The T5 Q&a Thread - split

[rtparty]

For giesemann aurora, what 4 bulb combo??

What K would 3 blue + and 1 purple + produce? Close to 18k?

How about 2 blue +, 1 coral + and 1 purple +?




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I would say it depends on what you want the LEDs to be used for. Are they just for some blue pop? Dusk/dawn application? Or do you want to fine tune the overall appearance with the LEDs and let the T5s do most the talking?

I would use an actinic or two personally since LEDs always seem to miss the low end no matter how hard they try. However, if you want to stare at the tank with just the T5s on I would go with 2 Blue Plus, 1 Actinic and 1 Purple Plus. I ran that on my ATI LED PM and loved it. I added in some whites from the LEDs for daytime and then had a great transition from dusk to dawn.

 

[125mph]

I would say it depends on what you want the LEDs to be used for. Are they just for some blue pop? Dusk/dawn application? Or do you want to fine tune the overall appearance with the LEDs and let the T5s do most the talking?

Well, I was planning to use the LEDs to add more par cause I assume 4 bulb will be a little light. So yes, probably add more blue since that will create the most par.

 

[DiscusHeckel]

Its about time for new bulbs in my ati fixture so please if anyone has suggestions im all ears
Also i was thinking in place of the actinics getting the t5 led pop bulbs anyone have experience with those yet?
front to back
ati blue+
ati coral +
ati actinic----dawn to dusk
ati blue +
ati coral +
ati blue +----dawn to dusk
figi purple
ati blue+
fixture is a 48" 54w each
thanks for the help

I have read that ATI does not recommend the use of E5 LED tubes in their fixtures as E5 Euro Aquatics bulbs run too hot for the ATI fixture.

 

[Sirhc]

Hello all,

I am currently running the following combo on my 8 bulb ATI with supplemental LED on the outside.

Blue LED strip
----------------
Blue +
Coral +
Actinic
Purple +
Blue+
Actinic
Coral +
Blue +
----------------
Blue LED strip

I like the color this fixture produces, but I am not too happy with the growth when comparing to other T5 users. The tank is 99% sps and that is what I would like to gear the new combo towards. With my current combo I was trying to aim to satisfy a mixed reef but that changed when I setup my second tank and split up the coral.

Thank you,
-Chris

 

[DiscusHeckel]

Hello all,

I am currently running the following combo on my 8 bulb ATI with supplemental LED on the outside.

Blue LED strip
----------------
Blue +
Coral +
Actinic
Purple +
Blue+
Actinic
Coral +
Blue +
----------------
Blue LED strip

I like the color this fixture produces, but I am not too happy with the growth when comparing to other T5 users. The tank is 99% sps and that is what I would like to gear the new combo towards. With my current combo I was trying to aim to satisfy a mixed reef but that changed when I setup my second tank and split up the coral.

Thank you,
-Chris

Coral growth depends not only on your light spectrum and intensity, but also available nutrients, water flow, water parameters and temperature. I get very good growth on my Acros and use the following combination (all 39W):

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

For what it is worth, I have a lot of fish in my system (16 in 250 L net volume). I feed heavily and export heavily (NO3: <2.5 ppm PO4: 0/05 mg/L). Water temperature: 27-28C and run four Tunze 6055 pumps (overall turnover is over 70 times per hour).

Hence, you need to approach coral growth from different dimensions.

I hope this helps.

 

[Sirhc]

Coral growth depends not only on your light spectrum and intensity, but also available nutrients, water flow, water parameters and temperature. I get very good growth on my Acros and use the following combination (all 39W):

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

For what it is worth, I have a lot of fish in my system (16 in 250 L net volume). I feed heavily and export heavily (NO3: <2.5 ppm PO4: 0/05 mg/L). Water temperature: 27-28C and run four Tunze 6055 pumps (overall turnover is over 70 times per hour).

Hence, you need to approach coral growth from different dimensions.

I hope this helps.

Your post helps a lot! I will be giving that combo a try in a few months and will also see about adding a few more fish as well.

