The T5 Q&a Thread

[The Grim Reefer]

Originally posted by broke1
This thread has gone to the point of having too much information to even sort through it.

Is the ouput of the ATIs far above the TEKS? I am building a 33x24x14 Acan, chalice and zoo tank. I am stuck with the 24" so I am looking for the best output fixture. I am trying to stay with a 4 bulb, but will need to raise it up some to get enough spread on the tank.

ATI has about double the output of the Tek. If you are going to light a 33x24 footprint with a 4x24 you will need that output so the fixture can be placed high enough the the light can cover the whole tank.

[The Grim Reefer]

Originally posted by BWilfong
Hey Grim,

I have an SPS dominated tank. 120g 48x24x24. I will be using 2 - IcepCap 660 ballast and Tek 2 reflectors. I am looking for a more pastel look to my tank and want to incorporate Purple-Fiji bulbs.

Could you give me a good combination for this look and growth?

Thanks

If you are using the Tek reflectors you will only fit 7 at the most.

Front
ATI Blue Plus
UVL 75/25
Fiji Purple
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Aquasun
Fiji Purple
ATI Blue Plus

[The Grim Reefer]

Originally posted by reefboy12
grim,

What color do you think the following 4 bulb combo would produce?

-Ati blue plus
-Uvl super actinic
-Kz fiji purple
-Uvl 75/25

Thanks in advance,
Ron

Should be close to a 14K halide with strong actinics. I'd maybe flip the position of the fiji and 75/25 lamp to blend the color better. I think it will look nice

[The Grim Reefer]

Originally posted by rs1831
I'm considering setting up a 20 gallon long frag tank that I would like to be able to put sps and lps in. I currently have a current usa sundial t-5 fixture and I'm wondering is that would be enough light or should I consider getting a retro fit icecap with a 660 ballast? Also what would be a good light bulb combination for a 4 bulb fixture?
thanks,
Roland

Stick with good lamps and you should be good

ATI Blue Plus
GE 6500K
UVL Aquasun
ATI Blue Plus

Should have good spectrum and PAR.

[Rich123]

I need help making up my mind on which lighting system to go with for a new 125 gal reef tank. It is the standard 72" long tank that I will be moving my softies/leathers, mushrooms and zoas into it once its ready. I'm going to use a T5HO set up, but the two systems I'm down to are both 72" long, one using 10 48" 54 watt bulbs (staggered) and the other one using 8 60" 80 watt bulbs (staggered). I'm thinking the 60" bulbs so I do not loose to much light at the ends of the tank. But if I go with the 48" bulbs I will have an easier time finding a larger selection of different type bulbs. Any ideas or guidance?

Also, how far above the tank should this light go? Standard 2" legs or hang it higher above the tank?

Thanks for help.

[imsuperjp]

Hello Grim,

My tank is 24x24x18 inches. I plan on keeping mainly softies, zoas, and maybe try a few sps in the future. Do you think I should go with a 4, 5, or 6 bulb setup? Also, what is the difference between the "high output" and the "very high output" kits and is it worth the extra money? Thanks.

[The Grim Reefer]

Originally posted by Rich123
I need help making up my mind on which lighting system to go with for a new 125 gal reef tank. It is the standard 72" long tank that I will be moving my softies/leathers, mushrooms and zoas into it once its ready. I'm going to use a T5HO set up, but the two systems I'm down to are both 72" long, one using 10 48" 54 watt bulbs (staggered) and the other one using 8 60" 80 watt bulbs (staggered). I'm thinking the 60" bulbs so I do not loose to much light at the ends of the tank. But if I go with the 48" bulbs I will have an easier time finding a larger selection of different type bulbs. Any ideas or guidance?

Also, how far above the tank should this light go? Standard 2" legs or hang it higher above the tank?

Thanks for help.

As long as you are sticking to softies/Zoas either would be fine, I would go the 54 watt system because of the better lamp selection.

If you want CLams or SPS the only good option is the Aqiuactinics Constellation. Those others wont give you enough light for high light critters anywhere but up on the rocks.

[The Grim Reefer]

Originally posted by imsuperjp
Hello Grim,

My tank is 24x24x18 inches. I plan on keeping mainly softies, zoas, and maybe try a few sps in the future. Do you think I should go with a 4, 5, or 6 bulb setup? Also, what is the difference between the "high output" and the "very high output" kits and is it worth the extra money? Thanks.

Very High Output is just an overdriven HO system

In your case 6 lamps would be fine on an 18" tall tank. I wouldn't do less because of the 24" span you need to cover.

[wiso reef]

Hi grim wath you think about this combination to mi 75gls sps 1-aquablueATI,2-blueplusATI,2-superactinicUVL,1-aquasunUVL? wath kelvin is this in MH, thanks

[Shadowramy]

Originally posted by The Grim Reefer
Should be close to a 14K halide with strong actinics. I'd maybe flip the position of the fiji and 75/25 lamp to blend the color better. I think it will look nice

What if I do a combination of Tek 2 and IceCap Lamps?

I currently have 6 tek 2, would I be able to get 2 IceCap reflectors in?

[DMyers1983]

I am setting up a 120 Ultimate Series and want to use T5s. The aquarium is 48x24x25 and I want to use the Current Nova 8x54w system. Going to run open tops so retrofitting isn't an option.

Limited SPS mainly Zoanthids, Blastos, Acans, Scolymias, Clams etc.

Which bulb combination do people recommend as I am coming from the world of MH with little to no experience with T5s.

Thanks.

[broke1]

Originally posted by The Grim Reefer
ATI has about double the output of the Tek. If you are going to light a 33x24 footprint with a 4x24 you will need that output so the fixture can be placed high enough the the light can cover the whole tank.

