The T5 Q&a Thread

[pinkcoral]

Thank you

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12936794#post12936794 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by grandp10

I sure hope this isn't the case but the lamps just might not be lasting as long as they should. You might want to change how you run the fixture as far as dusk/dawn operation if yours is one of the units that only has the fan tied into one ballast. Make sure your dusk/dawn setup runs on the ballast that turns the cooling fan on so the fixture is always being cooled.

If you have a PAR meter I would put in fresh lamps and see what happens. Track the PAR monthly and see what you end up with.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12936918#post12936918 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by MG21
Hey Grim,

Very informative thread. Am in the process of setting up a102x36x30 FOWLR (maybe just a few softies or LPS). Would like your opinion on a nice T5 set up. Am looking at ATI and aquactinics. Would 2 of the 48 inch 8x54 watt units be sufficient? Do you know if they make legs for the ATI units. Also have one 10 inch squamosa clam from my old system I would like to keep.Also what bulb recommendations. Thank you for your time.

Two of the ATI's or Aquactinics Constellations would work. Just make sure the clam is directly under the lights.

 

[grandp10]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12940293#post12940293 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
I sure hope this isn't the case but the lamps just might not be lasting as long as they should. You might want to change how you run the fixture as far as dusk/dawn operation if yours is one of the units that only has the fan tied into one ballast. Make sure your dusk/dawn setup runs on the ballast that turns the cooling fan on so the fixture is always being cooled.

If you have a PAR meter I would put in fresh lamps and see what happens. Track the PAR monthly and see what you end up with.

Great thanks for the info!

 

[nu2reefva]

hey grim reefer i need some advice im looking at 2 different t5 6x54 watt fixtures for an SPS dominated with clams 90 gallon standard 24" depth. the 2 options are the tek light and the ATI while i like the ATI it is very expensive and i wanted to see if you could tell me why the ATI creates more PAR is it because the ATI is overdriven and the TEK isn't.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12937094#post12937094 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by johnboy16
Quick question-
just got a new 4x54 Current fixture to light my 75 which will be holding softies, I need some bulb reccomendations

Front
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Super Actinic
UVL Aquasun
ATI Blue Plus

 

[jmjohnson]

Grim, Currently I have a 48 nova extreme pro with stock bulbs. Would it be worth the money to buy an ati 6 by 54w or should I just invest in new bulbs. The fixture will go over a 75 mostly sps.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12940149#post12940149 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by TXReefer21
I have a 110 flatback-hex its about 27" tal i have 4 54watt t5's over it now but i think i need more i can fit two more in the front but the will be 36" because of the shape of the tank. Im only keeping LPS and softies. Im wanting a lil more blue look what bulbs should i use? and do i need 2 more bulbs or will the 4 work? The only bulbs i can get locally are geisman.


Thanks,
Nathan

If you want the look a little more blue add a Actinic Plus at the front with an Aquablue behind it. If you want a lot more blue do 2 Actinic plau.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12940659#post12940659 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by nu2reefva
hey grim reefer i need some advice im looking at 2 different t5 6x54 watt fixtures for an SPS dominated with clams 90 gallon standard 24" depth. the 2 options are the tek light and the ATI while i like the ATI it is very expensive and i wanted to see if you could tell me why the ATI creates more PAR is it because the ATI is overdriven and the TEK isn't.

The ATI cools the ballasts and the lamps. Also has better reflectors. Obviously makes a huge difference.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12940663#post12940663 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jmjohnson
Grim, Currently I have a 48 nova extreme pro with stock bulbs. Would it be worth the money to buy an ati 6 by 54w or should I just invest in new bulbs. The fixture will go over a 75 mostly sps.

For a SPS heavy tank I really think in the long run you will be happier with the ATI.

You could do it with the nova as long as the SPS are on the rocks a ways and stuck with high output lamps.

 

[snaza]

Do ATI sell reflectors? if so when can you buy them? also i cant find where to buy the aquactinics reflectors either. Are the ATI better than the new aquactinics?

cheers

 

[nu2reefva]

Grim, i have decided to go with the ATI on reef geek and im going to buy the one with the bulbs so for my choice of bulbs what should i get i want it to be an SPS dominated 90 gallon and i want a clean like 12 or 14k look what bulbs should i get with my 6x54 watt fixture.

thanks

 

[mmakay]

Hey Grim,

We just moved and so our tank is being "born again" in the new house. I've decided to try T5 after being a die-hard MH guy. The new set-up is a 48x24x24 so I'm leaning toward an ATI 8x54.

