The T5 Q&a Thread

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12405257#post12405257 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rgreenpc
What color light will the extra blue plus give me?

I want something natural but not blaring white nor too blue.

It might look too purple but some people like that look. It will be a good starting point.

 

[CamBarr]

I have a 22"x22"x22" cube with a 150watt MH currently I am considering going with an ATI power module or a TEK light I would like to keep strictly sps. Would a 4 bulb fixture do the trick or should i go for a 6 bulb fixture the tank is somewhat deep at 22"

 

[shackscs]

CamBarr,

The problem you are going to run into is finding good bulbs to handle that size tank. I also have a Solana and because of my great results with HO-T5's was going do that with this tank as well.

But for keeping what I really wanted, which is LPS and SPS, I had to settle for MH.

 

[reefsahoy]

grim,
are the ati fixtures that much better than the tek lights? they cost almost 2 times that of tek fixtures, and claim 50% better lighting than most t5 fixtures, but when i check specs this is what i see. reflectors on tek is 96% and 98% on ati. the ati is active cooling but if you use a fan blowing on to tek light fixture this should be equivalent right? so it should come down to ballast, or shape of the reflectors and the position of where the bulb sits from the reflectors, otherwise 2% difference can come from how you measure the reflectivity of the reflectors. what would your opinion on this be? just from a stand point of specs they seem to give out the same lighting.

 

[Primetime33]

I am in the process of planning a frag tank for SPS. The size will be 24*24*12. I am not sure if I want all T5's, MH or combo of the two. What would be your recommendation? I run all T5's on my 150 and like the results.

 

[fish02]

Where in the world is the beginnig of this thread? It seems like I just keep clicking on links on the first page and they never seem to get to the beginning. I need to start reading so I can figure out which ATI Powermodule I need to get for my oval shaped tank to help with growth.

 

[rgreenpc]

I just got a 3 ballast T5 setup from reefgeek...

I have it all wired up and 2 of the ballasts perform well (except they all have a very odd high pitched noise).

The third ballast will come on for a few minutes and shut off.

I have checked my wiring at this point I was going to switch wires from a good ballast to the other one.

 

[Egres]

hi

i have a 54gal tank 36x18x20 and dont know which bulb combination would be good is this looking good

460Nm
10000K
6000K
12000K
420Nm

and which compagnie should i go with???

 

[Egres]

like that would it be good

-powerchrome actinic +
-URI aquasun
-powerchrome midday
-URI actinic white
-URI super actinic blue

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12406245#post12406245 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by yamaha racer
so should i go with the tek 8x54w for my 90? and later when i get money ill over drive them

It's a PITA to overdrive a tek. You would be way better off getting a constellation.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

My thoughts?

I could really use a Sammich.

Should look about like 10K halides running with VHO Actinics. Good place to start at least. Should look good.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12408265#post12408265 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rgreenpc
Grim -

I just got an email from ReefGeek -

The told me I have:

2 - ATI 39W Blue Plus T5 HO Fluorescent
1 - ATI 39W 12000K Aquablue Special T5 HO Fluorescent
1 - ATI 39W True Actinic 03 T5 HO Fluorescent
1 - ATI 39W Pro Color T5 HO Fluorescent
1 - UVL 39W 10000K AquaSun T5 HO Fluorescent

Greg stated that I might need to let the bulbs to fully burn in and for my eye to adjust to it a bit...

Thoughts?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12408834#post12408834 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ShootMe
I'm about to push the button on the 4 bulb 36" ATI fixtures from reefgeek for my 40 breeder I am setting up. I want to try my hands at sps, mainly montipora since they seem to be easier as first time sps and maybe a clam. I know nothing as to which bulbs I should get included with the fixture so can I get some recommendations please.

Front
ATI Blue Plus
UVL 75/25
UVL Aquasun
Blue Plus

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12409343#post12409343 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by danorth
Does anybody have experience with the Sundial T5HOs? I have a fowlr tank and need to replace my 4x65w pc lights. I have an opportunity to get 2 of the 36" 4x39W Sundial T5HO lights at a fair price. I would like to know how they actually make the fish look? Will the tank be bright? It is a 135.....thanks.

What it will look like depends on the lamps you use. It will be better than the PC's though.

