The T5 Q&a Thread - Page 35

The Grim Reefer · 07/06/2008, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by broke1
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.

The Aquactinics wont match the Tek but it would work.

SHOmuchFUN · 07/06/2008, 04:25 PM

For a 75gal tank, is the TX5 Aquactinics unit sufficient for SPS growth/coloration? I also have 2 clams on the sand.

rs1831 · 07/06/2008, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by 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

Sorry, that was 90% sps.
Thanks.

The Grim Reefer · 07/06/2008, 04:39 PM

Quote:

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

ATI Does sell a retro reflector but they aren't any better than the Ice Cap or Aquactinics. Not sure what you can get down under. You could get an Ice Cap ballasts to overdrive lamps which will give you a boost of about 35%

The Grim Reefer · 07/06/2008, 04:47 PM

Quote:

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

Good reflectors and cooling.

The Grim Reefer · 07/06/2008, 05:07 PM

Quote:

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!

I would maybe use the UVL Aquasun instead of the GE lamp but other than that it would be fine.

The Grim Reefer · 07/06/2008, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by 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..

The Nova Exyreme PRO would work or a 6 lamp Tek light. If you do the nova replace the lamps.

Front
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Auper Actinic
UVL Aquasun
ATI Blue Plus
UVL 75/25
ATI Blue Plus

The Grim Reefer · 07/06/2008, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by 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

I would add a Blue Plus in place of the actinic. More PAR and blue light.

rs1831 · 07/06/2008, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by The Grim Reefer
I would add a Blue Plus in place of the actinic. More PAR and blue light.

Would it look ok if I traded out a aquablue and added a 6500 bulb? Would that help with speeding up growth? And if so what order should I put them in?
thanks

snaza · 07/06/2008, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by The Grim Reefer
Good reflectors and cooling.

thanks, oh and before you go to bed. how much cooling do i need? at the moment i have 4 x 5inch computer case fans blowing in from the back. they are all spread out. the back bulbs are cool but the front few bulbs still feel hot. i can touch them but certainly not cool.

thanks

Aaron

The Grim Reefer · 07/06/2008, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by 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.

Don't know about not liking blue light, they get a lot of it in nature. I would go with this

Front
ATI Blue Plus'
GE 6500K Daylight
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Aquasun
ATI Blue Plus
Aquablue

That will have a good amount of green and red spectrum but enough blue to make things pop.

The Grim Reefer · 07/06/2008, 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by 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.

Not sure you can only use 4 lamps in that fixture. 3 or 5 I think will be the option, CHeck with aquactinics but I believe they are using the Sylvania ballasts which will sense a burned out (or missing) lamp and shut down.

For 5 lamps do this

Front
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Super Actinic
ATI Pro Color
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue

That is a fairly low PAR mix that shouldn't cook your corals.

This would be an interesting alternative

Front

ATI Blue Plus
UVL Super Actinic
UVL 75/25
ATI BLue Plus
UVL 75/25

The 75/25 has a slightly red tint to a white light. With all that blue and actinic it should really pop the colors.

The Grim Reefer · 07/06/2008, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by SHOmuchFUN
For a 75gal tank, is the TX5 Aquactinics unit sufficient for SPS growth/coloration? I also have 2 clams on the sand.

Be good as long as the clams are under the lights.

The Grim Reefer · 07/06/2008, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by rs1831
Would it look ok if I traded out a aquablue and added a 6500 bulb? Would that help with speeding up growth? And if so what order should I put them in?
thanks

Yeah, your current order if listed front to back is fine.

The Grim Reefer · 07/06/2008, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by snaza
thanks, oh and before you go to bed. how much cooling do i need? at the moment i have 4 x 5inch computer case fans blowing in from the back. they are all spread out. the back bulbs are cool but the front few bulbs still feel hot. i can touch them but certainly not cool.

thanks

Aaron

You only need/want to cool the ends of the lamps so using a fan at each end is enough. You only need to keep the surface temp of the lamp ends (the metal caps) at around 105 degrees or so, thats pretty hot to the touch so don't get worries about the heat

If possible blow one of those other fans across your ballasts. One thing the ATI/Fauna Marin/Aquactinics all have in common is the fans not only cool the lamps but hit the ballasts as well.

Shadowramy · 07/06/2008, 06:23 PM

Hey Grim,

I have an SPS dominated tank. 120g 48x24x24. I will be using 2 - IcepCap 660 ballast and IceCap 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 8 bulb combination for this look and growth?

Thanks

knockout · 07/06/2008, 06:31 PM

Do you recommend the Aquatinics or the Tek 6 bulb for a 75 mix reef that is being overtaken by some SPS!!

rs1831 · 07/06/2008, 07:00 PM

Sorry Grim,
Someday I'll get this down so I can stop bothering you. How do you think this combo would work and is it in the right order. Blue Plus, Aquasun, Super Actinic, 6500k, Blue Plus.

