reeferlover
New member
is that too much for a 75? and what about the purple? or the aqua blue will i be missing anything? thanks again
The T5 Q&a Thread - split
- Thread starter eagle9252
- Start date
GSMguy
New member
I would not run any aquablue, they really do wash out colors. You could replace one of the Purple in place of a coral or a blue depending on what you like. The reason I did not recommend it is that the coral and actinic bulbs both have good amounts of the purple color. The Purple is really a daytime bulb with mucho red purple highlights.
reeferlover
New member
cool thank you. so your not thinking i will bleach sps with that and how many hours would you run the two sets of bulbs
Hey Grim. It seems you're the go-to guy for T5 questions. Can you help with my predicament: Trying to balance light spill, enough light and fan noise. Sorry it's so long!
I have already read through TONS of threads on lighting, and I still can't seem to settle on the best fixture for my tank. So maybe someone can enlighten me. Here's the situation:
-Tank is 48x18x20 -Tank is place directly behind couch, so both light spillage along the length of the tank and fan noise are concerns. -I plan to have a mixed reef, but not a huge one. I still love the fish and want plenty of room for them! At this point, I really like lps and softies, but would like to have the possibility of sps, especially since I'm completely new to learning what coral is what. -I'd like to go with an ATI fixture because of the numerous good reviews. Also I like the built in timer and, on some, the dimmable feature.
So here are the fixtures I've considered and what I'm not sure about: -48" 6x54W Dimmable SunPower: This was my original idea, but I'm thinking there will be a lot of light spillage. The 6-bulb fixture is 13.4" wide, which just leaves a little over 2" gap on either side. Is that enough to cut down on spillage? But since then I read that many people place a 36" fixture over a 48" tank. I've also read that the fan can be a little noisy, and I couldn't cut down the voltage too much with 6 bulbs. -36" 6x39W Dimmable SunPower: So I looked at cutting the length, but really my main problem is not the ends, but light spillage along the length of the tank. However, if someone can confirm that light spillage along the length won't really be an issue here, this might work well. But is it enough light? Fan might still be an issue here. -48" 4x54W Dimmable SunPower: This should reduce light spillage along the length of the tank, but is it enough light? I can strategically place any sps I may get, but will this put enought light along the sides where I can enjoy my fish?
I also looked at the Powermodules because I read that the fans are quieter. It looks like ATI is only making LED Powermodules now, but the T5's are still available through retailers. So I would basically be looking at the same issues as above, without the fan noise issue. BUT they're not dimmable. So if the light is too bright, then I would have to raise the fixture, which would produce more light spillage. These are also more expensive!
I'm probably overanalyzing, but this is a big purchase and I want to get it right the first time. Plus, if my tank is too obtrusive (with light and noise), my husband will not be very happy with me... Thanks for ANY feedback!
I have already read through TONS of threads on lighting, and I still can't seem to settle on the best fixture for my tank. So maybe someone can enlighten me. Here's the situation:
-Tank is 48x18x20 -Tank is place directly behind couch, so both light spillage along the length of the tank and fan noise are concerns. -I plan to have a mixed reef, but not a huge one. I still love the fish and want plenty of room for them! At this point, I really like lps and softies, but would like to have the possibility of sps, especially since I'm completely new to learning what coral is what. -I'd like to go with an ATI fixture because of the numerous good reviews. Also I like the built in timer and, on some, the dimmable feature.
So here are the fixtures I've considered and what I'm not sure about: -48" 6x54W Dimmable SunPower: This was my original idea, but I'm thinking there will be a lot of light spillage. The 6-bulb fixture is 13.4" wide, which just leaves a little over 2" gap on either side. Is that enough to cut down on spillage? But since then I read that many people place a 36" fixture over a 48" tank. I've also read that the fan can be a little noisy, and I couldn't cut down the voltage too much with 6 bulbs. -36" 6x39W Dimmable SunPower: So I looked at cutting the length, but really my main problem is not the ends, but light spillage along the length of the tank. However, if someone can confirm that light spillage along the length won't really be an issue here, this might work well. But is it enough light? Fan might still be an issue here. -48" 4x54W Dimmable SunPower: This should reduce light spillage along the length of the tank, but is it enough light? I can strategically place any sps I may get, but will this put enought light along the sides where I can enjoy my fish?
I also looked at the Powermodules because I read that the fans are quieter. It looks like ATI is only making LED Powermodules now, but the T5's are still available through retailers. So I would basically be looking at the same issues as above, without the fan noise issue. BUT they're not dimmable. So if the light is too bright, then I would have to raise the fixture, which would produce more light spillage. These are also more expensive!
