The T5 Q&a Thread - split

[rogergolf66]

Ok I have an interesting idea. I'm sure there is a good reason why this is not done but fill me in.

I have ati 8x54 and 2 led 460nm strips.

The ati has plugs controll 6 and 2 bulbs separately. I know the now is to run the led sunset and sunrise then 2 t5 for 10-12 hours then the 6 bulbs for 4-8 hours.

I beleive with everything on its to much light. Have bleached out most sps and zoa and paly r retracting a bit. I have sines turned off the 2 bulbs completely and run the 6 bulbs for 7 hours and the led for 12 hours.

I was thinking of using the 2 bulb plug that I'm currently not using for 2-4 hours in the middle of the day instead of the 6 bulbs in the middle of the day. Any thoughts?

 

[rtparty]

Ok I have an interesting idea. I'm sure there is a good reason why this is not done but fill me in.

I have ati 8x54 and 2 led 460nm strips.

The ati has plugs controll 6 and 2 bulbs separately. I know the now is to run the led sunset and sunrise then 2 t5 for 10-12 hours then the 6 bulbs for 4-8 hours.

I beleive with everything on its to much light. Have bleached out most sps and zoa and paly r retracting a bit. I have sines turned off the 2 bulbs completely and run the 6 bulbs for 7 hours and the led for 12 hours.

I was thinking of using the 2 bulb plug that I'm currently not using for 2-4 hours in the middle of the day instead of the 6 bulbs in the middle of the day. Any thoughts?

I used to run my 4 blue bulbs for 10 hours and my 2 daylight bulbs for 4 hours on my old sunpower. There is no set rule on everything.

 

[Dapg8gt]

Ok I have an interesting idea. I'm sure there is a good reason why this is not done but fill me in.

I have ati 8x54 and 2 led 460nm strips.

The ati has plugs controll 6 and 2 bulbs separately. I know the now is to run the led sunset and sunrise then 2 t5 for 10-12 hours then the 6 bulbs for 4-8 hours.

I beleive with everything on its to much light. Have bleached out most sps and zoa and paly r retracting a bit. I have sines turned off the 2 bulbs completely and run the 6 bulbs for 7 hours and the led for 12 hours.

I was thinking of using the 2 bulb plug that I'm currently not using for 2-4 hours in the middle of the day instead of the 6 bulbs in the middle of the day. Any thoughts?

I was just thinking last night about the same thing sort of. I too am having some sps bleaching going on coming from a 6x39w sunpower to a 8x 54 powermodule.

I have altered my light schedule already by only having the "daylights" on for 5 hours but it doesn't seem to be improving and I not too keen on only having 2 blue + bulbs on for most of my viewing time. I'm thinking of actually adding another plug or 2 into the power box have more control on sets of bulbs. That way I can run a gradual increase in pairs with high noon setting for a few hours then ramping back down. The power box is simple to alter and I feel it would work pretty well.

I'm waiting on a delivery of some actinic bulbs first to give it a shot to drop the par as my light is at the highest setting I can mount it and I'm over 600 at the top of my rock work and 500 at the center of the tank as of now with more light spill than I'm used to.

I'm not so into having a really short light cycle like some mention to do as I like to gawk at my tank so if swapping out 2 B+ for the actinics don't help I'll be experimenting with adding a few more plugs and doing some rewiring of the ballasts to get proper coverage. I'm sure it's been done before as It seems pretty simple and should work as that's what most light fixtures these days are emulating anyways just with a different source. Thoughts?

 

[rogergolf66]

Double

 

[rogergolf66]

I was just thinking last night about the same thing sort of. I too am having some sps bleaching going on coming from a 6x39w sunpower to a 8x 54 powermodule.

I have altered my light schedule already by only having the "daylights" on for 5 hours but it doesn't seem to be improving and I not too keen on only having 2 blue + bulbs on for most of my viewing time. I'm thinking of actually adding another plug or 2 into the power box have more control on sets of bulbs. That way I can run a gradual increase in pairs with high noon setting for a few hours then ramping back down. The power box is simple to alter and I feel it would work pretty well.

