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The T5 Q&a Thread
- Thread starter JohnL
- Start date
- Status
fishez4alivin
Member
Currently I have an Aquactinics TX5 with
Front
Aquablue special
Blue +
Aquasun
Blue+
Procolor
I can get an ATI PM with 6x39W for a decent price...
Does the ATI fixture and the extra bulb warrant the purchase over my TX5? On a 24" wide tank, shallow 16" would I be better off getting a 8x, the wait time is between 4-8 weeks. SPS dominated, the few LPS I have need to be in the outer edge of my tanks sandbed.
I am getting great results with the TX5, but wish it had one more slot so I could add a superactinics bulb. Question is, is the performance so good on the ATI, that I will be happy with the 6x39, or will I need to get in line for a possible 8 week delivery of the 8x39 to notice a difference?
TIA
Front
Aquablue special
Blue +
Aquasun
Blue+
Procolor
I can get an ATI PM with 6x39W for a decent price...
Does the ATI fixture and the extra bulb warrant the purchase over my TX5? On a 24" wide tank, shallow 16" would I be better off getting a 8x, the wait time is between 4-8 weeks. SPS dominated, the few LPS I have need to be in the outer edge of my tanks sandbed.
I am getting great results with the TX5, but wish it had one more slot so I could add a superactinics bulb. Question is, is the performance so good on the ATI, that I will be happy with the 6x39, or will I need to get in line for a possible 8 week delivery of the 8x39 to notice a difference?
TIA
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
6 lamp ATI would be plenty.
Hey Grim,
Just wanted to post the results of my light change. Much more blue, but not dark, and the corals pop so much more. As usual, pictures don't really do it justice, but here's a comparison. Thanks so much for the advice, I love the outcome!!
Old lighting
New lighting
One last thing, what would you recommend for a 4' 120g with an 8 bulb fixture?
Just wanted to post the results of my light change. Much more blue, but not dark, and the corals pop so much more. As usual, pictures don't really do it justice, but here's a comparison. Thanks so much for the advice, I love the outcome!!
Old lighting
New lighting
One last thing, what would you recommend for a 4' 120g with an 8 bulb fixture?
Last edited:
electraglide999
In Memoriam
where can I get Aquactinics reflectors?
ricwilli
Member
Grim, first I want to Thank you for helping me out with choosing the bulbs for my Tek and Constallation fixture. Well, I came across a good deal on a 48" Solar Flare and was hoping you can recommend the bulbs for it. It will be on a 72 gallon tank 18" tall bare bottom. This tank will have mix corals but mostly sps. Clams, acans, and zoos will be at the bottom. I would not like it to be to Blue.
361 m sq km
New member
Hi all,
I am new to the hobby, and after reading through the huge amount of posts on the subject, I think I am still unsure whether my intended lighting system will be enough.
My tank will be 96 inches long x 36 inches wide and 30 inches high. I plan to keep a mixed reef including some sps and clams.
After reading back through many pages of this thread, I intend to use T5, but am not sure if it will be enough if I keep some clams on the bottom of the tank.
From past replies, it seems that ATI and Auatinics fixtures are the way to go. However, I am able to get Giesemann from the LFS that I am familiar with.
Is there much difference between the Giesemann and the other two. And if I use 2 Giesemann Matrix 12x54W for this tank, will that be enough? Or should I get a mixture of 400W MH with some T5? Bear in mind that there will be clams on the bottom of the tanks.
Thank you all in advance for your answers, and especially to Grim for all the help he has provided to everyone.
Cheers.
I am new to the hobby, and after reading through the huge amount of posts on the subject, I think I am still unsure whether my intended lighting system will be enough.
My tank will be 96 inches long x 36 inches wide and 30 inches high. I plan to keep a mixed reef including some sps and clams.
After reading back through many pages of this thread, I intend to use T5, but am not sure if it will be enough if I keep some clams on the bottom of the tank.
From past replies, it seems that ATI and Auatinics fixtures are the way to go. However, I am able to get Giesemann from the LFS that I am familiar with.
Is there much difference between the Giesemann and the other two. And if I use 2 Giesemann Matrix 12x54W for this tank, will that be enough? Or should I get a mixture of 400W MH with some T5? Bear in mind that there will be clams on the bottom of the tanks.
Thank you all in advance for your answers, and especially to Grim for all the help he has provided to everyone.
Cheers.
