The T5 Q&a Thread - split

[TropTrea]

Rather than talk about LEd's here I have started a new thread on lighting combinations of using both T-5 and LED's. I'm more and convinced this is probably going to be the future of Reef lighting but do not want to disrupt the conversation here on strictly T-5 lighting.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?p=21305697#post21305697

 

[TropTrea]

First thank you guys for the assist on the frag tank lighting. Im leaning towards the Tx5 24" fixture at the moment.

Onto my Main DT. Im running a Tek 8x54w. This is a mixed reef but predominatly SPS. Front to back my mix is all ATI:
Blue+
Purple+
Coral+
Blue+
Blue+
Coral+
Blue+
Blue+

I have to say that when only the four middle bulbs are on I like the color. The four outside bulbs im unhappy with. To me not blue enough. Is that because of the Purple+? Im indifferent to all eight on at the same time. I would like it a bit more blue. My growth is extrodinary and colors are pretty darn good for most of what I have. What Changes are available to me without sacrificing growth and color while still allowing me to get a bit more blue to the look. Also are there any changes to the mix that you guys would make for yourselves. Thanks in advance

For starters if you are not happy with the 3 Blue Plus and 1 Purple + for your dawn to dusk lighting go with all Blue Plus bulbs. Initialy just swap the bulbs in position 2 and 4. Several people tried talking me into using a purple plus in my dawn to dusk in the past and when I tried it I hated the color as well. But the all Blue plus lighting to me ws the bst I found for dawn to dusk using just T-5 lighting.

Now for the time all the bulbs are on I must ask you what pleases you more a bluer tank or a brighter tank? Keep in mind that coral plus is a combination of roughly aqua blue special and a purple plus. In your case you have three bulbs with strong red peaks. While the coral plus is not as red as the purple it is still adding a lot of red. So you may want to consider pulling the purple plus to decrease your red. But your personal color tast will determine what you put your replace it with. For a strong blue effect another Blue + then is steps to make it grigher either a third coral plus, or an agua blue special. and finaly for a real brght tank a GE 6,500K.

However keep in mind when I recommend the GE 6,500K I usualy suggest it is combined with a pair of Purple Plus bulbs. This is because the GE 6,500K by itself is strong in the yellow green part of the spectrum and the combination of red and blue from two purple plus bulbs nicely balance out the spectrum.

 

[gsxunv04]

Hello all, I am getting motivated to refresh my tank and am starting with lighting first.
I need help on a new 6 bulb setup. Looking to run the following(all bulbs ATI):

Blue+
Blue+
Aquablue Special
True Actinic
Blue+
Blue+

I would like to go with one of the new Coral+ bulbs, but not sure if I should switch it for the AB Special or what. Would you consider adding a Purple+ over any of these? Going for a blue look with high PAR values.

Also, I need new IDR's. I currently have Tek2's, but they have pitted over the years. Was wanting to replace them with the ReefGeek brand, I hear good things about them, but cant find them for sale. Any leads on them or the ATI reflectors?

Sorry if any of this info has been recently posted ITT. Thanks in advance.

 

[Michigan Mike]

Hello all, I am getting motivated to refresh my tank and am starting with lighting first.
I need help on a new 6 bulb setup. Looking to run the following(all bulbs ATI):

Blue+
Blue+
Aquablue Special
True Actinic
Blue+
Blue+

I would like to go with one of the new Coral+ bulbs, but not sure if I should switch it for the AB Special or what. Would you consider adding a Purple+ over any of these? Going for a blue look with high PAR values.

Also, I need new IDR's. I currently have Tek2's, but they have pitted over the years. Was wanting to replace them with the ReefGeek brand, I hear good things about them, but cant find them for sale. Any leads on them or the ATI reflectors?

Sorry if any of this info has been recently posted ITT. Thanks in advance.

I doubt new reflectors are going to help much but it may make you feel better about them, time & time again old&pitted relectors get changed for new ones & there is no increase in PAR, unless you buy better reflectors than you have now, of coarse.

I'd swap the aquablue out for a coral plus & use a purple plus instead of the actinic.
This will give you a higher overall PAR as the actinic bubs are the weakest.

 

[rtparty]

I doubt new reflectors are going to help much but it may make you feel better about them, time & time again old&pitted relectors get changed for new ones & there is no increase in PAR, unless you buy better reflectors than you have now, of coarse.

I'd swap the aquablue out for a coral plus & use a purple plus instead of the actinic.
This will give you a higher overall PAR as the actinic bubs are the weakest.

But the LET reflectors are way better than Tek reflectors. So they will definitely increase PAR.

 

[gsxunv04]

I doubt new reflectors are going to help much but it may make you feel better about them, time & time again old&pitted relectors get changed for new ones & there is no increase in PAR, unless you buy better reflectors than you have now, of coarse.

I'd swap the aquablue out for a coral plus & use a purple plus instead of the actinic.
This will give you a higher overall PAR as the actinic bubs are the weakest.

