T5's: A cautionary note
- Thread starter gregt
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FastUno
New member
I am running the following now.
[back]
aquablue
sun
aquablue
blue+
blue+ (used to be aquablue)
blue+ (used to be aquablue)
[front]
It does kind of make sense. If you have ever seen a spectral analysis of our oceans, you would notice that only the blue wavelength remains peaked the deeper in the ocean you go. All the other wavelengths taper off. The blue+ bulb gives you that peak & the aquablue gives you the wavelengths that are tapered off & some questionable peaks.
[back]
aquablue
sun
aquablue
blue+
blue+ (used to be aquablue)
blue+ (used to be aquablue)
[front]
It does kind of make sense. If you have ever seen a spectral analysis of our oceans, you would notice that only the blue wavelength remains peaked the deeper in the ocean you go. All the other wavelengths taper off. The blue+ bulb gives you that peak & the aquablue gives you the wavelengths that are tapered off & some questionable peaks.
Codeman00
Premium Member
Uno, how far are your lights off the water?? Wasn't it 2-3 inches?
I need you guys's help again...Finally, my lights are going in the canopy right now and I can't decide how many bulbs I'm going to run and how I'm going to run the sunset/midday/sunrise cycle in addition to my bulb positions. Being new to aquariums, I really don't want to burn anything up right off the bat if I can help it. Any opinions are appreciated:
Tank: 75 gallon (20" tall)
Distance from water to bulbs: 8-9 inches
Bulbs:
T5s - Blue+ Blue+, Aquablue, Day, Sun
VHO - Super Actinic
Ballasts
2 Triad (2 T5 bulbs each),
(1) ARO Ballast (VHO)
I plan on not using an acrylic shield if possible and I will not be running the day and sun together..only one or the other.
1) Do you think I would be okay running all 5 bulbs at the midday cycle at 8-9" considering the high PAR of T5s?
2) What 2-3 bulb combos would I have that are good for sunset / sunrise?
3) Is there a special position that I should use for the sunset /sunrise bulbs? Or does it matter?
I need you guys's help again...Finally, my lights are going in the canopy right now and I can't decide how many bulbs I'm going to run and how I'm going to run the sunset/midday/sunrise cycle in addition to my bulb positions. Being new to aquariums, I really don't want to burn anything up right off the bat if I can help it. Any opinions are appreciated:
Tank: 75 gallon (20" tall)
Distance from water to bulbs: 8-9 inches
Bulbs:
T5s - Blue+ Blue+, Aquablue, Day, Sun
VHO - Super Actinic
Ballasts
2 Triad (2 T5 bulbs each),
(1) ARO Ballast (VHO)
I plan on not using an acrylic shield if possible and I will not be running the day and sun together..only one or the other.
1) Do you think I would be okay running all 5 bulbs at the midday cycle at 8-9" considering the high PAR of T5s?
2) What 2-3 bulb combos would I have that are good for sunset / sunrise?
3) Is there a special position that I should use for the sunset /sunrise bulbs? Or does it matter?
FastUno
New member
My fixture/bulbs are 4 1/2 inches above the water. I think at about 8-9 inches you would be fine with all those bulbs. I have heard others with 8 bulbs doing fine at a much higher position.
I use aquablue & blue+ for sunset/sunrise & it works fine for me. I think most are prone to use all blue+ or actinic, but it looks to me that the corals can adapt.
I use aquablue & blue+ for sunset/sunrise & it works fine for me. I think most are prone to use all blue+ or actinic, but it looks to me that the corals can adapt.
redspot321
In Memoriam
I need to make an order as well to reduce my total light output.
If I went from
Aquablue
Aquablue
Aquablue
Blue plus
To
Aquablue
Actinic ( changed)
Blue plus (changed)
Blueplus
Would the total light be reduced? Would this solve the browning issue?
If I went from
Aquablue
Aquablue
Aquablue
Blue plus
To
Aquablue
Actinic ( changed)
Blue plus (changed)
Blueplus
Would the total light be reduced? Would this solve the browning issue?
93blackgt5.0
New member
I want to say thanks for putting up this thread. I have been searching the net for some info on T5's. I know this might be a little off topic but I need some specific info.
