The T5 Q&a Thread

[rtparty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14089067#post14089067 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by camlov2
I am setting up a 50 (36x18x18) gallon tank which will include sps for sure (maybe a clam later). I was wondering what 36 inch light fixture you would recommend? The shop I normally deal with sells Tek lights but I have heard good things about aquactinics.

tek 6 bulbs
aquactinics 5 bulbs (but better cooling?)

also what bulbs would you recommend with the light you pick?

Thanks in advance.

Brian

Either fixture will work great for you. If you want to get the TEK then buy some clip on fans from foster and smith. Blow the fans on the fixture not on the bulbs themselves.

As for bulbs

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

Not in that order but those are good bulbs to run.

 

[snaza]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14089071#post14089071 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rtparty
If you want the highest PAR possible go with the ATI Aquablue.

Close behind the Aquablue is the ATI Blue Plus. I would recommend getting both and trying them out to see what you like. Both bulbs grow like crazy.

Other way round

The ATI blue plus actually has slightly more PAR. Grab a blue plus. the aqua blue is white with a blue hue.

 

[Icefire]

Grim, I think I found a better idea, change my overflow type for a vertical one, which would give me 4" more of light to use.

Install 8 reflectors and 8x 54w T5HO (4 with an 660 for daylight, 4x with an WorkHorse7 for Dusk/Dawn).

Bulb choice would probably be:

4 Blue plus
2 Aquablue aplus
1 UVL Super Actinic
1 Daylight

Currently have and I like it:

2x Blue plus
2x Super Actinic
3x Aquablue plus

Suggestion?

 

[Gravesj1s]

Re: Upgrade?

Re: Upgrade?

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14044239#post14044239 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by xr4kw
I'ts time to replace my VHO bulbs and I'm thinking about upgrading to T5 instead. I currently have a 36" 4x96w retrofit (2blue/2white) for my 72G bowfront. Currentley have only soft and some LPS. I may want to eventually try SPS but not for a while, noob here .

Any advise for a good upgrade setup?

Thanks very much...

Hi, I didn't see where you got a reply so thought I could give it a crack.

I, Too had a limited number of options with the 72 bowfront. Fixture wise,TX-5 aquatinics or the four bulb ATI pm were the only 2 fixtures I could find that would'nt over hang the tank.I was worried that the 4 bulb pm wouldnt be enough. Its really bright, and I am very happy with it.
Have some LE montis on the sand bed.(20" down)moved a rainbow monti up to about 15-16" and it started to bubble the flesh from the skeleton.
For bulbs I run ,
blue plus
procolor
aquablue
blue plus
If you want some pixs or something of some of the lamps or anything just let me know.
good luck -Graves

 

[anin]

so i am in the process of downgrading from my 75g to a 40breeder(16"deep) or a 50g (18" deep). on the 40g i thought of doing 2 ati slr 2x39w retro kit running 2 blue pluses and then adding either 2 or 4 powerbrites 10,000k. But i think i may get a 50g instead(18"deep) so i am not sure is it worth wasting all that money on the powerbrites? instead i can just get 4x39w retro for the 50g. I don't really want to be experimenting with animals...since i couldn't find info on how good the leds are in par...so should i just get the 4x39w slr kit? or try the led method? Thanks

 

[elmatth1]

So, would 6 x 24w be enough for a 20l (12x30x12) or would 8x24 watt be better for high light SPS mixed with LPS, mushrooms, rics, and zoos? I want to do this right the first time with lights as they are so expensive.

Or, should I stick to my original thought of 2x150w HQI MH supplimented with PC actinics?

 

[rtparty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14090381#post14090381 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by elmatth1
So, would 6 x 24w be enough for a 20l (12x30x12) or would 8x24 watt be better for high light SPS mixed with LPS, mushrooms, rics, and zoos? I want to do this right the first time with lights as they are so expensive.

Or, should I stick to my original thought of 2x150w HQI MH supplimented with PC actinics?

Do you want to do a fixture or retrofit?

You will not be able to fit 6 bulbs over that tank. Well you can.

Here are your options that I know about.

The TEK 4x24W fixture would fit over that tank and would be plenty of light. You could also use the Aquactinics TX5.

If you want to do a retro then 4 bulbs is the way to go. You could do 6 with the Aquactinics reflectors. If you are really wanting to go that high of lighting then get the IceCap VHO retro from reefgeek.

