The T5 Q&a Thread

[fishyheaven]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14842896#post14842896 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rtparty
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.

Thanks RT! its been such a hard decision choosing lighting options. i will go with your bulb setup and post pics once they are up!

Thanks again!!

 

[jh2pizza]

Do you get as much output from one T5 as you would a VHO?

 

[ktrandc]

Hey Ryan,

I'm getting a 48"x30"x20" tank and am going to be running the ATI PM unit. Would you recommend I get the 8 or 10 bulb unit? I'm doing SPS. Also, any recommendation on the bulbs would be appreciated.

 

[McMax]

Hi,

I have been looking at different sites and it really seems I can't order ATI Bulbs because no one ships them to Canada even Reefgeek. I do have a 48inch 6 bulb Tek and I was wondering how good would be the Aquascience Bulbs compared to Gisemann or even ATI ?

I found a thread on RC where they claim they are even better than ATI. So I was wondering if they would be a good choice over at least Gisemann.

Also, I'm not sure what is Aquascience's equivalent of an ATI Blue plus. Would it be a Blue 22k ? And would a Special 15k be the equivalent of an ATI Aquablue ? And what is a Duo 17,500 k ?

At last, I'm planning to do all different types of corals like SPS and Clam on top and LPS and softies lower in my 75g tank. So, if aquascience bulbs are any good, would this be a nice combo or is there something better I could do :

Aquascience Blue 22k
Fiji Purple
Aquascience Blue 22k
UVL Actinic White
Aquascience Blue 22k
Aquascience Special 15k

 

[IndyReefMan]

Grim,

I just purchased a new 48" 6 bulb tek fixture for my 55 gal frag tank. It sits in an unfinished area of my basement, so I was able to mount a large 20" fan on the wall about 2' from the end of the fixture. The fan has 3 settings (low, med, and hi), so I can blow a ton of air across the fixture if I need to. How much air would you estimate I need to blow across the fixture to maintain an ideal operating temperature?-- low, med or hi setting? Also, I can adjust the frag racks so that the frags are as high up (close to the lights) or as low as I need them. What depth would you recommend I place the frag racks (there will be various species of Acros and a few Monti's and I have mounted the optional splashguard and the fixture sits 6" off of the water surface)? I will be running (4) ATI Blue Plus, (1) Fiji Purple, and (1) ATI Aquablue. Thanks for your help. Mike.

 

[rtparty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14844501#post14844501 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jh2pizza
Do you get as much output from one T5 as you would a VHO?

I am pretty sure you get more output with T5's. The one area VHO kills T5's is the actinic bulbs.

 

[rtparty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14844520#post14844520 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ktrandc
Hey Ryan,

I'm getting a 48"x30"x20" tank and am going to be running the ATI PM unit. Would you recommend I get the 8 or 10 bulb unit? I'm doing SPS. Also, any recommendation on the bulbs would be appreciated.

The 10 bulb version will work.

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

I would also order at least one extra Blue Plus to play with. I am not sure how blue you want the tank. If it is too white/yellow change the Aquablues with a Blue Plus.

 

[rtparty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14844788#post14844788 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by McMax
Hi,

I have been looking at different sites and it really seems I can't order ATI Bulbs because no one ships them to Canada even Reefgeek. I do have a 48inch 6 bulb Tek and I was wondering how good would be the Aquascience Bulbs compared to Gisemann or even ATI ?

I found a thread on RC where they claim they are even better than ATI. So I was wondering if they would be a good choice over at least Gisemann.

Also, I'm not sure what is Aquascience's equivalent of an ATI Blue plus. Would it be a Blue 22k ? And would a Special 15k be the equivalent of an ATI Aquablue ? And what is a Duo 17,500 k ?

At last, I'm planning to do all different types of corals like SPS and Clam on top and LPS and softies lower in my 75g tank. So, if aquascience bulbs are any good, would this be a nice combo or is there something better I could do :

Aquascience Blue 22k
Fiji Purple
Aquascience Blue 22k
UVL Actinic White
Aquascience Blue 22k
Aquascience Special 15k

The Aquascience are good bulbs.

AS Blue 22k
KZ Fiji Purple
AS Blue 22k
Gmann Midday
AS Blue 22k
AS Special 15k

I would order an extra 22k just in case you want it to be more blue.

 

[rtparty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14845090#post14845090 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by IndyReefMan
Grim,

I just purchased a new 48" 6 bulb tek fixture for my 55 gal frag tank. It sits in an unfinished area of my basement, so I was able to mount a large 20" fan on the wall about 2' from the end of the fixture. The fan has 3 settings (low, med, and hi), so I can blow a ton of air across the fixture if I need to. How much air would you estimate I need to blow across the fixture to maintain an ideal operating temperature?-- low, med or hi setting? Also, I can adjust the frag racks so that the frags are as high up (close to the lights) or as low as I need them. What depth would you recommend I place the frag racks (there will be various species of Acros and a few Monti's and I have mounted the optional splashguard and the fixture sits 6" off of the water surface)? I will be running (4) ATI Blue Plus, (1) Fiji Purple, and (1) ATI Aquablue. Thanks for your help. Mike.

