The T5 Q&a Thread

[rtparty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14704831#post14704831 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by McMax
Ok thx a lot ! If possible could you tell me like how much percent are ATI Blueplus performing better compared to Gisemann because I would have to ship from usa to canada and they would probably cost me like 20$ more than the Gisemann I can get here so thats not really worth it right ?

And what would be Gisemann's equivalent to ATI Aquablue ?

And finally lol, if I can buy a fiji purple for the same price then a UVL 75/25 would it be better ?

The ATI Blue Plus hit around 311 for PAR and the Gmann Actinic + hit 264. The Gmann equivalent is the Gmann Aquablue.

I would personally get the Fiji Purple if you can.

 

[rtparty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14704736#post14704736 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by noboddi
Hey Grimm,

I have two questions. I have been looking at your site and the PAR readings, and maybe I missed it, but can you tell me at what distance the PAR readings were taken from?

Also I have a small anemone tank (40 breeder) I am starting for BTAs and have a 4 bulb fixture for it. I am looking for mostly daylight to max out PAR, and am thinking like an ATI Blue +, UVL Actinic White, and 2 GE 6500 Daylights. Does that sound good, or would you recommend something different?

Thanks

to quote Grim,

"In a fixture, no reflector, PAR sensor in a collar about 1 1/2 inches from the lamp"

Also the highest PAR bulbs in T5 is the ATI Blue Plus.

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

 

[75glreef]

I have a 95 wave front tank. It is 24" tall and 18" wide at the shortest point. I dont have a canopy for it so I would like to get a fixture. What fixture would you recomend and what bulbs? I am planning on keeping mainly LPS and Softies. I am more concerned about the look over fast growth. Thanks

 

[rmf2007]

I have a 92g corner and was thinking about getting a 36" 4x39 and a 24" 4x24 fixture. Can I get some bulb suggestions, would this be treated the same as getting a 8 bulb fixture when choosing colors?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14704736#post14704736 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by noboddi
Hey Grimm,

I have two questions. I have been looking at your site and the PAR readings, and maybe I missed it, but can you tell me at what distance the PAR readings were taken from?

Also I have a small anemone tank (40 breeder) I am starting for BTAs and have a 4 bulb fixture for it. I am looking for mostly daylight to max out PAR, and am thinking like an ATI Blue +, UVL Actinic White, and 2 GE 6500 Daylights. Does that sound good, or would you recommend something different?

Thanks

Those PAR readings are for comparisons between the different lamps only so it's all relative. The sensor was about 1 1/2" away from the lamp.

As far as your lamps go the blue plus and Aquablue have as much or more PAR than the daylights so go with what looks good. I'd do 2 Blue Plus, 1 UVL Actinicv White and a Aquablue. Should give great PAR and make things pop.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14704831#post14704831 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by McMax
Ok thx a lot ! If possible could you tell me like how much percent are ATI Blueplus performing better compared to Gisemann because I would have to ship from usa to canada and they would probably cost me like 20$ more than the Gisemann I can get here so thats not really worth it right ?

And what would be Gisemann's equivalent to ATI Aquablue ?

And finally lol, if I can buy a fiji purple for the same price then a UVL 75/25 would it be better ?

I don't know about the Fiji being "better" but for the same price I'd take the Fiji cause it has more PAR. Go with the Giesemanns if the price is that much different. You might want to change lamps at 10 months just to make sure you are giving your salty critters enough light. The Gmann Aquablue is about the same as the ATI. The KZ Koral Light is too, just a little bluer and not as much PAR.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14705988#post14705988 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 75glreef
I have a 95 wave front tank. It is 24" tall and 18" wide at the shortest point. I dont have a canopy for it so I would like to get a fixture. What fixture would you recomend and what bulbs? I am planning on keeping mainly LPS and Softies. I am more concerned about the look over fast growth. Thanks

Get a 6 lamp ATI Sunpower

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

I think that gives you the # 2 and 5 lamps for dusk dawn. If you don't luike the 75/25 in that spot swap positions with it and the Blue Plus right behind it.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14706509#post14706509 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rmf2007
I have a 92g corner and was thinking about getting a 36" 4x39 and a 24" 4x24 fixture. Can I get some bulb suggestions, would this be treated the same as getting a 8 bulb fixture when choosing colors?

If you are placing the fixtures front to back like an 9. if L shape then 4,

Front
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Actinic White or Fiji Purple
ATI Aquablue
ATU Blue Plus

Assuming it is the L shape.

