The T5 Q&a Thread

[Ratkiller]

I'm a little confused when it comes to ballast and how they work. I have a 2 bulb retro kit, but currently it is only wired for one bulb. If I were to hook up the second bulb will the current bulb lose a little intensity?

 

[elabar]

I am wonder what you would advise on using for a 75 gallon, I have two aquaticlife tw bulb fixutures. In each I currently have an ATI 12k aquablue and the actinic that came with the fixture. What combo's will give me the best output?

 

[jennmac415]

Grim...

needing bulb selection for a 10 bulb powermodule...

don't know if you remember, but I like about a 20,000k look...everything popping...

I was thinking...

7 blue plus
2 purple plus
1 ge 6500 or some other bulb to bring out the other colors that the BP and PP don't... although in the past I have hated the GE bulb, but that was with less bulbs...what do you think?

Thanks, and man, aren't you tired of answering these ??s I also notice you are running LEDS now... what?? No more a T5 man????

 

[rodneyri]

pretty happy with PAR readings from the 8x54w ATI on a 750 deep tank

 

[prodman]

It's not the par but the coverage over 30". I still think I made the right choice I just tend to over think it after the fact.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Thanks for the input. The anemone is my third one, other two didn't make it, but seems to be doing quite well, it is near the top, but with new lamps, it may move.
Forgive me is this is just too much of a newbie question/observation, but having purple and blue lamps seems like it would make the tank darker and possibly tougher to view/enjoy.
Corals do not require daylight type lamps, the blue/purple types are actually better for growth and healthy corals of all types, is that accurate?
Also, what order front to back, should these lamps be in, or does it matter?
Any recommendations of reliable places to buy the lamps from?
Thanks for the information, I appreciate it!

Color is subjective, it depends on personal taste. Light in the blue/green spectrum is what most corals receive in nature but they can use all light within the range of PAR.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

ATI sunpower 6x54 4 blue plus 1 purple plus 1 12k aqua blue i was wondering if theres a certain duration you have each specific light on for ex) 3 blue plus and purple plus for 5 hrs then 1 blue plus /aqua blue for 4 hrs at night? or is it just for a standard 12 hrs u keep the lights on then turn all off at the same time. Was attempting to look up this information on the fourm but wasnt too successful completly new to this sort of lighting

Typically you would run your dusk/dawn pair 10 to 12 hours a day and the rest 5 to 10 hours depending on your system.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

How much does salt spray on reflectors hurt the performance of a tek fixture?

Surprisingly little but that doesn't mean you should let them get sprayed.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Great thanks. What order should they be in? Is there any difference in the shades of blue between the high end bulbmakers; Ati, giesemann, aqua science, kz? Also, Why the 6500k and not a aquablue special? I'm guessing that it will bring out the stripes better on my Gsm's.

Not a lot of difference in the blues. The Ge will bring out certain greens a little better. Just place the Blue Plus in the dusk/dawn slots and the purple in the center

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I posted in another thread, but realize it should have been here. My tank height is 30". I have a (6) bulb set up supplemented with 16 blue LEDs. I like the color and all, but am curious if there is any useful amount of PAR at the substrate level.

Lighting schedule is as follows:

10:00AM - 8 Royal Blue LED
10:30AM - 8 more RB LED
11:00AM - Aquablue Special, UV454
11:30AM - 2 more Aquablue Special, Fiji Purple, Blue Plus

They turn off in the reverse order beginning at 8:30 PM


What changes (if any) should I make?

I'd drop one or two of the Aquablues for Blue Pluses.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I have a Nova Extreme Pro fixture, 6x54

My first switch powers bulb 1 and 5
Second switch powers 2,3,4 and 6

I'm looking for the pop that my blue LED moonlights give, would this be the correct combo?

1 Blue plus
2 Purple plus
3 Blue plus
4 Aquablue special
5 Blue plus
6 Aquablue special

Thanks for any advice.

Drop the Aquablue in slot 6 for another Blue plus

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Before

After

Before

After

This thread needed some pictures:fun2:

I got my ATI blubs in today, big difference as you can see in the above pics. This is the same corals about 3 hours a part, I took the ATI pictures as soon as I installed them. I'm surprised how much of the blue coloring the camera shows vs what I see in front of me when I'm looking at the tank. I'm used to have LED's and I couldn't get any good pictures vs T5 lighting. The GLO blubs did quite well so it will be interesting to see if I notice a different with my zoa's and paly's grown with the ATI's. I will follow up with any noticeable different reactions of the corals. Nice choice of colors Grim, thanks again.

Lights are as followed

Back
BS
AS
PS
BS
Front

Digital cameras see UV light as blue while your eyes don't see it at all. I am assuming the ATI lamps are a lot deeper in the blue spectrum than the glos were.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Grim, looking for advise. I have a 30 cube that is 24 deep. I have a 24in giessman infiniti 250 metal halide with 4 t5 supplimental bulbs. I am needing to replace bulbs soon. I am currently running
giesman 250 halide and 4 giesmann actinic plus t5s

What would you use for bulbs? SPS tank

Thanks
Floyd

3 ATI Blue Plus and 1 Purple Plus

 

[The Grim Reefer]

grim, im looking for a t5 two bulb retrofit kit with reflectors that are 2.5 inches or less (limited space)...i called reefgeek and they recommended the LET kit...how do you like the LET refectors? are there any other kits or reflectors i should be looking at?

thanks soooo much for your assistance

LET are about the best thing out there.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I got the 8x39w pm and it is really nice it seems to cover well but currently its like 12" over the water. My tank is 30" front to back and 19"tall. I am thinking about trading it for the 10 lamp. Should I switch or leave it alone? Current lamp selection is;
4-blue +
2-figi purple
2-kz new generation

If you can swap it I would.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I'm a little confused when it comes to ballast and how they work. I have a 2 bulb retro kit, but currently it is only wired for one bulb. If I were to hook up the second bulb will the current bulb lose a little intensity?

It shouldn't in theory.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I am wonder what you would advise on using for a 75 gallon, I have two aquaticlife tw bulb fixutures. In each I currently have an ATI 12k aquablue and the actinic that came with the fixture. What combo's will give me the best output?

2 lamps over a 75? I assume this is fish only. I would run a ATI Blue Plus with the aquablue.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Grim...

needing bulb selection for a 10 bulb powermodule...

don't know if you remember, but I like about a 20,000k look...everything popping...

I was thinking...

7 blue plus
2 purple plus
1 ge 6500 or some other bulb to bring out the other colors that the BP and PP don't... although in the past I have hated the GE bulb, but that was with less bulbs...what do you think?

Thanks, and man, aren't you tired of answering these ??s I also notice you are running LEDS now... what?? No more a T5 man????

No more T5's.

Your mix should give you what you are looking for.

 

[Breakbeats2334]

Typically you would run your dusk/dawn pair 10 to 12 hours a day and the rest 5 to 10 hours depending on your system.

Thanks i have 4 blue plus 1 purple plus 1 aquablue special with the order youve given from front to back being
BP PP BP AB BP BP so i would have the PP and AB go on for 10-12 hrs a day and the 4 bps running for 5-10 hrs? the whole dusk/dawn thing is completly new to me so i dont even know if the lights i mention would be for a dusk/dawn system. Which lights would you have on for how long

 

[banzai75x]

Does anyone know who makes those hanging "arms" that attach to the back of the stand and extend over the tank?

Are those arms universal and would ATI's be compatible with those?