The T5 Q&a Thread

[The Grim Reefer]

I can't seem to find the par ratings for the fiji purple bulb. As I said I'm currently running 3xATI Blue+, 1KZ Fiji Purple, 1ATI Actinic, and GE Daylight. I was thinking of switching out the ge daylight and ati actinic for another blue+ and another fiji purple. I was wanting to make sure I didn't lose par because I know the ge puts out a lot and the actinic not so much. Thanks.

dustin

Go for it, Nice pickup in PAR.
Blue Plus has been found to produce more PAR than the GE. The PAR meter like I use under reads blue light and over reads red. I always assumed that meant the blue plus was a little better than it tested but I misunderestimated how much better it was. Fiji isn't bad on PAR. About 20% less than a Aquablue.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I just got the Nova Pro 72" 12 x 39w fixture. It comes with current bulbs, and I am replacing most of them but will use the actinics. Front to back, how would you arrange

ATI Blue + (x2)
Fiji Purple (x2)
Actinic (x2)

I am not sure what to expect with this grouping- I like a slightly blue look but not too blue, which is why I'm using the fiji purples twice...

I went with this fixture because I saw it in action finally and was pleasantly surprised at what it does for the money.

Front
Blue Plus
Fiji Purple
Actinic
Fiji Purple
Blue Plus
Actinic

It's going to be 20Kish with a slight warm tint to it.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

are there legs avaliable for the TEK fixture besides the ELITE

CHeck Reefgeek, they used to have them.

 

[AquAsylum]

Front
Blue Plus
Fiji Purple
Actinic
Fiji Purple
Blue Plus
Actinic

It's going to be 20Kish with a slight warm tint to it.

Thanks. Would it be more balanced to replace something with a pair of the SunLife 10000K bulbs that came with it, or should I just suck it up and get another pair of Blue+?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Thanks. Would it be more balanced to replace something with a pair of the SunLife 10000K bulbs that came with it, or should I just suck it up and get another pair of Blue+?

Blue Pluses

 

[dustinc]

Go for it, Nice pickup in PAR.
Blue Plus has been found to produce more PAR than the GE. The PAR meter like I use under reads blue light and over reads red. I always assumed that meant the blue plus was a little better than it tested but I misunderestimated how much better it was. Fiji isn't bad on PAR. About 20% less than a Aquablue.

Sweet , I'll go with that combo. Will I lose any particular color spectrum? Thanks

Dustin

 

[grabthereef]

I am currently running two Current Nova 24" 2x24w over my 26 bowfront. i just ordered two ati blue+ and 2 aquablue specials. my question is how much of a difference would new reflectors make or should i just hold out and get a new fixture over the summer? if new reflectors are necessary, which ones should i get?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Sweet , I'll go with that combo. Will I lose any particular color spectrum? Thanks

Dustin

A little yellow. If you have something like a FIji Yellow or Yellow Carpet anemone you might want to stick with the GE lamp but other than that don't worry bout it.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I am currently running two Current Nova 24" 2x24w over my 26 bowfront. i just ordered two ati blue+ and 2 aquablue specials. my question is how much of a difference would new reflectors make or should i just hold out and get a new fixture over the summer? if new reflectors are necessary, which ones should i get?

Hold out. It would be a pain to do reflectors.

 

[grabthereef]

thanks Grim, you are the superlative source

 

[robow]

Grim, I currently have a 6x54w fixture and was wondering how deep of a aquarium this would be effective on, I just want to keep lps, softies, and zoas.

 

[rfields82]

Ok Grim, im back with 2 more setups...

the TEK 6 bulb...
B+
AB
GE 6500k
Fiji Purple
AB
B+

and a TEK 4 bulb...
B+
AB
B+
GE 6500K

 

[reefsic]

Hey Grim, so I just swapped out one of my UVL Actinic Whites and replaced it with a Giesemann A+ for a more 20K look & feel. Looks a lot better, by-the-way!!!

How do the Giesemann A+ compare to an ATI B+, in terms of PAR???

 

[eyebedam]

Hey Grim Visually & by par whats the main diff in color between these 2 bulbs?

39W - 36IN ATI Blue Plus T5 HO Fluorescent Bulb
39W - 36IN Actinic + Plus Giesemann D&D Powerchrome T5 Bulbs

Also how does this bulb compare to the KZ Fiji Purple?
39W - 36IN Pure Actinic Giesemann D&D Powerchrome T5 Bulbs

 

[grabthereef]

Hey Grim, so I just swapped out one of my UVL Actinic Whites and replaced it with a Giesemann A+ for a more 20K look & feel. Looks a lot better, by-the-way!!!

How do the Giesemann A+ compare to an ATI B+, in terms of PAR???

check out this site: http://www.practicalcoralfarming.com/t5spectrums.html

btw nice pic...:crazy1:

 

[reefsic]

check out this site: http://www.practicalcoralfarming.com/t5spectrums.html

btw nice pic...:crazy1:

Sick!!! :beer:

Thanks for the great resource! Saved it to my Favorites. Looks like the Giesemann Actinic + is almost identical to the ATI Blue + when it comes to PAR.

 

[flyingace2005]

Hey grim, I'm setting up that 12 x 39watt system on my tank that you recommended with 8 overdriven with icecap. How should I cool the hotside of the bulbs? Should I blow cool air in from outside the canopy on them or should I blow hot air from them out of the canopy?

Thanks!

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Grim, I currently have a 6x54w fixture and was wondering how deep of a aquarium this would be effective on, I just want to keep lps, softies, and zoas.

Probably fine as long as you stick with brand name lamps and no actinics.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Ok Grim, im back with 2 more setups...

the TEK 6 bulb...
B+
AB
GE 6500k
Fiji Purple
AB
B+

and a TEK 4 bulb...
B+
AB
B+
GE 6500K

And?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hey Grim, so I just swapped out one of my UVL Actinic Whites and replaced it with a Giesemann A+ for a more 20K look & feel. Looks a lot better, by-the-way!!!

How do the Giesemann A+ compare to an ATI B+, in terms of PAR???

Little less PAR with about the same look