The T5 Q&a Thread

[snow flake]

i have 2 250 mh with ushio 20k bulbs! what t5 bulb would work best with these lights? i have a 4x 54 t5 retro

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Thanks for the super fast reply. If I don't want to spend $160 on the LEDs just yet, any other suggestions? Like get two more T5 holders and use 2 more T5? if so what colors?
Is the configuration ok as well or should I move the dusk dawns from the back to more int he middle?
Thanks a TON...

If you already have NO T12's just grab a couple actinics if they are still available. You don't need any more PAR running 4 T5's overdriven assuming you have good reflectors.

 

[M88A2]

I have a 6 bulb light fixture that has the front and back lamp on 1 timer and the middle 4 on another. My bulbs are as follows
3 ATI Blue+
1 ULV SuperActinic
1 ATU Aquablue Special
1 Fiji Purp
My question is, how would you guys set up the bulbs for dusk/dawn phase?

 

[yz250motoxrider]

so im going to get a 6bulb 60inch sunpower fixture. What bulbs should i get? im looking for a 12000k to 14000k combined color. what order should they be in front to back?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

i have 2 250 mh with ushio 20k bulbs! what t5 bulb would work best with these lights? i have a 4x 54 t5 retro

I'd do 3 ATI Blue Plus and 1 Purple Plus unless you want to brighten things up some, then I'd use a Aquablue in place of a blue plus.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

i have a 6 bulb light fixture that has the front and back lamp on 1 timer and the middle 4 on another. My bulbs are as follows
3 ati blue+
1 ulv superactinic
1 atu aquablue special
1 fiji purp
my question is, how would you guys set up the bulbs for dusk/dawn phase?

sa
bp
fp
ab
bp
bp

 

[The Grim Reefer]

so im going to get a 6bulb 60inch sunpower fixture. What bulbs should i get? im looking for a 12000k to 14000k combined color. what order should they be in front to back?

Blue Plus
Purple Plus
Blue Plus
GE 6500K
Blue Plus
Blue Plus

If you don't like the purple plus in the duskdawn slot just swap positions with the blue plus behind it.

 

[snow flake]

I'd do 3 ATI Blue Plus and 1 Purple Plus unless you want to brighten things up some, then I'd use a Aquablue in place of a blue plus.

Yea im looking for the more blue light output! i was thinking X2 ATI blue+ X1 ATI True Actinic 03 and X1 ATI purple+? but never seen what they would look like! Ill take your suggestions and do it right the first time!

 

[yz250motoxrider]

Blue Plus
Purple Plus
Blue Plus
GE 6500K
Blue Plus
Blue Plus

If you don't like the purple plus in the duskdawn slot just swap positions with the blue plus behind it.

Is this combo good for a FOWLR im looking for a combo that will really make the fishes colors stand out. Sorry should have mentioned that in my first post.

anyway thanks for fast reply.

 

[jwmaynard]

Light Fixture for a 90 gallon

Light Fixture for a 90 gallon

First let me say how blown away I am by this thread... it's amazing, I can't believe how helpful you guys are, wow!

I was hoping someone could help me with a light fixture suggestion, I'm new to the game, have had a Bio-Cube for the last year and I've got the bug.

I've recently purchased a 90 Gallon Aquarium 48 x 18 x 24, I plan to have mostly LPS and softies but would like to have the option to add hard coral later if desired.

I would like to be able to control the dawn/dusk/moonlight cycle via separate power cords and timers. I haven't decided on 6-8 bulbs... any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Yea im looking for the more blue light output! i was thinking X2 ATI blue+ X1 ATI True Actinic 03 and X1 ATI purple+? but never seen what they would look like! Ill take your suggestions and do it right the first time!

If you want more blue stick to the Blue Plus rather than the actinic unless you can do 2 lamps on at a time, the actinic will give you a little more eerie look with just 2 lamps running but with 4 you wont really see much of a difference.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Is this combo good for a FOWLR im looking for a combo that will really make the fishes colors stand out. Sorry should have mentioned that in my first post.

anyway thanks for fast reply.

It will be blue but still hit all the colors well. If you want a more sunny look swap out a Blue Plus for an Aquablue.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

First let me say how blown away I am by this thread... it's amazing, I can't believe how helpful you guys are, wow!

I was hoping someone could help me with a light fixture suggestion, I'm new to the game, have had a Bio-Cube for the last year and I've got the bug.

I've recently purchased a 90 Gallon Aquarium 48 x 18 x 24, I plan to have mostly LPS and softies but would like to have the option to add hard coral later if desired.