I'd do
Blue Plus
Aquablue
GE6500K Daylight
Blue Plus

You could keep some lower light soft corals under that if it floats your boat.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12409424#post12409424 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by scrapz
I have a 55g 36x18x20, would a 4 or 6 bulb kit be better for my tank. Tank will be ric/LPS dominant with a few SPS. I plan to add a clam when the tank matures.

Any bulb suggestions? Would love alot of pop but with a clean color

Aquactinics Tx5 would be my choice.

Front
Blue Plus
Super Acinic
Aquasun
Blue Plus
Aquablue

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12410880#post12410880 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by axia55
Grim,

I just bought a used Tek 8 bulb fixture for my 90g. I am going to use 6 of the 8 over my tank for now, even though it came with 8 slightly used bulbs. Based on your recommendations, I decided to go with this combo (Front to Back):
AquaBlue +
Actinic +
AB+
Aquasun (The writing is almost gone but I think thats what it is)
Super Actinic
AB+

I really don't like the AquaSun, as it gives the tank a slightly pinkish, 10K look that I don't like. Could I replace the AquaSun with another AB+ or similar bulb, or will that be too much blue? Any "side effects" of doing so?

TIA as always!

Your problem isn't the aquasun, it's too many aquablues. If you have another blue lamp (Actinic Plus) pr two use them. the order of your lamps are a bit messed up too.

Front
Actinic Plus
Pure Actinic
Aquasun
Actinic Plus Out Aquablue
Aquablue
Actinic Plus Out Aquablue

If I remember right the Aquasun will have green endcaps

 

[edwarder]

Lighting 180

Lighting 180

Grim
I just got an AGA 180. Canopy dimensions are 72X24X8. Im interested in keeping LPS and maybe some clams.

Would an 6 bulb Ice Cap retro fit (36") get the job done?

Would a Constellation be overkill?

Thanks.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12411313#post12411313 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by DrDNA
hey grim,

yet another T5 question for the T5 Man Himself

I am running two 10x54w powermodules on one tank and a tek 8x54 on another (yes, reefgeek is going to love me in a few months when it's bulb changing time!). the metal halide look that I like the best is the radium or helios 20K with actinics. what would you say is the equivalent in T5's, spectrum-wise? after looking at the halide spectal stuff on Sanjay's site and the T5 spectrals on reefgeek's page, it appears to me that the T5 equivalent would be just a bunch of blue plus bulbs with a couple UVL SA's (though I also like the fiji purples). what do you think?

I'd try something like this

Front
Blue Plus
Super Actinic
Blue Plus
UVL 75/25 or fiji purple
Blue Plus
UVL 75/25 or fiji purple
Blue Plus
Super Actinic
Blue Plus
Blue Plus

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12416240#post12416240 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by CamBarr
I have a 22"x22"x22" cube with a 150watt MH currently I am considering going with an ATI power module or a TEK light I would like to keep strictly sps. Would a 4 bulb fixture do the trick or should i go for a 6 bulb fixture the tank is somewhat deep at 22"

6 lamps would be better.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12416372#post12416372 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by reefsahoy
grim,
are the ati fixtures that much better than the tek lights? they cost almost 2 times that of tek fixtures, and claim 50% better lighting than most t5 fixtures, but when i check specs this is what i see. reflectors on tek is 96% and 98% on ati. the ati is active cooling but if you use a fan blowing on to tek light fixture this should be equivalent right? so it should come down to ballast, or shape of the reflectors and the position of where the bulb sits from the reflectors, otherwise 2% difference can come from how you measure the reflectivity of the reflectors. what would your opinion on this be? just from a stand point of specs they seem to give out the same lighting.

With no fan blowing a tek light no kidding had half the output of the ATI. If you use a fan the tek picks up a little better than 20%.
After that the effectivness of the cooling, ballasts and reflector material and design come into play.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12416601#post12416601 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Primetime33
I am in the process of planning a frag tank for SPS. The size will be 24*24*12. I am not sure if I want all T5's, MH or combo of the two. What would be your recommendation? I run all T5's on my 150 and like the results.

Do a Tek reto with the big tek II reflectors. 6 lamps

Blue Plus
Aquasun
Blue Plus
Aquasun
Blue Plus
Aquasun

Should color things up nicly and have a lot of PAR.