I have PC now, 4x65 to be exact. I have a 75 gallon reef that is all softie and LPS. I was told, and read, that I did not have enough light to keep SPS, clams, or Anemies (sp). The wife wants an Anemie or Clam, and so do I. I am at a crossroads really. I have been checking out a 4x130 PC setup by Current USA lights (the old Custom Sea Life). I am also looking at the Current USA Nova line of lights. Those are the T5's in case you guys and gals dont know. I was looking at the 8x54 watt model, but after reading this and some other threads that much T5 power might just burn up everything I have.
The 4x65 I have now is a Custom Sea Life and I am really very please with it. It has provided good growth for everything in my tank, but I need more light to get better growth and to keep some really great speimens.
If you all would not mind can you give me a point in the right direction with the T5 lights. I know that everything that is said is an opinion, and I will take it as that.
Thanks again,
Eric
I have PC now, 4x65 to be exact. I have a 75 gallon reef that is all softie and LPS. I was told, and read, that I did not have enough light to keep SPS, clams, or Anemies (sp). The wife wants an Anemie or Clam, and so do I. I am at a crossroads really. I have been checking out a 4x130 PC setup by Current USA lights (the old Custom Sea Life). I am also looking at the Current USA Nova line of lights. Those are the T5's in case you guys and gals dont know. I was looking at the 8x54 watt model, but after reading this and some other threads that much T5 power might just burn up everything I have.
The 4x65 I have now is a Custom Sea Life and I am really very please with it. It has provided good growth for everything in my tank, but I need more light to get better growth and to keep some really great speimens.
If you all would not mind can you give me a point in the right direction with the T5 lights. I know that everything that is said is an opinion, and I will take it as that.
Thanks again,
Eric
FastUno
New member
You can get the Tek 4x54W T5's & raise your lights a bit more than the rest. Keep them as high as you can & see how your corals respond. Gradually bring them down over a period of time. You can also use the screen method as was suggested earlier in this thread.
There are some nice MH combo solutions too, that are heat friendly.
Check this thread for some inspiration on those
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=596694
or check out acquactinic's fixture
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=532276
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=588466
There are some nice MH combo solutions too, that are heat friendly.
Check this thread for some inspiration on those
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=596694
or check out acquactinic's fixture
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=532276
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=588466
93blackgt5.0
New member
Thanks for the reply. I was going to sell the PC lights and go straight T5. I am talking with a retailer now and he offered me the complete Nova light 8x54 watt with led night lights for 450 delivered. That is with bulbs, total plug and play and ready to go. I will email him and ask about the 4x54 light setup. Here is the website if anyone wants to check them out and give an opinion. www.current-usa.com.
I would like MH but I live in TX and dont want or need the added heat to my tank. It runs about 80 to 82 in the summer and I do not have a chiller.
Thanks,
Eric
I would like MH but I live in TX and dont want or need the added heat to my tank. It runs about 80 to 82 in the summer and I do not have a chiller.
Thanks,
Eric
redspot321
In Memoriam
FastUno,
When I run 2 bulbs, 1aquablue and 1 blueplus. everything looks great! After 1 hour of turning on the other 2 aquablues. My brain, zoos, BTA, mushrooms loose the green/blue glow and look brownish.
When I turn off the 2 aquablues, everything looks great again within an hour.
This is four T5 bulbs over a 18" 55 gallon tank, If I place my Zoanthids on the lowest possible LR, they are about 14-15 inches from my light fixture. My options are to just run two bulbs, go with sps, or modify my arrangment to work with my current life.
I guess Switching one of the aquablues for an actinic may work? I just hate having a nice fixture not being used.
When I run 2 bulbs, 1aquablue and 1 blueplus. everything looks great! After 1 hour of turning on the other 2 aquablues. My brain, zoos, BTA, mushrooms loose the green/blue glow and look brownish.
When I turn off the 2 aquablues, everything looks great again within an hour.
This is four T5 bulbs over a 18" 55 gallon tank, If I place my Zoanthids on the lowest possible LR, they are about 14-15 inches from my light fixture. My options are to just run two bulbs, go with sps, or modify my arrangment to work with my current life.
I guess Switching one of the aquablues for an actinic may work? I just hate having a nice fixture not being used.
FastUno
New member
Those really look like sweet fixtures & for a great price. Do you know if they have the individual parabolic reflectors? On their site it says they come with "German parabolic reflector" (single reflector?), but on the picture it does not look like they are the individual types. I would just make sure. If they don't come with individual ones, then you can get away with 6 & might even need 8. The type of bulbs used makes a world of difference. It is the difference between me using 4 bulbs with my fixture (& reporting warnings), versus someone using 8 different bulbs in another fixture (& thinking this is a joke).
