The T5 Q&a Thread - split

[camaroguy]

I will be ordering an extra aquablue coral and actinic blue in order to mess with the color a bit. I figure I can use them at the next bulb replacement anyway.

What order would you run the lights in?

 

[Bpb]

That I can't help with specifically, but on principle, I like staggering blue and white one then another to have better blending, with the pure actinic closer to the front end and that purple bulb positioned as close to directly over wherever you have your redder/pink type sps corals.

 

[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.

Do these E5 bulbs work with the ATI Sunpower ballasts?
I have a friend who tried these on a Giesemann halide/T5 fixture and they broke his T5 ballasts.

 

[mhucasey]

Do these E5 bulbs work with the ATI Sunpower ballasts?
I have a friend who tried these on a Giesemann halide/T5 fixture and they broke his T5 ballasts.

They work just fine with my sunpowers(I have three sunpower fixtures)

 

[SPS_Addiction]

They work just fine with my sunpowers(I have three sunpower fixtures)

Cool. Thanks.

 

[illjoshlli]

How bad is Dimming?

How bad is Dimming?

Is there documented tests that show dimming is bad for T5 or that it shortens bulb life? How much does it actually shorten it?

I've seen this mentioned many many times but no clear details on how much it shortens the life and/or impact on long term colour spectrum.

I have an ATI PowerModule and jumping from T5 to just leds to dim down to zero at night is really unappealing transition (to me) and I'd like to dim the T5 for 30 min from 100%-0. Will this small of a dimming window impact the bulb life much? The transition looks great dimming the t5 down with the leds (which continue to dim for another 1.5 hours).

thanks!

 

[Mark426]

I'd like to dim the T5 for 30 min from 100%-0. Will this small of a dimming window impact the bulb life much?

thanks!

ATI and Phillips says it doesn't.

Quote from ATI "Once the bulbs are properly seasoned or burned in for 50 hours at 100%, dimming them will not effect the life span to any extent worth discussing. You will however use less power."

The discussion will never end though.

Mark

p.s. The above statement is not about running them continuously at less then 100%. I believe that I read the manufactures say it may reduce the life by 10% or more. But dont quote me on that.

 

[mhucasey]

ATI and Phillips says it doesn't.

Quote from ATI "Once the bulbs are properly seasoned or burned in for 50 hours at 100%, dimming them will not effect the life span to any extent worth discussing. You will however use less power."

The discussion will never end though.

Mark

p.s. The above statement is not about running them continuously at less then 100%. I believe that I read the manufactures say it may reduce the life by 10% or more. But dont quote me on that.

The tricky part is burning them in for 50 hours at 100% when you intend for them to be dimmed. Other than that it isn't a problem for the bulbs.

 

[Mark426]

The tricky part is burning them in for 50 hours at 100% when you intend for them to be dimmed. Other than that it isn't a problem for the bulbs.

That is THE problem.
I bought a philips 2 lamp electronic ballast and 4 endcaps off amazon for a total of about $25. Burn-in is solved but it still seems like a silly thing I live with for one hour of dimming at each end of the day. C'est la vie. :artist:

 

[Pprice01]

I am happy with my color spectrum, but wonder more about how long to run my fixture and at what intensity (ATI Dimmable).

I'm wondering if I should be running both channels at 100% for a certain period of time or continue down the path I have, which is:

My tank is primarily SPS.

Thanks,

Paul

 

[Pprice01]

I am happy with my color spectrum, but wonder more about how long to run my fixture and at what intensity (ATI Dimmable).

I'm wondering if I should be running both channels at 100% for a certain period of time or continue down the path I have, which is:

My tank is primarily SPS.

Thanks,

Paul

Bump...

 

[mhucasey]

Bump...

I've never run a dimmable T5 fixture, the only comment I have is that full power light(All bulbs on 100%) for 6-8 hours is the standard recommendation. I'm not sure if your curve essentially gives the same amount of par intensity as having all bulbs on for the 6-8 hours.

I would ramp blues up over an hour to 100% then ramp the remaining six bulbs over an hour to 100%, hold for 6.5 hours, then do the reverse, if I was to program it.

 

[Pprice01]

I've never run a dimmable T5 fixture, the only comment I have is that full power light(All bulbs on 100%) for 6-8 hours is the standard recommendation. I'm not sure if your curve essentially gives the same amount of par intensity as having all bulbs on for the 6-8 hours.



I would ramp blues up over an hour to 100% then ramp the remaining six bulbs over an hour to 100%, hold for 6.5 hours, then do the reverse, if I was to program it.

Thanks. I just updated it to this:

Hopefully this will be the right combination.

Paul

 

[Pprice01]

Here's a better look:

 

[mhucasey]

Here's a better look:

That looks great to me!

 

[chercm]

how high to hang the t5 non dimmable 8 tubes on a 2x2x2ft ?

 

[chercm]

if i am running this combi for my 2ft tank

front
blue+
coral+
actinic
aquablue special
purple+
blue+
coral+
blue+

what is the recommended light hours for sps tank? i hang it around 9 inch above water level

anyone ?

 

[mhucasey]

anyone ?

Dawn/dusk for 10-12 hours, all bulbs on for 6-8 hours.

 

[mhucasey]

how high to hang the t5 non dimmable 8 tubes on a 2x2x2ft ?

Anywhere between 8 and 10 inches above the water line.

 

[Bpb]

Anyone running any 6500k bulbs in their mix? Giesemann tropic or GE? Curious how 2 of those would look in an 8 bulb


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