I'm waiting on a delivery of some actinic bulbs first to give it a shot to drop the par as my light is at the highest setting I can mount it and I'm over 600 at the top of my rock work and 500 at the center of the tank as of now with more light spill than I'm used to.

I'm not so into having a really short light cycle like some mention to do as I like to gawk at my tank so if swapping out 2 B+ for the actinics don't help I'll be experimenting with adding a few more plugs and doing some rewiring of the ballasts to get proper coverage. I'm sure it's been done before as It seems pretty simple and should work as that's what most light fixtures these days are emulating anyways just with a different source. Thoughts?

I have 2 actinic I purchased 2 but I thought turning 2 bulbs off completely would help to min bleaching faster then install actinic but dosnt seem to be helping. So I was thinking putting 2 actinic in the 6 bulb plug and 3 blue plus with a purple plus. Run that most of the day say 6- 8 hours then have 2 coral plus in the 2 plug slot to run for daylight 4 hours, and has led strips for 10-12 hours. Any thoughts on this and or bulb recommendation with this?

Roger

 

[Av8bluewater]

Ok, I'm thinking about trying some different bulbs and LED strip.
Currently:
B+
C+
B+
P+
C+
Actinic
B+
B+

Dusk/D is B+ and Actinic.
Current setup gives me a very crisp white with all bulbs on and a little color pop.
Dusk/D is a little too blue for my pink red corals. Maybe put the P+ instead of actinic and have actinic from LED strip?

I haven't played around with combos much as this is my first T5 and I've only had it since Oct.
I did buy an extra Giesman actinic and it seems slightly whiter than the ATI actinic. Not much of a big difference.

I am thinking about replacing the Actinic with another P+ and a B+ with a daylight. The RC user Yariel uses two Purple plus and has some fantastic reds and pinks. I want to have a Reefbrite or Build my LED actinic strip mounted on the side of the Sunpower.

So what do you guys think this combo would be like:

BuildmyLED actinic strip which has some 405nm LEDs for extra pop 450nm and 470nm. Mounted on front.
B+
C+
B+
P+
C+
P+
B+
B+ or another daylight.

Also I may buy a few different bulbs just to compare. I may buy a Fiji Purple just because I'm curious if I'll be able to tell any difference since it is suppose to have a little more red. I may try a GE6500 too.

 

[Dapg8gt]

Is there a trick to removing the bulbs in the powermodule vs the sunpower? It's a serious hassle to remove the bulbs on my powermodule I miss the ease of the sunpower =(.

Update ; swapped out 2 B+ for Actinic and it gave me a decent drop in par I'm at about 450 now at the highest point and about 350 dead center of the tank so I think this may work for my bleaching issues. I think the 6 B+ and 2 C+ is just too much for my tank. Color temperature did change a little I'll give it a bit to settle in before I change anything =). Now it's hurry up and wait for my coral to darken back up .. If they do lol..

 

[SlavicSavage]

I could use some bulb recommendations. I have two workhorse ballasts I am going to use to run 6 24" T5s and then maybe throw some LED strips in there as well. I am looking for something thats pretty white, like a 10 or 12k when all the bulbs are on, and then lots popping colors during the dawn/dusk effect.

I have mostly LPS with a few SPS that are less than 8" below the surface of the water. Tank dimensions are 30x30x24

Thanks

 

[TropTrea]

I could use some bulb recommendations. I have two workhorse ballasts I am going to use to run 6 24" T5s and then maybe throw some LED strips in there as well. I am looking for something thats pretty white, like a 10 or 12k when all the bulbs are on, and then lots popping colors during the dawn/dusk effect.

I have mostly LPS with a few SPS that are less than 8" below the surface of the water. Tank dimensions are 30x30x24

Thanks

On a LED/ T-5 combo I like to go either of two different ways depending on the ratio of LED's to T-5's.

