The T5 Q&a Thread

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HI Grim ,



I ordered these bulbs from the ReefGeek, ATI blue plus, UVL 75/25, ATI Aqua sun and ATI Blue plus. What will be the over all color be? Also what is the difference between ATI Aquablue and ATI Aqua sun ?
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Aquasun is a UVL lamp that has a pink cast to it. the Aquablue is slightly blue with a lot of blue/actinic in it. Overall your color will be a little on the purple side of blue. Your corals should glow considering all the lamps but the aquasun have a lot of actinic in the output.

Will I be happy with this look? Im looking for blue not purple. Do think I should order ATI Aquablue? I can still order the ATI Aquablue because the bulbs are on back order from the reefgeek.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14450395#post14450395 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Aquactinics TX5 fixture or a 4 lamp Ice Cap HO retro. Use the bow area for the softies and keep the high light critters back under the lights
Click to expand...


OK, I'll go with a 4X54 setup. I just picked up an Icecap 660 for a really good deal! I want this setup to have a dawn to dusk timer as well. How would you wire this setup with an Icecap 660 and another ballast for dawn to dusk and daytime? Do you think one ATI blue + setup for the dawn to dusk would work? I really want this tank to pop.Thanks for your help!
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14450374#post14450374 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
You could have someone make a couple of acrylic braces to sit on either end of the tank notched to lock in place front to rear in the tank frame. Then have the top part of the braces notched out to accept the fixture (s) so they can't slide side to side. It would look nice, a lot better than a bracket hanging over the tank.

If you by chance have a couple pictures of the room post em up, maybe between all of us we can come up with a better idea.
Click to expand...

I think clear acrylic braces holding a Powermodule over a tank (particularly rimless) sounds rather cool-chic....
 
Grim - How in the world do you fit that lighting with your 9010. I posted this in the tunze forum, but haven't had a response yet.

I am playing with my skimmer and it has been skimming well. My problem is the collection cup. It is so big...This is on my 2nd tank and I have a 48" nova extreme pro on a 90 gallon. My lights are practically flush with the front of my tank, because this collection cup is completely in the way. Any options?? Would the 9020 extraction unit allow for my lights to scoot back some? Is there a different collection cup that can be used with this skimmer that won't affect performance? I can always hang the lights, but the collection cup would still be hogging quite bit of light. Please help
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14454758#post14454758 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by seanmc980
OK, I'll go with a 4X54 setup. I just picked up an Icecap 660 for a really good deal! I want this setup to have a dawn to dusk timer as well. How would you wire this setup with an Icecap 660 and another ballast for dawn to dusk and daytime? Do you think one ATI blue + setup for the dawn to dusk would work? I really want this tank to pop.Thanks for your help!
Click to expand...

That would work. You can run 2 to 4 lamps on the 660. You could even run 4 on the 660 and get a 39 watt Blue Plus to throw over the bow. Wouldn't really even need a reflector.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14455439#post14455439 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by serum153
Grim - How in the world do you fit that lighting with your 9010. I posted this in the tunze forum, but haven't had a response yet.

I am playing with my skimmer and it has been skimming well. My problem is the collection cup. It is so big...This is on my 2nd tank and I have a 48" nova extreme pro on a 90 gallon. My lights are practically flush with the front of my tank, because this collection cup is completely in the way. Any options?? Would the 9020 extraction unit allow for my lights to scoot back some? Is there a different collection cup that can be used with this skimmer that won't affect performance? I can always hang the lights, but the collection cup would still be hogging quite bit of light. Please help
Click to expand...

I am about to do an experiment to see if the 9010 will stand up to being thrown up against a wall. It is in my sump so there isn't an issue with space.
 
Hi Grim

I've got a 72Lx29Hx24W tank, currently with 400w - 250w -400w lighting configuration. I'm thinking about switching to the ATI PM. I'm considering either the 60" 8x80 or 10x80.

Which would you recommend for a heavily stocked SPS/LPS tank with those dimensions?

