The T5 Q&a Thread - split
- Thread starter eagle9252
- Start date
TimeConsumer
Active member
The length of the fixture isn't a problem. But that tank really needs an 8-bulb fixture unless you want just softies. Further compounding the problem is bulb quality. You can't find quality bulbs (ATI, KZ, Geissemann) in 30", just the crappy Current bulbs.
wesside
New member
I think I'm just going to go with the 36-inch AquaticLife T5 HO w/Lunar LEDs. Do you think I still need 8 lamps, or can I get by with either 4 or 6?
TimeConsumer
Active member
Now that I'm looking at your previous post I'm finding myself a bit confused. I originally took your dimensions to mean your tank had a 36" x 24" footprint. Is this correct? Or did you instead mean you had a 36" long tank that was 24" high?
Outrigger Reef
New member
Thank you. Is there some other bulb that can be used where the GE one is? My LFS doesn't have one. Also do you think I can keep a clam on the sand with this light and bulbs?
TimeConsumer
Active member
Got it. I was confused when you used the term depth. In that case a 6 bulb fixture will work perfectly.
TimeConsumer
Active member
If your LFS carries Geissemann I would use one of their midday bulbs. Otherwise an ATI Aquablue Special would work in this spot. As far as the clam, it depends on the species. A deresa wouldn't be a problem. A maxima or squamosa, maybe, depends on if your light has individual reflectors or not (some currents do, some dont'), I don't think a hippopus or a crocea would do well on the sandbed.
Hi guys I have an ati 4" 8 bulb over my 48x24x21 tank.
I use 1 coral plus 5 blue plus 2 Fiji purple
Would my tank benefit from some reef bright xho Leds (all blue) for supplemention or will it all just become washed out?
I feel most of these really nice tanks use some sort of combination lighting and I won't be able to get that really awesome color with t5s only. Or am I wrong lol.
I use 1 coral plus 5 blue plus 2 Fiji purple
Would my tank benefit from some reef bright xho Leds (all blue) for supplemention or will it all just become washed out?
I feel most of these really nice tanks use some sort of combination lighting and I won't be able to get that really awesome color with t5s only. Or am I wrong lol.
What about this setup? Definitely like that deep water blue look. Personally i Van't stand when a tank looks mostly white...
B
Blue
Aqua blue special - 2 bulb channel
Blue
Purple
Coral + -2 bulb channel
Blue
F
TimeConsumer
Active member
This is very similar to the combo Mike posted, except this combo will be a touch whiter. Not by much though.
TropTrea
New member
I agree with your comments that the LED's add some florescesne kick that is very hard to match with T-5's. But all LED's are not perfect either. But I would personaly use a slightl;y different combination.
With 2 Fiji Purples and a Coral Plus you have three bulbs adding a strong red element. which in my mind would be too red. While I would use the "blue" LED's for dawn to Dusk I would brighten things up a bit for the mid-day by switching the Coral Plus to a GE 6,500K. If you think that might be too bright for your tastes ten use an Aqua Blue Special in place ofthe Coral Plus.
TropTrea
New member
I would not consider using the GE 6,500K unless you have at least a 6 bulb fixture. Dependent on how bright you want to go you can either use a coral plus or an aqua blue plus to create the white element. If you go with the Coral Plus the added Purple Plus bulb is also not needed as both have a strong red element to there output.
BlindZide
New member
I was going to go with 3 Blue Plus and 1 Purple Plus. Do you think the Coral Plus would be better than the Purple Plus?
TimeConsumer
Active member
Wow, great footprint on that tank. If you wanted to be able to utilize the full width and length I would go with 2, 8x54w T5 fixtures.
TropTrea
New member
You are looking at suplementing these with just "Blue" LED's? If that is true then the Coral plus would be a better selection as it adds more light in the 500+nm range which are your greens. With just the Purple Plus and Blues you would bet a deep blue to a slightpurplish tint.
I do a lot of LED/T-5 combinations now but these are all home built units where I pick the LED's I desire. I use the T-5's for aboost in my Blues. and Blue Green Spectrum and the LD's are a combination of Blues and the fuller spectrum Neutral Whites. Since you will not have Neutral White LED's you will need to get the "white" light from someplace and the Coral Plus will give you a little, the Aqua Blue Special a considerable amount, or the GE 6,500K would give you a lot of "white". Personal choice in color selection whill determine which of these three bulbs will make you the happiest.
TropTrea
New member
I have had and still have all LED tanks as well as T-5 Tanks. But I'm moving more and more to a combination of the two.. They bth have there advantages and disadvantages.
Unfortunatly I do not know what your LED's are and the range of comercial fixtures and color combinations range from nearly useless to great. But I would consider a combination if I were you. Adding two twin bulb fixtures would suplement your LED's nicely. Bulb selection would depend on what LED's your running generaly trying to boast the blue, blue green spectrum. the other issue what available space you have for the lights.
TropTrea
New member
Sounds like you have enough red light with the red LED and the 3,500K LED's. So I would start with running an additional 4 Blue Plus bulbs. If the total look is to blue for you then start swaping them one at a time with Aqua Blue Specials.
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