With running 6 T-5's you do not need a lot of LED lighting. A single strip of mainly Blues and some near UV lights looks great in the dawn to dusk mode. You do not want any White LED's here. Then you can have phase 2 of your lighting with a pair of ATI Blue Plus bulbs brightening the tank just a little. Bow since you say you want a 10 to 12K look for daylight use a GE-6,500K with a pair of Purple Plus and one more Blue Plus bulbs. This is about as white as you can go and still produce a good balance for your corals.

My prefered method is with only 2 T-5 bulbs. Again I start off with the LED lighting of mainly blues and UV's. Then bring in the pair of ATI Blue plus to brighten it up. Finally for mid day add the rest of the LED's Which I like to sit around a 50/50 mix between neutral whites and Blue LED's.

Not knowing your tank size I will say if your running 39 watt T-5's then you want about 20 watts for the initial LED's, if your running 54 watt bulbs than about 60 watts of initial LED's. With the 2 bulb combination of T-5's the midday bright LEDs should be equal to or slightly more than the total wattage of the the T-5's for 54 watt T-5's bulbs I like 120 Watts of LED's for 39 Watt T-5 bulbs I like about 90 Watts of midday LED's.

 

[TropTrea]

BuildmyLED actinic strip which has some 405nm LEDs for extra pop 450nm and 470nm. Mounted on front.
B+
C+
B+
P+
C+
P+
B+
B+ or another daylight.

Also I may buy a few different bulbs just to compare. I may buy a Fiji Purple just because I'm curious if I'll be able to tell any difference since it is suppose to have a little more red. I may try a GE6500 too.

Personal opinion would be too blue for for my personal choice when you get to daylight. But color is an individual thing.

I tried different Buddy combos and with the T-5's what I recommend is
2 405nm
2 505nm
4 470nm
7 450nm
This will make the Florescence pop unbelievably for a dawn to dusk effect.

Then for your T-5's Run 1 GE and 2 Purples with the rest being Blue Plus. If that is to white for you then try 3 coral plus with the rest Blue Plus.

 

[h0bite]

I just purchase a ATI 10x80w. My tank is in construction now. The dimension will be 66x30x24. What the best combinaison of tubes for a 10 unites fixture?
I will only use ATI tubes.
I was thinking about

Front
Blue+ I dont know if the actinic is very important in the combinaison
Coral+ But I still put one. Give me your opinion
Blue+
Coral+
Purple+
Blue+
Actinic
Blue+
Coral+
Blue+
Back

 

[badger126]

I've always used the grim recommended combo for my nova t5 fixture -
4xati blue plus
1x ati purple plus
1x ge6500k

the seller I'm about to order bulbs from doesn't carry the ge - what bulb would you guys recommend for a replacement? wouldnt mind a little more blue but I don't want to lose the yellows/reds that the ge gives!

 

[bwrag]

I have a ati 6x54. I ordered some bulbs tell me what you think

Front
Blue+
Uv
Blue+
Coral +
Purple+
Blue +

I also got a 14k build my led strip I can add to it

 

[TropTrea]

I have a ati 6x54. I ordered some bulbs tell me what you think

Front
Blue+
Uv
Blue+
Coral +
Purple+
Blue +

I also got a 14k build my led strip I can add to it

You only have one full spectrum bulb and that is only 1/3 full spectrum, 1/3 blue, and 1/3 purple. So for my color taste I would expect it to way to blue. But color taste is a personal thing and some people will like this combination.

As far as your corals are concerned they should have no issues with this combo.

 

[TropTrea]

I've always used the grim recommended combo for my nova t5 fixture -
4xati blue plus
1x ati purple plus
1x ge6500k

the seller I'm about to order bulbs from doesn't carry the ge - what bulb would you guys recommend for a replacement? wouldnt mind a little more blue but I don't want to lose the yellows/reds that the ge gives!

Phillips also makes a 6,500K bulb. There are also several manufacturers that make 10,000K bulbs which will be a little more expensive and be slightly bluer, but most people cannot notice the difference in color between a 10,000K and 6,500 K. Also be aware that intensity is not the same for all brands bulbs and the ge is one of the brightest available in the 6,500K to 10,000K range.

