The T5 Q&a Thread

[HOBrien]

Would a T5 light fixture be enough light for a FOWLR tank that is 30" tall?

 

[jond]

Hi Grim, you have helped me in the past and I feel a bit guilty as I don't have time to regularly follow the thread...

Anyway, it is time to replace bulbs again. I run two Icecap 660s with Icecap SLRs and 54w bulbs on a custom built light rack. I just wanted some input on if I should change bulb configuration. My current setup is front to back:

ATI Blue Plus
UVL Super Acticnic
ATI Aquablue
ATI Pro Color
GE 6500K
ATI Aquablue
UVL Super Actinic
AIT Blue Plus

With the first two and last two on one ballast for dawn/dusk. Tank is working on being mostly SPS with some LPS in the lower regions.

Thanks in advance for your input.

 

[Todd March]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14241771#post14241771 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by HOBrien
Would a T5 light fixture be enough light for a FOWLR tank that is 30" tall?

Regular T12 fluorescents would be good enough for a 30" deep FOWLR...!

 

[rtparty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14241075#post14241075 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jcgso
I have an eight lamp t5 fixture on my 120G. I want to replace one of the 10Ks with a bulb that will give a little more blue and make the corals flouresce more. I don't want to lose a lot of par. What would be the best bulb?

What fixture are you running?

An ATI Blue Plus is your best bet for what you want.

 

[rtparty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14241688#post14241688 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by gorey
Hello grim, I have a 2 bulb T5 fixture. Im ging to replace my stock bulbs with ATI aquablue bulbs, But I can only afford to do one at a time. Which on should i replace first the antic bulb or the 10,000k bulb?

10K

 

[rtparty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14240870#post14240870 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by silence88
hi again grim, iam still not sure wich light to get could you please suggest some bulb combos for the 6 and 8 blulb teks as well?

again lights i can get are URI, giesmann, aquascience, figi purple that i know of any other good brands i should look out for up here?

ATI Blue Plus
UVL 75/25
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Aquasun or GE 6500K
ATI Blue Plus
ATi Aquablue

For an 8 bulb:

ATI Blue Plus
UVL 75/25
ATI Blue Plus
GE 6500K
ATI Blue Plus
UVL 75/25
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue

or I also like

ATI Blue Plus
UVL 75/25 or ATI Pro Color
ATI Blue Plus
GE 6500K
ATI Blue Plus
UVL 75/25 or ATI Pro Color
GE 6500K or ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus

The 75/25 will give more actinic where the Pro Color is more reds. If you like a more blue tank then go with the ATI Aquablue over the GE 6500K in slot 7

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14240870#post14240870 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by silence88
hi again grim, iam still not sure wich light to get could you please suggest some bulb combos for the 6 and 8 blulb teks as well?

again lights i can get are URI, giesmann, aquascience, figi purple that i know of any other good brands i should look out for up here?

Click on the red house. There are some different mixes listed on that site.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14241075#post14241075 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jcgso
I have an eight lamp t5 fixture on my 120G. I want to replace one of the 10Ks with a bulb that will give a little more blue and make the corals flouresce more. I don't want to lose a lot of par. What would be the best bulb?

ATI Aquablue. Probably about the highest output T5 lamp and has a slight blue tint. KZ New Generation Koral Light is another step to blue but still has decent PAR. Then a Blue Plus which probably has as much or more PAR but will add more blue.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14241688#post14241688 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by gorey
Hello grim, I have a 2 bulb T5 fixture. Im ging to replace my stock bulbs with ATI aquablue bulbs, But I can only afford to do one at a time. Which on should i replace first the antic bulb or the 10,000k bulb?

10K, Adding the Aquablue in place of an actinic would likely hharsh your corals.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14241965#post14241965 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jond
Hi Grim, you have helped me in the past and I feel a bit guilty as I don't have time to regularly follow the thread...

Anyway, it is time to replace bulbs again. I run two Icecap 660s with Icecap SLRs and 54w bulbs on a custom built light rack. I just wanted some input on if I should change bulb configuration. My current setup is front to back:

ATI Blue Plus
UVL Super Acticnic
ATI Aquablue
ATI Pro Color
GE 6500K
ATI Aquablue
UVL Super Actinic
AIT Blue Plus

With the first two and last two on one ballast for dawn/dusk. Tank is working on being mostly SPS with some LPS in the lower regions.

Thanks in advance for your input.

Maybe try UVL 75/25's in place of the Pro Color and 1 Super Actinic.

 

[silence88]

thanks grim, what light is comparable to the UVL 75/25 i cant seem to find that hear?

 

[rtparty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14243241#post14243241 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by silence88
thanks grim, what light is comparable to the UVL 75/25 i cant seem to find that hear?

Are you using the 75/25 for your reds or for the actinic purposes? If you are using it for reds then the Fiji Purple or Gmann Aqua Flora will do that but if you want the actinic then get an actinic bulb.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14243241#post14243241 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by silence88
thanks grim, what light is comparable to the UVL 75/25 i cant seem to find that hear?

