The T5 Q&a Thread - split

[mbg75]

Have a Tek elite 6x54. I noticed the bulb ends are getting dark. Is this a sign to change them. They are 6 months old.

Sent from my ADR6300 using Tapatalk

 

[wisewendell]

Just a quick question.
I have a diy LED fixture that I am going to add two t5's to to help with spectral aesthetics.
I ordered a KZ Fiji Purple and a Blue+.
The way the LEDs are set up I have to have the T5's on the outsides of the tank.
Meaning one all the way at the front, one all the way at the back.
I am looking for more of a bluer look while still getting the color help from the Fiji Purple.
Would it be best to put the blue+ up front and the Fiji Purple in the back?
Any input appreciated,
Thanks.

 

[TropTrea]

Just a quick question.
I have a diy LED fixture that I am going to add two t5's to to help with spectral aesthetics.
I ordered a KZ Fiji Purple and a Blue+.
The way the LEDs are set up I have to have the T5's on the outsides of the tank.
Meaning one all the way at the front, one all the way at the back.
I am looking for more of a bluer look while still getting the color help from the Fiji Purple.
Would it be best to put the blue+ up front and the Fiji Purple in the back?
Any input appreciated,
Thanks.

Your questions just opened me up for a bunch more of unknowns from my end in order to recommend anytihing?

1. How big of tank are talking about. Dimensions would be more help full than just gallons.

2. The DIY strips what combination of LED's are in them how many of what colour" and what Wattage are you running them at?

Hopefuly you understand my questions as the suplement to all Roal Blue LED's would be a lot different than if you were running a 1 to 1 ratio with whites. Simularly the difference between neutral whites cool whites, and warm whites would drasticly change the balance. And the over all intensity of the LED's would detrmne the amount of influence on the color the T-5's woill have.

 

[TropTrea]

Have a Tek elite 6x54. I noticed the bulb ends are getting dark. Is this a sign to change them. They are 6 months old.

Sent from my ADR6300 using Tapatalk

The bulbs slowly start turning dark the minute you turn them on. It is a gradual process and can sometimes be noticeable after only a month or two. Yes it is a sign they are aging but not necessarly a sign they need all replacing now. I rotate my bulb changes for this reason so I'm only changing 1 or 2 bulbs at a time and no bulbs are in my system for more than a year.

If I were you I'd swapp out the two darkest bulbs now. than 4 months from now swap out the two darkest at that point. Now you have an order to swap out two bulbs every 4 months.

 

[adamp377]

Okay I am currently running a 4bulb T5-fishneedit fixture with a recommended variation for ATI bulbs over a 40B.

Its about time to replace my bulbs and I am now thinking of upgrading my light fixture now that I have more experience with the hobby to a 6-bulb TEK fixture.

I have a mixed reef but I am starting to get more and more into SPS.

Would a 6bulb fixture be overkill on a 40B, if not what variation of bulbs would you recommend for good SPS growth and color. I do like a more blue look but I am really looking for best color(pop) variations.

Thank you

 

[JRoweNole]

Thinking T5 Now for New Upgrade

Thinking T5 Now for New Upgrade

On an 11 year old 92 gallon mixed reef, I am currently running a 250W 14K Aquaconnect MH on a Lumenarc reflector with two 24" reef brite led strips.

I am getting ready to upgrade to a 150 cube (36"x36"x 27" deep) and am getting the factory limited space canopy. I am afraid I will not be able to keep my MH set up because of space considerations.

I am just not sold yet on the spectrum quality and variety of the majority of LED systems out there, am concerned about lack of light spread without having to purchase multiple fixtures, and will not/cannot go DIY. Therefore, I am now considering a 6 to 8 bulb T5 high quality fixture like an ATI Powermodule or TEK Elite.

1. Including my Blue Reef Brite LED strips, what would you suggest for fixture and bulb combinations?

2. With my LED supplementation or possible additional LED strips, do you think I can still get at least some ripple effect like my MH/LED combo?

Thanks so much guys - this subject has really been concerning me and holding me back for my new upgraded tank that I have already committed to!


John

 

[mos90]

Okay I am currently running a 4bulb T5-fishneedit fixture with a recommended variation for ATI bulbs over a 40B.

Its about time to replace my bulbs and I am now thinking of upgrading my light fixture now that I have more experience with the hobby to a 6-bulb TEK fixture.

I have a mixed reef but I am starting to get more and more into SPS.

Would a 6bulb fixture be overkill on a 40B, if not what variation of bulbs would you recommend for good SPS growth and color. I do like a more blue look but I am really looking for best color(pop) variations.

