 

[EvilE]

Grim-thanks! Hey I see the Sfiligoi bulbs are on sale at Reefgeek-- are Sfiligoi good lamps?

 

[xenon]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11775135#post11775135 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
ATI is the best I know of and Aquactinics is right there too as far as performance.

Sweet! Thanks.

Would you pay 2X more for the ATI compared to the Tek?

 

[dsanfilippo]

Hey all, i am trying to determine a couple things,
First of all, I have a 120 reef with 2x 250W MH (14K South pacific sun bulbs) and 2 X 95W VHO actinics. I am thinking of adding a 36" Ready Fit: 2-39W T5 HO Retrofit Kit by Sunlight Supply with individual parabolic Tek reflectors for each bulb.

1. Do I even need to run any more lighting to support a SPS dominated tank?? ( everything seems to be doing fine in a well established tank...I know it seems stupid to mess with, but we can always do better right??)

2. Second, I like the color I have now, definetely a crisp white with a small blue tint. What bulbs should be able to maintain that coloration?

3. Is this a good retro kit? Light

Any help would be great...thanks in advance

 

[SI REEFTANK]

Grim- I have a 30g breeder tank set up as a frag tank. 36x18x12h
with a (39w)6 bulb tek light. It has the front and back separate dawn to dusk. I am keeping a mix of sps (acros and monties) lps (acanthastreas and micromusas) a couple leathers and two maximas. Could you recommend a bulb configuration. The fixture is now at 12'' over the water. Thanks for all you've done. Its been great reading.