The T5 Q&a Thread

[Elan L.]

I have a 48'' TEK 8 bulb HO t5 fixture over my 75. It is a mixed reef in the works but i am mainly going sps (and zoas) from now on. Can someone tell me what would be the best bulbs for this and where to buy them?

Thanks!
Elan

 

[Elan L.]

what is also a good combo for my 24'' current fixture on my 20g frag tank?

Thanks, Elan

 

[rtparty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14839677#post14839677 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jay02483
so i can really chose any lights i want and it will be fine? or is there like a must have?

I would run the combo I recoed above.

ATI Blue Plus
UVL Actinc White
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus

Keep high light critters under the lamps directly.

 

[rtparty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14839811#post14839811 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jrreese
Thanks RTParty, you guys are great, now I'll have to pester you for bulb choices and position jr

Well if you are gonna go with 12 bulbs on each side then try this:

ATI Blue Plus
KZ Fiji Purple or UVL Actinic White
ATI Blue Plus
GE 6500K
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue
Ge 6500K
ATI Blue Plus
KZ Fiji Purple or UVl Actinic White
ATI Blue Plus

I would also wait for Grim and see what he says. I doubt it he will reco anything totally different than I did but he still has way more experience with this all.

 

[jrreese]

Wow this so great. thanks so much. What do you think Grim? jr

 

[dan223]

How many volts should the sunpower fans be set at? The manual that came with it said 4, but after running it at 4 and then changing bulbs, Id have to say the cold spot is way over 115f since I could barely touch it long enough to even twist the bulb.

 

[aquariumclown]

Re: Re: T5 supplementation

Re: Re: T5 supplementation

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14838213#post14838213 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by aquariumclown
Hi Grim,

I have a 150gal (5'x2'2') and run 3x 250w SE radium bulbs. I would like to supplement with some t5 bulbs for coral fluorescence. I assume this means actinic bulbs. I'm thinking either 2 bulbs (one on each side of the MH), over driven by icecap 660 ballast. Or would it be better to run 4 bulbs normally driven? I'm also confused what bulbs I should use for my purpose. What's the difference between Blue Plus and pure actinic. I'm seeing that most people are using blue plus, but in my case I just want the corals to reflect fluorescence. Any help is appreciated.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14839056#post14839056 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rtparty
If you can fit 4, I say do that. But if you can fit 2 then run 2 ATI Blue Plus with Reefgeek reflectors.

If I can get 4. Would you recommend 4 ATI Blue Plus? or a combo of something else?

 

[ngn8dogg]

Its time for new bulbs and I wanted to switch by combo up. I have an aquactinics tx5
front
blue plus
superactinic
aquasun
blue plus
aquablue

I don't mind the color it produces but it seems a little pink? I was thinking-
blue plus
Fiji purple
aquablue
blue plus
aquablue I keep hearing good things on the fiji. Anyone have any suggestions on how this combo will turn out? hopefully nice

 

[rort]

so looks like this is the place to ask questions about T5 lighting! I am upgrading my T5 6x54w TEK fixture to the 8x54w. I was using really BLAND UVL bulbs and am planning on completely upgrading my bulbs to probably just ATI and KZ.

I need some help on the Front to back layout and... well what bulbs I should purchase! I know I want a Figi Purple and thinking about having a Procolor in there too! Also totally diggin the dawn colors as well!


Any help would be much appreciated!

 

[rtparty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14841415#post14841415 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by dan223
How many volts should the sunpower fans be set at? The manual that came with it said 4, but after running it at 4 and then changing bulbs, Id have to say the cold spot is way over 115f since I could barely touch it long enough to even twist the bulb.

I thought I read 7.5 somewhere but am not totally 100% positive on that.

 

[rtparty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14839886#post14839886 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Elan L.
I have a 48'' TEK 8 bulb HO t5 fixture over my 75. It is a mixed reef in the works but i am mainly going sps (and zoas) from now on. Can someone tell me what would be the best bulbs for this and where to buy them?

Thanks!
Elan

Reefgeek is the best place to buy all your stuff.

For your 8 bulb:

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

For your 4 bulb:

ATI Blue Plus
KZ Fiji Purple
ATI Aqaublue
ATI Blue Plus

 

[rtparty]

Re: Re: Re: T5 supplementation

Re: Re: Re: T5 supplementation

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14842502#post14842502 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by aquariumclown
If I can get 4. Would you recommend 4 ATI Blue Plus? or a combo of something else?

I would try something different. Maybe 2 Blue Plus, a UVL Super Actinic and either a KZ Fiji Purple or UVL 75/25.

