The T5 Q&a Thread

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14059994#post14059994 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by harleyreefer
Well, I just ot a good look at ATI fixtures, and I really like the look. They are about twice as expensive as the TEK, but as a one time expence, perhaps it would be the way to go for me. I am looking at a pair of the 36" x 10 bulbs for my 84" tank... Would this be enough light to reach the bottom of my 24" deep tank? will the two of these light 84" of tank all the way across?
With the 2 cords each, one controling 2 bulbs, and one cord controling the other 8, is there a bulb recomendation to replace the pair of 400wMH, (10,00k), and the pair of super atenics now running on the tank? It seems I could turn on the 2 bulbs on one fixture, then the 2 on the other, then the next 8, and finally the last 8. Reverce at night when its time to shut down. Might look pretty neat when the timers get set right.
Sort of at a loss for the bulbs thouh. With 20 bulbs total, at better than 20 bucks a pop, it could be pretty expensive to change my mind later.

Be plenty of light to the bottom. I assume you are talking end to end.

I'd light the lamps all the way across at the same time.

Front

UVL Super Actinic
ATI Blue Plus
GE 6500K Daylight
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Pro Color
ATI Blue Plus
GE 6500K Daylight
ATI Blue Plus
GE 6500K Daylight
ATI Blue Plus


I am assuming the first and last are the dusk/dawn pair

That might look a little bluer than you are used to but should look nice. Order a couple extra ATI Aquablue lamps. Then you can play and they make a reasonable replacement for a blue or white lamp.

 

[CeeGee]

Thanks Grim!

How do you know so much about the T5's? I kinda feel sorry for you as it seems you are fighting a war all alone

 

[holdyourlight]

grim how does this combo sound to you for lots of blue some white and a hint of purple

blue plus
75/25
kz koral lite
blue plus

? anything you would change?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14060298#post14060298 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by CeeGee
Thanks Grim!

How do you know so much about the T5's? I kinda feel sorry for you as it seems you are fighting a war all alone

I have a lot of spare time, 5 fixtures a box full of lamps and reflectors and a very understanding wife in the livingroom.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14060378#post14060378 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by holdyourlight
grim how does this combo sound to you for lots of blue some white and a hint of purple

blue plus
75/25
kz koral lite
blue plus

? anything you would change?

I'd maybe try a Pro Color if you want to see purple at all. What you have listed is going to be kinda a bright 20K halide look. Maybe a slight hint of purple.

 

[snaza]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14059155#post14059155 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rtparty
Snaza,

What happened to the pink stylo you had next to the green candy cane? It looks like it has turned purple?

Lost it a while back. used some dodgy silicone in my tank and lost 3 or 4 SPS. I have couple of frags i managed to save which i:m growing up big and strong again

 

[smartinez72]

Hi Grim,
I currently have 40g Breeder mixed reef w/current USA sitting about 3-4in above the rim I am running the following bulbs front to back

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

I am upgrading to a 65g wide 36L x 24W x 18H would you recommend adding lighting or change bulb arrangement for this new tank setup? I am looking for maximum color and growth.

Thanks for all your help.

 

[sanababit]

Hey Grimm
How long do T5 HO last, i have an ATI Powermodule with 6 bulbs

Blue +
Actinic
Aquasun
Aqua Blue
Blue +
Blue +

They have been running for 10 months and they seem to have lost PAR, colors look kind of dull and some bulbs are dark at the ends, is it time to change them?, is the choice of colors good? is the actinic really necessary or can i change it to an aquablue for more PAR?

the tank is 80% SPS and 20% LPS/Softies, and the size is 48"x24"x18", thanks

Sana

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14060665#post14060665 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by smartinez72
Hi Grim,
I currently have 40g Breeder mixed reef w/current USA sitting about 3-4in above the rim I am running the following bulbs front to back

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

I am upgrading to a 65g wide 36L x 24W x 18H would you recommend adding lighting or change bulb arrangement for this new tank setup? I am looking for maximum color and growth.

