The T5 Q&a Thread

[xcastn0shad0wx]

Hey Grim and anyone else who can help

I have a 37 gallon (30x12x23) tank and I have not had any luck finding t5 lighting that is 30". I plan on having a mixed reef and the ONLY one I have found is a CurrentUSA 30" SunDial T5HO 4x24watt

IS this a good choice?

also would metal halides be a better choice?

 

[rtparty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14493416#post14493416 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by xcastn0shad0wx
Hey Grim and anyone else who can help

I have a 37 gallon (30x12x23) tank and I have not had any luck finding t5 lighting that is 30". I plan on having a mixed reef and the ONLY one I have found is a CurrentUSA 30" SunDial T5HO 4x24watt

IS this a good choice?

also would metal halides be a better choice?

An ATI sunpower, TEK light fixture and the ATI Powermodule are all great choices. Get the 4x24W version.

I would personally get the ATI Sunpower if it were me. you can let it hang about 6" above the tank so the light spreads out more. You will have 3" on each side where it will be a little darker but that is a great place for softies and non photo-synthetic corals.

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

 

[rtparty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14491871#post14491871 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by corvettecris
Thanks for the suggestion. I tried the 75.25 and did not like it, but I may try it again with another combo. Also, would a fiji purple be a good sub in? I like the color I have, so dont want to altter it too much, I just want to ensure that all necessary spectrums are tehre for optimal growth and color, and I was afraid my mix might be too narrow.

The Fiji Purples will kick up your PAR which means better growth. Right now what you have is good IMO. The best looking tanks I have seen have used strictly ATI Blue Plus and the ATI Aquablue. The colors in these tanks were unbelievable too. Just some food for thought.

 

[anin]

Grim, while back i asked on a retro if it's better to put reflectors separated and you said right put next to each other..so i was thinking what would be the difference if spaced 1" apart? I figured on 4x39w slr.

2.5" per reflector with no spacing gives 10" of light spread
if spaced 1" apart gives 14" light spread?Considering my tank 18" wide..or is it because most people put corals relatively most of the time in the middle of tank, so by having them together, maybe output is more intense in middle? Thanks for sharing the knowledge! Much appreciated...

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14485229#post14485229 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by funny718
hey Grim I am looking for a sort of confirmation that these are the lights i should get for these type of coral i just recently got yellow scroll, Montipora Scroll Brown, and candy cane.

the lights another reefer suggested where as follow just wanna make sure it's good blue plus, aquablue, KZ Fiji purple, Blue plus.


oh yeah i have 4 light setup retro kit

thanx in advance

Should be fine

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Re: Advice

Re: Advice

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14485949#post14485949 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Randallino
Grim,
I am thinking of going to T5.
I am looking at a 8 bulb for my 90 gallon. The fixture is a Sfiligoi Stealth with moon lights. It is about 19" deep. would this be a overkill for my system since the tank has euro bracing, or should I go with a 6 bulb instead?
What bulb's would you recommend, I do like the look of Actinic?
Thanks,
RC

My experience with the Sfigiloiu mini stealth (6x54) is I wouldn't be concerned about too much light.

I don't know the configuration for the lamps on the 8x54 so you may have to tweak the positions for the right dusk/dawn

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

I am assuming that will give you 2 actinics and 2 blue plus for dusk/dawn.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14487258#post14487258 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by corvettecris
I have a 140 gal tank 48 x 24 x 27 that is lots of SPS. Currently I have 8 T5s, all on IC660s and IC SLRs. The lamps are as follows:

ATI Blue +
ATI Procolor
ATI Blue +
ATI Aquablue Special
ATI Blue +
ATI Procolor
ATI Blue +
ATI Aquablue Special

I really like the color, which I would describe as 12-14k, very white with blue hints. A little bluer might be nice, but for now its good. The par is good, about 200 on the sand, the bulk of the sps corals are getting ~500 plus.

I was just wondering if I am missing anything in ther spectrum that the corals need? I do not run any actinics or straight 'daylight'spectrum lamps. Growth has been ok on some corals, but might could be better.

You aren't missing anything but if you like the color you could use UVL Actinic Whites instead of the pro color and get a little more PAR but not quiet as much red. UVL Aquasuns would be even more par and a little more red than the Actinic White

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14488380#post14488380 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by funny718
can anyone chime in and give me a hand here thanx bump

Lamps are fine, Sorry, got cut off by the server maintenance in mid post and have been busier than a one arm and one legged man in a wall papering and azz kicking contest

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14488973#post14488973 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by cweber
My tank is 72x18x24tall. Im looking and changing to T-5s, due to money and limited dimensions on my canopy i will be running 48" T-5s. Should i get a 48" Tek 6 bulb fixture or build one with 6 stagered bulbs? This is a mixed reef mostly softies and a few sps. Also what bulbs would you run. Thanks

I'd do 60" lamps if you have the money.

otherwise I would stagger the 48" retrofits.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14490026#post14490026 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by flapjack1439
I've noticed that the spectrum from the ATI and Geisseman bulbs seem similar. Are they made by the same manufacturer?