Thank you

i think a 6 bulb would be way to much for a 40b. 4 is plenty..

you could do . this would be 20k ish

3-blue+
1-coral+

 

[r2odie]

I have an 8 ft 240 with two T5 7 bulb fixtures over it.
Thinking front to back:
All ATI
Blue Plus
Purple Plus
Blue Plus
Coral +
Purple Plus
Blue Plus
Blue Plus
or different order better?
3/5 dusk to dawn?
1,4,7
2,6
and how long time do you recommend on each group? mixed reef inc. many sps. thanks!

 

[TropTrea]

I have an 8 ft 240 with two T5 7 bulb fixtures over it.
Thinking front to back:
All ATI
Blue Plus
Purple Plus
Blue Plus
Coral +
Purple Plus
Blue Plus
Blue Plus
or different order better?
3/5 dusk to dawn?
1,4,7
2,6
and how long time do you recommend on each group? mixed reef inc. many sps. thanks!

As I picture your tank it is probably very blue colse to that 20,000K look. The florescense in your corals probably realy pop. If you like the total color effect stay with it.

For you bulb arangement if looks good but you might try swapping ao you have either two blue plus or a blue plus and purple for your dawn to dusk.

Timing is hard to just guerss at. I recommend a minimium of 8 hours with everything on. And a minimum of 8 hours of darkness. I like a turn on period of about 1/2 hour spacing while the turn off cycle of 1 to 2 hours of spacing. On personal preference when I view the tank in the evening I prefer having a bluer look so I set my lights to basicly go off at my normal bed time.

I would start with a timing like this.
00:00 2 and 6 on
00:30 3 and 5 on
01:00 1,3,and 7 on
09:00 1,3,and 7 off
10:00 3 and 5 off
12:00 2 and 6 off (this is roughly your bed time.)

Then watch your corals and every other week move the start time up by 15 minutes as long as things all look positive. At the first sign of bleaching back the start time off by a 1/2 hour.

 

[JRoweNole]

TropTrea and/or Grim Please

TropTrea and/or Grim Please

Thinking T5 Now for New Upgrade

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On an 11 year old 92 gallon mixed reef, I am currently running a 250W 14K Aquaconnect MH on a Lumenarc reflector with two 24" reef brite led strips.

I am getting ready to upgrade to a 150 cube (36"x36"x 27" deep) and am getting the factory limited space canopy. I am afraid I will not be able to keep my MH set up because of space considerations.

I am just not sold yet on the spectrum quality and variety of the majority of LED systems out there, am concerned about lack of light spread without having to purchase multiple fixtures, and will not/cannot go DIY. Therefore, I am now considering a 6 to 8 bulb T5 high quality fixture like an ATI Powermodule or TEK Elite.

1. Including my Blue Reef Brite LED strips, what would you suggest for fixture and bulb combinations?

2. With my LED supplementation or possible additional LED strips, do you think I can still get at least some ripple effect like my MH/LED combo?

Thanks so much guys - this subject has really been concerning me and holding me back for my new upgraded tank that I have already committed to!


John

 

[rehype]

Thinking T5 Now for New Upgrade

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On an 11 year old 92 gallon mixed reef, I am currently running a 250W 14K Aquaconnect MH on a Lumenarc reflector with two 24" reef brite led strips.

I am getting ready to upgrade to a 150 cube (36"x36"x 27" deep) and am getting the factory limited space canopy. I am afraid I will not be able to keep my MH set up because of space considerations.

I am just not sold yet on the spectrum quality and variety of the majority of LED systems out there, am concerned about lack of light spread without having to purchase multiple fixtures, and will not/cannot go DIY. Therefore, I am now considering a 6 to 8 bulb T5 high quality fixture like an ATI Powermodule or TEK Elite.

1. Including my Blue Reef Brite LED strips, what would you suggest for fixture and bulb combinations?

2. With my LED supplementation or possible additional LED strips, do you think I can still get at least some ripple effect like my MH/LED combo?

Thanks so much guys - this subject has really been concerning me and holding me back for my new upgraded tank that I have already committed to!


John

Hey John

1.I currently have 6 bulb ATI Dimmable sunpower with (2) Blue XHO reefbrite

ATI Blue plus
GE6500K
ATI Purple Plus
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Coral Plus
ATI Blue Plus

2.You wont see a ripple effect if you go with all blue LEDs but if you choose a 50/50 or all white strip then you will see some shimmer.

HTH

 

[wisewendell]

Your questions just opened me up for a bunch more of unknowns from my end in order to recommend anytihing?

1. How big of tank are talking about. Dimensions would be more help full than just gallons.

2. The DIY strips what combination of LED's are in them how many of what colour" and what Wattage are you running them at?

Hopefuly you understand my questions as the suplement to all Roal Blue LED's would be a lot different than if you were running a 1 to 1 ratio with whites. Simularly the difference between neutral whites cool whites, and warm whites would drasticly change the balance. And the over all intensity of the LED's would detrmne the amount of influence on the color the T-5's woill have.