Thanks Mike.

Got a link to the LET reflectors? Is that the Reefgeek brand?

 

[Michigan Mike]

Yrs reefgeek carries them.

Are up cooling your TEK with a small fan? That is you'll get the most out of your T5's.

 

[TropTrea]

First thank you guys for the assist on the frag tank lighting. Im leaning towards the Tx5 24" fixture at the moment.

Onto my Main DT. Im running a Tek 8x54w. This is a mixed reef but predominatly SPS. Front to back my mix is all ATI:
Blue+
Purple+
Coral+
Blue+
Blue+
Coral+
Blue+
Blue+

I have to say that when only the four middle bulbs are on I like the color. The four outside bulbs im unhappy with. To me not blue enough. Is that because of the Purple+? Im indifferent to all eight on at the same time. I would like it a bit more blue. My growth is extrodinary and colors are pretty darn good for most of what I have. What Changes are available to me without sacrificing growth and color while still allowing me to get a bit more blue to the look. Also are there any changes to the mix that you guys would make for yourselves. Thanks in advance

On thing you can do is actualy modify the fixture slightly. This is what I did my 8 Bulb fixture. I'm actualy running only two bulbs on one cord and 6 bulbs on the other cord.

With this set up you would be running 2 Blue Plus bulbs only on your dawn to dusk circuit. It will give you basicly the bluest combination obtainable with T-5's, for the dawn to Dusk period.

Now for the remaining 6 it becomes a matter of personal color preference for the bluest combination that would be still balanced for your coral growth you would have 2 coral plus bulbs and the rest blue plus. Noting that the coral plus are rich in red and do not require the purple plus to balance them out.

Options to brighten it up more if you want would be using an aqua blue to substatute for a coral plus but whit the aqua blue specials if you go with two of them then you would need a purple plus to give you a little red.

And for a real bright tank use one GE 6,500K with two purple plus bulbs. But from your comments I think you will be happiest with just two coral plus bulbs and 6 Blue Plus bulbs.

 

[MJNTWise]

Will this light work???? On a reef tank?

VG 46 Timer Marine Black 48" T5 Aquarium Light Coral Reef 6x 54W Lamps

 

[TropTrea]

Hello all, I am getting motivated to refresh my tank and am starting with lighting first.
I need help on a new 6 bulb setup. Looking to run the following(all bulbs ATI):

Blue+
Blue+
Aquablue Special
True Actinic
Blue+
Blue+

I would like to go with one of the new Coral+ bulbs, but not sure if I should switch it for the AB Special or what. Would you consider adding a Purple+ over any of these? Going for a blue look with high PAR values.

Also, I need new IDR's. I currently have Tek2's, but they have pitted over the years. Was wanting to replace them with the ReefGeek brand, I hear good things about them, but cant find them for sale. Any leads on them or the ATI reflectors?

Sorry if any of this info has been recently posted ITT. Thanks in advance.

First off with your Aqua Blue Special I would switch out the True Atinic for an ATI Purple Plus. The Aqua blue does not have a lot red in it and the purple plus would balance that.

Not knowing your personal color preference I can only give you some rough choices. Replacing the Aqua Blue Special with a Coral Plus will eliminate the need for a purple plus and give you a much bluer tank. Replacing the Atinic with a coral plus will brighten it up from where your at now and also eliminate the need for another purple plus.

On reflectors the gain from replacing pitted reflectors with the same type is very minimal unless they are pitted to the point your not getting any real refection off of them. I believe you have a one piece flat reflector and if you replaced that with individual wrap around reflectors for each bulb you would see a worthwhile gain. But also keep in mind that there may an issue with inadequate spacing for wrap around reflectors on some light fixtures.

As far as the slection of reflectors go I would recommend the ATI as this is the one I used when I rebuilt my system.

http://www.reefgeek.com/54w-reflector-for-powermodule-ati2205.html

The LET reflector though would be an easier swap out but slightly more expensive. The good part of it though is you get your bulb sockets designed to match the reflector.

http://www.reefgeek.com/miro-4-t5-reflector-for-1x54w-bulb-w-clips-let0505.html

 

[Michigan Mike]

Hello all, I am getting motivated to refresh my tank and am starting with lighting first.
I need help on a new 6 bulb setup. Looking to run the following(all bulbs ATI):

Blue+
Blue+
Aquablue Special
True Actinic
Blue+
Blue+

I would like to go with one of the new Coral+ bulbs, but not sure if I should switch it for the AB Special or what. Would you consider adding a Purple+ over any of these? Going for a blue look with high PAR values.

Also, I need new IDR's. I currently have Tek2's, but they have pitted over the years. Was wanting to replace them with the ReefGeek brand, I hear good things about them, but cant find them for sale. Any leads on them or the ATI reflectors?

Sorry if any of this info has been recently posted ITT. Thanks in advance.

