The T5 Q&a Thread

[jc-reef]

A visible actinic pop and keeping it around 12k? That is going to be tough with only 4 bulbs IMO.

The best 4 bulb combo I have seen is 2 ATI Blue Plus, 1 KZ Fiji Purple and 1 ATI Aquablue.

I am really interested in changing out one of my Blue Plus for a KZ Superblue just to see if there really is a difference.

rtparty -

Do you or anyone else know what the PAR for the new KZ Super Blue is?? I just took out my UVL super actinic used along with a blue+ for dusk/dawn (6 bulb set up) and stuck in another blue+ for the additional PAR.

There has been quite a bit of buzz on this bulb and curious before I take the plunge if it more 'sizzle' or more 'steak'...:hmm2:

 

[The Grim Reefer]

question i have a standard 110..dimensions are 60x24x18 something like that....i am currently running 2 marineland fixtures each holding 4 bulbs...
i have never replaced the bulbs on the tank been about 6 months now and i am not sure of how long they were in there before i bought them., but i am ready to change
questions is what lights do i need...all i can tell is that each fixtures has 2 blue bulbs and two white ones but not sure what bulbs to buy, if this makes any sense? HELP

I would do 5 ATI Blue Plus, 2 UVL Actinic White and a GE 6500K Daylight. Just place them how makes sense, GE around the center with an Actinic White front and rear of center with a Blue separating them from the GE.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I've been having lots of problems with algae and I think it's related to the length of time I'm running the lights. I have the following set-up:

Front
ATI Blue Plus - IC 430
Fiji Purple - IC 660
ATI Blue Plus - IC 660
Actinic White - IC 660
GE - IC 660
ATI Blue Plus - IC 430

Could you please tell me how long I should be running each of the sets of lights. I've been running the IC 430 with just the two ATI Blue pluses in the morning and at sunset. Running all 6 lights in the middle of the day. If someone could recommend a schedule I would appreciate it.
Thanks,
Dennis

Unless the lamps are old they aren't going the cause algae and even then they will just make it grow a little better than normal.

I'd run the dusk/dawn for about 10 hours and the others 4 to 8 hours.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

well i let the combo you advised me to put run for a few hours and i have to say Grim you know your stuff. Im going to keep it like you said the tank looks absolutely amazing right now! Thank you so much . I have 1 more question and ill leave you be lol. Since My old bulbs that i just replaced were alittle over a year old should i put a shorter light period for a few days cause the par is higher as well? Thanks Again im very pleased!!

Maybe cut down on the daylight time by a few hours for a few weeks.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Looking for a 4 lamp config. that will give PAR for SPS with visible actinic and an overall say true 12-13K look.(crisp white with a nice hint of blue)

DUDE! How goes it in pinko land :wavehand:

Try 2 ATI Blue Plus and a ATI Aquablue with a KZ Fiji Purple which will kick up some red. If you've never ran a lamp like that you'll be amazed at the colors it will bring out.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

rtparty -

Do you or anyone else know what the PAR for the new KZ Super Blue is?? I just took out my UVL super actinic used along with a blue+ for dusk/dawn (6 bulb set up) and stuck in another blue+ for the additional PAR.

There has been quite a bit of buzz on this bulb and curious before I take the plunge if it more 'sizzle' or more 'steak'...:hmm2:

KZ's original Koral Light seemed to be the exact same lamp ATI calls a Blue Plus. I wouldn't be surprised if the Blue is the same as a Blue Plus seeing as how both brands are manufactured by Sylvania.

 

[jc-reef]

KZ's original Koral Light seemed to be the exact same lamp ATI calls a Blue Plus. I wouldn't be surprised if the Blue is the same as a Blue Plus seeing as how both brands are manufactured by Sylvania.

Grim, take a look at this thread...whats your thoughts?

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1838276

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Grim, take a look at this thread...whats your thoughts?

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1838276

He says the Blues pop better than the ATI Blue Plus yet further down in the thread he mentions his previous lamps were Aquascience 22K's before the KZ's so....... He also claims the Koral Light was shown to have the highest PAR. Haven't seen or heard about those tests but mine showed it equal with a Aquablue. I aint saying he's full of it, just seemed like a commercial for KZ but I guess someone looking at this thread could say the same about ATI,

Honestly it's all subjective other than PAR. You really have to compare new lamps to new lamps so it's something that is going to be spendy to test. I just dropped about a grand on the stuff to build my LED system so it's going to have to be someone besides me doing it.

