Equipment - T5 Lighting

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T5 Lighting

Printed From: Utah Reefs
Category: Specialized Discussion
Forum Name: Equipment
Forum Description: This is the place to ask question about reef equipment.
URL: http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=53142
Printed Date: July 22 2026 at 3:25pm
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Topic: T5 Lighting

Posted By: lskurys
Subject: T5 Lighting
Date Posted: December 15 2011 at 6:48pm

Hello guys,

It is time for my first light change. So i have 2 fixture running over my tank. I have no name 4 light fixture and a corallife 2 lamp.

So with 6 t5 54w lights over my tank I have been running the cheep junk bulbs that came with them. From all of the reading that I have done on her I am guessing that I should go with ATI for my replacements.

My questions are: should I use ATI or another brand?? Where is the best place to get them. I do work in Salt lake city so I can hit a lfs up there if need be.

This is the big one. What colors should I get? I like most of the tanks that I have seen that are very white to a little blue.

Thanks in advance

-------------
220g , large elite aquatics sump. 3 Radion Pro Gen 3 lights 3 Mp 40's

Replies:

Posted By: Teknik777
Date Posted: December 16 2011 at 1:03am

There are many different options but here are a few different ATI bulb arrangements to think about:

front

blue +
purple +
blue +
blue +
white/aquablue special or ge6500 for a crisper look
blue +
blue +

if you prefer you can try swapping on of the last two blues with a purple if you like that better.

Front
UVL Super Actinic
Blue +
Blue +
Figi Purple
Aqua Blue Special or ge6500
Blue +
Blue +

front
blue +
purple +
blue +
aquabluespecial
blue +
purple +
blue +

The other brand to think about is Gieseman here is anther one to think about:

front
Gieseman Actinic
Gieseman Aquablue
Gieseman Actinic
ATI Purple Plus
Gieseman Aquablue
Gieseman Actinic

If you want to see some ATI in action I know Bird World in Bountiful runs them with the ge6500. Hopefully this helps

You can buy more bulbs and swap them out to see what you like best. Good luck! I am sure what ever you go with will look awesome! Locally reefd up carries ATI and online hellolights is a good place to buy anything lighting. Let us know what you decide.

-------------
220 G SPS Display.

Posted By: lskurys
Date Posted: December 16 2011 at 8:32am

Thanks for the reply. I am only able to run 6 total. Right now I have been running something like this

Front

10K

Actinic

10k

Actinic

10k

with this I seemed to have very little Coral pop.

So would I want to go with something like this?

Blue+

Purple +

Blue+

White??? not sure

Purple +

Blue +

Thanks again for your advice.

-------------
220g , large elite aquatics sump. 3 Radion Pro Gen 3 lights 3 Mp 40's

Posted By: Ryan Thompson
Date Posted: December 16 2011 at 12:01pm

Stick with ATI. They are cheaper and have better PAR.

I would go with 4 ATI Blue Plus, 1 ATI Purple Plus and 1 GE6500k.

Reef On has ATI locally or I would use Reefgeek.com if you want to go online.

Posted By: Akira
Date Posted: December 16 2011 at 11:39pm

I have a 6 lamp 4' 4 blue plus 1 purple and 1 6500k i really like the color just wish the white was bit brighter. My tank is like 1 month i used all live rock from existing and have sps lps and are open and doing great so I assume the lighting is great .Will be asking Santa for new lamps hope he does his research and i get what i want ! I will be getting ATI lamps from Jerry at Reef on :)

Posted By: Akira
Date Posted: December 16 2011 at 11:40pm

OH and u are welcome to come see it if u like :)

Posted By: lskurys
Date Posted: December 18 2011 at 12:38am

Went down to Reef On. I went with 4 Blue+ 1 purple + and one aquablue special. Really loving the look. I am not sure if the GE would make it a little more white. I think it feels a little too blue but over all I really like the color.

Thanks for the advice.

-------------
220g , large elite aquatics sump. 3 Radion Pro Gen 3 lights 3 Mp 40's