 

[rmf2007]

Thanks for your help
I am going front to back - the 24 will be behind the 36.
I am not sure what you mean by a 9

 

[broke1]

Do T5s have enough penetration for a 27" deep tank? I am considering going with a 12x54w bulb on Icecaps for my new tank but wanted to make sure the T5s would be able to still have good par down low.

 

[Speckled Grouper]

Please forgive me if this question has been answered already but I am so disgusted with my Solaris and not being able to get my SPS to color up, I need a quick answer.

My tank is a 265 g Perfecto, 84"L x 24"W x 28"H with a canopy. So I would have to go with Retros.

What is your suggestion for reflectors, ballasts and bulbs?

Thanks!

 

[noboddi]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14706619#post14706619 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Those PAR readings are for comparisons between the different lamps only so it's all relative. The sensor was about 1 1/2" away from the lamp.

As far as your lamps go the blue plus and Aquablue have as much or more PAR than the daylights so go with what looks good. I'd do 2 Blue Plus, 1 UVL Actinicv White and a Aquablue. Should give great PAR and make things pop.

Thanks Grim. If this is a dumb question, my apologies, but a little clarity would help. When you say an Aquablue, I think you mean a UVL 75/25 Aquablue, but want to make sure you did not mean the ATI Aquablue Special or Geisemann Aquablue + ?

 

[Merfin70]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14703897#post14703897 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
I'd do an 8 lamp Tek.

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

Cool, I didn't even know there was an 8 bulb option on the 36". Thanks. Only place I can find it is at innovativelights.com. Anyone know of other places that sell the 8 bulb as I'd like to see the dimensions but they don't have them on that site.

 

[coralfragger101]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14706911#post14706911 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Speckled Grouper
Please forgive me if this question has been answered already but I am so disgusted with my Solaris and not being able to get my SPS to color up, I need a quick answer.

My tank is a 265 g Perfecto, 84"L x 24"W x 28"H with a canopy. So I would have to go with Retros.

What is your suggestion for reflectors, ballasts and bulbs?

Thanks!

Welcome to the disgusted with Solaris Group. I have 3 of their crap units that I can't even get service for anymore. I was NEVER able to grow SPS under them and am out over 7k on them. I'm switching to T5's. Just ordered a 48" 8 bulb ATI PowerModule.

 

[Speckled Grouper]

Oh, they grow allright....but they grow to be this uniform kakka brown color...

Now what's worse? Small kakka brown or Big kakka brown?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14706783#post14706783 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rmf2007
Thanks for your help
I am going front to back - the 24 will be behind the 36.
I am not sure what you mean by a 9

OOPS Meant 8.

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

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14706789#post14706789 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by broke1
Do T5s have enough penetration for a 27" deep tank? I am considering going with a 12x54w bulb on Icecaps for my new tank but wanted to make sure the T5s would be able to still have good par down low.

Sure, Use Ice Cap ballasts for at least some of the lamps and make sure to cool the lamp ends with fans.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14706911#post14706911 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Speckled Grouper
Please forgive me if this question has been answered already but I am so disgusted with my Solaris and not being able to get my SPS to color up, I need a quick answer.

My tank is a 265 g Perfecto, 84"L x 24"W x 28"H with a canopy. So I would have to go with Retros.

What is your suggestion for reflectors, ballasts and bulbs?

Thanks!

You are going to have to go with 2 rows of 36" lamps side by side to cover that beast, 8 rows deep.

Reefgeek brand reflectors, Ice Cap 660 Ballasts,

For lamps (all x 2)

Front
ATI Blue Plus Row 1
ATI Aquablue
UVL 75/25
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Actinic White
Blue Plus
GE 6500K Daylight
Blue Plus row 8

Each ballast will fire 4 lamps (2 rows) so you could do a really cool ramp up to full lighting

Row 1 and row 4 on at 10 am
row 3 and row 6 on at 11 am
Row 5 and row 8 on at 11:30 am
2 and row 7 on at noon

Or just about any ol way you want to do it.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14706913#post14706913 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by noboddi
Thanks Grim. If this is a dumb question, my apologies, but a little clarity would help. When you say an Aquablue, I think you mean a UVL 75/25 Aquablue, but want to make sure you did not mean the ATI Aquablue Special or Geisemann Aquablue + ?

No, I mean either the ATI or Giesemann Aquablues. Ain't nothing blue about the UVL 75/25 aquablue. That is why I allways call it 75/25

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14707153#post14707153 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Merfin70
Cool, I didn't even know there was an 8 bulb option on the 36". Thanks. Only place I can find it is at innovativelights.com. Anyone know of other places that sell the 8 bulb as I'd like to see the dimensions but they don't have them on that site.

The front to back size will be the same as any other 8 lamp Tek.