Thanks for all your help.

I'd hang with those lamps.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14060811#post14060811 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sanababit
Hey Grimm
How long do T5 HO last, i have an ATI Powermodule with 6 bulbs

Blue +
Actinic
Aquasun
Aqua Blue
Blue +
Blue +

They have been running for 10 months and they seem to have lost PAR, colors look kind of dull and some bulbs are dark at the ends, is it time to change them?, is the choice of colors good? is the actinic really necessary or can i change it to an aquablue for more PAR?

the tank is 80% SPS and 20% LPS/Softies, and the size is 48"x24"x18", thanks

Sana

Lamps could be on the dull side at 10 months. If your fixture has the adjustable power source for the fans you might want to bump it up a notch or two.

Also place your new lamps at the opposite end of the fisture from the side plate with the vents in it. If you look at the reflectors with the lamps removed there will be holes between the reflector and endcaps at one side. Mount the lamps with the labels at that end.

For lamps you could dump the actinic

Front
Blue Plus
ATI Pro Color
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus

 

[BryanJ]

What would be the best fixture for a standard 75 21 inches tall. It will be a mixed reef.

 

[JurisHP]

Grim:

I just purchased the following for my 180G mixed reef, which includes Torch Corals, Hammer Corals, 1 clam, Frogspawn, Colt Coral, zoos, Mushrooms, Gonopora, Xenia, Ricordia and a bunch of fish:

2 x 39W 12000K Aquablue Special by ATI
4 x 39W Blue Plus T5 HO Fluorescent by ATI
2 x 39W 10000K AquaSun by UV Lighting
2 x 39W Super Actinic by UV Lighting
2 x 39W Fiji Purple by Korallen Zucht

How should I arrange the bulbs from front to back? Will this lighting fry my corals or bleach them? Should I keep certain corals low?

Thanks!

 

[tsprice82]

Nova Extreme Pro or Sunlignt Supply Tek?

Nova Extreme Pro or Sunlignt Supply Tek?

I would like to upgrade my lighting on my 90 gallon (48x18x24) and wondered whether the additional cost of the Tek fixture (about $100 more vs the Nova Extreme Pro) is worth it in the long run. If you don't mind could you tell me what extra benefits there would be with the Tek fixture. I am looking at the 6X54w fixtures, will that be enough lighting to keep clams? Also, if I went with Tek what bulb configuration would be a good mix?

Thanks so much for your help!

 

[Nereaga]

Well will start with the cons with the Tek.

1. No active cooling fans on unit.

2. No splash shield included.

3. No bulbs included.

So you would have to invest in a splash shield, which is an extra $60 and then some small fans should be mounted near the fixture to cool the bulbs and unit, thus making the unit run more efficiently and cooling the bulbs will increase output. And lastly you would have to buy 6 bulbs at around $20 each.

The NEP, has active cooling, comes with splash shield, and bulbs are included.

Pros:

Tek has actual individual reflectors, while the NEP has one big shield bent around each bulb, not the same but pretty close, IMO.

They both don't have moonlights either.

I might have missed something, as I am not a pro in lighting by any means....

 

[Bucksnort]

Need T5 recommendations

Need T5 recommendations

I'm starting a new tank:

210 gal = 84" long x 24" wide x 24" deep
I would like to keep softies and LPS

I will build a canopy for the tank and would like to light with 100% T5s.

I have a 6" overflow at one end so I dont need the lights to reach all 84". There is a 23" wide center brace of 1/2" glass in the middle of the tank.

I have never built/assembled lights before but am not afraid to try.

I'm asking for recomendations on what balasts, reflectors, number & length lights I may need. I'm sure someone is running something similar but this thread is SO long and the search feature is not working for me today. Thanks.

 

[rtparty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14062805#post14062805 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Nereaga
Well will start with the cons with the Tek.