 

[jc-reef]

He says the Blues pop better than the ATI Blue Plus yet further down in the thread he mentions his previous lamps were Aquascience 22K's before the KZ's so....... He also claims the Koral Light was shown to have the highest PAR. Haven't seen or heard about those tests but mine showed it equal with a Aquablue. I aint saying he's full of it, just seemed like a commercial for KZ but I guess someone looking at this thread could say the same about ATI,

Honestly it's all subjective other than PAR. You really have to compare new lamps to new lamps so it's something that is going to be spendy to test. I just dropped about a grand on the stuff to build my LED system so it's going to have to be someone besides me doing it.

Yes I read that too, I am more curious on the new bulb recently added to the market by KZ the Super Blue bulb. I have read alot of buzz on this new bulb as being actually brighter (metalic vs deep blue) then the comparable bulbs. I was just wondering if you, since you are the guru..:lol2: or anyone else you may know of, has any data on this particular new KZ Super Blue bulb.

 

[jfoxx81]

For an 8 bulb setup I would try 5 ATI Blue Plus, 1 ATI Aquablue and 2 KZ Fiji Purple. Also buy an extra Aquablue in case the above combo is too blue.

Change out the bulbs one or two at a time over the course of a few days. That should keep you from shocking your corals with all the new light.

thanks...how should i install the lights cause it two fixtures that carry 4 bulbs....

 

[Buganddoug]

Grim and to every one who help me I would like to thank you for your help,
I have on Order is ATI 60" 6x80w SunPower fixture. I did not want to go very blue looking.
So here is the bulbs I am getting with my fixture.
Bulb Order
front
ATI Blue Plus
KZ Fiji Purple
ATI Blue Plus
GE 6500K Daylight
ATI 12000K Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus
Rear

Dose this order sound Good?

 

[hazmat319]

I need help with my Solar Flare again. I can't seem to keep ANY kind of soft coral without them bleaching and they are all sitting on the sand bed.
75 gallon tank.
Lights:
ATI Aquablue
IC Deepwater (dusk/dawn)
IC Twilight
Geismann Aquablue
IC Twilight
IC twilight

These bulbs are supposed to have lower PAR than the ATI counterparts. I also had the fixture on the leg brackets and now have it suspended about 10 inches over the water. The company says all I'm doing is lighting the room but I want my corals to have some color!!
All params are perfect and water quality is no issue either.
I'm a bit frustrated. Even considering selling the fixture for something a little less intense. Advice? Someone said change the bulbs to UV actinic and 2 GE 6500K. Will that help?

 

[1sirjustis]

where can i get these kz bulbs, and i thought that in a reef envirement the light cycle should be 12 on 12 off? has this changed? and why? also on a 90 with 6 t5s what would be an idea set up front to back. i seem to like what i hear about kz bulbs. have yall used the fiji pink?

 

[Buganddoug]

You can get the KZ at
http://www.coralcovereefexotics.com/kozuk.html
http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5_Fluorescent/Bulbs/
http://premiumaquatics.com/store/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=PA&Category_Code=Korallen-zucht

 

[1sirjustis]

thank you buganddoug. could you or someone answer my question about the lighting schedule i should have. i have always heard 12 on 12 off

 

[Buganddoug]

I have my lights on for about 10hrs a day.
Antics come on 1hr before the rest come on and Antics 1hr after the main lighting goes off.
I hope this helps.

 

[dastratt]

I think it is 3 and 8 on that fixture but am not 100% sure.

I don't understand why ATI couldn't do three stage lighting on the 8 and 10 bulb fixtures. Makes absolutely no sense to me.

However I would try this combo (shot in that dark as I have never played around with a 10 bulb combo)

ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue
UVL 75/25
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus
KZ Fiji Purple
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus

That combo looks good to me on paper. Might want to try the GE in place of an Aquablue just to see what you think.

Thanks Ryan I agree it is too bad to not have 3 stage lighting I'm leaning towards putting in the GE in P5 at least that was my original idea, I think
I saw this mix or similar about, er 50 pages ago or so :twitch:

 

[1sirjustis]

so is there 14 hrs of darkness? or are the actinics on for 12 and ALL on for 10?

 

[Buganddoug]

The actinics are on for 12hrs and all the rest for 10hrs

 

[1sirjustis]

ol thats what i got. on the previous page a bunch of people said there lights were on for 10 hours only. thanks for your input