T5's: A cautionary note

[JohnL]

This thread was automatically split due to performance issues. You can find the rest of the thread here: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?postid=7042014#post7042014

 

[Codeman00]

Grim and I had this Superblue vs ATI Blueplus discussion awhile back on this thread. I ordered the superblue bulbs because of his recommendation and needless to say, I couldnt tell them apart from the blueplus..both looked just as good. The bad part about the Superblues were that 1) they are longer than a normal T5 bulb, 2) if you buy the superblue fixture, it comes with a cheap throwaway ballast, and its a pain to order from Commodity Axis. I sent them back for a refund and am glad that I don't have to deal with that company anymore.

 

[s3aL]

I read alot of people saying 4 and 6 bulb Tek T5 fixtures are Waaaay bright and sometimes even to much. I guess im in for a nice surprise. Im picking up the 48" Tek Light: 8-54W T5 fixture pretty soon for my new 75 gallon setup . If it IS to much light for me, I can always just run 4 bulbs at a time.

I have a question though for you guys who have had alot of experience with T5 bulb combos. Im looking for a nice blue look for my tank. Basiclly the look of a 20k XM MH bulb if you have seen those. Do any of you have a recommendation for bulb combos for me to get that same blue look? Would 5 x aquablues 3 x aquaplus create that color?

 

[FastUno]

The Number of T5's needed all depend on the type of corals you are growing. If you are doing mostly/all SPS's, then 8 bulbs is fine, although you may still need to acclimate corals.

You can always use the 1st set of 4 bulbs for dusk/dawn effect (using mostly B+ & Actinic) & the other set for your normal lighting.

The best look I have seen with T5 combos is 2 AB, 1 B+, & 1 Actinic, per 4 bulb setup.

 

[horkn]

its hard to tell really about how many lights cna or need to be used. when you compare tek light to tek light, then yeah its easy. now if you over drive, or use the icecap or aqualux reflectors, then its a whole new ball game. add in the better reflectors, and overdriving, and you are in a whole different sport entirely

and then theres the choice of bulbs as well. running all ge 6500k day bulbs will give you a ton of par, and another variable.

what could work well ona 90 might be too bright for a 75g (depending on coral), due to the extra height of the 90, albeit, all the other dimensions are the same. I can say my 3x39 retro with aqualkux reflectors, and a workhorse 5 driving them, and 2 ati blues w/ 1 ge 6500k is too much for any euphyllia.

 

[NorthernCF]

I am still confused a bit about what corals need... or rather the zoa in them... what kind of spectrum. I try to get as much different spectrums as possible.
I personally like the look of half AB+(11k) and half blue+ (half attinic bulb). This is my compramise and what I would run for an 8 bulb set up (I assume the 2 on each outside turn on with one switch and the 4 inside turn on with the other:

12 hours outside/4 hours inside:

Front to back:

B+
11k
B+
11K
B+
GEDay
11k
B+

I think this would be a great starting point for your 8 bulb set up.
You should get at least 1 extra of each type of bulb, incase of "emergency" (knock on wood). It will also let you try some different combos.

Don't worrie about PAR, your going to have enough if you run...well whatever with 8 t5s

 

[s3aL]

Thanks for the input.

This tank will be mainly SPS/Clams with some LPS and zoo's in shaded areas. The light will be about 6" above the tank so I can get my hand in and out of the tank without having to move the light.

Someone was saying if I wanted a MH 20k XM bulb look to my tank this combo would create that.

3 x Aquaplus
5 x Aquablues

Any opinons on that?

 

[NorthernCF]

If you take my recomondations you will be able to try that combination.

 

[horkn]

s3al, IME zoos do great under even very high light. they seem to grow especially fast under t5ho compared to mh...

I have 7 kinds of zoos now, all are in broad daylight and all grow quicker than any other coral in the tank.

 

[s3aL]

I may pick up 2 extra bulbs I guess. But I think the perfect color for me is gunna be 5 x aquablues and 3 x aquaplus combo.

Awesome, hopefully I can have zoo's all over the place on the sandbed and not melt any .

 

[horkn]

trust me, you won't melt zoos anywhere

 

[s3aL]

Okay .

Another question. I am not purchasing the acrylic shield for my fixture. Will it be okay if I have the legs extended to the max(6" I think?) and not have to worry about getting saltcreep or splashing into the fixture?

 

[FastUno]

Do you have a lot of surface agitation? I do on my tank & would never put the fixture on without the shield.

The shields stain EASILY & they will lose their purpose if stained. However with the shiled on, the fixtures felt warmer/hotter. It almost acts like a more efficient radiator with shield on.

Check your tank & see how much spattering you have 6" above. If you had a piece of glass, plexi, or even cardboard you can temporarily place 6" above & check in 2-3 hours.

 

[Fishy1]

Could someone tell me if ATI and Geisemann t5 bulbs are the same? Is ATI even around anymore?

Thanks,
Janey

 

[runninfrom]

I have t5 H.O.s on my tank 3 on each side there the 48in and my ricodias and zoos are doing awesome.if i add 3 more to each side will i have to shade the corals.Also what coral will i beable to keep with more light.

 

[JMBoehling]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7139039#post7139039 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by s3aL
Thanks for the input.

This tank will be mainly SPS/Clams with some LPS and zoo's in shaded areas. The light will be about 6" above the tank so I can get my hand in and out of the tank without having to move the light.

Someone was saying if I wanted a MH 20k XM bulb look to my tank this combo would create that.

3 x Aquaplus
5 x Aquablues

Any opinons on that?

You may still be a little too white with 3 to 5... May want 2 to 6...

 

[JMBoehling]

Let me clarify..

Assuming your using Geissmanns

2 Aqua Blue Plus 11k (White)
6 Actinic Plus(Blue)

 

[Obi-dad]

On my 75g stonies tank I have 4 Blue T5s bulbs on an Icecap. When the halides are off and only the 4 overdriven T5s are on, the look is very much like a 20k bulb. I tried having 1 of the 4 bulbs with the 11k(white) bulb, but it is much more white than a 20k bulb that way.

 

[s3aL]

Yeah, I will be using Geissmanns bulbs from reefgeek.com.

I dont have the tank setup right now so I cant check water agitation. Still picking up all the equipment before I set it up. I guess if I need to, ill go to homedepot and get a piece of glass cut out.


So 6 x aquablues & 2 x aquaplus huh? The aquaplus bulbs must be really really bright white then. I will test that bulb combo and see how it works out.

If anyone has these bulb combos...

6 x aquablues 2 x aquaplus
3 x aquablues 1 x aquaplus

Please post a pic if you can so I can get a general idea of what it would look like, Thanks!

 

[IZZY'SREEF]

Hey, i thought I would chime in here. I have the Tek retro with ATI 4x39w. 1aquablue(11k)>2blue+>1aquable(11K). I had a problem with zoos bleaching under that light. My corallins even bleached. I took one of the reflectors off one of the aquablues(11k) and the started to look better (corallins started to grow like crazy) after a while I put the reflector back on and corallins bleached again within 1-2weeks.
I have heard others say that the settup I have looks whiter than 14k which I was looking for, but I want it more blue to keep the color of my zoos. Maybe I'll try 3blue+ and 1aquablue or 6500gesun. Is there anyone trying this and still getting decent growth?