The T5 Q&a Thread
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bshumake
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I'm looking at converting my tank from MH to T5's and wanted to get some opinions on light bulbs.
My tank is 72 x 24 x 25, ~150G after displacement. Would 8x54W bulbs adequately light a predominantly SPS tank? And what bulbs and in what placement would you use? My tank is mostly acro and monti cap's now. I want to get a clam in the future.
Any ideas?
My tank is 72 x 24 x 25, ~150G after displacement. Would 8x54W bulbs adequately light a predominantly SPS tank? And what bulbs and in what placement would you use? My tank is mostly acro and monti cap's now. I want to get a clam in the future.
Any ideas?
Hey all, I wanted to thank grim for the quick response to a previous question I had, and wanted to follow-up with another one. Like I said my tank is 75 gal and will have sps towards the top and lps near the bottom with many ricordea floridas. Will this set up be ok? The fixture will be an 8x54 Ati powermodule instead of the tek fixture I was previously set on.
From Front:
Ati blue plus
Uvl super actinic
Ati blue plus
Ati Aquablue
Fiji Purple
Ati blue plus
Uvl super actinic
Ati blue plus
I just wanted to make sure the lack of white light wouldn't be detrimental to long term coral health. I would prefer more color than growth, but I still want the coral to be healthy. I really like the "blue look" with a bit of purple/pink too. Any suggestions/comments would be appreciated.
From Front:
Ati blue plus
Uvl super actinic
Ati blue plus
Ati Aquablue
Fiji Purple
Ati blue plus
Uvl super actinic
Ati blue plus
I just wanted to make sure the lack of white light wouldn't be detrimental to long term coral health. I would prefer more color than growth, but I still want the coral to be healthy. I really like the "blue look" with a bit of purple/pink too. Any suggestions/comments would be appreciated.
rtparty
Raise The Reef!
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14639603#post14639603 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by snaza
I Beg to differ
Check out this tank :eek1:
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1512189&perpage=25&pagenumber=10
I didn't say it wouldn't grow corals. I just remember someone asking Grim about them and he was disappointed with them. Also that tank was very scarce with corals. A full blown SPS and clams tank should look at the PM. That is my opinion nothing more.
Come on Snaza you know you love your ATI!
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14639926#post14639926 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rtparty
I didn't say it wouldn't grow corals. I just remember someone asking Grim about them and he was disappointed with them. Also that tank was very scarce with corals. A full blown SPS and clams tank should look at the PM. That is my opinion nothing more.
Come on Snaza you know you love your ATI!
How about the 10 bulb PM? Does that turn on 2&8 on 1 ballast. then the other 8.
I guess i love ATI but i've never used one. i have no experience with any fixtures as i run IC retros on both tanks.
what fixtures have you used and tested?
Im going by grims tests and seeing so many nice ATI tanks but i still can decide, 2 x 6 bulb sunpowers or 10 bulb PM for my new(coming soonish) 150x36x20
rtparty
Raise The Reef!
Yeah the PM is a 2 and then 8 which I don't really care for. I wish they had made it a three stage system like the Constellation. I do know ATI has a new PM coming out soon but shhh!
I could have swore you had a PM! I wonder who was on here showing all the testing with the different fan settings? Hmm now I am lost. Maybe Todd?
I have not tested many at all. Nothing compared to Grim. I just research a lot and talk to Grim about the different ones. I have used a cheap JBJ T5 system that was garbage but did the job after I changed the bulbs.
Currently I have a Current USA fixture on a FW planted tank and it does great for those. I have been through a lot of bulbs on it and the most recent are the best. The Current bulbs and the Hagen bulbs are totally garbage. I will be getting a 6 bulb TEK for my new tank however and I am excited about that. I am building a 40g breeder with mostly SPS. With it being so shallow an ATI is overkill.
thanks for the reply rtparty. With t5s does it really matter how much blue light vs white light you have when it comes to coral health? I know actinic light doesnt do much good other than making the colors "pop", so arent the blue+ bulbs almost the same as actinic? I mean you couldn't use all blue+ or figi pruple blubs could you? I'm sorry but most of this comes very confusing to me :eek1:. Also I never had a tek fixture, I was thinking of getting one, but instead I chose the powermodule. Right now I have a nova extreme 4x54 t5 and a coralife 4x65 watt power compact fixture sitting over the 75gal and its time for an upgrade. Thanks for your help.
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
4x54 watt sunpower from ATI. You either have to hang it or you can make brackets and set it right on the tank.
Front
ATI Blue Plus
UVL 75/25
GE 6500k Daylight
ATI Blue Plus
SHould be good.
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
I would not pay the money for the stealth until someone tests them. Based on my testing of the 6x54 unit they are not any better than the Tek other than they look really cool. I suspect the bigger fixture have a better design where they don't get so damned hot.
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14639603#post14639603 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by snaza
I Beg to differ
Check out this tank :eek1:
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1512189&perpage=25&pagenumber=10
Have you seen a 12 x 54 fixture in person? I used an external fan to cool the 6x54 and it still sucked as far as output. Even accounting for heat it should have had better output if the reflectors were good. I attribute the heat issue to there only being side vents in the fixture and because of the low profile the ballasts and lamps just get too hot.
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
8 lamp ATI or the Aquactinics Constellation
Front
Blue Plus
UVL 75/25
ATI Blue Plus
GE 6500K Daylight
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue
UVL 75/25
ATI Blue Plus
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
two plugs, no switches. The two outside lamps are on one and the inner 4 the other.
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14640856#post14640856 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by snaza
Nah, but they look cool and so does his tank
Nice tank and the fixture looks cool BUT is it worth the $$$$$$$$$$$$
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14641080#post14641080 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by snaza
thanks grim. Is the 10 bulb PM the same. 2 plugs wiht 1 and 10 then the middle 8?
do you know how heavy the 54w 6 bulb sumpowers are? Sorry, to many Q's hey
just wandering is 2 x 6 54w sunpowers would weight more than a 10 bulb PM
Sunpower is pretty lite. Probably about the same as a tek if not lighter.
Don't know about the 10 lamp unit. I am guessing 4+4+2
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
Do a ATI Pro Color instead of the fiji purple. Less money and PAR which you have a whole lot of in an 8 lamp ATI. You might consider using a 3rd actinic Wait!
DO this
Front
ATI Blue Plus
UVL 75/25
ATI Blue Plus
GE 6500K Daylight
ATI Blue Plus
UVL 75/25
UVL Super Actinic
ATI Blue Plus
The 75/25's will give you red and actinic without blasting the corals too much, GE will bring out the green and yellow
I am assuming the outer 4 lamps are dusk/dawn.
With a lot of ricordias that mix of lamps should give you sick color.
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