What has more par, blue plus or aquablue? I would like a nice blue color but as much light as possible to sps growth.
thanks,
Roland

RSX typeS · 07/06/2008, 07:25 PM

Grim, Thank you for the response.

Dancing4raiin · 07/06/2008, 08:03 PM

Hey Guys,

I just bought a 4 bulb Tek Fixture. The lights work, but i have to wiggle them in order to get started soemtimes. What could be causing this?

Quaos · 07/06/2008, 08:24 PM

Hey,

Looking to get a 2 bulb 24" Retro to add actnic supplement to my frag tank.

Best bulbs to bring out the colors in the corals? Some sort of blue bulb...

Does this seem like a good option?

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...1&pcatid=15491

Thanks in advance,

LOOOONG thread and hard to find things.

Sorry!

geiges · 07/07/2008, 06:13 AM

so a lot of t5 chang overs?
Are t5s the way to go or mh ?
How many lumes per watt do you get with t5s vers mh?

I'm putting a oceanic 30 cube [20+18+20"] together,was
going to use sunpod 150watt or one 175watt diy MH,arfter
reading all this maybe t5s are a beter way.
I keep soom softys and zoos.

broke1 · 07/07/2008, 06:51 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by broke1
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.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Aquactinics wont match the Tek but it would work.

Was that supposed to say the Aquatinics won't match the ATI?

The ATIs are that good of a fixture, huh? I have been content with my TEKs, but I guess it's because I didn't know any better.

Thanks for the help.

slowride · 07/07/2008, 09:31 AM

I am in the same boat with my TEK. I like it, but the more I read about the ATI, the more I think that my wife is going to be mad at me when I buy it.

roxy25 · 07/07/2008, 10:18 AM

I am still reading up on t5 lighting , what are the best ballasts? Are their ballast that run 6 bulbs ?

07/06/2008, 04:25 PM	#852
SHOmuchFUN Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Vermont Posts: 4,461	For a 75gal tank, is the TX5 Aquactinics unit sufficient for SPS growth/coloration? I also have 2 clams on the sand. __________________ Erik Engstrom President, Vermont Marine Aquarists. Current Tank Info: Custom 180gal, 6x80w ATI T-5s, (2) Tunze 6025, Vortec MP40w, MSX200 w/ red demon, controlled by AcJR.

07/06/2008, 06:31 PM	#867
knockout Really Cool Stuff! Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Poconos, PA Posts: 459	Do you recommend the Aquatinics or the Tek 6 bulb for a 75 mix reef that is being overtaken by some SPS!! __________________ Kelvin. Current Tank Info: Red Sea Max 250

07/07/2008, 10:18 AM	#875
roxy25 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Eastvale, California Posts: 3,118	I am still reading up on t5 lighting , what are the best ballasts? Are their ballast that run 6 bulbs ? __________________ Kerry Kerry, Ireland Kerry Blue Terrier Kerry Hill Current Tank Info: Shallow zoa tank

07/06/2008, 06:23 PM	#866
Shadowramy Moved On Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 598	Hey Grim, I have an SPS dominated tank. 120g 48x24x24. I will be using 2 - IcepCap 660 ballast and IceCap 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 8 bulb combination for this look and growth? Thanks

07/06/2008, 07:00 PM	#868
rs1831 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: NH Posts: 480	Sorry Grim, Someday I'll get this down so I can stop bothering you. How do you think this combo would work and is it in the right order. Blue Plus, Aquasun, Super Actinic, 6500k, Blue Plus. What has more par, blue plus or aquablue? I would like a nice blue color but as much light as possible to sps growth. thanks, Roland

07/06/2008, 07:25 PM	#869
RSX typeS Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Cleveland, Ohio Posts: 59	Grim, Thank you for the response.

07/06/2008, 08:03 PM	#870
Dancing4raiin Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Santa Clarita, Ca Posts: 658	Hey Guys, I just bought a 4 bulb Tek Fixture. The lights work, but i have to wiggle them in order to get started soemtimes. What could be causing this?

07/06/2008, 08:24 PM	#871
Quaos Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Canton, MI Posts: 59	Hey, Looking to get a 2 bulb 24" Retro to add actnic supplement to my frag tank. Best bulbs to bring out the colors in the corals? Some sort of blue bulb... Does this seem like a good option? http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...1&pcatid=15491 Thanks in advance, LOOOONG thread and hard to find things. Sorry!

07/07/2008, 06:13 AM	#872
geiges Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: lancaster PA. Posts: 80	so a lot of t5 chang overs? Are t5s the way to go or mh ? How many lumes per watt do you get with t5s vers mh? I'm putting a oceanic 30 cube [20+18+20"] together,was going to use sunpod 150watt or one 175watt diy MH,arfter reading all this maybe t5s are a beter way. I keep soom softys and zoos.

07/07/2008, 09:31 AM	#874
slowride Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 95	I am in the same boat with my TEK. I like it, but the more I read about the ATI, the more I think that my wife is going to be mad at me when I buy it.