Switching to T5s Selling MH set-up

builderguy

builderguy

New member
Hello All,

Getting creamed by PG & E and need to make a change. Decided to switch to t5s overdriven with ICE-CAP ballasts.

This will free-up my 250W MH (XM 20k bulbs 3 months old) with 4 65w PCs on 3 seperate switches...this allows for a great dusk to dawn effect. First pair of PC (actinic) come on, then 1.5 hours later the 10k PCs come on the 1.5 hours later the 20k MH come on, then reverse for dusk.

The set-up is retro-fit and the MH has lumenarc reflectors.

Looking for $450 OBO for the whole set-up.
 
Thanks Justin, done a lot of research.

Now I just have to choose between the 6 bulb Ice-cap fixture that would hang close to the water, or the 8 bulb retro Ice-Cap kit at the top of my canopy. I think the additional two bulbs would make up for the distance of the water...then of course I have to think about bulb mix...
 
I have seen some phenominal 120g SPS tanks lit with the 8 bulb combo. I have a pretty good idea how to get the right mix for the overal look your trying to achieve whether that be 10k, 15k, or 20k just let me know when you get there ;)

-Justin
 
Actually I'll probably order today or tomorrow. Looking for a 15k look. The 8 bulb retro has two ballasts so obviously two switches for dusk to dawn possibilities. What do you suggest.
 
3 Aquablue + by Giesmann
1 Actinic+ by Giesmann
1 True Actinic by Giesmann
2 Blue+ by ATI
1 Superactinic by UVL

:)

-Justin
 
See Justin, get a beer in someone and you can talk them into anything... Even though it's been almost a year since the three of us had that beer at WMC.
 
Re: ICE Cap

Re: ICE Cap

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9655126#post9655126 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by builderguy
This is the set-up I'm getting.

http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merc...duct_Code=ICE-T5-8X48R&Category_Code=IcecapT5

Comes with UV Lighting or ATI.

Could you please readjust your recommendations to comply...

Thanks Buddy!
Click to expand...

http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5..._Retrofit:_8-54W_T5_HO_Fluorescents_by_IceCap

You can get your choice of pretty much any known performing bulb for the same exact price here. If you do I'd go with what I suggested earlier. But if you got somthing goin on with Premier then just substitute the actinic + for ATI's blue +, and Geismanns' Aquablue 11k(actually15k on the box dont know why it's advertised as 11k) for ATI's aquablue + 12k URI=UVL so you can stay with the superactinic suggestion, but for the true Act. I dont see that ATI has one, but you can ask the guy too I guess. I'd try and stay away from UVL's pure actinic as I've heard negative feedback of it being to pinkish purple.

I think were due for that beer again guys ;) Glad you could drop in Brent!

-Justin
 
Did some research on the Lighting Forum. Combined with your input I chose:

For the Blue lights (will also serve as dusk and dawn)
(2) ATI Blue Plus (2) UVL Super Actinics

For the "daylight" portion
(2)UVL Aquasun 10k (2)ATI Aquablue Special (60/40)

almost went with 6500k GE daylights for growth...but didn't want to go back to such a "white look"
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9660954#post9660954 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by builderguy
Did some research on the Lighting Forum. Combined with your input I chose:

For the Blue lights (will also serve as dusk and dawn)
(2) ATI Blue Plus (2) UVL Super Actinics

For the "daylight" portion
(2)UVL Aquasun 10k (2)ATI Aquablue Special (60/40)

almost went with 6500k GE daylights for growth...but didn't want to go back to such a "white look"
Click to expand...

The "blue" in the names of the bulbs is rather misleading. Ultimately you will end up with a 10k look with that combo. Good choice that you leave the GE behind, screamin PAR bulb that brings out the blue's in the stags but leaves a wake of "brown" behind as well, it also puts a tint of yellow and when paird against a blue bulb leaves you with a slight tinge of green. If you decide to go with that config you suggest, I'd highly recommend you getting an extra pure actinic bulb incase youd like to replace of one of the UVL 10k's to dial the "white" look down a lil bit, also helps to tone down the blue with a lil more depth and color enrichment/balance.

-Justin
 
Won't that be too much blue with the Blue Plus & Super Actinics? Aren't the UVI Super Actinics the same as Geisemann Pure Actinics?

On Reefgeek:

Pure "actinic" bulb which produces a spectrum that peaks at 420nm producing a spectrum that encourages ultimate fluorescence in capable corals. Great as a supplement to metal halides or in combination with a 11000K Aquablue Plus bulb.

UVL Super Actinics:

100% "actinic blue" bulb which produces a spectrum that peaks at 420nm producing a spectrum that encourages ultimate fluorescence and coral enhancement in capable corals. Great as a supplement to metal halides or in combination with an Actinic White or AquaSun bulb.
 
Ya, the superactinic is very similar to the actinic+( or ATI's blu+ respectively) but visually look blue(with the slightest hint of purple) so basically you still have 4 bluebulbs and 4 white ones giving you about a 10-12k look. The blu+ are very overpowering and when paired with the superactinic you will have alot of blue, that's why I suggested getting an extra "true" actinic bulb to help dial the blue down and help tip the scales on your 50/50 split. The "true" actinic bulb is also great for popping some of the peaks that it hits. Ya the superactinic will spike in some of those spectrums too, but because its split with blue and actinic the pop wont be as intense, which the true actinic will pop the greens and purples while the blues will pop the blues and reds.

Im not trying to sway you, or say which is right. More importantly trying to sway you to get that extra bulb so you have something to play with in case your not happy with the color out of the box like most T5 users are innitially. It takes a couple swapps here and there to get it dialed in to each's own color and perfomance preferences.

You should stop by sometime and take a look at my lights and you can see what Im talking about. And you'll also get to see how each bulb looks in person.

-Justin
 
So which bulb specifically would you get extra? Giesemann Pure Actinic?

This is what ReefGeek says about Actinic Plus:

Combines the properties of a Pure Actinic 03 with a Blue bulb producing a unique spectrum that encourages both bluing in SPS corals and fluorescence in capable corals. Also helps balance out a washed-out/yellow hued tank. Great as a supplement to metal halides or in combination with a 6000K Midday Sun or 11000K Aquablue Plus bulb.

While SuperActinic is described differently:
100% "actinic blue" bulb which produces a spectrum that peaks at 420nm producing a spectrum that encourages ultimate fluorescence and coral enhancement in capable corals. Great as a supplement to metal halides or in combination with an Actinic White or AquaSun bulb.

What about a Actinic White (50/50)?
 
BTW...this was ReefGeek recommendation:

Recommended bulb combination: 2:2:4 Sun to Aquablue to Actinic/Blue Plus.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9661523#post9661523 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by builderguy
So which bulb specifically would you get extra? Giesemann Pure Actinic?

What about a Actinic White (50/50)?
Click to expand...

Yes.

Actinic White is just a UVL's neat word for 10k :)

-Justin
 
His recommendation is giving you an overall 10k look. If you want a 14-15k look, you'll use less "white" bulbs.

-Justin
 
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