The Phoenix 250's I used were a nice color but reds, oranges and yellows never had much punch. I'm hoping to find a similar level of blue (and fluorescence) but with better overall balance and pop for the warm colors. This is the mix I've concocted based on reading your suggestions. Am I close?

Blue Plus
Aquablue Special
Super Actinic
Pro Color
Blue Plus
AquaSun
Super Actinic
14000K

The tank will have lots of SPS, a couple clams, and some LPS and zoas. Please give me your thoughts on the fixture and lamp selection.

Thanks!

 

[Obsessed_Reefer]

Hey all. I plan on setting up a 24" tank. Either 20H, or 15G, or a custom tank. But definitely 24". I was looking at the Current-USA 24" SunDial. Has individual reflectors, two built in timers, two moonlights, and one fan. What's your opinion on it?

Thanks.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12940782#post12940782 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by snaza
Do ATI sell reflectors? if so when can you buy them? also i cant find where to buy the aquactinics reflectors either. Are the ATI better than the new aquactinics?

cheers

Aquactinics I think are sold at Aquarium specialty from the sponsors page. ATI has a really good new retro reflector but I don't know of anyone that is selling them.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12941347#post12941347 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by nu2reefva
Grim, i have decided to go with the ATI on reef geek and im going to buy the one with the bulbs so for my choice of bulbs what should i get i want it to be an SPS dominated 90 gallon and i want a clean like 12 or 14k look what bulbs should i get with my 6x54 watt fixture.

thanks

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

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12942471#post12942471 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mmakay
Hey Grim,

We just moved and so our tank is being "born again" in the new house. I've decided to try T5 after being a die-hard MH guy. The new set-up is a 48x24x24 so I'm leaning toward an ATI 8x54.

The Phoenix 250's I used were a nice color but reds, oranges and yellows never had much punch. I'm hoping to find a similar level of blue (and fluorescence) but with better overall balance and pop for the warm colors. This is the mix I've concocted based on reading your suggestions. Am I close?

Blue Plus
Aquablue Special
Super Actinic
Pro Color
Blue Plus
AquaSun
Super Actinic
14000K

The tank will have lots of SPS, a couple clams, and some LPS and zoas. Please give me your thoughts on the fixture and lamp selection.

Thanks!

I'd tweak the positions a bit and drop the 14000K for another Blue Plus

Front

Blue Plus
Super Actinic
Aquasun
Blue Plus
Pro Color
Aquablue or GE 6500K daylight
Super Actinic
Blue Plus

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12942484#post12942484 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Obsessed_Reefer
Hey all. I plan on setting up a 24" tank. Either 20H, or 15G, or a custom tank. But definitely 24". I was looking at the Current-USA 24" SunDial. Has individual reflectors, two built in timers, two moonlights, and one fan. What's your opinion on it?

Thanks.

It can't match the "good" systems but it would be plenty for a tank less than 18" tall/

 

[gig]

Hey Grim, got a follow-up, I spent a few hours this weekend adding in the new T5's with my old VHO setup and it's all working great, but now I'm sure I have 1 too many 10K's as the color is not perfect, but not bad, which I will probably swap out a VHO 10K for a VHO Actinic in 6 mo. once they need replacing.

My current setup as of this weekend

current

front
VHO Actinic
T5 Aquasun (10K)
VHO Actinic
T5 Actnic
VHO 10K
VHO 10K - (this one needs to be Actinic)

So my LFS stocks only UVL for his 72" VHO's, which is fine. If you had a clean slate, with the slots below, what would be the ideal for good color and growth?

front
VHO - ??
T5 - ??
VHO - ??
T5 - ??
VHO - ??
VHO - ??

Also, what's the best desired height from the tank or water? Do you measure from the bottom of the bulb to the water surface or to the tank lip?

Thanks again for all your advice!

 

[knockout]

Hey guys, I was set to buy the Aquactinics unit and then I found an 8 bulb Tek for a good price, I was hoping to run the unit on 6 bulbs but found out that can only run it on either 4 or 8 bulb config... will 8 lamps give too much light to my 75g mixed reef, the last thing I want to do is kill the livestock due to light shock,

if ok, what bulb config will be good to get the most color pop on the corals... thanks in advance.

Kelvin.