Any preference?

No. Sylvania makes ATI, Narva makes Giesemann, I have gotten a little better output from the ATI's but they are close.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14490600#post14490600 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by redfishsc
Grim, or others.

Any opinion or knowledge of Intellivolt ballasts?

I ran across an interesting light that, while it has the older TEK reflectors, can be found online very a VERY attractive price. These would make GREAT frag tank lights.

They run Intellivolt ballasts, so I dunno if they are "cheaper" and therefore insufficient for reefing.

The 4X24 model can be found for $100-130 with individual TEK reflectors online. That's hard to beat considering the original TEKS are better reflectors than even what gets put into a Nova Extreme Pro.

https://www.newagegardens.com/-c-34_47.html

Sunlight Supply's main page for this product:

http://www.sunlightsupply.com/hort/...NEW_WAVE_T5_FLUOR_FIXTURE&title=&type=product

From what I understand the reflector material is regular aluminum which makes a big difference but for a shollow frag tank they should be fine'

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14490862#post14490862 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by emilecilliers
Hi.
My tank is a 200g 72 x 30 x 24
I have 2 x 250w mh (14000k and 20000k).
No T5 blue lighting.
I have a few beadlet anemones and a few mushrooms.Planning on adding more softies like leahters ecet.
Is my lighting sufficient?or do i need some t5 blue lighting?

I am not familiar with those anemones but as long as there is rock they can crawl up there should be plenty of light

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14493641#post14493641 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by anin
Grim, while back i asked on a retro if it's better to put reflectors separated and you said right put next to each other..so i was thinking what would be the difference if spaced 1" apart? I figured on 4x39w slr.

2.5" per reflector with no spacing gives 10" of light spread
if spaced 1" apart gives 14" light spread?Considering my tank 18" wide..or is it because most people put corals relatively most of the time in the middle of tank, so by having them together, maybe output is more intense in middle? Thanks for sharing the knowledge! Much appreciated...

Spreading them out will just lessen the intensity and spread the higher light area some. Cant say exactly how much

 

[ironwill723]

Hi Grim,
What T5 HO bulbs and arrangement do you suggest for a 36g bow with softies? I have a 4 bulb 24" retro.
Thanks!

 

[suliaman007]

Hey Grim,

I’m switching over from MH’s to T5’s. Im going with 3 tek 2 x 39w retro fit kits (6 bulbs total), I will probably order everything from reef geek(unless you have any other recommendations). I have no idea what bulbs to go with. I have 58 gallon mixed reef, which includes sps, lps, clams and a lot of zoas/palys.

I like a bluer look and want the colors to pop. I also want my reds to pop and was told Fiji purple was a good choice but it will make it look too red. He said aquasun, has a hint of pink and would be a good choice.

Your help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[rtparty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14494127#post14494127 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ironwill723
Hi Grim,
What T5 HO bulbs and arrangement do you suggest for a 36g bow with softies? I have a 4 bulb 24" retro.
Thanks!

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

 

[rtparty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14495721#post14495721 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by suliaman007
Hey Grim,

I’m switching over from MH’s to T5’s. Im going with 3 tek 2 x 39w retro fit kits (6 bulbs total), I will probably order everything from reef geek(unless you have any other recommendations). I have no idea what bulbs to go with. I have 58 gallon mixed reef, which includes sps, lps, clams and a lot of zoas/palys.

I like a bluer look and want the colors to pop. I also want my reds to pop and was told Fiji purple was a good choice but it will make it look too red. He said aquasun, has a hint of pink and would be a good choice.

Your help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

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


The Aquasun will pick up more reds wherein the GE will pick up some more greens and oranges. The Aquasun will make the tank look more purple and the GE is a very neutral ivory color.

 

[sunsetSPS]

For 90G mixed reef (48"L; 18.5"W; 25"H) would 4 bulb ATI sunpower enough or I need a 6-bulb unit?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14494127#post14494127 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ironwill723
Hi Grim,
What T5 HO bulbs and arrangement do you suggest for a 36g bow with softies? I have a 4 bulb 24" retro.
Thanks!

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

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14495721#post14495721 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by suliaman007
Hey Grim,

I’m switching over from MH’s to T5’s. Im going with 3 tek 2 x 39w retro fit kits (6 bulbs total), I will probably order everything from reef geek(unless you have any other recommendations). I have no idea what bulbs to go with. I have 58 gallon mixed reef, which includes sps, lps, clams and a lot of zoas/palys.

I like a bluer look and want the colors to pop. I also want my reds to pop and was told Fiji purple was a good choice but it will make it look too red. He said aquasun, has a hint of pink and would be a good choice.

Your help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

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

The UVL 75/25 will add a hint of red.