The T5 Q&a Thread

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14596697#post14596697 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Laddy
what does it mean to overdrive the bulbs?

Using an Ice Cap ballast to push higher wattage through the lamps than they are designed for.

 

[jc16]

i don't know yet as my tank is jsut cycling jsut tryna get some ideas. Also does any other 22k bulbs put with the ati blue+? i'm asking because they don't come around too often i'm afraid my next bulb change i would not be able to get them should i stock up now?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14599060#post14599060 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jc16
i don't know yet as my tank is jsut cycling jsut tryna get some ideas. Also does any other 22k bulbs put with the ati blue+? i'm asking because they don't come around too often i'm afraid my next bulb change i would not be able to get them should i stock up now?

22K are bout the same as the blue plus

 

[jc16]

i'm talking about the comparison of blue+ bulbs to others of it's kind is it alot better. And is aquascience same as ati? thanks

 

[zorden]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14597234#post14597234 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
How tall a tank? If it is under 20" no need to overdrive unless it's just Clams and acros and even then you could probably get but with standard ballasts.

oh. ok... i guess i can have up the $ then

 

[monotreme_man]

grim,

i will be following your advice (from some months back) and getting
a 72in constellation for my 7ft tank. for a population of mostly LPS
and softies, but a couple of SPS and clams, what bulbs would you recommend?
thanks in advance

 

[Kenmx10]

Im still in the market for a fixture and have narrowed it down to a 48" Sunpower or Constellation. Tank is 60x18x27. Mixed corals. And would like to put a couple clams at the bottom. I like that the Consellation has one extra bulb.

With a 27" depth , Im still a little worried about the lower end of the tank getting enough light. I havent ruled out a 6 bulb Power Module if it is needed. But dont want to spend the extra cash if not needed. Any recommendations?

 

[dagda]

I'm currently using two 400w XM 20k bulbs on my tank (54x24x30). I am able to grow anything under them.

I'm looking to add a 4 bulb T5 setup to cut down on the number of hours I run the MH and to try and get the 20K look down to a 12K look.

The tank is viewable from both long sides, so the bulbs should be fairly balanced front to back.

I'm thinking:

ATI Blue Plus
UVL Actinic White or Aquasun
GE 6500K Daylight
ATI Blue Plus

Will this work? Is there a preference between the Actinic White and the Aquasun?

Thanks!

 

[ReefEnabler]

how good ar e the aquactinics reflectors compared to the Tek reflectors?

i'm still considering losing my MH and going strictly T5... however my canopy is 23" wide and with Tek reflectors I cant even fit 8 bulbs!

 

[rtparty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14602957#post14602957 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Kenmx10
Im still in the market for a fixture and have narrowed it down to a 48" Sunpower or Constellation. Tank is 60x18x27. Mixed corals. And would like to put a couple clams at the bottom. I like that the Consellation has one extra bulb.

With a 27" depth , Im still a little worried about the lower end of the tank getting enough light. I havent ruled out a 6 bulb Power Module if it is needed. But dont want to spend the extra cash if not needed. Any recommendations?

Go with the Sunpower and just raise it a little for better light spread.

 

[Kenmx10]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14603108#post14603108 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rtparty
Go with the Sunpower and just raise it a little for better light spread.

Will that reduce PAR at the bottom of the tank?

 

[rtparty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14603128#post14603128 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Kenmx10
Will that reduce PAR at the bottom of the tank?

Yes a little but the Sunpower has more PAR than the Constellation. If you want high light clams on sand then you will probably want the Powermodule.

 

[bosborn1]

I am considering switching my 6ft 180 sps dominat reef from MH over to all T5. With the 6ft tank I have the option of going with 3ft or the 5ft. My question is what will give me the best most wide spread lighting regardless of cost? I was thinking either 16 3fts all on Icecap 660s or even the 10 bulb 5ft ATI Powermodule. I want light to be strong and equal in all areas of the tank. I do have clams at the bottom and the depth is 24"

Would t5s suit this or should I stay with MHs.

Thanks
Scott

 

[LCN]

I would go with a 10 or 8 bulb ATI setup. Tons of par and looks great. If its going to be in a canopy, a retro kit with IC660 would be good. Just make sure you find some good reflectors.

 

[rtparty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14604292#post14604292 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bosborn1
I am considering switching my 6ft 180 sps dominat reef from MH over to all T5. With the 6ft tank I have the option of going with 3ft or the 5ft. My question is what will give me the best most wide spread lighting regardless of cost? I was thinking either 16 3fts all on Icecap 660s or even the 10 bulb 5ft ATI Powermodule. I want light to be strong and equal in all areas of the tank. I do have clams at the bottom and the depth is 24"

Would t5s suit this or should I stay with MHs.

Thanks
Scott

If you want the best coverage regardless of cost then I would get (2) 8x39W ATI Powermodules. I personally think T5's are much better then MH. Especially for coloration.

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

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14601788#post14601788 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by monotreme_man
grim,

i will be following your advice (from some months back) and getting
a 72in constellation for my 7ft tank. for a population of mostly LPS
and softies, but a couple of SPS and clams, what bulbs would you recommend?
thanks in advance

Front
ATI Blue Plus
GE 6500K Daylight
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Actinic White
Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14602957#post14602957 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Kenmx10
Im still in the market for a fixture and have narrowed it down to a 48" Sunpower or Constellation. Tank is 60x18x27. Mixed corals. And would like to put a couple clams at the bottom. I like that the Consellation has one extra bulb.

With a 27" depth , Im still a little worried about the lower end of the tank getting enough light. I havent ruled out a 6 bulb Power Module if it is needed. But dont want to spend the extra cash if not needed. Any recommendations?

The PM is Going to keep the clams happier

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14603100#post14603100 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by dagda
I'm currently using two 400w XM 20k bulbs on my tank (54x24x30). I am able to grow anything under them.

I'm looking to add a 4 bulb T5 setup to cut down on the number of hours I run the MH and to try and get the 20K look down to a 12K look.

The tank is viewable from both long sides, so the bulbs should be fairly balanced front to back.

I'm thinking:

ATI Blue Plus
UVL Actinic White or Aquasun
GE 6500K Daylight
ATI Blue Plus

Will this work? Is there a preference between the Actinic White and the Aquasun?

Thanks!

Should be about what you are looking for.

2 Blue Plus and 2 Fiji Purple might get you a more even look.

 

[todd141]

Here's what I have now in my 4 bulb:

front
------------
blue pluse
fiji purple
aquasun
UVL 454

No SPS, just 1 lobo and 1 acan, the rest are zoas and polyps.

I'd like something better to replace the aquasun - just makes everything really WHITE.....

another blue plus?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14603106#post14603106 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ReefEnabler
how good ar e the aquactinics reflectors compared to the Tek reflectors?

i'm still considering losing my MH and going strictly T5... however my canopy is 23" wide and with Tek reflectors I cant even fit 8 bulbs!

The Aquactinic reflectors do just a tad better than Ice Caps/