The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
Less PAR than a Blue Plus or Actinic Plus but about the same look.
The T5 Q&a Thread
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Less PAR than a Blue Plus or Actinic Plus but about the same look.
redhanded77
New member
for sps, which bulb would be considered a grow bulb? color is not important. im just trying to figure out which bulbs are growth bulbs and which bulbs are for "color". with so much different combinations that you can do, i was just thinking which combos would be more for growth and which would be more for color.
with halides, people say 10k for best growth, but color is lacking. with t5's, it seems as though most are using blue+, which seems really blue. i just was wondering what the relation was between color spectrum and par and the effects it has on growth.
with halides, people say 10k for best growth, but color is lacking. with t5's, it seems as though most are using blue+, which seems really blue. i just was wondering what the relation was between color spectrum and par and the effects it has on growth.
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Names Brucey
New member
Thanks Grim!!
eddiesylas
Premium Member
I just set up a 120 and have an (8) 54 Watt fixture. Here is the list of bulbs I plan to use for "easily grown" SPS tank:
1) ATI Aqua Blue Special
2) ATI Blue +
3) UVL 10000K
4) UVL Super Actinic
5) GIE 6000K Midday
6) ATI Blue +
7) GIE 11000K Aqua Blue
8) UVL 12000K Act/White
Any recommendation?
1) ATI Aqua Blue Special
2) ATI Blue +
3) UVL 10000K
4) UVL Super Actinic
5) GIE 6000K Midday
6) ATI Blue +
7) GIE 11000K Aqua Blue
8) UVL 12000K Act/White
Any recommendation?
stooges3tx
New member
You guys probably covered this somewhere in this thread but I don't really want to fish through all of the questions to find this one answer......
Any testing done with a PAR meter over time to see when a T-5 bulb starts to lose intensity and shift spectrum? Over driven or w/e.. idc. Just wondering the avg lifespan of a T-5 bulb basically.
Any testing done with a PAR meter over time to see when a T-5 bulb starts to lose intensity and shift spectrum? Over driven or w/e.. idc. Just wondering the avg lifespan of a T-5 bulb basically.
90g-reefer
New member
Hey Grim,
I was thinking about buying these bulbs to put in my 8 bulb nova, which would go over my 90 gallon. the light is slammed up against the top of the tank and I am looking for good growth and a nice true 10k "blue" look. Would this do it?
(3) 54W Blue Plus T5 HO Fluorescent
(1) 54W 6500K Daylight T5 HO Fluorescent
(3) 54W Super Actinic T5 HO Fluorescent
(1) 54W Fiji Purple.
I was thinking about buying these bulbs to put in my 8 bulb nova, which would go over my 90 gallon. the light is slammed up against the top of the tank and I am looking for good growth and a nice true 10k "blue" look. Would this do it?
(3) 54W Blue Plus T5 HO Fluorescent
(1) 54W 6500K Daylight T5 HO Fluorescent
(3) 54W Super Actinic T5 HO Fluorescent
(1) 54W Fiji Purple.
maynardjames
New member
had new icecap bulbs for 2 weeks now. grim suggested a combo for them. looks good though i might swap out 2 twilight for blue+. or at least 1. the 2 that come on first & go off last, would like a little more blue for them.bulbs were 15 each so i figured couldnt hurt to try out. thans again grim for your help
Grim,
I have a general question about my set-up. My tank is 5X2X2. I currently have 6 X 60" T5 under Tek II reflectors powered by WH 7 ballasts. I have purchased 2 IC 660's and I'm purchasing the bulb combo you suggested (4 ATI Blue + and 2 GE 6500K) as well as new AquaIllumination reflectors. With the new reflectors, I'll have room to add a couple more bulbs later down the road if I want.