How far from the T5 lights have people been able to keep LPS or less demanding SPS?
 
Hi Grim, thx for your help. Do you have any other PAR measurements for the 6x24w ATI sunpower or do you know where i can find them? Im particuarly after the reading at water level.

Cheers
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14458615#post14458615 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by nasotang
Hi Grim

I've got a 72Lx29Hx24W tank, currently with 400w - 250w -400w lighting configuration. I'm thinking about switching to the ATI PM. I'm considering either the 60" 8x80 or 10x80.

Which would you recommend for a heavily stocked SPS/LPS tank with those dimensions?

How far from the T5 lights have people been able to keep LPS or less demanding SPS?
Click to expand...

You will want the 8 bulb IMO.

I know Todd on here has the 10 bulb and has some problems keeping lower light SPS happy because they get way too much light.

The SPS will love the PM and your LPS will be happy too. Just keep them out of the direct light. You could probably keep low light SPS on the sand with an ATI PM.
 
Folks,

I currently have a 6 bulb Aquatinics Solar Flare that I've been very happy with. However, I'm starting to feel limited by only having 6 bulbs with regards to bulb combinations. I'm thinking about replacing it with an ATI Powermodule, but on the fence as to an 8 Bulb or 10 Bulb unit. My tank is as such:

Oceanic Tech 120g (48x24x24)

The tank has a lip on the top, that limits the opening over the water to the following dimensions: 42" x 17" From the top of my ceiling, to the top of my tank is about 51" also, so not sure if that may be a factor when hanging the fixture.

That being said, is a 10 bulb even practical? Will 2 more bulbs make much of a difference? I really want those SPS coral colors to POP! :)

Appreciate any advice/ideas...

Thanks,
L3
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14459467#post14459467 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by layer3switchguy
Folks,

I currently have a 6 bulb Aquatinics Solar Flare that I've been very happy with. However, I'm starting to feel limited by only having 6 bulbs with regards to bulb combinations. I'm thinking about replacing it with an ATI Powermodule, but on the fence as to an 8 Bulb or 10 Bulb unit. My tank is as such:

Oceanic Tech 120g (48x24x24)

The tank has a lip on the top, that limits the opening over the water to the following dimensions: 42" x 17" From the top of my ceiling, to the top of my tank is about 51" also, so not sure if that may be a factor when hanging the fixture.

That being said, is a 10 bulb even practical? Will 2 more bulbs make much of a difference? I really want those SPS coral colors to POP! :)

Appreciate any advice/ideas...

Thanks,
L3
Click to expand...

What you have now should be fine. What bulb combo are you running? That will have a pretty big impact.

You will only want an 8 bulb IMO if not even just the 6. With 8 bulbs you will cover the whole tank. So any softies or even LPS wont be real happy unless you shade them a little. Just an FYI.

Now if your tank is 95-100% SPS then the PM is perfect for you. You could keep anything you wanted just about anywhere in the tank.
 
Thanks Ryan,

Bulbs are as follows:

Front -to- Back

Blue+
Actinic
AB Special
Blue+
Fiji
Blue+

Colors are ok, but I keep trying to reach for something like Szymon had in the TOTM in July...
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14459627#post14459627 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by layer3switchguy
Thanks Ryan,

Bulbs are as follows:

Front -to- Back

Blue+
Actinic
AB Special
Blue+
Fiji
Blue+

Colors are ok, but I keep trying to reach for something like Szymon had in the TOTM in July...
Click to expand...

Grim could probably tell you exactly what combo he is running but I will take a stab.

That tank is one of the best I have seen.

Go with the 8 bulb PM.

ATI Blue Plus
KZ Fiji Purple
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus
KZ Fiji Purple
ATI Blue Plus

You could possibly switch out a blue plus for an actinic if you want an actinic in there. I personally don't run any actinic.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14458615#post14458615 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by nasotang
Hi Grim

I've got a 72Lx29Hx24W tank, currently with 400w - 250w -400w lighting configuration. I'm thinking about switching to the ATI PM. I'm considering either the 60" 8x80 or 10x80.

