The T5 Q&a Thread - split

[sahin]

According to Oliver Pritzel, president of ATI, dimming doesn't effect them either way. It used to hurt them but no longer does. There are a few companies still spreading falsehoods about that but I trust Oliver more than any other company.

From my reading around on T5 technology, it looks like that is accurate information. For example I looked up on Narva's website; under T5 is states that as long as 100 hours burn in take place, the tubes are by then stable enough for dimming.

Hence, burn in coupled with high quality T5 ballasts I dont see an issue.

 

[rtparty]

From my reading around on T5 technology, it looks like that is accurate information. For example I looked up on Narva's website; under T5 is states that as long as 100 hours burn in take place, the tubes are by then stable enough for dimming.

Hence, burn in coupled with high quality T5 ballasts I dont see an issue.

In my last conversation with Oliver about all of this he said that 50 hours is okay now and not even required. The problem had to do with the ballasts and not the bulbs themselves. It had to do with the soft start or something on the ballasts. The companies fixed the issue and now there is no worry.

 

[sahin]

In my last conversation with Oliver about all of this he said that 50 hours is okay now and not even required. The problem had to do with the ballasts and not the bulbs themselves. It had to do with the soft start or something on the ballasts. The companies fixed the issue and now there is no worry.

Cool. Did you burn in your T5 tubes at all then? Any issues with them? Reason I asked because I am still burning my tubes in.

I know that at my work place when they replaced the T5 tubes for the room lighting, if we use the dimmer in the first few weeks, the tubes will sort of flicker between brightness levels.

 

[rtparty]

Cool. Did you burn in your T5 tubes at all then? Any issues with them? Reason I asked because I am still burning my tubes in.

I know that at my work place when they replaced the T5 tubes for the room lighting, if we use the dimmer in the first few weeks, the tubes will sort of flicker between brightness levels.

No I didn't burn them in but my ramp up is within 5 minutes although I will probably change that to no ramp up. After a month I don't see any issues with anything.

 

[YoungREEFA]

Considering oliver and ati has created one of the only dimmable t5 fixtures on the market, it would be counter productive for him to say it shortens the bulb life. I dont think it would shorten them very much, buy i wouldnt just go off of what oliver says

 

[rtparty]

Considering oliver and ati has created one of the only dimmable t5 fixtures on the market, it would be counter productive for him to say it shortens the bulb life. I dont think it would shorten them very much, buy i wouldnt just go off of what oliver says

What would be counter productive would be for Oliver to get caught in a lie. That would be a reputation that no business wants.

Not to mention that Pacific Sun, Sfiligoi and I believe Giesemann have all had dimmable T5s as well.

 

[jimrawr]

Hey guys wondering what your thoughts are for an Ati sunpower over a 75g tank. I am thinking 48" 8 bulb or 6 bulk but not sure which. Will be sps

 

[dunc101]

If it is SPS, I would do 8 bulb. I personally like as much light as I can get.

 

[atp0726]

Just depends on what you want. If you like an actinic early in the morning then they are nice. If you like Royal Blue LEDs in the morning then just get some Blue Plus bulbs and that will hit the lower end 400nm range for you as well.

I like actinics personally if you have all the PAR you already need.

I am happy with the LEDs for the dusk dawn simulation. Do you think 2 coral+ and 2 blue+ will be to much white? My LEDs are a 20k look from 1pm - 7pm when the T5s will be on.

 

[sahin]

If it is SPS, I would do 8 bulb. I personally like as much light as I can get.

+1 The only reason I would get a 6 tube over an 8 tube is if the light unit would be wider than my tank which is kind of silly. Or if tube replacement cost was an issue for me.

Else, go for the 8 tube. The combo's you can do and that fact that your corals will be lit all over.

If you will have a mixed tank with only some SPS then getting a 6 tube is wiser as you will most likely have lots of Chalices and Acans which prefer lower light levels.

 

[jimrawr]

I probably will mix in some LPS as well but probably not softies.

 

[DiscusHeckel]

If it is SPS, I would do 8 bulb. I personally like as much light as I can get.

I do not follow your argument. Sorry.

The only advantage of an 8 bulb combination over a 6 bulb is that you get a wider choice of tubes as Sahin stipulated. Other than that there is no real difference, for example, in terms of PAR provided to your corals except for those corals situated at the very front and read of your tank (if they are really close to the front and back glasses that is). Imagine a coral placed in the middle. Does it get a different intensity of light if you have six four or eight tube ATI sunpower? I suggest it does not. What makes the difference is to replace, for example 6 X 39W sunpower with a 6 X 54W sunpower.

