The T5 Q&a Thread

[unseen_clone]

alrigh it check it out grim, I have a 48x24x20H aquarium.
I got a TEK 8 bulb for it and am currently running,
blue+
blue+
blue+
procolor
blue+
aquablue
blue+
blue+
Last week i noticed some of my acros on top were starting to wash out in color. So I dropped them down to about mid level, and got some amazing colors outa them. On Saturday I noticed some of my chalices were starting to wash out. So I shaded them. My question is, is my bulb combo too bright? Is my fixture too bright? Should i put in some actinic bulbs?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hey Guys,

I am going to be running two 250W 20k radiums on a pfo hqi ballast. But I am supplementing that with four 24watt tek t5s. Which t5 bulbs would give me the best effect? I am looking for best brand and type actinic, blue+ etc. All of your thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

I would run an Actinic/Blue Plus mix

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Grim - I checked out your homepage. It looks like the KZ Coral Light bulb ranks #3 as far as PAR. It seems like you would recommended it more often. I can't find much info on it. Premium Aquatics has it described as a "50/50" bulb. I have seen it other places being described as a "10,000k" bulb. Seems like it might be a good supplement to the ATI aquablue +. Maybe a good bulb for someone that is looking or something that falls between the GE 6500k and the ATI aquablue special. What color of corals look good under this light. Maybe nothing looks particularly great under the light so that's why you don't recommend it. Your thoughts on this bulb?

They are expensive and you can, in most cases get the same effect using other lamps like the UVL Actinic white or 75/25. They all bring out pink and purple colors.

 

[rob020880]

Thanks grim,
Who makes the best brand actinic and blue+. I was told on another thread that the Geisman pure actinic is the best. What do you think?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I would not do that if you are planning on SPS for your tank and if PAR is important to you. For some reason, the 36" ATI PM does not put out as much PAR as the 48". I found this info in the threads recently. Forget which one, maybe Grim can explain.

The 36" unit I have kicks. Wouldn't hesitate for a moment to use it.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Here is where I found the thread where an ATI PM 36" owner found his PAR readings lower than others with the 48" PM: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1641235

Read the whole thread. It actually contains some good info regarding when to change your T5 bulbs.

Not much difference from what I read. Like I said, I wouldn't hesitate to use the 36"

 

[The Grim Reefer]

alrigh it check it out grim, I have a 48x24x20H aquarium.
I got a TEK 8 bulb for it and am currently running,
blue+
blue+
blue+
procolor
blue+
aquablue
blue+
blue+
Last week i noticed some of my acros on top were starting to wash out in color. So I dropped them down to about mid level, and got some amazing colors outa them. On Saturday I noticed some of my chalices were starting to wash out. So I shaded them. My question is, is my bulb combo too bright? Is my fixture too bright? Should i put in some actinic bulbs?

Raise the fixture or swap out a couple of Blue Plus for actinics.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Thanks grim,
Who makes the best brand actinic and blue+. I was told on another thread that the Geisman pure actinic is the best. What do you think?

UVL Super Actinic and ATI Blue Plus IMHO

 

[alpine75]

Not much difference from what I read. Like I said, I wouldn't hesitate to use the 36"

I think I will go with the 36". Most of my corals would be towards the center anyway. Plus save a little in monthly electrical bill, that always helps in SOCAL.

 

[unseen_clone]

Raise the fixture or swap out a couple of Blue Plus for actinics.

if i swap some of the blue+ for the actinics where should they go?
can you give me another configueration.
I have an extra aquablue special,2 actinic+ and 2 uv 75/25, so maybe those can help you think of some thing good.
Plus all that is in the fixture itself.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

if i swap some of the blue+ for the actinics where should they go?
can you give me another configueration.
I have an extra aquablue special,2 actinic+ and 2 uv 75/25, so maybe those can help you think of some thing good.
Plus all that is in the fixture itself.

Throw the 75/25 in the 2nd slot from the fron and throw a Actinic in the second to the rear.

 

[stealle]

Not much difference from what I read. Like I said, I wouldn't hesitate to use the 36"

This is where I came up with that:

kangym -

Thanks for posting your PAR readings. Being a former "T5 guy" I find it interesting that the shorter bulbs produce less PAR/watt than the longer bulbs. I almost went 10x39w T5 on my current tank... glad I didn't!

Compare to 4 ft T5, the par reading at 5 to 15 in. of the 200G tank is around 400 and more. So I am surprised to find that 4 ft T5 produce more par than 3 ft T5. If you check rhoptowit's previous par reading on ATI 2 ft PM, it seems even 2 ft PM produces a little more more par than 3 ft PM! It is just my observation.

However, I don't know if these comparisons where very "scientific" or fair. I don't think kangym's comparisons, used the same bulbs, reflectors, par meter, age of bulbs. So it probably means nothing.

However, you did mention something that led me to believe it might be true:

WHen T5's were first out I heard the longer lamps were more intense and the wattage vs length of the lamps seems to back that up. . When overdriving the opposite it true according to Ice Caps testing.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

The 54 watt lamp will have stronger output but not by much. I got 302 out of a 4x39 watt PM and mid 300's out of a 6x54 watt Sunpower. That isn't a whole lot of difference considering the extra 2 lamps.

 

[JTL]

Grim,
No opinions on the Wave Point lamps?

 

[beckerjm]

Thanks for the response!

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Grim,
No opinions on the Wave Point lamps?

No, haven't used them.

 

[unseen_clone]

Throw the 75/25 in the 2nd slot from the fron and throw a Actinic in the second to the rear.

cool man thanks, i'll try that out when i get home.
again thanks for the help. posted the same questions on my local site, and 3 days later no reply.

 

[pugbreath13]

Grim, thanks for all this. I just ordered bulbs to replace the stock ones in my NEP. I ordered what you have suggested to many others. Whats up with the new avatar?

 

[BigAl2007]

Howdy agani!

I'm changing bulbs on my 10g Frag tank. It's got a Catalina 2x24W T5 with IDR fixture.

I want pure PAR for this tank and am not worried about the "Eye" aspect of this tank. It's for growth only.

I already ordered (but can change at any time) new bulbs for it. I ordered a pair of ATI Blue + for it.

Is this going to give me the results I'm searching for or should I opt for another combination or type of bulbs?

thanks in advance!!!

Allen

 

[BigAl2007]

On another note LOVE the Avatar I couldn't agree more bro! KUDOS to you