Need opinion of you T-5 peeps

[FishLipz]

OK, here's the deal. I just picked up a used 180 with stand and I'm combining my 120 and 75 mixed reefs together. I was going to go halide and T-5 combo, but now I think I'm going to go all T-5 for the color flexability, energy costs, and cooler temps. It's going to be a mixed, mostly LPS tank with some SPS (mostly montis and millis) and clams higher in the tank. I'm thinking ATI powermodule 8X80 watt with the following:

FRONT
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Actinic White
ATI Blue Plus
GE 6500K Daylight
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue
BACK

Comments and criticism is welcome and appreciated

 

[gilmour01]

i would throw 1 or 2 uvl super actinics into that combo.

 

[JR's Reef]

i would throw 1 or 2 uvl super actinics into that combo.

+1 but would only do 1 because there a low par and would do 1 fiji purple

 

[FishLipz]

Ok, which ones do I drop and replace with the super actinic and fiji purple?

 

[cultivatedcoral]

I would drop the UVL actinic white for the Fiji purple.

 

[dakotasreef]

FRONT
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Actinic White
ATI Blue Plus
GE 6500K Daylight
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue
BACK

Comments and criticism is welcome and appreciated

5 Blue Plus
1 GE 6500
1 Fiji
1 ATI Aquablue special

This is the setup that I run. When all of the lights are on it is a white and blue/violet color. I would say it is close to a phoenix 14 with a slight purple tinge. I have the 8x54 powermodule, just make sure that you have the ATI blue plus in #3 and 6, those are on the same circuit. The pop you will get from your corals is insane!

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[FishLipz]

Ok, so now I have a good idea for lamp combo, how often does everyone change their T5's out?

 

[JR's Reef]

Most change them out 8 months to a yr a few do it every 6 months. I try to replace half of mine every 6-8 months that way I dont lose alot of par at one time or increase alot at one time

 

[JR's Reef]

If you do decide to do that make sure you figure out a way to mark them so you know your replacing the right bulbs each time

 

[agent462]

For a mostly LPS tank here is what I would do

ATI Aquablue Special
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Super Actinic or another Actinic Bulb (UVL doesnt make them in my fixture but I've read nothing but good about them. I run ATI True)
ATI Blue Plus
Fiji Purple
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue

T5's usually can be ran for 12-16 months.