So...here's my question. What configuration would you choose for start up/dusk - midday sequence. Would you only use the 2 IC 660's to power 3 each of the 6 bulbs...probably 3 Ati Blue +, then the 2 GE and remaining Blue +. Or would you run 3 ballasts as 2 ATI Blue + on WH 7, then ATI blue + and GE on IC660, then ATI Blue + and GE on IC660.
When I set up 8 bulbs, I plan on using the WH for the first 2 bulbs for dusk dawn...But didn't know if it would be worth it for 6 bulbs since I'd be sacrificing overall output using the WH on 2 bulbs instead of the IC ballasts on all of them.
Thanks,
RJ
I have a general question about my set-up. My tank is 5X2X2. I currently have 6 X 60" T5 under Tek II reflectors powered by WH 7 ballasts. I have purchased 2 IC 660's and I'm purchasing the bulb combo you suggested (4 ATI Blue + and 2 GE 6500K) as well as new AquaIllumination reflectors. With the new reflectors, I'll have room to add a couple more bulbs later down the road if I want.
So...here's my question. What configuration would you choose for start up/dusk - midday sequence. Would you only use the 2 IC 660's to power 3 each of the 6 bulbs...probably 3 Ati Blue +, then the 2 GE and remaining Blue +. Or would you run 3 ballasts as 2 ATI Blue + on WH 7, then ATI blue + and GE on IC660, then ATI Blue + and GE on IC660.
When I set up 8 bulbs, I plan on using the WH for the first 2 bulbs for dusk dawn...But didn't know if it would be worth it for 6 bulbs since I'd be sacrificing overall output using the WH on 2 bulbs instead of the IC ballasts on all of them.
Thanks,
RJ
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
Typically with halides the lower the K rating the higher the PAR. With T5's that doesn't hold true. The Blue Plus is among the highest output lamp there is. Aquablues (ATi or Giesemann) might beat them out by a little.
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The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
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The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
Once the tank is over about 20" tall it is time to think about overdriving if you have clams on the bottom or a lot of SPS.
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
CHange number 8 to a Blue Plus, number 3 to Actinic White. You want a lot of blue with those other lamps. More than you would think.
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
Depending on your setup any time after 9 months. Depends what you are growing and what equipment you are using.
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
Thats going to be more 20K. If thats what you are after fine. If you want a more white look with blue tint use 1 actinic and replace the other 2 with ATI Aquablue lamps.
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
What you listed is fine for the D-D and daylights. I would throw a couple blue plus in the Tek reflectors you have with the work horse for dusk/dawn. Once you do that remove one of the blue plus from your mix and replace it with a fiji purple so the daylights are 2 GE's and the fiji.
Hello grim,,,,Looks like you can help with my lighting decision....
I have a new 95g 36x24x25 tank. It will be reef mainly soft corals..
I've been struggling with deciding to go MH or T5.
I'm leaning more towards the T5 mainly because of the infamous MH heat issue.
As for my T5 choices, they are the TEK 8x39w retro or the ICE CAP SLR retro with 6x39.(doesn't look like they have an 8 lamp setup)
Since I am building the canopy, I was also wondering if I can use an ATI Sunpower fixture as the canopy top will be virtually nonexistent or at least slotted with plenty of ventilation even though it is not a retro.
Also, what would be a good bulb config for a slightly blue look?
Thanks for any help.
I have a new 95g 36x24x25 tank. It will be reef mainly soft corals..
I've been struggling with deciding to go MH or T5.
I'm leaning more towards the T5 mainly because of the infamous MH heat issue.
As for my T5 choices, they are the TEK 8x39w retro or the ICE CAP SLR retro with 6x39.(doesn't look like they have an 8 lamp setup)
Since I am building the canopy, I was also wondering if I can use an ATI Sunpower fixture as the canopy top will be virtually nonexistent or at least slotted with plenty of ventilation even though it is not a retro.
Also, what would be a good bulb config for a slightly blue look?
Thanks for any help.
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
Yep, a 6 lamp fixture should be plenty as long as your high light stuff is directly below the fixture.
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