The T5 Q&a Thread
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awesomefam
In Memoriam
Thanks grim, I will be buying bulbs today so I can try it out.
Hello Grim! Thanks for all your help!
I plan on doing all types of corals, so I'm thinking T5's.
half white, half blue? maybe 15k or 20k? may settle for 10k. Would like LEDs for moonlight, but can add them with DIY..
What bulbs do you suggest for me starting out with hardy LPS corals, clams, etc. i will go to SPS corals later as well
I need to get a mounted fixture that goes on top of the tank and sits. it was a freshwater setup with 2 fixtures that sit on top. I will remove those and replace with a 48" fixture. Suggestions?
55G, 20L sump, 60# LR, 3" Live Sand
Starting with few small fish, hardy LPS's and clams, CUCrew. Will go to SPS later, so i dont wan to go cheaply on lights..
I plan on doing all types of corals, so I'm thinking T5's.
half white, half blue? maybe 15k or 20k? may settle for 10k. Would like LEDs for moonlight, but can add them with DIY..
What bulbs do you suggest for me starting out with hardy LPS corals, clams, etc. i will go to SPS corals later as well
I need to get a mounted fixture that goes on top of the tank and sits. it was a freshwater setup with 2 fixtures that sit on top. I will remove those and replace with a 48" fixture. Suggestions?
55G, 20L sump, 60# LR, 3" Live Sand
Starting with few small fish, hardy LPS's and clams, CUCrew. Will go to SPS later, so i dont wan to go cheaply on lights..
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corvettecris
New member
Thanks for the terrific info Ryan and Grim.
ReefEnabler
Premium Member
Grim or anybody.... have you tested out any of the Sfiligoi T5 fixtures? Does it compare to the ATI???
I'm really debating three things in my head right now:
1) Go all retro. The only thing holding me back is the lack of 80w reflectors that are 2" wide (canopy top is 23" wide, I want 10 bulbs).
2) ATI 10x80w Powermodul. I know it would rock the PAR, but I was very dissapointed to learn it only has two powercords, two lamps and 8 lamps each. Boo I want to turn on the lights more gradually.
3) Sfiligoi 12 x 80w. Somehow this thing is even narrower than the Powermodul. And even better I'm pretty sure it has 3 different banks of T5s which is what I want.
So would the Sfiligoi 12x80w compare or beat the Powermodul 10x80?????
I'm really debating three things in my head right now:
1) Go all retro. The only thing holding me back is the lack of 80w reflectors that are 2" wide (canopy top is 23" wide, I want 10 bulbs).
2) ATI 10x80w Powermodul. I know it would rock the PAR, but I was very dissapointed to learn it only has two powercords, two lamps and 8 lamps each. Boo I want to turn on the lights more gradually.
3) Sfiligoi 12 x 80w. Somehow this thing is even narrower than the Powermodul. And even better I'm pretty sure it has 3 different banks of T5s which is what I want.
So would the Sfiligoi 12x80w compare or beat the Powermodul 10x80?????
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ReefEnabler
Premium Member
... I guess it would be pretty easy to combine two 36" aquactininc reflectors... overlap them some, drill some holes and rivet them together, then I wouldn't have to worry about two reflectors on one bulb getting moved around.
Leopard Man
New member
Thanks Grim! Ok, I'll get 8 lamps.
plancton
Active member
Question for Grim:
Those ATI T5 fixtures are really sleek and nice, one of the tanks of the month had ATI T5 fixtures, they already come with parabolic reflectors, I don´t know what ballasts etc.
Which lamp gives more lumens?,A DIY lamp with Icecap ballasts with parabolic individual reflectors, or the ATI units?
Those ATI T5 fixtures are really sleek and nice, one of the tanks of the month had ATI T5 fixtures, they already come with parabolic reflectors, I don´t know what ballasts etc.
Which lamp gives more lumens?,A DIY lamp with Icecap ballasts with parabolic individual reflectors, or the ATI units?
ReefEnabler
Premium Member
ATI for sure.
rtparty
Raise The Reef!
I don't have numbers but Grim talked about these fixtures a few weeks ago I think. He was very disappointed in the Sfiligoi fixtures.
Could you run 2 fixtures? One 6 bulb and one 4 bulb? That way you could have 4 bulbs for dusk/dawn.
I agree with you though that ATI blew it big time by running the 2/8 for the 10 bulbs. It should have been 3 stage lighting.
rtparty
Raise The Reef!
There is no doubt the IC will give you more wattage. But IMO unless your tank is 30" deep or more, over driving the bulbs is a waste. Just a bunch more heat and bulbs last 6-8 months is all. I would be willing to bet you could keep the same stuff with the ATI powermodule that you could with the IC retro.
I know Todd on here has the ten bulb PM and he can't even keep some SPS happy because it's too much light for them. So if you are worried about "not enough light" from a PM, you don't need to be. Plus you can also set the PM closer to the tank if you would like compared to a retro.
ReefEnabler
Premium Member
Interesting idea on running two smaller fixtures.
Now that I think of it, I could take that mentality even further.
I have two corner overflows, one thats ~6"x8" and the other I thinkis around 6x12". No need for lighting the overflows, so if I am doing two fixtures, it could be a 6 x 80w in front and a 4 x 54 in the back. I think this would save power and I doubt the lost lighting would have made its way to any corals anyways.
any maybe I'll have less algae and stuff to clean from the overflows.
Thanks for the great idea!
only thing is both of those fixtures total exactly 23" wide, which is exactly the width of my cabinet, no room for error.
Now that I think of it, I could take that mentality even further.
I have two corner overflows, one thats ~6"x8" and the other I thinkis around 6x12". No need for lighting the overflows, so if I am doing two fixtures, it could be a 6 x 80w in front and a 4 x 54 in the back. I think this would save power and I doubt the lost lighting would have made its way to any corals anyways.
any maybe I'll have less algae and stuff to clean from the overflows.
Thanks for the great idea!
only thing is both of those fixtures total exactly 23" wide, which is exactly the width of my cabinet, no room for error.
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rtparty
Raise The Reef!
If you need the fixture to sit on the tank than the Aquactinics TX5 is a great fixture for you. It would allow you to keep SPS down the road.
The next best fixture for you is probably the Tek 4x54W fixture. If you go the route of the TEK you will also want to buy the Azoo clamp on fans and have them help cool the fixture down and increase output.
4 bulbs:
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Actinic White
GE 6500K or ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus
5 bulbs:
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Actinic White
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue or GE 6500K
ATI Blue Plus
What do you think of this one for my setup. Which bulbs should i pick for soft and hard corals
http://www.specialty-lights.com/960035.html
http://www.specialty-lights.com/960035.html
ReefEnabler
Premium Member
I know what you mean. I think this is one area where Retro's have an advantage: its so easy to angle the front reflectors to shine light into the tank at an angle to avoid spilling outside. I also think focusing the front reflectors at an angle helps illuminate the side tissue of branches better.
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