The T5 Q&a Thread

Status
Not open for further replies.
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15212868#post15212868 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
That is pretty underpowered for a 30" tall tank. An 8 or 10 lamp ATI Powermodule would be the way to go for T5s or a good 250 or even 400 watt halide fixture. If you plan on 20K halides I'd go with 400's.
Click to expand...

I was wondering if you think a 8 bulb nova extreme fixture would be sufficient for my 30" tall tank?
http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewItem.aspx?action=view&idProduct=CU01120&idCategory=FILTFIT58U&category=48in_Units&vendor=&child=CU01123
 
hi grim, i need some advice on a fixture. will a Tek fixture with 4 lamps be sufficient for sps,clams,etc.? I was told it would be good for them. If so, could you give some advice on bulb combinations? thanks
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15291249#post15291249 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
The GE lamp will make greens look brighter than the Aquablue. Running Blue Pluses and a Aquablue only is nice until you throw in a pink or purple critter. Not enough red to bring up the colors.

As far as red spectrum goes people need to learn how to friggin read. There is an article about using ONLY red spectrum on corals and it didn't produce a lot of growth. It just means the corals don't utilize that particular color of light well. I have had several people ask about that after having someone tell them about the study but not giving all the details.
Click to expand...

I have an ATI Sun Power that I kept unused from a couple years ago. Would that be a worthy substitute for the GE 6500K Bulb?
 
Grim, I just picked up a TEK 4x54 fixture for my 55 gal. The bulbs that were included were ATI Pro Color, Aquablue Special, Blue Plus, and a GE 6500k. I plan on keeping mostly softies, zoas, and some lps. What do you recommend for bulb selection and configuration in my case? Also I was wondering if this fixture is sufficient enough to keep clams and some sps towards the top of the tank? Thank you.
 
Re: 4 bulbs on 90 gal

Re: 4 bulbs on 90 gal

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15291891#post15291891 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Mavrk
I need to change out my bulbs. I was going to do this a few months ago, but couldn't figure out the right bulbs to get and then life got in the way. So I am back to trying to figure this out. My current setup is 4 bulbs (2 retrofit fixtures) with individual icecap reflectors running two 10,000K and two Actinic bulbs. The coloring is okay, but I never had the pop I have seen in other tanks on this site.

I don't really understand how to choose the color combination. How do I keep the green of my frogspawn, while showing off the blue of my juvi emperor angel, and still have enough red for my clowns, coraline algae, and the RBTA that I keep wanting to get.

Do I need to add a couple more bulbs to get what I want?

I tried reading throught this thread, but it is so long that I only got half way before deciding to post.

This is for my 90 gallon tank. Any insite or recommendations would be greatly appreciated (brands and/or color combination).

Thanks.
Click to expand...

Try this

Front
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Actinic White
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Blue Plus

Should give you a very cool look with a RTBA.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15294305#post15294305 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by fuerte91
hi grim, i need some advice on a fixture. will a Tek fixture with 4 lamps be sufficient for sps,clams,etc.? I was told it would be good for them. If so, could you give some advice on bulb combinations? thanks
Click to expand...

Depend on the size and height of the tank.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15294371#post15294371 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tdawgnjlo
I have an ATI Sun Power that I kept unused from a couple years ago. Would that be a worthy substitute for the GE 6500K Bulb?
Click to expand...

Yep, great lamps. I guess there was some kind of change in the ingredients in the gasses which ended that particular lamp.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15303959#post15303959 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bm1uscg
Grim, I just picked up a TEK 4x54 fixture for my 55 gal. The bulbs that were included were ATI Pro Color, Aquablue Special, Blue Plus, and a GE 6500k. I plan on keeping mostly softies, zoas, and some lps. What do you recommend for bulb selection and configuration in my case? Also I was wondering if this fixture is sufficient enough to keep clams and some sps towards the top of the tank? Thank you.
Click to expand...

Probably keep clams on the bottom if they are decent sized.

Front
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Actinic White
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue

If the lamps are fairly new just grab another blue plus and use the Pro Color instead of the actinic white.
 
quick question for the t5 experts:

I have been running a dual 96 W PC fixture on my 50 gal 36X18X18 and i just picked up a Nova 4x39W with the individual reflectors. The tank is wide enough for both fixtures.

Should I run both if I want to keep a variety of corals, or do I lose too much light by pushing the fixtures all the way to the edge?
 