 

[elmatth1]

would 6 bulbs be too powerful for mushrooms, rics, and zoos on a 20l tank, or would they be fine if placed near or at the bottom and place the SPS higher up?

I really don't know how powerful the T5's would be on a reef tank as i've never seen them in person. I would like to keep a clam or two once my tank matures for a year or so, though, so I don't want to go with too weak of lighting.

 

[elmatth1]

oh, and i haven't really decided on doing a fixture or retro yet... doesn't really matter to me though. Doing a retro means that i'll have to add building a canopy to my already lengthy to do list.

 

[rtparty]

Re: Re: Re: Bulb Question

Re: Re: Re: Bulb Question

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14089017#post14089017 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by reefer357
Grim, thanks for the response I was thinking about getting new fixture and since the Aquactinics Constellation and the 6 bulb ATI power module are almost the same price which one would you recommend? Like I said before mostly zoos and acans in the tank with 22" depth and 48" across.

Thanks

ATI Powermodule.

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

 

[rtparty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14090671#post14090671 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by elmatth1
oh, and i haven't really decided on doing a fixture or retro yet... doesn't really matter to me though. Doing a retro means that i'll have to add building a canopy to my already lengthy to do list.

It is up to you. I personally like retro but fixtures are a great way to go.

I would decide which one you want to do then go from there.

4 bulbs over that tank really is plenty of light for whatever you want. If you go with too much light yes it will be too much for shrooms and other softies.

Do you want moonlights?

 

[elmatth1]

i'm not too concerned with moonlights as i can always add them later if the fixture or retro kit doesn't include them...

i'm wondering if adding a canopy will make the tank look too top heavy being as it is only a 12" tall tank.

 

[rtparty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14089254#post14089254 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by snaza
Other way round

The ATI blue plus actually has slightly more PAR. Grab a blue plus. the aqua blue is white with a blue hue.

Are you sure Snaz?

I thought the Aquablue had higher PAR by a little bit. I know Grim is testing the ATI Sunpower with all Aquablues for PAR.

 

[rtparty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14090734#post14090734 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by elmatth1
i'm not too concerned with moonlights as i can always add them later if the fixture or retro kit doesn't include them...

i'm wondering if adding a canopy will make the tank look too top heavy being as it is only a 12" tall tank.

That was my same thought. I think a fixture would be much cleaner looking.

Now you have to decide if you want to hang the fixture or have legs on it?

Look into the TEK 4x24 fixture or even better the TX5.

If you really want the best fixture for that tank you will want the new ATI Sunpower.

http://www.atiaquaristik.com/index.php?id=125,0,0,1,0,0

There is a link to check it out. Reefgeek is getting a shipment this month of them.

 

[Montezuma]

Im curious. What 6 bulb combination are people using to get their colors to pop?

 

[rtparty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14091835#post14091835 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Montezuma
Im curious. What 6 bulb combination are people using to get their colors to pop?

A good combo IMO is:

ATI Blue Plus
GE 6500k
ATI Aquablue
ATI Pro Color or KZ Fiji Purple
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue

You could change out the GE 6500K to a UVL Super Actinic if you wanted an even bluer look.

 

[jimpierce7]

I just ordered a set of bulbs for my NEP.

front?
ATI blue plus
ati procolor
ati blue plus
ge 6500k
ati blue plus
ati aqua blue special

is that the right order for them to be in?

 

[rtparty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14092381#post14092381 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jimpierce7
I just ordered a set of bulbs for my NEP.

front?
ATI blue plus
ati procolor
ati blue plus
ge 6500k
ati blue plus
ati aqua blue special

is that the right order for them to be in?

That looks good.

I don't know what order they turn on. If you plan on dusk/dawn try to have a blue plus and aquablue come on together.

 

[jimpierce7]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14092464#post14092464 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rtparty
That looks good.

I don't know what order they turn on. If you plan on dusk/dawn try to have a blue plus and aquablue come on together.

as soon as the Home Depot gets some more timers in I will be setting it up for dusk and dawn ops. I'll keep this in mind!!!

 

[kev24k]

Hey guys and Grim. I just got a great deal on a used 60Lx18WX25D with stand and all equip besides lighting. I plan on keeping a mixed reef of sps uptop and softies below. Would 6 48" bulbs be enough? I've been looking at retrofit kits such as coralvue and sunlight supply. Any and all advice would be appreciated.