Brandan
Member
Grim, a month or so ago I asked your advice on a 6 bulb fixture for a 100gal (48x24x20H). I can get a deal on a TX5 right now, but I am worried that I will not get the output that I am looking for. I hate to pass up the deal since they are super nice fixtures, just worried if I am going to have the intensity that I want. Also, if you do recommend it, what bulb combo for max output, but still have a nice crisp color.
Thanks
Thanks
Tswifty
New member
Well it's about that time... I need to replace my bulbs. I'm going to replace them a little early, due to some new corals showing up, and I would like to tinker with the overall look in the tank a little. I'd like a little "bluer" look to the tank. Not much, but a little.
Currently running a 6x54w IceCap VHO setup w/ SLR reflectors, and here's the bulb layout.
- - - - FRONT - - - -
Geisemann Actinic Plus
UV Lighting 75/25
UV Lighting Aquasun
Geisemann Actinic Plus
Geisemann Aquablue Plus
UV Lighting Super Actinic
- - - - BACK - - - -
Anyway, I was wondering if a particular bulb manufacturer is know to post more PAR than other manufacturers in that same spectrum?
I intend to keep the UV lighting bulbs in the center, but was thinking of a layout like this?
- - - - FRONT - - - -
ATI Blue Plus
UV Lighting 75/25
UV Lighting Aquasun
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus
- - - - BACK - - - -
Should I expect to see better PAR readings with the ATI bulbs over the Geisemann bulbs?
I'm also thinking of swapping the layout around a little to get the growth bulbs centered over my SPS better... So it would look something like:
- - - - FRONT - - - -
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Blue Plus ------------ Possibly swapping out for an ATI Aquablue
UV Lighting 75/25
UV Lighting Aquasun
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus
- - - - BACK - - - -
If I swap out the Blue Plus in this layout for an Aquablue bulb, should I expect a "noticeable" increase in PAR towards the front of my tank. I'm trying to weigh the look versus growth power... and wondering if it would be worth the swap?
Thanks as always Grim.
Currently running a 6x54w IceCap VHO setup w/ SLR reflectors, and here's the bulb layout.
- - - - FRONT - - - -
Geisemann Actinic Plus
UV Lighting 75/25
UV Lighting Aquasun
Geisemann Actinic Plus
Geisemann Aquablue Plus
UV Lighting Super Actinic
- - - - BACK - - - -
Anyway, I was wondering if a particular bulb manufacturer is know to post more PAR than other manufacturers in that same spectrum?
I intend to keep the UV lighting bulbs in the center, but was thinking of a layout like this?
- - - - FRONT - - - -
ATI Blue Plus
UV Lighting 75/25
UV Lighting Aquasun
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus
- - - - BACK - - - -
Should I expect to see better PAR readings with the ATI bulbs over the Geisemann bulbs?
I'm also thinking of swapping the layout around a little to get the growth bulbs centered over my SPS better... So it would look something like:
- - - - FRONT - - - -
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Blue Plus ------------ Possibly swapping out for an ATI Aquablue
UV Lighting 75/25
UV Lighting Aquasun
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus
- - - - BACK - - - -
If I swap out the Blue Plus in this layout for an Aquablue bulb, should I expect a "noticeable" increase in PAR towards the front of my tank. I'm trying to weigh the look versus growth power... and wondering if it would be worth the swap?
Thanks as always Grim.
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13595188#post13595188 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by seaspy
Hey Grim,
Just wanted to post the results of my light change. Much more blue, but not dark, and the corals pop so much more. As usual, pictures don't really do it justice, but here's a comparison. Thanks so much for the advice, I love the outcome!!
Old lighting
New lighting
One last thing, what would you recommend for a 4' 120g with an 8 bulb fixture?
Nice tank. You should repost with the before and after lamps listed too.
8 lamps over a 120 I'd do 4 blue plus, 1 Aquasun, 1 GE daylight 6500K 1 UVL Super Actinic and 1 ati Aquablue
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
Aquarium Specialty from the sponsors page has them I think
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
Front
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Super Actinic
UVL Aquasun
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
For clams on the bottom you really need to be looking at Halides. 4 250 watt 10K's in good reeflectors with a couple rows of T5 retros in front and in back of the halides is what I would do.
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
Not the best fixture for a 24" deep tank because the light is somewhat narrowly focused. 18" tanks are really the max for that fixture. The Constellation would be way cool.
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
This one
FRONT - - - -
ATI Blue Plus
UV Lighting 75/25
UV Lighting Aquasun
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus
It will have good PAR and be a little more blue than your current mix.
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