I guess to complicate thing more, would the Aquatinics 5x24w have more output than the ATI 4x24w. I just want to make sure I have enough light. The ATI is nice because you can pick any amount of bulbs you want, but the price also increases quite a bit.

[snaza]

In Australia we cant get the ATI power modules so was wandering if there is anyway to replicate their output with a retro kit? what makes their output so high? can ATI reflectors be bought separatly? what ballasts do they use?

Cheers

Aaron

[broke1]

Originally posted by snaza
In Australia we cant get the ATI power modules so was wandering if there is anyway to replicate their output with a retro kit? what makes their output so high? can ATI reflectors be bought separatly? what ballasts do they use?

Cheers

Aaron

You can get T5 retro kits with Icecap ballasts that over drive the bulbs.

http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5_...Retrofit_Kits/

[snaza]

Originally posted by broke1
You can get T5 retro kits with Icecap ballasts that over drive the bulbs.

http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5_...Retrofit_Kits/

thanks but i dont want to over drive the bulbs. im just curious how ATI can get twice the output of other fixtures without overdriving

[SHOmuchFUN]

I have in my cart from reefgeek, a Tek 6 bulb light with the following bulbs for a 75gal tank:
BluePlus
Aquablue plus
6500k
75/25
Aquablue plus
Blueplus

Will this be a good setup for both PAR and coloration?

Thanks for the help!

[sharynmarie]

Hi. I have a 58 Gal DT reef. only one piece of SpS no plans on more. Mainly Zoa's and Acan. The measurements are 36 1/2 length 18 1/2 width and height of 21 inches. I am looking yo upgrade from my 4 96 watt Pc's (( 10,000 and 2 50/50)) to a T5 HO fixture. I do not have a fortune to spend. but a decent amounts any suggestions? I am not the best at electrical work..

[rs1831]

Hey Grim,
Currently on my 40 gallon breeder I am using this selection of bulbs Blue Plus, Super Actinic, Aquasun, Blue Plus and Aquablue with my Aquactinics fixture. I would like go 90 sps and I am wondering if I should go with a different selection of bulbs. I have a Blue Acropora that is turning a little green. Would I be better off going with an ATI power module and if so how many bulbs should I get?
Thanks,
Roland

[greenidguy]

Originally posted by SHOmuchFUN
I have in my cart from reefgeek, a Tek 6 bulb light with the following bulbs for a 75gal tank:
BluePlus
Aquablue plus
6500k
75/25
Aquablue plus
Blueplus

Will this be a good setup for both PAR and coloration?

Thanks for the help!

im not the reefer, but if i was i think i would say this:

switch the last B+ w/ the 75/25, and switch one of the AB+ for a ati/uvl pure actinic.

i hope that helps!

[hansonfam]

So i need some advice.

I am setting up a 37 gallon shallow breeder tank for my wifes S.gigantea anemones.Tank is 3 feet long.

I have bought her the Nova Extreme Pro 6*39watt fixture.

I definetly need to switch out the stock bulbs but am a little concerned if this is going to be enough light for the nems. They are currently under 250 xm 10k bulbs.
Is this a total downgrade in lighting for them or?

And if not what bulbs would compare to the 10k. We definetly know that they are not found of anything blue looking. We haad a 14k bulb and they were not happy.

Any suggestions are appreciated.

[RSX typeS]

Dear Mr. Grim,
I have 30 gal long tank 48"x12"x12" I plan on purchasing the TX5 Aquactinics fixture.I'll probably only use 4 bulbs over this size tank. Could you recommend a possible bulb configuration? I would like to keep sps and clams. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

[TulsaReefer]

Originally posted by snaza
thanks but i dont want to over drive the bulbs. im just curious how ATI can get twice the output of other fixtures without overdriving

If not overdriven, there are two (maybe three) things you can do:

- Quality reflectors - Icecap or Aquatinics are the two I'd chose over any others for retro. Don't know what they use in ATI fixtues, but doubt they can be much better than these two if any. Tek II for me is just too wide to work well in any quantity.

- Active cooling through fans, keeping the tubes at the optimum temp of around 95 F or ~ 35C.

- Splash guard, so you can both keep heat going into water down, force an air movement pattern over the tubes for colling, and run fixtures closer to the water. Though this one may be a wash since the splash guard will cut down a bit of light, and I'm not sure if running a fixture lower would make up the difference in the end or not.

Other than that, not much else you can do. I doubt ballast design will make much difference if you run the tubes at the rated wattage.

[The Grim Reefer]

Originally posted by wiso reef
Hi grim wath you think about this combination to mi 75gls sps 1-aquablueATI,2-blueplusATI,2-superactinicUVL,1-aquasunUVL? wath kelvin is this in MH, thanks

SHould be fine, kinda a strong blue 14K look

[The Grim Reefer]

Originally posted by BWilfong
What if I do a combination of Tek 2 and IceCap Lamps?

I currently have 6 tek 2, would I be able to get 2 IceCap reflectors in?

The Tek 2 reflectors (I assume you are talking about reflectors here) are 3 1/4" wide and the Ice Caps are 2 1/2". WHatever combination of the two that will fit should be fine.

[The Grim Reefer]

Originally posted by DMyers1983
I am setting up a 120 Ultimate Series and want to use T5s. The aquarium is 48x24x25 and I want to use the Current Nova 8x54w system. Going to run open tops so retrofitting isn't an option.

Limited SPS mainly Zoanthids, Blastos, Acans, Scolymias, Clams etc.

Which bulb combination do people recommend as I am coming from the world of MH with little to no experience with T5s.

Thanks.

A nova aint gonna cut it. For that tank the minimum you will need is an 8 lamp Tek light and you will need to add one of the Azoo fan array to keep it cooler.

I would do the Aquactinics Constellation if it were mine.