Which would you recommend for a heavily stocked SPS/LPS tank with those dimensions?

How far from the T5 lights have people been able to keep LPS or less demanding SPS?
Click to expand...

On my 26" wide, and 21" tall tank, the 10 bulb PM is great for most of my SPS, but not so great for corals like Ponape birdsnest that is truly a low light SPS; it grows well, but the green with purple tips coloration is just hinted at. I did have it under a rock, and it was coloring up well, but it grew too tall and is now out on the sandbed and has lost the coloration is was gaining. And it's at the front of the tank, under the first Blue+ bulb...! I also have grandis palys on the sanbed that are huge, but will rarely open up 100%, usually around 70% open. The mother colony was under Reeflux 12K 400W halides, and they fully opened, in between the size of a nickel and a quarter... On the plus side I have Montipora setosa practically on the sanbed (1" above) and it's growing very fast...

I also have a chalice, Bazooka Joe, and Acans, about 6" up from the bottom, and they are happy and growing well...

Since your tank is deeper, you might need the 10 bulb model for the better penetration. Chances are you'll have better luck with fussier mellow light corals than I have...!

Lets see what Grim says...
 
Got a question for you Grim and Todd,

Setting up ANOTHER tank (-: which will be 60x36x20. I know its very deep (front to back) so not sure what to do for lighting. there are a few reefers with 30 and 32inch deep tanks running 10 bulb PM so I figure I should be ok as i want to have a VERY large open SB at the front. I would move the fixture more towards the back. The only other option would be 2 x 6 bulb sunpower. I would perfer 1 fixture though.

I want lots of SPS in the top half with LPS and zoas around the bottom.

The 10 bulb PM is only 22inch front to back.

Todd, how high is your fixture from the water?

thanks guys
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14459627#post14459627 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by layer3switchguy
Thanks Ryan,

Bulbs are as follows:

Front -to- Back

Blue+
Actinic
AB Special
Blue+
Fiji
Blue+

Colors are ok, but I keep trying to reach for something like Szymon had in the TOTM in July...
Click to expand...

That's a very good combination for color that you are currently running. If you are looking for more, or better, color, before investing in new expensive lighting, I'd make sure that your corals have the genetic potential for great color (usually domestic frags), and that your water quality parameters are all in line (particularly nutrients)...
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14458615#post14458615 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by nasotang
Hi Grim

I've got a 72Lx29Hx24W tank, currently with 400w - 250w -400w lighting configuration. I'm thinking about switching to the ATI PM. I'm considering either the 60" 8x80 or 10x80.

Which would you recommend for a heavily stocked SPS/LPS tank with those dimensions?

How far from the T5 lights have people been able to keep LPS or less demanding SPS?
Click to expand...

A 10 lamp PM would let you keep the more demanding SPS in the upper half of the tank at least.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14459467#post14459467 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by layer3switchguy
Folks,

I currently have a 6 bulb Aquatinics Solar Flare that I've been very happy with. However, I'm starting to feel limited by only having 6 bulbs with regards to bulb combinations. I'm thinking about replacing it with an ATI Powermodule, but on the fence as to an 8 Bulb or 10 Bulb unit. My tank is as such:

Oceanic Tech 120g (48x24x24)

The tank has a lip on the top, that limits the opening over the water to the following dimensions: 42" x 17" From the top of my ceiling, to the top of my tank is about 51" also, so not sure if that may be a factor when hanging the fixture.

That being said, is a 10 bulb even practical? Will 2 more bulbs make much of a difference? I really want those SPS coral colors to POP! :)

Appreciate any advice/ideas...

Thanks,
L3
Click to expand...

The extra 2 lamps would be wasted from a PAR standpoint but would add color. I really think I would stick with 8 lamps which is about 16" of illumination. Having lamps over the front bracing might cause a lot of glare.
 
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