It is a 150. 48*26*21 I believe.
Leds I have neutral white, warm white, blue, royal blue, red and green.
I have two reds ran at full power(around 800ma I believe) 2:1 ratio blues to whites with 4 5w royal blue leds ran at 1a.
There are two modules centered, side to side front to back, modules are 8x14.

 

[TropTrea]

It is a 150. 48*26*21 I believe.
Leds I have neutral white, warm white, blue, royal blue, red and green.
I have two reds ran at full power(around 800ma I believe) 2:1 ratio blues to whites with 4 5w royal blue leds ran at 1a.
There are two modules centered, side to side front to back, modules are 8x14.

Okay so if understand this correctly you have

2 48" 54 Watt T-5's Figi Purple and Blue Plus
2 Red LED's running at 2.75 Watts
4 Royal Blues LED's running at 1 Watt each
2 White LED's running at 1 Watt Each.

I'm picturing a tank very purple in color and not very brightly lighted up. I think I'm still lost here since you mentioed also neutral white, warm white, blue, royal blue, red and green leds without how many of them or whatt wattage they are running at.

 

[JRoweNole]

Rehype:

Thanks so much for your reply and photo.

What size tank do you have?


John

 

[harlequinacro]

So I take it the new ATI Coral+ bulbs are bluer than the aquablues? What colors are emphasized with the coral+? I'm due for bulbs next month and I'm thinking of adding them into my mix. Lookin to change it up a little. I currently run 9xblue plus & 3xpurple plus, all on icecap 660's. I'm thinking of trying 2xcoral+, 2xpurple plus & 8xblue plus. Anyone else out there running 12 bulb?

 

[rehype]

Rehype:

Thanks so much for your reply and photo.

What size tank do you have?
John

Np john its a 22 gallon.

Heres a pic of that combo over my tank.sorry a bit of sunlight got into the shot

 

[The Grim Reefer]

It is a 150. 48*26*21 I believe.
Leds I have neutral white, warm white, blue, royal blue, red and green.
I have two reds ran at full power(around 800ma I believe) 2:1 ratio blues to whites with 4 5w royal blue leds ran at 1a.
There are two modules centered, side to side front to back, modules are 8x14.

I seew no need for the Purple T5 lamp. Run 2 Blue Plus.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Have a Tek elite 6x54. I noticed the bulb ends are getting dark. Is this a sign to change them. They are 6 months old.

Sent from my ADR6300 using Tapatalk

It5 can be. Little surprised you are already getting the rings. What brand lamps are you using?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Thinking T5 Now for New Upgrade

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On an 11 year old 92 gallon mixed reef, I am currently running a 250W 14K Aquaconnect MH on a Lumenarc reflector with two 24" reef brite led strips.

I am getting ready to upgrade to a 150 cube (36"x36"x 27" deep) and am getting the factory limited space canopy. I am afraid I will not be able to keep my MH set up because of space considerations.

I am just not sold yet on the spectrum quality and variety of the majority of LED systems out there, am concerned about lack of light spread without having to purchase multiple fixtures, and will not/cannot go DIY. Therefore, I am now considering a 6 to 8 bulb T5 high quality fixture like an ATI Powermodule or TEK Elite.

1. Including my Blue Reef Brite LED strips, what would you suggest for fixture and bulb combinations?

2. With my LED supplementation or possible additional LED strips, do you think I can still get at least some ripple effect like my MH/LED combo?

Thanks so much guys - this subject has really been concerning me and holding me back for my new upgraded tank that I have already committed to!


John

Build yourself some high power LED strips, it isn't that hard. I'd do two 4 lamp T5 fixtures with the reefbrights front and back and the high powered strip in the center running 6 neutral white and 6 cool white LEDs.

Rapid LED sells everything you need. If you can drive a soldering iron and use 2 part epoxy you can build this.

6 Cree cool white LEDs
6 Cree neutral white LED's
Thermal adhesive
Meanwell LPC 35 700 Driver
36" 1.1 heatsink

You can grab the wire locally

Install the LED's alternating between cool and neutral.

Use 3 Blue Plus and a Purple Plus in each T5 fixture.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

So I take it the new ATI Coral+ bulbs are bluer than the aquablues? What colors are emphasized with the coral+? I'm due for bulbs next month and I'm thinking of adding them into my mix. Lookin to change it up a little. I currently run 9xblue plus & 3xpurple plus, all on icecap 660's. I'm thinking of trying 2xcoral+, 2xpurple plus & 8xblue plus. Anyone else out there running 12 bulb?

Try it and see what you think. There is no right and wrong answers to some extent when it comes to lamp mixes, it's up to personal taste.