Hey can you post pics of your reflectors?
The TEK fixtures use very wide reflectors compared to ATI and perhaps even let but you should be checking these dimensions yourself to make sure they will fit or easily be modified to fit.
One thing about cleaning reflectors- use warm water and a lens cleaning cloth or something like that. Do not use paper towel or a wash cloth or abrasive chemicals, warm water with a 5% vinegar solution goes a long way. The silver coating on ATI reflectors will get stripped from improper cleaning.
Post pics and show us how bad they are and I want also want to know if your cooling the bulbs properly.

The LET clip style reflectors are only 1% more reflective than TEK reflectors so I doubt it is worth the expense and hassle, cooling your bulbs is where its at. 98% silver coated reflectors will help a little but not as much as you might think, even if the have some pitting.
I would keep them clean and cool the bulbs' cold spots (where the manufacturer's label is printed on the bulbs.)
Place all the bulbs in the same way and have a small fan blowing slowly down on the end where the bulb labels are.just enough cool air to blow into the vents of the fixture where the label ends of the bulbs are.

 

[rtparty]

Hey can you post pics of your reflectors?
The TEK fixtures use very wide reflectors compared to ATI and perhaps even let but you should be checking these dimensions yourself to make sure they will fit or easily be modified to fit.
One thing about cleaning reflectors- use warm water and a lens cleaning cloth or something like that. Do not use paper towel or a wash cloth or abrasive chemicals, warm water with a 5% vinegar solution goes a long way. The silver coating on ATI reflectors will get stripped from improper cleaning.
Post pics and show us how bad they are and I want also want to know if your cooling the bulbs properly.

The LET clip style reflectors are only 1% more reflective than TEK reflectors so I doubt it is worth the expense and hassle, cooling your bulbs is where its at. 98% silver coated reflectors will help a little but not as much as you might think, even if the have some pitting.
I would keep them clean and cool the bulbs' cold spots (where the manufacturer's label is printed on the bulbs.)
Place all the bulbs in the same way and have a small fan blowing slowly down on the end where the bulb labels are.just enough cool air to blow into the vents of the fixture where the label ends of the bulbs are.

Unless I'm reading things wrong, the LET reflectors are almost 50% better than Tek. I wish I had Grims numbers handy to show it.

 

[gsxunv04]

Yrs reefgeek carries them.

Are up cooling your TEK with a small fan? That is you'll get the most out of your T5's.

Yes I have two fans built into my hood. I guess the pitting isn't as bad as I thought. I will clean them with the vinegar solution as mentioned and go from there. Thanks for the help guys...
For the Bulbs I will go with 4 Blue+, a Coral + and a Purple +. Think that will look good?

These pics are when I first put the retrofit kit on the tank.
Original Bulbs setup, now running the setup listed earlier in thread.

Pics of fans

Top of the reflectors(Tek2) to show spacing

Obligatory FTS pre-crash(I will rebuild! :'()

 

[SPotter]

I put up my new fixtures yesterday.... 6x80w and 4x80w sun power's. These things push out a lot of light. Here's my bulb combination in order of placement

C+
B+
B+
C+
B+
P+
C+
B+
C+
B+

I would like some help with tweaking it a little bit. I have noticed that some of the colors on my fish are washed out during the dusk/dawn periods with just all B+ running and during peak hours the tank is very very white so I would like to add a little more blue during those hours.

Here are some things I am thinking about doing but please make suggestions or tell me where I might be wrong....

1) get a 60" reefbrite blue strip and place it between the two fixtures

or

2) replace one of the C+ with an actinic bulb and swap positions 1 and 2. This would would put a C+ on the dawn/dusk cycle.

or

3) your suggestions???????

TIA!

 

[Michigan Mike]

Swap a coral plus & blue plus around so you have a coral plus in the dawn/dusk channel & a blue plus in your midday channel.
You could add a purple plus to your dawn/dusk as well and see if you like that.

 

[cyberfox2200]

I did front to back
blue+
Purple+
blue+
blue+
aquablue special
blue+ it looks awesome corals like it as well

 

[cyberfox2200]

I did front to back
blue+
Purple+
blue+
blue+
aquablue special
blue+ it looks awesome corals like it as well

 

[cyberfox2200]

just to let everyone no Home depot has 4ft t5ho 2 lamp strips for 40 bucks I built a 6 tube fixture with them works good. the best part was the lady only rang up 2 of them even after I insisted that she forgot one she said no I didn't so I got 3 for 80 bucks. lol.

 

[Michigan Mike]

Unless I'm reading things wrong, the LET reflectors are almost 50% better than Tek. I wish I had Grims numbers handy to show it.

I thought we where talking about the TEK fixture @ first, with 95% reflective reflectors.
The TEK 2 reflectors are 96% and so are LET reflectors so there isn't much difference between them.

 

[GSMguy]

The percentage of reflection given refer to the material not the design (shape) of the reflector. The reason why the ATI reflectors are so much better when tested is the shape.