 

[SlavicSavage]

TropTrea, I havent bought any of LEDs yet. What would you go with for LEDs based on your two recommendations? I kind of like the thought of doing more LEDs and less T5s instead of using the T5s as the primary light. Maybe they would be better as the supplement....

Also, my tank is a marineland 70 "cube" 30x30x22" i think? Not positive on the height, might be 24"

 

[CW from the OC]

I've always used the grim recommended combo for my nova t5 fixture -
4xati blue plus
1x ati purple plus
1x ge6500k

the seller I'm about to order bulbs from doesn't carry the ge - what bulb would you guys recommend for a replacement? wouldnt mind a little more blue but I don't want to lose the yellows/reds that the ge gives!

Giesemann 6k

 

[cpllongjk]

Need advice on bulb placement.

Front
ReefBrite XHO All Blue
Blue+
GE6500K
Purple+
Blue+
Coral+
Blue+
(Plans for adding another ReefBrite XHO All blue in a month or two)

Situation:

1. I use the Reefbrites for dusk/dawn as well as moonlights with the dimming unit. Bulbs 2 and 5 are used as midday for the extra punch and growth factor.

2. The reefbrites, 3 blue+, and 1 purple+ are on for 8 hours a day. The midday (ge6500k and coral+) are on for 4 hours a day.

3. I am in love with the lighting when everything is up and running. However, I am not happy with the color when the reefbrite, 3 blue+, and purple+ is on. It feels very blue and washed out.

4. I've tried moving the bulbs around but whenever I do, I can get one color right but then another one is off. For example I moved the coral+ and traded a blue+ and it threw off my full intensity coloration but my 4 bulbs were fine.

Any suggestions you have would be awesome. I have some extra bulbs lying around to try as well. Overall, I am very happy with the color temperature given off when things are at full intensity so its hard to move things around.

This makes me regret not getting the dimmable sunpower.

 

[TropTrea]

I just purchase a ATI 10x80w. My tank is in construction now. The dimension will be 66x30x24. What the best combinaison of tubes for a 10 unites fixture?
I will only use ATI tubes.
I was thinking about

Front
Blue+ I dont know if the actinic is very important in the combinaison
Coral+ But I still put one. Give me your opinion
Blue+
Coral+
Purple+
Blue+
Actinic
Blue+
Coral+
Blue+
Back

Sorry I must have missed this post.

If you do not want to use the GE 6,500K's I would go with
2 Aqua Blue Special, 2 Purple Plus and the rest Blue Plus.
This should give you a good starting point. if it is too bright for you then change out an Aqua Blue for a Coral plus. If the Par turns out so high it is burning your corals, that is when I would personally consider Atinics.

 

[TropTrea]

Need advice on bulb placement.



Situation:

1. I use the Reefbrites for dusk/dawn as well as moonlights with the dimming unit. Bulbs 2 and 5 are used as midday for the extra punch and growth factor.

2. The reefbrites, 3 blue+, and 1 purple+ are on for 8 hours a day. The midday (ge6500k and coral+) are on for 4 hours a day.

3. I am in love with the lighting when everything is up and running. However, I am not happy with the color when the reefbrite, 3 blue+, and purple+ is on. It feels very blue and washed out.

4. I've tried moving the bulbs around but whenever I do, I can get one color right but then another one is off. For example I moved the coral+ and traded a blue+ and it threw off my full intensity coloration but my 4 bulbs were fine.

Any suggestions you have would be awesome. I have some extra bulbs lying around to try as well. Overall, I am very happy with the color temperature given off when things are at full intensity so its hard to move things around.

This makes me regret not getting the dimmable sunpower.

You seem to be using a different approach than I use. I start with pre dawn pushing the UV and blue end of the spectrum then as I increase the lighting move it closer to full spectrum.

In your case the last two bulbs that would come on for mid day would be the GE and the Purple plus.

Try the switch and see how you like it. You can aways experiment more with the combination.