Either way we would appreciate if you report back to us when you get them & let us know how you do.
redspot321, I started out using my fixtures in a 55g & feel your pain. I used only 4 lights for most of the day & then started to acclimate to 6 lights by turning on the 2 other bulbs for 1hr, then 1 1/2 hr, then 2 hr. This was done gradually over a 2 month period & it seems that each time the corals kept getting worst. However mine turned more of a whitish/pale color. Even after I stopped using all 6 bulbs in that 55, I noticed that some of the corals stopped getting lighter & got a little better, but not completely. Not until I moved the corals to my 90g, where it's deeper. Still I had issues in my 90g with certain corals running only 4 lights, so I could easily see the troubles in a 55.
Also, keep in mind that not all corals were affected, only certain ones. Even corals within the same species seem to react differently. I think 2 lights in a 55g might just suffice if your are not a SPS freak. Running 3 bulbs (2 blue+ & 1 aquablue) might even work out (all depending on how high they are?), but it might not be easy to work out. What type of fixture did you say you had?
In my current setup I run 2 outer bulbs for 5 hrs & 4 inner bulbs for 7 hrs (12hrs total). I am considering dropping the 4 bulbs to 6 or 5 hrs).
Either way we would appreciate if you report back to us when you get them & let us know how you do.
redspot321, I started out using my fixtures in a 55g & feel your pain. I used only 4 lights for most of the day & then started to acclimate to 6 lights by turning on the 2 other bulbs for 1hr, then 1 1/2 hr, then 2 hr. This was done gradually over a 2 month period & it seems that each time the corals kept getting worst. However mine turned more of a whitish/pale color. Even after I stopped using all 6 bulbs in that 55, I noticed that some of the corals stopped getting lighter & got a little better, but not completely. Not until I moved the corals to my 90g, where it's deeper. Still I had issues in my 90g with certain corals running only 4 lights, so I could easily see the troubles in a 55.
Also, keep in mind that not all corals were affected, only certain ones. Even corals within the same species seem to react differently. I think 2 lights in a 55g might just suffice if your are not a SPS freak. Running 3 bulbs (2 blue+ & 1 aquablue) might even work out (all depending on how high they are?), but it might not be easy to work out. What type of fixture did you say you had?
In my current setup I run 2 outer bulbs for 5 hrs & 4 inner bulbs for 7 hrs (12hrs total). I am considering dropping the 4 bulbs to 6 or 5 hrs).
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redspot321
In Memoriam
Its a teklight 4 x 54. Do you know if ther is a problem running only 3 of the four? I have been doing 2 or 4 due to the switch configuration, I wonder what would happen if I remove a bulb?
Anyway I ordered an actinic and another bule+ this morning. I will play around and see what happens.
Thanks.
Anyway I ordered an actinic and another bule+ this morning. I will play around and see what happens.
Thanks.
FastUno
New member
It won't work if you remove a bulb. What I was trying to get at was if you did have the Tek's, perhaps you can rewire them?
You might want to ask Grimreefer on this. Hey what did happen to him?
I used to run only 1 actinic & saw some color pop with certain corals (especially reds & oranges). The actinic not only cause colors to show differently, but alter the corals. You get a sorta radioactive, unnatural color from certain corals. I vowed never to use T5 actinic again, but others are using actinics with no ill reports so don't base any decisions on account of me.
You might want to ask Grimreefer on this. Hey what did happen to him?
I used to run only 1 actinic & saw some color pop with certain corals (especially reds & oranges). The actinic not only cause colors to show differently, but alter the corals. You get a sorta radioactive, unnatural color from certain corals. I vowed never to use T5 actinic again, but others are using actinics with no ill reports so don't base any decisions on account of me.
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
Trout murdering
The corpses will be properly cremated (in a little lard and corn meal) shortly.
The Nova fixtures don't appear to have individual reflectors. Don't waste your money on them.
You can't just pull a lamp out on most T5 setups as the ballasts will have a fault detection circuit and will assume the lamp is burned out and shut down the ballast.
The corpses will be properly cremated (in a little lard and corn meal) shortly.The Nova fixtures don't appear to have individual reflectors. Don't waste your money on them.
You can't just pull a lamp out on most T5 setups as the ballasts will have a fault detection circuit and will assume the lamp is burned out and shut down the ballast.
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