The T5 Q&a Thread - split

[Mark426]

mhucasey,

I have a 24x18x16 tank stuffed to the max with 90% Monit Digits. Running a Mitras LED right now but shading is getting to be a problem. Looks about 18K for the most part. Corals are happy, other than the shading and I like the look.

I thought about an ATI hybrid but the cost is terrible so I am probably ordering a 6x24 ATI and be done with it. Trying to figure out the lamps before I place my order. (I know, I know...will eventually end up buying other lamps to try out )

What do you think about this:

2 Blue+
2 E5 Blue Pop
Coral+
KZ Fiji Purple

 

[Bpb]

mhucasey,

I have a 24x18x16 tank stuffed to the max with 90% Monit Digits. Running a Mitras LED right now but shading is getting to be a problem. Looks about 18K for the most part. Corals are happy, other than the shading and I like the look.

I thought about an ATI hybrid but the cost is terrible so I am probably ordering a 6x24 ATI and be done with it. Trying to figure out the lamps before I place my order. (I know, I know...will eventually end up buying other lamps to try out )

What do you think about this:

2 Blue+
2 E5 Blue Pop
Coral+
KZ Fiji Purple

Can't comment on that bulb combo as I've not used the E5 tubes. But just as a general principle I would buy 3-4 blue+, 1-2 coral+, 1-2 Fiji purple/purple+, 1-2 Aquablue special, and 1-2 pure actinics so you can at least play around with combos and really explore your options to fine tune it.

 

[mhucasey]

mhucasey,

I have a 24x18x16 tank stuffed to the max with 90% Monit Digits. Running a Mitras LED right now but shading is getting to be a problem. Looks about 18K for the most part. Corals are happy, other than the shading and I like the look.

I thought about an ATI hybrid but the cost is terrible so I am probably ordering a 6x24 ATI and be done with it. Trying to figure out the lamps before I place my order. (I know, I know...will eventually end up buying other lamps to try out )

What do you think about this:

2 Blue+
2 E5 Blue Pop
Coral+
KZ Fiji Purple

I would go with two Coral Plus and one Purple and then fill out the rest with Blue. One Coral plus and one Purple plus will be very blue. it all depends on your visual preference, however.

 

[Mark426]

Thanks Matt...I will give that a go.

 

[mhucasey]

Can't comment on that bulb combo as I've not used the E5 tubes. But just as a general principle I would buy 3-4 blue+, 1-2 coral+, 1-2 Fiji purple/purple+, 1-2 Aquablue special, and 1-2 pure actinics so you can at least play around with combos and really explore your options to fine tune it.

For comparison purposes I think the Blue Pop is closest to the Giesemann Actinic Blue, FYI

 

[bucfan]

For comparison purposes I think the Blue Pop is closest to the Giesemann Actinic Blue, FYI

Who makes Blue Pop?

 

[mhucasey]

Who makes Blue Pop?

It's an LED tube by Euroquatics

 

[SPS_Addiction]

It's an LED tube by Euroquatics

How's the spread on the E5 Blue pops? Do I just replace the Blue+ bulbs with them? I am currently using 5 Blue+, 2 Coral+, 1 Fiji Purple. I want to add in 2x E5 Blue pop.

 

[CoralNerd]

How's the spread on the E5 Blue pops? Do I just replace the Blue+ bulbs with them? I am currently using 5 Blue+, 2 Coral+, 1 Fiji Purple. I want to add in 2x E5 Blue pop.

One guy mentioned there so blue and he had two he had to take one out. You might want to start with one, that's what I plan on trying soon.

 

[DaveRaz]

Being I'm using a dimmable ATI fixture, I was considering just starting the photoperiod at 0 and ramping up to 100 and back down to 0 over an 8 hour period. I'm using a RB to supplement the first and last two hours of the photoperiod.

Does anyone see a problem with just allowing the fixture to ramp up and down over the full photoperiod, similar to the sun?

 

[rs1831]

It's an LED tube by Euroquatics

Any updates on the LED tubes?

 

[mhucasey]

Any updates on the LED tubes?

I've been using two Blue Pop tubes over my reef, I think they do well at emulating T5 bulbs. They are much deeper blue than the ATI blue plus. I will watch for a while longer then add a couple more, at least. If i see colors go south they will be gone pronto though. The white tubes are not good, at least the "Cool Daylight". Super yellow-green light and color rendition was almost nonexistent.

 

[SPS_Addiction]

I've been using two Blue Pop tubes over my reef, I think they do well at emulating T5 bulbs. They are much deeper blue than the ATI blue plus. I will watch for a while longer then add a couple more, at least. If i see colors go south they will be gone pronto though. The white tubes are not good, at least the "Cool Daylight". Super yellow-green light and color rendition was almost nonexistent.

If I just want to use it for dusk/dawn purposes, would 2 blue pop be too much? Or should I just use 1? I have a 20" wide tank.

 

[mhucasey]

Just use them in the same way that you use a blue T5 bulb, with the caveat that these are a bit deeper blue than the the Blue plus. They are more like the Giesemann Actinic blue.

You can use one or two, im not sure I understand what "too much" is that you are referring to.

 

[SPS_Addiction]

Just use them in the same way that you use a blue T5 bulb, with the caveat that these are a bit deeper blue than the the Blue plus. They are more like the Giesemann Actinic blue.

You can use one or two, im not sure I understand what "too much" is that you are referring to.

I just don't want my tank to look too blue with so many blue LEDs for just dusk/dawn.

 

[mhucasey]

What do you use for dusk/dawn lighting now? Most people use two blue bulbs, but you can always use a blue bulb and a white bulbs like the coral plus.

 

[SPS_Addiction]

What do you use for dusk/dawn lighting now? Most people use two blue bulbs, but you can always use a blue bulb and a white bulbs like the coral plus.

I use 1 reefbrite tech 48". Thinking of just using either 1 or 2 blue pop.

 

[mhucasey]

I use 1 reefbrite tech 48". Thinking of just using either 1 or 2 blue pop.

Oh, so this is not in a future, just an individual T5 bulb. I got it now.

 

[camaroguy]

I have decided go with an 8x80W Giesemann Matrixx II. The reasons are the furniture grade look (will be visibile in my formal livingroom), controllability (1 cord per two tubes), overall simplicity (I expect in a pinch I can get a Philips replacement ballast pretty fast if I needed to). I don't need dimming, etc.

I am trying to find a bulb combo. I want to stick with the G-Mann bulbs to start with. I want a crisp white, not to blue, and I want the colors to show well. I only plan on running 6 bulbs unless I absolutely need more. I was thinking the following combo from research:
2 aquaublue-coral
2 actinic blue
1 super actinic
1 super purple

Thoughts from those of you who run T5?

 

[Bpb]

I actually like the sound of that combo. It's roughly half blue half white which usually makes for a pleasing overall bright look. If you find it too blue or too white for your taste, I'd work with either a 3:1 Aquablue coral:actinic blue ratio or a 3:1 actinic blue:Aquablue coral ratio depending on what adjustment you want to make. They've got a similarly well covered blue end of the spectrum so you really will only be modifying the visual look. I would imagine either ratio or the 50/50 would provide comparable growth rates