The T5 Q&a Thread

[Nanook]

Looking for some T5 lighting options for my new fuge/growout tank. The tank measures 36x30x31. There will be a 4" sandbed, so total height that needs lighting is 27"-ish.

The tank will have some macros, some rose BTA's and possibly some frags in a section on the top. I am looking for a T5 fixture that will rest on the top of the tank. The only ones I see that sit on top are the Aquactinics and the Sunlight Supply.

The Aquactinics holds 5 39w bulbs, not sure if this would be enough for my application.

The Sunlight Supply are big and bulky....had a 4 bulb T5 unit that I didn't like that much.

The ATI are very expensive and look to be hanging fixtures only, this is something I want to avoid because my ceiling is 2" blue styrofoam.

Also, looking for highest PAR T5 39w bulbs for growing macros. Thanks for any help.

 

[cartoonbear]

I guess my concern is that a mix of 2 blue plus one aquablue and a procolor won't be enough light, is that just wrong? And cuz I plan on doing mostly zoas would I see much benefit from switching out something for anl super actinic.

 

[Nanook]

 

[Nanook]

New avatar for ya cartoonbear

 

[cartoonbear]

haha I nvr thought of yogi.

 

[njm92383]

I just received my 36" nova extreme pro and need a recommendation on what bulbs to replace the stock ones with. It is a 6 bulb over a 46 gallon bow front tank and I plan to have a crocea clam if that matters at all. As for color, after having the daytime lights on, then the antics, and then both i would prefer the daytime.

 

[serum153]

blue+
blue+
75/25
blue+

Color is amazing. Just enough blue, just enough white. I tried switching the 75/25 to my second slot, but it still looked to bright. The 3rd slot makes everything come together.

 

[redhanded77]

can i get a bulb recommendation for ATI 6x39W fixture? tank is 36x18x18 and is SPS and clam dominated. thanks! also, how long should i be running the lights? its about 4 inches above water.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Re: Help for a choice of fixture

Re: Help for a choice of fixture

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14891109#post14891109 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by AlainD
HI, i have for the moment an aquarium 48X18X24 and i want to upgrape this summer to 48X24X24.
I have a lot of SPS whit a canpy (6 bulbs) that i made by my self.
I what to buy a fixture, what for you is my best option for the price ?
here in canada, the price is :
ATI PowerModule 8 bulbs : 1200$
ATI Sunpower 6 bulbs: 775$
Or Aquatinic 7 bulbs : i dont no if i can have it here.

The Sunpower would limit you to how far you could spread the SPS corals. I suppose you could use 2 4 lamp units, not sure if that would be any less than paying for the Powermodule. Constellation would be a little better than the single Sunpower.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14891513#post14891513 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by cartoonbear
ok, but I really like the pop that the blue gives me. I'm thinking 2 blue plus an aquablue and a red how would that look? Would that be Enough for good growth, as much as the aquablue would give?

If ypu like the blue pop try 3 Aquablue and a UVL Actinic White. It is close to an aquablue but with a pink tint instead of blue.

 

[cartoonbear]

The aqua blues are 12k bulbs no? Wouldn't that give me a whiteish tank with a hint of pink? I'm not trying to be difficult. Thanks for the help btw

Before u said to change the aquablue (12k) for the 75/25 (14k). Why? Does the spectrum of the bulb shift enough to show more like an actinic?

 

[Taqpol]

Hey Grim? When I slide the copper wiring into the connections on the accustart ballasts, is there anything else I should be doing to protect them from water? I plan on having all four ballasts on the inside wall of my stand.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14892180#post14892180 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Nanook
Looking for some T5 lighting options for my new fuge/growout tank. The tank measures 36x30x31. There will be a 4" sandbed, so total height that needs lighting is 27"-ish.

The tank will have some macros, some rose BTA's and possibly some frags in a section on the top. I am looking for a T5 fixture that will rest on the top of the tank. The only ones I see that sit on top are the Aquactinics and the Sunlight Supply.

The Aquactinics holds 5 39w bulbs, not sure if this would be enough for my application.

The Sunlight Supply are big and bulky....had a 4 bulb T5 unit that I didn't like that much.

The ATI are very expensive and look to be hanging fixtures only, this is something I want to avoid because my ceiling is 2" blue styrofoam.

Also, looking for highest PAR T5 39w bulbs for growing macros. Thanks for any help.

The ATI Fixtures can be sat right on the tank frame or you could make some cross braces. For a tank that tall I would probably stick with the ATI's or Aquactinics Constellation if they have came out with a 36" fixture yet.

Either that or a Ice Cap retrofit if you want to make a canopy.

For lamps I would say ATI Blue Plus and GE 6500K Daylights. Both have a lot of PAR. for a 6 lamps set I would do 2 GE's and 4 Blue Plus.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14892384#post14892384 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by njm92383
I just received my 36" nova extreme pro and need a recommendation on what bulbs to replace the stock ones with. It is a 6 bulb over a 46 gallon bow front tank and I plan to have a crocea clam if that matters at all. As for color, after having the daytime lights on, then the antics, and then both i would prefer the daytime.

Get 4 ATI Blue Plus lamps, 1 UVL Actinic White and 1 GE 6500K Daylight. If you prefer a more white look use 3 Blue Plus and 1 ATI Aquablue with the other lamps.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14893687#post14893687 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by redhanded77
can i get a bulb recommendation for ATI 6x39W fixture? tank is 36x18x18 and is SPS and clam dominated. thanks! also, how long should i be running the lights? its about 4 inches above water.

4 ATI Blue Plus, 1 UVL Actinic White oir KZ Fiji Purple and 1 GE 6500K Daylight or Giesemann Midday,

I would run Dusk/Dawn 10 to 12 hours a day and the rest 8 to 10 hours.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14894564#post14894564 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by cartoonbear
The aqua blues are 12k bulbs no? Wouldn't that give me a whiteish tank with a hint of pink? I'm not trying to be difficult. Thanks for the help btw

Before u said to change the aquablue (12k) for the 75/25 (14k). Why? Does the spectrum of the bulb shift enough to show more like an actinic?

OOOPS, meant 3 Blue Plus, not Aquablue

PS, you need the Yogi Avitar with your current one for his hat

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14894576#post14894576 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Taqpol
Hey Grim? When I slide the copper wiring into the connections on the accustart ballasts, is there anything else I should be doing to protect them from water? I plan on having all four ballasts on the inside wall of my stand.

Don't splash water on them





I just kill me



Just make sure you dont strip too much insulation off the wires so there is a lot of exposed copper. As long as there is decent airflow through the stand there shouldn't be an issue,

 

[cartoonbear]

Ok, I guess the blues are brighter than I thought.

I'm gonna order 3 blue plus 2 aquablue and a white actinic so I can play with them a little. Thanks!

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14894659#post14894659 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by cartoonbear
Ok, I guess the blues are brighter than I thought.

I'm gonna order 3 blue plus 2 aquablue and a white actinic so I can play with them a little. Thanks!

That should be good to get you where you want to be but I would grab a GE daylight 6500K in place of one of the aquablues, less money and offers a different look. It has a slight greenish yellow tint. The Combination of that with the pink actinc white would be almost pure white, adding that to 2 blue pluses would tend to make Yellow corals look better than using the aquablue with the others. Also makes certain greens pop a little brighter.

 

[cartoonbear]

hmm good idea I forgot about the yellows.