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[janci]

This thread is so huge. And most t5 are AT I, KZ and a couple Giesemann.
Anybody care to show some picture from the Pacific Sun bulbs:
- spectra +
- crystal blue
- pigment INT+

They seem to have more pop into it. Not sure if this can be confirmed by someone?

 

[Chris Abbott]

Need to read more. I just received my first t5 unit. Ati 6x54, it is over my standard 90. I am seeing so much emphasis on layout here it makes me curious. Are these mostly just preference or does bulb seletion play a measureble role in growth?

I have the following to play with to get started:
Ati coral plus x2
Ati blue plus x4
Ati purple plus
Giesseman Super Actinic

My other question is about hanging height. How close to the top of tank can i place this fixture? I actually prefer the look when its sitting on the tank rim but I know I need a little " breathing room" for the fixture.

 

[rogergolf66]

I am thinking about changing it up abit.

I have 2 reef right xho blue I am thinking 2 true actinic in dusk to dawn and 4 tropics in the 4 bulb spot.

What's your thoughts sps only tank.

I'm thinking led and actinic for 12 hours and the tropics for 4-6 hours

 

[Bpb]

I am thinking about changing it up abit.



I have 2 reef right xho blue I am thinking 2 true actinic in dusk to dawn and 4 tropics in the 4 bulb spot.



What's your thoughts sps only tank.



I'm thinking led and actinic for 12 hours and the tropics for 4-6 hours

I'd really like that look actually. Won't be for everyone. The tropics will really make it look like a shallow reef mid day. Lots of brown and yellow colors but for sps I generally like a whiter lower kelvin look anyway. It'll be very bright full spectrum. The ati blue+ has nearly as much par output as the 6500k tropic but just has such a baby-blue windex look to it


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[rtparty]

Need to read more. I just received my first t5 unit. Ati 6x54, it is over my standard 90. I am seeing so much emphasis on layout here it makes me curious. Are these mostly just preference or does bulb seletion play a measureble role in growth?

I have the following to play with to get started:
Ati coral plus x2
Ati blue plus x4
Ati purple plus
Giesseman Super Actinic

My other question is about hanging height. How close to the top of tank can i place this fixture? I actually prefer the look when its sitting on the tank rim but I know I need a little " breathing room" for the fixture.

Blue
Actinic
Purple
Coral
Blue
Blue

Or

Blue
Purple
Blue
Actinic
Coral
Blue

Depends if you want dusk/dawn to be 2 or 4 bulbs. I always liked 4 bulbs and then bring in the 2 daylight bulbs for the midday. Up to you though.

As for height, the closer you keep the fixture, the more salt spray that will need to be cleaned off. You will also increase PAR quite a bit. That could be good or bad depending on what you stock.

I always liked my fixtures 7-9" off the water. At a minimum I would keep it 4" off the water

 

[reefslugs]

Not see much growth

Not see much growth

Not see much growth with SPS on my T5's. My tank is a 200g. Measures 84x28x28. I am running a 12 bulb Tech light fixture. Six bulbs on each side. Currently running this bulb combo.

FRONT
B+
C+
B+
P+
C+
B+
BACK

Do you think if I went with a more whiter bulb, I would get more growth? Maybe switching out the two C+ with two aqua blue specials?

I used to run MH with 2x250w Radiums and 2x110 VHO actinic. SPS growth was fast. I swear my birds-nest grew a half inch a week, with this setup.

 

[rtparty]

Not see much growth with SPS on my T5's. My tank is a 200g. Measures 84x28x28. I am running a 12 bulb Tech light fixture. Six bulbs on each side. Currently running this bulb combo.

FRONT
B+
C+
B+
P+
C+
B+
BACK

Do you think if I went with a more whiter bulb, I would get more growth? Maybe switching out the two C+ with two aqua blue specials?

I used to run MH with 2x250w Radiums and 2x110 VHO actinic. SPS growth was fast. I swear my birds-nest grew a half inch a week, with this setup.