I'm probably overanalyzing, but this is a big purchase and I want to get it right the first time. Plus, if my tank is too obtrusive (with light and noise), my husband will not be very happy with me... Thanks for ANY feedback!
GSMguy
New member
Start the SPS low and as they aclimate to your lights move them up.
How low to start them and whe to move them up depends what kind of lighting the coral were under before going into your tank.
nbsdsailor
New member
Hey guys, what is a good 8 bulb 20kish combo using all Giesemann bulbs?
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
It isn't so much about watts. It's number of lamps to properly cover the footprint of the tank. The shallower tank does allow you to use fewer lamps BUT that isn't always preferable. I'd do at least 6 lamps so you get a nice mix
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
Just sit the fixture an inch or so above the tank and cheat it towards the back a little. You could also just build a topless canopy for the tank. Just make sure the end of the fixture where the air vents out has an inch of space at least. You could do a 6x36" unit mounted about 6" above with a canopy like that and be fine.
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
6 Actinic Plus, 2 Midday
M Woodhill
New member
Thanks, so now the f----->b should be like this:
ATI Blue+
GE 6500K
KZ Fiji Purple
ATI Blue+
ATI Blue+
KZ Fiji Purple
GE 6500K
ATI Blue+
Am i right?
jdantunes
New member
Happy Thanksgiving, guys!
And thank you very much for share your knowledge with anyone who's looking for help in the lightning forum.
I got a my new T5 fixture but I'm in need of a nice combo to make this reef pop out with colors.
4 x 48" T5 over a mixed reef of softies and LPS. What you guys recommend?
And thank you very much for share your knowledge with anyone who's looking for help in the lightning forum.
I got a my new T5 fixture but I'm in need of a nice combo to make this reef pop out with colors.
4 x 48" T5 over a mixed reef of softies and LPS. What you guys recommend?
cayecaulker
New member
Choosing a bulb combination
Choosing a bulb combination
I recently finished a DIY project on my giesseman 12 bulb matrix T5 fixture. I removed 2 of the center bulbs and replaced them with 2 rows (12 LED's) of cree royal blue LED's.
While I had the fixture apart I rewired the firing order of the bulbs and added some fans. Now the bulbs ignite from bulbs 1,2 and 11,12 first while bulbs 3,4 & 9,10 ignite second. To finish the lighting cycle, bulbs 5 and 8 ignite third.
The cree royal blues ramp up to start and ramp down to complete the lighting cycle.
I currently use 2x GE 6500K to simulate miday sun however, I am thinking about moving to either another pair of ATI coral + or KZ new gen to replace the GE's.
Is there a noticeable difference in color between the coral+ and the new gen?
Will there be enough spectrum happening for optimal SPS coloring and growth (assuming water parameters are perfectly stable)?
Anxiously waiting for thoughts...
Choosing a bulb combination
I recently finished a DIY project on my giesseman 12 bulb matrix T5 fixture. I removed 2 of the center bulbs and replaced them with 2 rows (12 LED's) of cree royal blue LED's.
While I had the fixture apart I rewired the firing order of the bulbs and added some fans. Now the bulbs ignite from bulbs 1,2 and 11,12 first while bulbs 3,4 & 9,10 ignite second. To finish the lighting cycle, bulbs 5 and 8 ignite third.
The cree royal blues ramp up to start and ramp down to complete the lighting cycle.
I currently use 2x GE 6500K to simulate miday sun however, I am thinking about moving to either another pair of ATI coral + or KZ new gen to replace the GE's.
Is there a noticeable difference in color between the coral+ and the new gen?
Will there be enough spectrum happening for optimal SPS coloring and growth (assuming water parameters are perfectly stable)?
Anxiously waiting for thoughts...
YoungREEFA
New member
what are 4 bulbs that will just make the tank POP? i have a ati purple and actinic, so really just what two more?
GSMguy
New member
2 ATI blue+
teog
New member
So after doing some research, I ended up ordering these gmann bulbs
actinic plus x 5
actinic pink x 2
midday sun x 1
Im planning to set up
front
actinic plus
actinic plus
actinic pink
midday sun
actinic plus
actnic pink
actinic plus
actinic plus
Im hoping for a 17k or so look. Hopefully this will do it. I was also considering getting a lagoon blue to mix it up.
Thanks for the advice Grim. I'll explore these options.
Anxiously waiting for picture of this setup?
I have an 8 bulb fixture on my 12" deep tank. I am looking to remove 4 bulbs and add a healthy dose of LEDs. I would like to see details of your build.
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