KZ fiji Purple

 

[ducatimikep]

Hi Reefer.
I have a standard 90g tank with some
hard & some soft corals. The hard corals are
struggling. The zoas have not mutliplied at all.
It is a Sunlight Supply 6 bulb Tek fixture.
When I bought the light it
didnt come with any bulbs, so I eBayed 2 actinics
& 4 daylights, (this was ~6 months ago).
1 actinic is out & I have slime algae that is
running rampant. Is there a correlation between
dying bulbs & algae?
I want to buy great bulbs that will get my tank back on track.
I like a more blue / purple tint than a yellow hue.
My fixture has 2 switches.
Switch 1 & Switch 2

TANK FRONT
Switch 1
Switch 2
Switch 1
Switch 1
Switch 2
Switch 1
Tank Rear

What do you recommend for bulbs & for lighting cycle period.
Thank You much Reefer....
DucatiMikeP

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14246147#post14246147 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ducatimikep
Hi Reefer.
I have a standard 90g tank with some
hard & some soft corals. The hard corals are
struggling. The zoas have not mutliplied at all.
It is a Sunlight Supply 6 bulb Tek fixture.
When I bought the light it
didnt come with any bulbs, so I eBayed 2 actinics
& 4 daylights, (this was ~6 months ago).
1 actinic is out & I have slime algae that is
running rampant. Is there a correlation between
dying bulbs & algae?
I want to buy great bulbs that will get my tank back on track.
I like a more blue / purple tint than a yellow hue.
My fixture has 2 switches.
Switch 1 & Switch 2

TANK FRONT
Switch 1
Switch 2
Switch 1
Switch 1
Switch 2
Switch 1
Tank Rear

What do you recommend for bulbs & for lighting cycle period.
Thank You much Reefer....
DucatiMikeP

Front
ATI Blue Plus
UVL 75/25
ATI Blue Plus
GE 6500K Daylight
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue

Old lamp syndrome CAN increase algae growth.

 

[ducatimikep]

any ideas on run time per switches?

 

[The Escaped Ape]

This thread is a bit overwhelming! I can't believe Grim manages to ask all the questions.

Anyway, my turn to hope for some expert advice.

I'm currently planning for a 48" long tank, 18" high and either 18" or 24" from front to back. I am planning to stock primarily zoas, rics, shrooms and LPS. But ideally I'd also like to have 1 or 2 clams and maybe a BTA. I've been looking at the ATI Powermodule units, which would obviously be powerful enough for this relatively shallow tank, but I'm not sure how many bulbs I'd need to get good coverage. I was thinking 4 x 54w for the 18" deep, but a little bit doubtful that would give me the best coverage if it was 24" from front to back. Would I need the 6 bulb fixture?

So, two questions really.

First off, would the 4 bulb fixture be enough for either size? Or whatever way I go, am I going to have to go for 6?

Second, would the ATI Powermodule run the risk of being too bright with a reasonably shallow tank for the rics, shrooms, zoas and LPS? Trying to hit the balance between what they will need and what clams/a BTA might is proving a bit of a conundrum.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14246264#post14246264 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ducatimikep
any ideas on run time per switches?

10 to 12 hours on the dusk/dawn and 8 to 10 on the rest

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14246452#post14246452 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by burntom
This thread is a bit overwhelming! I can't believe Grim manages to ask all the questions.

Anyway, my turn to hope for some expert advice.

I'm currently planning for a 48" long tank, 18" high and either 18" or 24" from front to back. I am planning to stock primarily zoas, rics, shrooms and LPS. But ideally I'd also like to have 1 or 2 clams and maybe a BTA. I've been looking at the ATI Powermodule units, which would obviously be powerful enough for this relatively shallow tank, but I'm not sure how many bulbs I'd need to get good coverage. I was thinking 4 x 54w for the 18" deep, but a little bit doubtful that would give me the best coverage if it was 24" from front to back. Would I need the 6 bulb fixture?

So, two questions really.

First off, would the 4 bulb fixture be enough for either size? Or whatever way I go, am I going to have to go for 6?

Second, would the ATI Powermodule run the risk of being too bright with a reasonably shallow tank for the rics, shrooms, zoas and LPS? Trying to hit the balance between what they will need and what clams/a BTA might is proving a bit of a conundrum.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

In your case using a brigh 4 lamp unit like a powermodule would work. Keep the high light critters like clams and suck under the lamps and the lower light out front so the light is more indirect.

 

[widmer]

Hi folks- Different variety of question:

For those of us who are wiring our own ballasts up, is 600v wire necessary, or can I go with 300v? The reason I ask is the only place I can even find 18 AWG wire (any heavier gauge won't connect into my Accustart ballast), only has it in 300v.

So is 300v fine?

Or does anyone know a place I might find the 18 AWG wire specified for my ballast?

Thanks a bunch.