Hi Grim,
I just bought a new house and I can FINALLY start buying equipment for my new tank.

60x32x20 SPS

Now in Australia we dont have any good T5 fixtures. I can get ATI but they are expensive. I have 3 options.

1. 10 bulb PM, with bulbs delivered - $2050

2. 4 bulb and 6 bulb Sunpower with bulbs delivered - $1800

3 10 bulb IC retro (with DIY fixture) - $1300

Because the tank is open top If I choose the IC retro option , I would need to build a nice wooden hanging fixture to house it.

I'm leaning toward to sunpower option but what do you think the
PAR differnce would be between the 3. Would the PM be much better than the SP? I like the look of the SP better and like the idea of 2 fixtures as it would be easier to move 1 to access the tank.

Do the SP put out more par than the IC HO retros?

Is the PM worth an extra $350

Thanks heaps

Aaron
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15305098#post15305098 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jdaniels175
quick question for the t5 experts:

I have been running a dual 96 W PC fixture on my 50 gal 36X18X18 and i just picked up a Nova 4x39W with the individual reflectors. The tank is wide enough for both fixtures.

Should I run both if I want to keep a variety of corals, or do I lose too much light by pushing the fixtures all the way to the edge?
Click to expand...


I would try it with just the T5's.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15305224#post15305224 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by snaza
Hi Grim,
I just bought a new house and I can FINALLY start buying equipment for my new tank.

60x32x20 SPS

Now in Australia we dont have any good T5 fixtures. I can get ATI but they are expensive. I have 3 options.

1. 10 bulb PM, with bulbs delivered - $2050

2. 4 bulb and 6 bulb Sunpower with bulbs delivered - $1800

3 10 bulb IC retro (with DIY fixture) - $1300

Because the tank is open top If I choose the IC retro option , I would need to build a nice wooden hanging fixture to house it.

I'm leaning toward to sunpower option but what do you think the
PAR differnce would be between the 3. Would the PM be much better than the SP? I like the look of the SP better and like the idea of 2 fixtures as it would be easier to move 1 to access the tank.

Do the SP put out more par than the IC HO retros?

Is the PM worth an extra $350

Thanks heaps

Aaron
Click to expand...

I would do the Sunpowers. They would be close the the output of the IC retro one way or another but you wouldn't have to go through the hassle of building a canopy.
 
Sorry guys if this has been asked before. What is the best way to store T5 bulbs? Vertically or horizontally. Mine are 80W so fairly lengthy.
Thanks
Andrew
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15305988#post15305988 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
I would do the Sunpowers. They would be close the the output of the IC retro one way or another but you wouldn't have to go through the hassle of building a canopy.
Click to expand...

I thought the SP would have much more PAR than the IC retro. Now i'm wandering If its worth all that extra money. Would the IC retro be ok to keep SPS on the SB at 20inch?

thanks
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15306048#post15306048 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by v1...rotate
Sorry guys if this has been asked before. What is the best way to store T5 bulbs? Vertically or horizontally. Mine are 80W so fairly lengthy.
Thanks
Andrew
Click to expand...

Horizontally if possible.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15306126#post15306126 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by snaza
I thought the SP would have much more PAR than the IC retro. Now i'm wandering If its worth all that extra money. Would the IC retro be ok to keep SPS on the SB at 20inch?

thanks
Click to expand...

Depends on how well you cool the retro and how low you mount it. Either will give you plenty of PAR.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15306206#post15306206 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Depends on how well you cool the retro and how low you mount it. Either will give you plenty of PAR.
Click to expand...

I would cool the endcaps and both would be about 4inchs from the water
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

Dr. Reef
XMAS Sale @ Dr. Reef's
Replies
0
Views
222
Dr. Reef
Dr. Reef
Dr. Reef
Dr. Reef's XMAS Sale
Replies
0
Views
447
Dr. Reef
Dr. Reef
Dr. Reef
Affordable Aquaria by Dr. Reefs Black Friday Sale
Replies
0
Views
163
Dr. Reef
Dr. Reef
Guygettnby
Stuck between 2 skimmers...
Replies
12
Views
2K
Guygettnby
Guygettnby
jasonfrey
Enter to WIN a Reeflo AC3000 Submersible Pump - Ends 3/10/2026
Replies
6
Views
279
jasonfrey
jasonfrey
Back
Top