I have never seen that combo with MH but I think it would be way cool for dusk/dawn stuff.

 

[rtparty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14842569#post14842569 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ngn8dogg
Its time for new bulbs and I wanted to switch by combo up. I have an aquactinics tx5
front
blue plus
superactinic
aquasun
blue plus
aquablue

I don't mind the color it produces but it seems a little pink? I was thinking-
blue plus
Fiji purple
aquablue
blue plus
aquablue I keep hearing good things on the fiji. Anyone have any suggestions on how this combo will turn out? hopefully nice

I can't remember the dusk/dawn with that fixture but I think 1,3,5 are on one switch and 2,4 on the other.

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

I personally would run a Blue Plus in back because I like a bluer tank. But it is all personal preference really. Your combo should be good. Just tweak stuff for dusk/dawn effect.

 

[fishyheaven]

Hello guys,

first i just wanted to say this forum is great! very solid information here!

secondly i am building my 215 oceanic tank and needed some suggestion on the bulbs. I think i have decided to go with Constellation 72 with 14X39w. Unless you guys have a different fixture in mind, i think the Constellation would be the one. First i was going with 2 ATI 10X39w but that would be double the price.
Any suggestion on the bulb choices for the Constellation 72?

Thanks guys!!

 

[Bill14]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14841415#post14841415 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by dan223
How many volts should the sunpower fans be set at? The manual that came with it said 4, but after running it at 4 and then changing bulbs, Id have to say the cold spot is way over 115f since I could barely touch it long enough to even twist the bulb.

Looks like several people just got their Sunpowers. I went searching for this same question and found this answer from Grim in the ATI T5 fixtures thread in the ReefGeek forum.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14214996#post14214996 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
On a sunpower I got the best performance at 7.5 vdc

As I remember thats about where the 4x36 did best.

 

[rtparty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14842697#post14842697 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rort
so looks like this is the place to ask questions about T5 lighting! I am upgrading my T5 6x54w TEK fixture to the 8x54w. I was using really BLAND UVL bulbs and am planning on completely upgrading my bulbs to probably just ATI and KZ.

I need some help on the Front to back layout and... well what bulbs I should purchase! I know I want a Figi Purple and thinking about having a Procolor in there too! Also totally diggin the dawn colors as well!


Any help would be much appreciated!

Don't run a Fiji Purple and Pro Color together. They are very harsh bulbs and will out power everything else.

Are you cooling that fixture? If not, then go to Foster and Smith and buy the Azoo clamp on fan and cool the fixture with that. Also no plastic shield. It kills output.

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

 

[rtparty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14842771#post14842771 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by fishyheaven
Hello guys,

first i just wanted to say this forum is great! very solid information here!

secondly i am building my 215 oceanic tank and needed some suggestion on the bulbs. I think i have decided to go with Constellation 72 with 14X39w. Unless you guys have a different fixture in mind, i think the Constellation would be the one. First i was going with 2 ATI 10X39w but that would be double the price.
Any suggestion on the bulb choices for the Constellation 72?

Thanks guys!!

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

or

ATI Blue Plus
UVl 75/25
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Actinic White
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus

 

[rort]

lol damn you are just spitting out answers! lol thanks rtparty!

 

[fishyheaven]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14842783#post14842783 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rtparty
ATI Blue Plus
KZ Fiji Purple
ATI Blue Plus
GE 6500K
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus

or

ATI Blue Plus
UVl 75/25
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Actinic White
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus

that was fast! thanks so much!!

so i am pretty much set to order just want one last confirmation:

Constellation 72 with 14X39w

or

ATI 10x80W Powermodule

Its for a 72X24X30 tank. I will be doing my lighting order tomorrow so any input would be great!!

Thanks!

 

[rtparty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14842868#post14842868 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by fishyheaven
that was fast! thanks so much!!

so i am pretty much set to order just want one last confirmation:

Constellation 72 with 14X39w

or

ATI 10x80W Powermodule

Its for a 72X24X30 tank. I will be doing my lighting order tomorrow so any input would be great!!

Thanks!

It is all on what you want to do. The Constellation is a great fixture. The ATI is the amazing also. The hard thing with 80W bulbs is that your bulb selection is limited.

With a 60" fixture over a 72" tank you will have dark spots on the ends. Some people like that, others don't. It is a nice place to put low light stuff but I myself tend to like more even coverage. I have seen some sweet tanks with the dark spots too.

It really is whatever you want to do but I would do the Constellation myself. Good output, 3 stage lighting, active cooling, and better bulb selection.