I would like to be able to control the dawn/dusk/moonlight cycle via separate power cords and timers. I haven't decided on 6-8 bulbs... any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

6x54 ATI Sunpower would be good but no moonlights. If you just gotta have them get an Aquaticlife fixture the same size. You'll need to keep SPS up more towards the top but it will get the job done.

 

[jwmaynard]

6x54 ATI Sunpower would be good but no moonlights. If you just gotta have them get an Aquaticlife fixture the same size. You'll need to keep SPS up more towards the top but it will get the job done.

Awesome thanks! I'll take your advice on the ATI, I can always ad moonlights. Thanks again, super fast response bro!!!

 

[snow flake]

If you want more blue stick to the Blue Plus rather than the actinic unless you can do 2 lamps on at a time, the actinic will give you a little more eerie look with just 2 lamps running but with 4 you wont really see much of a difference.

Ok sweet thanks for the info

 

[E-A-G-L-E-S]

What spectrums am I missing or lacking in?
front to back(6)
--Blue +
--Purple Plus
--Blue +
--AB Special
--Blue +
--Blue +

Another question, which lamp has the most power around 450nm? My royal blue Cree's were that color and they made some nice pop!

 

[TropTrea]

What spectrums am I missing or lacking in?
front to back(6)
--Blue +
--Purple Plus
--Blue +
--AB Special
--Blue +
--Blue +

Another question, which lamp has the most power around 450nm? My royal blue Cree's were that color and they made some nice pop!

From what I see in your list you seem to have the spectrum covered nicely.
the Blue + are centered around 450 nm , the Purple Plus hit the 450 nm range as well as the Red. And your Aqua Blue Special again hits the 450nm range as well as adds a little green and "yellow".

Comparing them though to the LEDS that are 450 nm with the eye does not mean your lacking anything. The LED's are much more narrow spectrum lights. The Cree Royal Blue does not emit any light under 400 nm, produces 50% of it max at 440 nm its peak frequency is 454 nm then by 465 nm it is already at 50% of its peak again going to zero at about 525 nm. So I would say the pop yur missing is not because your missing a frequency but because the other frequencies your getting from the mixture ot T-5's are washing out the 454 nm peak.

What you could do is switch out the purple plus or the Aqua Blue Special for a something like a Geisman Atinic plus which is strong in the 420 to 450 nm range without the added longer wave lenghts. However this would also lower your PAR for you which would result in much slower coral growth.

For looks I like the idea of a combination of pure Atinics or Atinic plus bulbs mixed with the Blue Plus for making the corals realy pop. However the added frequencies are needed mid day growth. So I usualy set my timers so I have longer evening period with only the Dawn to Dusk lights on which is when I more frequently vier the tank. Yet during the day when Im not always around the full mid day lights are on as well.

 

[rtparty]

From what I see in your list you seem to have the spectrum covered nicely.
the Blue + are centered around 450 nm , the Purple Plus hit the 450 nm range as well as the Red. And your Aqua Blue Special again hits the 450nm range as well as adds a little green and "yellow".

Comparing them though to the LEDS that are 450 nm with the eye does not mean your lacking anything. The LED's are much more narrow spectrum lights. The Cree Royal Blue does not emit any light under 400 nm, produces 50% of it max at 440 nm its peak frequency is 454 nm then by 465 nm it is already at 50% of its peak again going to zero at about 525 nm. So I would say the pop yur missing is not because your missing a frequency but because the other frequencies your getting from the mixture ot T-5's are washing out the 454 nm peak.

What you could do is switch out the purple plus or the Aqua Blue Special for a something like a Geisman Atinic plus which is strong in the 420 to 450 nm range without the added longer wave lenghts. However this would also lower your PAR for you which would result in much slower coral growth.

For looks I like the idea of a combination of pure Atinics or Atinic plus bulbs mixed with the Blue Plus for making the corals realy pop. However the added frequencies are needed mid day growth. So I usualy set my timers so I have longer evening period with only the Dawn to Dusk lights on which is when I more frequently vier the tank. Yet during the day when Im not always around the full mid day lights are on as well.

The Gmann Actinic Plus and ATI Blue Plus are identical. I've put many actinic plus and blue plus bulbs side by side and you can't tell the two apart.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

What spectrums am I missing or lacking in?
front to back(6)
--Blue +
--Purple Plus
--Blue +
--AB Special
--Blue +
--Blue +

Another question, which lamp has the most power around 450nm? My royal blue Cree's were that color and they made some nice pop!

What colors do you think you are missing in your tank?

 

[RL321]

You need 4 more lamps if you want SPS anywhere but a 10" strip below the lamps

I was under the impression that a ati 6x24 would be plenty for a 24x24x17 tank? My tank is 4 weeks into the cycle and about to purchase the 6x24, do i need to consider the 8x24? I plan on a mixed reef.