I would just start the fan on low and see how warm the fixture gets. You don't want to over cool it or that will hurt output. Also you need to remove the splash shield. It kills output because the heat has no where to go and gets trapped inside the fixture. I would keep the high light critters maybe 6 inches under the water's surface. Just watch the corals and see if they are happy.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14839181#post14839181 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jrreese
Thanks so much for the info Ryan. After checking out the Reef Geek site my next question is if I went retro fit with the Ice Cap package should I go VHO of HO? Thanks for any help or insight ... jr Oh, yes it is 36 front to back ... pennsula set up in room

12 lamps. Whether or not you should overdrive them depends on how tall the tank is and what you want to grow. if the tank is less than 24" tall and you aren't planning on raising SPS at all levels in the tank a standard HO system will be fine.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14839283#post14839283 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jay02483
i have a 29gal and i wanna keep sps and clams, i currently have a current usa 4x39w t5ho with 2 10k and 2 460mm actinics what do u all think?

Use 2 ATI Blue Plus, 1 ATI Aquablue and 1 UVL Aquasun lamp and you should be OK.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14839481#post14839481 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bshumake
Which would be preferable if you want the colors to pop?

As far as I can see either on will cause about the same pop with everything on, the Fiji Purple is a little more subtle in a setup with fewer lamps.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14840050#post14840050 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rtparty
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.

The Fiji Purple/actinic white lamps are too far apart



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

You want those lamps spaced so the spectrum is hitting the viewing side of all the corals,

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14839561#post14839561 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rtparty
UVL 454
UVL 75/25
UVL 454
Gmann Midday or UVL Actinic White
UVL 454
Gmann Aquablue
UVL 454

The 454's can be replaced with the Gmann Actinic+.

I'd use actinic Plus instead of 454's, better PAR output.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<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!!

Sront
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Actinic White
ATI Blue Plus
GE 6500K Daylight
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Actinic White
ATI Blue Plus

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14844788#post14844788 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by McMax
Hi,

I have been looking at different sites and it really seems I can't order ATI Bulbs because no one ships them to Canada even Reefgeek. I do have a 48inch 6 bulb Tek and I was wondering how good would be the Aquascience Bulbs compared to Gisemann or even ATI ?

I found a thread on RC where they claim they are even better than ATI. So I was wondering if they would be a good choice over at least Gisemann.

Also, I'm not sure what is Aquascience's equivalent of an ATI Blue plus. Would it be a Blue 22k ? And would a Special 15k be the equivalent of an ATI Aquablue ? And what is a Duo 17,500 k ?

At last, I'm planning to do all different types of corals like SPS and Clam on top and LPS and softies lower in my 75g tank. So, if aquascience bulbs are any good, would this be a nice combo or is there something better I could do :

Aquascience Blue 22k
Fiji Purple
Aquascience Blue 22k
UVL Actinic White
Aquascience Blue 22k
Aquascience Special 15k

Aquascience and Giesemann lamps are made by the same manufacturer. If there is a price difference go with whichever is less expensive. The mix you show would be fine. The 22K Blue and the Gmann Actinic Plus are the same type of lamp, blue like a blue plus.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14845090#post14845090 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by IndyReefMan
Grim,

I just purchased a new 48" 6 bulb tek fixture for my 55 gal frag tank. It sits in an unfinished area of my basement, so I was able to mount a large 20" fan on the wall about 2' from the end of the fixture. The fan has 3 settings (low, med, and hi), so I can blow a ton of air across the fixture if I need to. How much air would you estimate I need to blow across the fixture to maintain an ideal operating temperature?-- low, med or hi setting? Also, I can adjust the frag racks so that the frags are as high up (close to the lights) or as low as I need them. What depth would you recommend I place the frag racks (there will be various species of Acros and a few Monti's and I have mounted the optional splashguard and the fixture sits 6" off of the water surface)? I will be running (4) ATI Blue Plus, (1) Fiji Purple, and (1) ATI Aquablue. Thanks for your help. Mike.

Hard to say on the fan speed, medium should be more than enough. I'd start the coral racks mid tank and take it from there. Really going to depend of what you are growing, just play around and see where the frags are happiest.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<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!

on a 30" tall tank do yourself a favor and get the ATI, you need the better output.

 

[rort]

Hey grim, was told to ask on what u think about my propsed T5 list (page 34)and what rtparty suggested??

Thanks!!!

 

[rtparty]

Would this combo be too purple?

2 ATI Blue Plus, 1 UVL Super Actinic, 1 UVL 75/25, 1 KZ Fiji Purple and either an ATI Aquablue or GE 6500K.

I am really trying to get a blue-pink-purple look. I will be running the ATI Sunpower over my 40 gallon and am trying to cut down on PAR a little but still get some really cool colors. I already plan on keeping the fixture at least 8 inches off the tank as is.