The T5 Q&a Thread

[rtparty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14529913#post14529913 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by cutnup
Ok thank you! Which one would you prefer out of another aquablue or the 6500k. And what do you think of the photo period?

I like a bluer tank so I say go with the Aquablue. The GE will help pick up some oranges and greens though too. The GE is a very neutral ivory green color to it.

The photo period looked good. I have mine set to when I am home most and can enjoy the tank. DUsk/dawn for 12 hours and midday for 8 IMO

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14528185#post14528185 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by cutnup
I have an 8 x 54 tek light on my 120. The lights are setup as follows from front to back

Blue Plus
Super Actinic
------------------
Aquasun
Blue Plus
Aquasun
Super Actinic
------------------
Aquablue
Blue Plus

Right now i run the top 2 and bottom 2 from 9:30A to 8:30p.
I run the middle 4 from 11a to 5p.

Is this an appropriate lighing schedule for t-5's? (as I am new to them.)

Also I am kinda happy with the bulbs except the aquasuns are kinda reddish. What other bulbs would you all suggest to replace them with?

Try swapping the positions of the aquasuns

Blue Plus
Aquasun
SA
Aquasun

If that doesn't work ditch one of them and use a GE 6500K Daylight. You could also try using the 7 slot Aquablue where the Super Actinic is next to the Aquasuns so your dusk/dawn will be 2 blue plus and 2 Super Actinics and see what you think.

Nothing wrong with your photo period. It can be a little longer if you want.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14528865#post14528865 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by cham
I just figured out my four bulb T5 current USA fixture only has a single reflector. I know indvidual refelctors are the key to T5's. You think my 20g frag tank will be ok with four 24" T5's with the frag rack aprox 7 to 9" away from the light? Frags will all be SPS

Bulbs will be two ATI blue+, one GE 6500 and one KZ fiji purple.

Yeah, just keep the fixture as close to the water as possible and you be fine.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14528910#post14528910 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by pwoller
Hay all you T5 experts. What would be good T5's to supplement pheonix 14k MH bulbs. I have the option of running 2 t5's but as most of you know the pheonix is already pretty blue. What do you think?

I'd do like a UVL Super Actinic at the front and a UVL 75/25 in back. The SA wont add a whole lot of blue while the halide is running and the 75/25 will boost your reds while the two T5's together will still give you a nice dusk/dawn effect.

 

[pwoller]

Thanks Grim. I'll give it a try.

 

[uncleof6]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14529564#post14529564 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rtparty
I would run 2 ATI Powermodules over that. Get the 48" version with 8 bulbs.

Then center them if that makes sense.

Thank your for the reply. That makes sense yes, why would I want to build something, because I probably could not make them small enough.

I fiddled with two 48" PMs, but they would not fit so I figured perhaps 1 48" and 1 36", and that fits....:

I would prefer more even coverage, but then maybe not... what do you think? I have read a great deal of this thread, and others, but what do you think of the prognosis for the critters in this tank? SPS, Clams, LPS, softies etc.

Thank you very much.

Regards,

Jim

 

[anin]

what is the difference between these setup, on a ice cap retro

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

blue plus
GE 6500
KZ Fiji purple
Blue plus

Blue Plus
GE 6500K
UVL Aquasun
Blue Plus

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14526501#post14526501 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by uncleof6
Here's one for you guys. How could T5 lighting be setup on a tank such as this?

Thanks, this thread is huge, with tons of good info.

Regards,

Jim

For fixtures a 60" Sunpower or power module center down one side and a 36" model down the other (both with 6 lamps) or build a canopy and do 8 48" lamps and 4 36" lamps using Aquactinics reflectors and standoffs. I'd add one of the blue power bright LED modules for the angled section.

Lamps like this (sorry about the crude drawing, had to do it in word. )

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14530510#post14530510 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by uncleof6
Thank your for the reply. That makes sense yes, why would I want to build something, because I probably could not make them small enough.

I fiddled with two 48" PMs, but they would not fit so I figured perhaps 1 48" and 1 36", and that fits....:

I would prefer more even coverage, but then maybe not... what do you think? I have read a great deal of this thread, and others, but what do you think of the prognosis for the critters in this tank? SPS, Clams, LPS, softies etc.

Thank you very much.

Regards,

Jim

The real nut buster here is lighting the focal point of the tank which is the center. Hard to do with fixtures. You will have plenty of light.

 

[divewsharks]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14530902#post14530902 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
The real nut buster here is lighting the focal point of the tank which is the center. Hard to do with fixtures. You will have plenty of light.