1. No active cooling fans on unit.

2. No splash shield included.

3. No bulbs included.

So you would have to invest in a splash shield, which is an extra $60 and then some small fans should be mounted near the fixture to cool the bulbs and unit, thus making the unit run more efficiently and cooling the bulbs will increase output. And lastly you would have to buy 6 bulbs at around $20 each.

The NEP, has active cooling, comes with splash shield, and bulbs are included.

Pros:

Tek has actual individual reflectors, while the NEP has one big shield bent around each bulb, not the same but pretty close, IMO.

They both don't have moonlights either.

I might have missed something, as I am not a pro in lighting by any means....

The TEK is hands down the better fixture. You can't even compare these two. Current makes garbage T5 fixtures. You wouldn't be able to keep clams with either fixture.

Here are the pros and cons:

TEK Cons

1. No active cooling like stated.

TEK Pros

1. It does come with bulbs, get it from reefgeek

2. You don't need an acrylic shield and actually Grim will say not to run an acrylic shield with a TEK fixture. Just have it sit about 5 inches over the water.

NEP Cons

1. No hanging kit

2. Bulbs will need to be replaced in 6 months but I would change them from the very beginning. They are totally garbage and your corals will suffer.

3. The ballasts are no good plus you REALLY want individual reflectors.

So in short if you want to be serious about clams and SPS you will want the TEK 8 bulb fixture over your 90. Then you will want to buy the Azoo fans from liveaquaria.com

I would recommend the Constellation fixture or wait a month or two and get the new ATI Sunpower 6x54W fixture.

Bulb config:

TEK 8 bulb

ATI Blue Plus
GE 6500K
ATI Aquablue
KZ Fiji Purple
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Aquasun or ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue

ATI Sunpower

ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue
UVL Aquasun
KZ Fiji Purple
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue

 

[rtparty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14060583#post14060583 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by snaza
Lost it a while back. used some dodgy silicone in my tank and lost 3 or 4 SPS. I have couple of frags i managed to save which i:m growing up big and strong again

That sucks and I am sorry to hear that. That pink stylo was gorgeous.

I am glad to hear you saved some frags though of stuff.

 

[reefer357]

Bulb Question

Bulb Question

I currently have a 65 gallon tank 48" across and 22" depth with mostly zoos and acans. I currently have a current nova extreme 4 bulbs x 54 watts. I know I should have a better fixture but right now this is what I am stuck with. I was thinking of replacing the bulbs with following 1. ATI blue plus 2. ATI blue plus 3. ATI 1200k 4. ATI blue plus. Or 1. ATI blue plus 2. Korallen-zucht 50% blue 50% white 3. Korallen-zucht 50% blue 50% white 4. ATI blue plus. I am up for any recommedations or a fixture recommendation when I get some money together.

Thanks

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14061607#post14061607 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by BryanJ
What would be the best fixture for a standard 75 21 inches tall. It will be a mixed reef.

6 lamp Tek or an Aquactinics Tx5. If you want clams wait a month or so and get one of the ATI Sunpower fixtures that are coming out.

 

[rtparty]

Re: Bulb Question

Re: Bulb Question

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14063727#post14063727 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by reefer357
I currently have a 65 gallon tank 48" across and 22" depth with mostly zoos and acans. I currently have a current nova extreme 4 bulbs x 54 watts. I know I should have a better fixture but right now this is what I am stuck with. I was thinking of replacing the bulbs with following 1. ATI blue plus 2. ATI blue plus 3. ATI 1200k 4. ATI blue plus. Or 1. ATI blue plus 2. Korallen-zucht 50% blue 50% white 3. Korallen-zucht 50% blue 50% white 4. ATI blue plus. I am up for any recommedations or a fixture recommendation when I get some money together.

Thanks

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

As for a fixture it depends what you want to keep. If you want clams and SPS you will need an ATI Powermodule or ATI Sunpower.

If you plan to keep the zoos and acans then a 6 bulbs TEK or the Aquactinics TX5