 

[sahin]

I do not follow your argument. Sorry.

The only advantage of an 8 bulb combination over a 6 bulb is that you get a wider choice of tubes as Sahin stipulated. Other than that there is no real difference, for example, in terms of PAR provided to your corals except for those corals situated at the very front and read of your tank (if they are really close to the front and back glasses that is). Imagine a coral placed in the middle. Does it get a different intensity of light if you have six four or eight tube ATI sunpower? I suggest it does not. What makes the difference is to replace, for example 6 X 39W sunpower with a 6 X 54W sunpower.

Bulent, Dunc101 is actually correct. I know what you are thinking: the extra two tubes will light up the additional area beneath them.

But consider this: The way you are thinking this: it assumes that the light from the two extra tubes are going straight down. Not true. The very nature of T5 is that the light goes out in all different angles. The light will criss cross all the way through, as well as beaming straight down. The overall effect is that the PAR goes up slightly everywhere, not just directly beneath the area that the extra tubes cover.

Additionally I have tested this when I was rewiring up my previous ATI unit, with 4 tubes and with 6 tubes. The extra tubes will boost the overall PAR. Cant recall any figures but it does make a difference.

If this were a Strip of LED's, with 40 degree lens then I'd say the light crossover is minimal and it would only increase PAR directly beneath, but with T5 is does make a difference.

 

[sahin]

If you were to light up just 1 T5 tube within a single reflector, and placed it over a tank at one end, I can guarantee that you will get a big PAR reading directly below it. BUT you will also pick up some PAR away from it. Obviously lessens as you move away.

EDIT: Reflector design and mounting height all factor into this.

But the overall effect is that PAR does generally increase.

 

[jimrawr]

What about a 36" 8 bulb unit? It will leave me with 6 inches on each side of the tank but the rocks won't be that close to the glass anyways. I wonder if it will look awkward with a 36" light over a 48" tank??

 

[rtparty]

8 bulbs is too wide for a 75g tank. You will hang over the edges and just waste light.

 

[Pigpen80]

I have an 8 bulb on my 75. It's not too wide, I have sps, lps, softies.

 

[sahin]

What about a 36" 8 bulb unit? It will leave me with 6 inches on each side of the tank but the rocks won't be that close to the glass anyways. I wonder if it will look awkward with a 36" light over a 48" tank??

There are many who use T5 lights 1ft shorter than their tanks.

However, if you are debating over:

8x36inch

and

6x46inch

I would go for the 6x46inch. IF you want a bit more PAR and the possibility of better combos, get the 8x46inch. Check the front to back measurement of the 8 tube Sunpower against the front to back measurement of your tank. If the light overhangs or is basically same as your tank, its better to get the 6x46inch.

An 8 tube unit allows for greater flexibility in tube combos. So you can add in say Actinic tubes to hit the 420nm and shorter wavelengths, without having to worry about PAR loss like you would with a 6 tube unit.

 

[jimrawr]

Thanks guys, I appreciate the info and opinions. I think I will end up with the 8x54w unit. What about bulbs? I prefer a 20k radium look.

Blue +
Coral +
Blue +
GE 65k
Blue+
Purple +
Blue +
Blue +

How does this look? Does this hit all the spectrums? I know I want a good 4-5 Bbulbs, but not sure on the others..

 

[sahin]

Thanks guys, I appreciate the info and opinions. I think I will end up with the 8x54w unit. What about bulbs? I prefer a 20k radium look.

Blue +
Coral +
Blue +
GE 65k
Blue+
Purple +
Blue +
Blue +

How does this look? Does this hit all the spectrums? I know I want a good 4-5 Bbulbs, but not sure on the others..

The GE 65K is full spectrum. Along with the Coral+ which is considered a standalone bulb by ATI. The Purple plus had a bit of green and small bit of yellow/orange. So not bad at all. The GE is VERY bright though.

I think you will like that combo. If its too bright for you, you can swap the GE for another Coral+. One of my fav tanks running 5 x Blue+, 2 x Coral+ and 1 x Purple+ is this tank http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2277871

Have a look through Yariels thread. His T5 tank has BEAUTIFUL colours. :inlove:

Do your research on T5 tanks all over this forum. T5 tanks consistently have great colours!