Since the center is the focal point, would it be possible to light that section with a 36" or 48" PM or SP; and then light the other two side sections with 24" PM/SP's, essentially treating the sections as 3 separate tanks. Could also be done with retro's as well.

just a thought.

 

[uncleof6]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14530882#post14530882 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
For fixtures a 60" Sunpower or power module center down one side and a 36" model down the other (both with 6 lamps) or build a canopy and do 8 48" lamps and 4 36" lamps using Aquactinics reflectors and standoffs. I'd add one of the blue power bright LED modules for the angled section.

Lamps like this (sorry about the crude drawing, had to do it in word. )

Doesn't matter if it was drawn in word or in a 3D modeling program and rendered, as long as you get your point across, and you did. Up until recently, I did my design work in Visio, which is only a little more functional than word, tool wise. The model and render where already done, (the concept design by emilecilliers, in UK) and posted in two threads over in DIY, and it would have been hard to describe this tank.

I like this idea very much. I was surprised that you reco 6 tubes front to back, but if I sat and messed with it, 8 probably won't fit. I especially like the led's across the center section. And I can probably stuff some moonlights in there somewhere. You are right, the center section is the nutbuster, and that is what had me stumped.

Now lemme think:

Front:
Blue + (Actinic +)
Aquablue (S or +)
Blue +
.............. stumped I have been workin up combos for 8 lamps on another tank, now I am lookin at 6. What would you suggest to keep the higher light demand critters happy... I think there will be places for the lower light critters namely in the center section....

Thank you very much for your reply.

Regards,

Jim

 

[pwoller]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14530510#post14530510 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by uncleof6
Thank your for the reply. That makes sense yes, why would I want to build something, because I probably could not make them small enough.

I fiddled with two 48" PMs, but they would not fit so I figured perhaps 1 48" and 1 36", and that fits....:

I would prefer more even coverage, but then maybe not... what do you think? I have read a great deal of this thread, and others, but what do you think of the prognosis for the critters in this tank? SPS, Clams, LPS, softies etc.

Thank you very much.

Regards,

Jim

Depending on the width, what about 3- 24 inch fixtures?

 

[runningnreefing]

Hey Grim,

I am considering the ATI PM 6 bulb fixture over a 90g SPS tank. I really like the color of the Reeflux 12K so how can I get a similar color with T5s. What bulb combo do you recommend, and the configuration from front to back. Thank you.

 

[spw4949]

Grim,
I need to replace my 2 10k day bulbs, what do you think of the following & do you agree?

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14525644#post14525644 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by spw4949
Grim,

wondering what you think:

 

[spw4949]

Sorry, messed up the quote....

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14517707#post14517707 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rtparty
Probably 2 ATI Aquablues. I would run this setup:

ATI Blue Plus
KZ Fiji Purple
ATI Aquablue
GE 6500K
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus

Dump the actinics.

 

[drparker]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14526501#post14526501 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by uncleof6
Here's one for you guys. How could T5 lighting be setup on a tank such as this?

Thanks, this thread is huge, with tons of good info.

Regards,

Jim

What about two 24" or two 36" t5 fixtures covering the ends and a MH pendent in the middle.

 

[The_Browns]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14527065#post14527065 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The_Browns
I am getting in my 24" x 24" x 14" Frag tank. I was thinking about running all T5's instead of a MH. If I decide to run T5. What would be the best bulb configuration to get the best color, growth, and polyp pop? I am going to get Retro Fit Kits and do a DIY fixture. I don't want it real blue. So What are the best combination of lights?

Someone mentioned: 2 ATI Blue Plus 1 GE 6500K Daylight 1 UVL Aquasun.


Any other suggestions on bulb combinations?

 

[rtparty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14531814#post14531814 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by runningnreefing
Hey Grim,

I am considering the ATI PM 6 bulb fixture over a 90g SPS tank. I really like the color of the Reeflux 12K so how can I get a similar color with T5s. What bulb combo do you recommend, and the configuration from front to back. Thank you.

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

 

[rtparty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14532888#post14532888 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The_Browns
Someone mentioned: 2 ATI Blue Plus 1 GE 6500K Daylight 1 UVL Aquasun.


Any other suggestions on bulb combinations?

ATI Blue Plus
KZ Fiji Purple
GE 6500K
ATI Blue Plus

or

ATI BP
KZ Fiji Purple
ATI Aquablue
ATI BP

 

[The_Browns]

How are these kits or what does everyone recommend?

http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewI...n=view&idProduct=GL2731&idCategory=FILTRTRFT5