More T5 questions (bulb selection, etc)

[chriswkbrd]

Okay, I have a couple of questions about T5's. I have a 75g reef tank w/ mostly sps and a few lps under 2 x 250wt 10k XM's and 2 x 110wt VHO actinics. I am thinking about replacing the VHO's w/ two 54 wt T5 actinics since I have a spare workhorse 5. The VHO bulbs need to be replaced anyway.
First question, Should I get two Pure Actinic bulbs or do one Actinic/Blue Plus and one Pure Actinic?

I am in the process of setting up a 110g sps reef tank, it's 60"(l) x 18"(w) x 24"(h). I am going to go w/ all T5 lighting. I also have a spare IceCap 660.
1) How many 80wt bulbs should I go with, 6 or 8?
2)Do I buy a second I.C. 440/660 (depending on # of bulbs) and overdrive all of them or buy a workhorse 7 and not overdrive the others?
3)Last one, what bulbs selection should I go w/ in a 6 or 8 bulb configuration? Remember it will be sps/clams

I'm sorry I have so many questions. I have been doing some reading but I still don't understand these T5 lights yet. Any info or opinions would be awesome,Thanks.


Chris

 

[rickburdeniuk]

Hardly anyone uses the Pure Actinic because they don't improve the mix (to you eye anyhow) the way the Blue Plus do. Answer your question by asking yourself how blue you want you tank. With 10K XM's I'd say two blue +.

If your talking SPS and Clams be sure to get the icecap SLR refelctors as well (or at least another great parablic refelctor). The icecap 660 you have will drive 4 of those T5's and I'd start with that. I think that will get you SPS and clams in at least 1/2 your tank.

I've been told to use low lighting levels when just getting your tank started but I'm not sure how popular that opinion is. I also always seem to underestimate lighting compared to most, but keep in mind you can always add more later and I don't think there's any saving to buying it all right away.

Going forward with that recomendation I'd put at least another two bulbs in but on a more typical T5 ballast (triade, advance, dynamic) rather then a workhourse 7 to enable a dawn/dusk effect and to get you started. These ballasts only cost about $40 and I'm sure you could sell it later.

Bulb wise if you can stand it (and I think you can in that you use 10K XM's) try to fit one or or maybe two of the GE starcoat 6500K lamps in the mix. The are reported to have the most PAR and last the longest, though they are a bit yellow.

Next up in order of par are the aqua blue 10K blubs (appear bright white), followed finall by the blue +.

I think you're better of with somemone eles's advice who has more first hand experience but I'd say a whiteish high par setup would be:

AB
GE
AB
B+
GE
B+

Most people seem to go about 50% Blue +.

 

[chriswkbrd]

Thanks for the help, I'll keep that in mind

 

[horkn]

fwiw, the workhorse ballasts work great for t5ho.

my 3x39 t5ho retrofit has been run by a worhorse 5 for over a year. no hard start wear or anything on the same original bulbs.

i am jsut now thinking of getting some new bulbs.. and its only because i have had the originals for a year that i am thinking it, well, that and i want my tank more blue

 

[chriswkbrd]

Very cool, thanks horkn