You really don't have enough light to be honest. For 28" front to back you need 8 bulbs minimum. The 28" depth also needs a better fixture than Tek.

Do you run the shield on the Tek? Are you cooling the fixture in any way?

Bulbs won't make much difference since their PAR is all pretty similar.

 

[bif24701]

Question. I just installed a Aruba Sun 60" retro over my 72"x24"x24" to supplement my Kessil AP700s. How much PAR do you think two ATI Blue Plus are adding to my system?


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[Bpb]

Not see much growth with SPS on my T5's. My tank is a 200g. Measures 84x28x28. I am running a 12 bulb Tech light fixture. Six bulbs on each side. Currently running this bulb combo.



FRONT

B+

C+

B+

P+

C+

B+

BACK



Do you think if I went with a more whiter bulb, I would get more growth? Maybe switching out the two C+ with two aqua blue specials?



I used to run MH with 2x250w Radiums and 2x110 VHO actinic. SPS growth was fast. I swear my birds-nest grew a half inch a week, with this setup.

Agree with others. You're under lighting the tank. You're essentially using a 6 bulb fixture. I know 12 are running. But it's only 6 from end to end. 28" deep and 28" wide is an awful lot to ask of that setup I'm afraid. Bulb choice won't change much besides the look. You really need to double what you're running for sps honestly. Even then the water might be too deep for that fixture. 28" deep is ati powermodule material with 1 bulb every 3" of front to back width. So like a 8-10 bulb 48" powermodule x2


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[reefslugs]

You really don't have enough light to be honest. For 28" front to back you need 8 bulbs minimum. The 28" depth also needs a better fixture than Tek.

Do you run the shield on the Tek? Are you cooling the fixture in any way?

Bulbs won't make much difference since their PAR is all pretty similar.

OK redo. I had to get the tape measure out and run down stairs. The tank is 84x24x24. On the Tech light I do not run the shield. The lights are in a canopy so I have two cooling fans running across. Also I was told the Tech light is the same as the ATI except they don't come with built in fans.

 

[rtparty]

OK redo. I had to get the tape measure out and run down stairs. The tank is 84x24x24. On the Tech light I do not run the shield. The lights are in a canopy so I have two cooling fans running across. Also I was told the Tech light is the same as the ATI except they don't come with built in fans.

That's false. A Tek is 30-40% behind an ATI. Lack of cooling, okay ballasts and sub par reflectors. Sorry to be blunt but it's the truth.

The fans are helping though so that's good.

Still, a 6 bulb Tek can't cover the width or depth of your tank. You would need 8 bulb Sunpowers to cover the width and still penetrate deep enough for SPS.

Assuming, lighting is your growth issue. I've found growth has more to do with available food. JME

 

[reefslugs]

My tank is a mixed reef. I put the SPS at the highest points and my chalices at the lowest. Man there is no way I'm going to go out and get two 36 inch ATI lights. The cost of the light fixtures would be way too much. Plus the cost of bulb replacement every year would be crazy in cost. Now you guys have me thinking of going back to MH with T5 or LED with T5.

 

[Bpb]

The T5 Q&amp;a Thread - split

The T5 Q&amp;a Thread - split

I agree entirely. It would be a very expensive change. Different lighting systems have distinct advantages and disadvantages. I would never use t5ho on any tank longer than 72". You have to get multiple fixtures at that point which will double your bulb cost. No bueno. Large metal halide reflectors with led accents shine in that instance. Because on an 84" tank you could get away with 3 large reflectors. 3 halide bulbs vs 16-20 t5ho bulbs.


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[bif24701]

The T5 Q&amp;a Thread - split

The T5 Q&amp;a Thread - split

My tank is a mixed reef. I put the SPS at the highest points and my chalices at the lowest. Man there is no way I'm going to go out and get two 36 inch ATI lights. The cost of the light fixtures would be way too much. Plus the cost of bulb replacement every year would be crazy in cost. Now you guys have me thinking of going back to MH with T5 or LED with T5.

I don't think lighting is your problem at all, what are your feeding habits, NO3 & PO4 levels?


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