The T5 Q&a Thread
- Thread starter JohnL
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Thanks again rtparty,
That sounds to be exactly what I'm looking for! As far as the stunner bulbs though, I realize I won't get much PAR. I was just looking to have my lights on for 10+ hrs/day. But I think that it is overextending the T-5's, now I have to replace them after a year, instead of a year & a half. Also, I live in Phoenix. Not only is it adding extra heat, but using extra energy during the day along with my A/C. I figure I might cool down my tank a bit and save on the electric bill a tad, while also avoiding having to replace them more often.
Anyways, thanks a bunch! I'm excited to see how these lights will look.
That sounds to be exactly what I'm looking for! As far as the stunner bulbs though, I realize I won't get much PAR. I was just looking to have my lights on for 10+ hrs/day. But I think that it is overextending the T-5's, now I have to replace them after a year, instead of a year & a half. Also, I live in Phoenix. Not only is it adding extra heat, but using extra energy during the day along with my A/C. I figure I might cool down my tank a bit and save on the electric bill a tad, while also avoiding having to replace them more often.
Anyways, thanks a bunch! I'm excited to see how these lights will look.
Toadally
New member
Do you suggest raising the fixture or cutting the time down or both? Thanks!
pweissma
Member
From Current's website they replaced their two T5s -- the 10,000K and the blue actinic -- with 3 new bulbs. These are 12,000K Power White, 460NM Actinic Blue, and 420NM Actinic Purple. The actinic blue may be unchanged. For those of us with a 20" NEP this is good news given that the first round of the 18" UVL bulbs were made a bit short.
While it may be too soon to expect that anyone has experience with these bulbs, I'm hoping to get a configuration suggestion for the 6 bulbs in the NEP, assuming current's info about these bulbs is correct. I need to keep up the PAR output while getting a bit more blue than the original 3 actinic/3 white configuration.
Thanks
While it may be too soon to expect that anyone has experience with these bulbs, I'm hoping to get a configuration suggestion for the 6 bulbs in the NEP, assuming current's info about these bulbs is correct. I need to keep up the PAR output while getting a bit more blue than the original 3 actinic/3 white configuration.
Thanks
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rtparty
Raise The Reef!
To be honest, you should be replacing your bulbs every 12-14 months regardless. Unless you run them for like 4 hours a day. It has more to do with cooling then how long they run IMO.
Hi Ryan. Did you ever do that "review" of the KZ NG bulbs? From what I can see from the posts, they are bluer than an Aquablue bulb. Just as a point of reference, on a 6 bulb setup, would 3x NG and 3x B+ be as blue as 2x AB and 4x B+? Any info would be good to see. Pics if possible as well. 
Thnx
Thnx
rtparty
Raise The Reef!
A 4 bulb Sunpower will allow you to keep clams on the sand.
I like to have the bulbs on when I am home most to enjoy the tank. I have 2 bulbs come on for 1.5 hours then all 4 are on for 6 hours and then leave the original two for another 1.5 hours.
For example:
2 bulbs on at 10 AM
All 4 bulbs on at 11:30 AM
2 bulbs off at 5:30 PM
Other 2 bulbs off at 7 PM
The first two that turn on are dusk/dawn bulbs. I use an ATI Blue Plus and Fiji Purple. Some people use actinics and others use 2 Blue bulbs.
rtparty
Raise The Reef!
GE makes two bulbs and the colors are 6500k and 3000k.
Replace the one Actinic White with another Blue Plus. Your above combo will be pretty purple.
rtparty
Raise The Reef!
Both. I would try and keep the fixture about 10 inches off the water and cut the time down to like 6 hours. Only run all bulbs for like 3 of those hours. Every week increase the time by one hour if the corals show no signs of stress.
You can also lower it very slowly if you wish. It will take some time to acclimate the tank to T5 lighting. One thing to remember is that T5 lighting is not point source like MH. Every angle of the coral starts to get hit with light so they have to adjust to that.
rtparty
Raise The Reef!
Hi Ryan. Did you ever do that "review" of the KZ NG bulbs? From what I can see from the posts, they are bluer than an Aquablue bulb. Just as a point of reference, on a 6 bulb setup, would 3x NG and 3x B+ be as blue as 2x AB and 4x B+? Any info would be good to see. Pics if possible as well.
Thnx
No I haven't gotten them yet! The guy I ordered them from locally is giving me the run around right now. Blaming it on Reefgeek but I know how good Reefgeek is and it is him screwing around.
You will be one of the first to know when I get the bulbs in.
Doc's_reef09
New member
okay so here is my question. i have a 40 Breeder and i am going to trying out a penninsula style tank.
6 bulb Tek 6x39
i want to know what combo i should use
also i want to have a good mix of lps,sps, and a zoo's
6 bulb Tek 6x39
i want to know what combo i should use
also i want to have a good mix of lps,sps, and a zoo's
I'm about to switch from 250W MH to an 8 bulb tek fixture - how high do I start out and length of photoperiod?
Four bulbs will be overdriven by an icecap 660, and the other four will run off of an accustart ballast.
Center four bulbs OD, outer four will be NO.
Thanks,
Four bulbs will be overdriven by an icecap 660, and the other four will run off of an accustart ballast.
Center four bulbs OD, outer four will be NO.
Thanks,
rtparty
Raise The Reef!
I would try something like
ATI Blue Plus
KZ Fiji Purple
KZ New Generation
Kz New Generation
KZ Fiji Purple
ATI Blue Plus
Peninsulas can be hard because you want even light spread on both sides.
rtparty
Raise The Reef!
8 or 9 inches and I would cut photo period down to like 6 hours and just see how things do.
I hope you have some big fans to keep those middle 4 bulbs cooled.
Grim/Ryan
I am having a 144G half circle tank from oceanic with euro brace on top - L 57.5 x W 29 x H 29.
http://www.oceanicsystems.com/products/half-circle.php#
I am thinking of moving from 2x250W SE Radium 20K (Galaxy/Lumatek ballasts) and 2x96W actinic to ATI powermodule 36" 8x39W that will fit right into the middle of the half circle. My tank has a mix of everything (softy, zoas, LPS, clams, and some sps). I don't like the look of the MH set up too much since the color doesn't pop.
Any suggestions/comments on the ATI fixture and what bulbs/configurations that will be best for this tank?
Thanks in advance.
KR
I am having a 144G half circle tank from oceanic with euro brace on top - L 57.5 x W 29 x H 29.
http://www.oceanicsystems.com/products/half-circle.php#
I am thinking of moving from 2x250W SE Radium 20K (Galaxy/Lumatek ballasts) and 2x96W actinic to ATI powermodule 36" 8x39W that will fit right into the middle of the half circle. My tank has a mix of everything (softy, zoas, LPS, clams, and some sps). I don't like the look of the MH set up too much since the color doesn't pop.
Any suggestions/comments on the ATI fixture and what bulbs/configurations that will be best for this tank?
Thanks in advance.
KR
Okay - thanks.
I'm going with at least one clip on fan from wally world. I've got plenty of room in my canopy. Can always add more if I need to.
Thnx
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