The T5 Q&a Thread

[flamron]

Welcome back Grim!

Well, hopefully the IC bulb will perform better since I'm overdriving it.

Thanks,

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Welcome back Grim!

Well, hopefully the IC bulb will perform better since I'm overdriving it.

Thanks,

Hasn't been the experience of a local overdriving them, hope yours does better.

 

[Felixc395]

You are using an ATI fixture with good, brand name bulbs. You will have to shade some SPS to begin with so you don't fry them.

Thanks again. Seems like ATI is pretty powerful. Would a tek or tek elite six bulb work for sps everywhere in my 75 gallon? Is there a huge difference between the Tek six bulb and the ATI in terms of PAR?

 

[dan223]

So far the best mix on my 6x54 sunpower fixture is from
rear to front
B+
Act white
aqua blue special
B+
Act white
B+
It is very nice color well balanced and not too blue, I want to try to get the color just a touch more blue but if I swap a B+ to super act the color shifts to purpleish, If I swap any other single bulb to a B+ it is too blue. Switching just one bulb really shifts the color. I should leave well enough alone but always want to get it just a touch better:lmao: any ideas? I have extra bulbs laying around like 75/25, B+, super act, GE65,blue spec.
I cant imagine only having 4 bulbs to mix, 8 would be great and really let you dial a color in.

 

[dan223]

Also how do the KZ bulbs compare, anything worth paying more for? Is the PAR as good as ati?

 

[rtparty]

Thanks again. Seems like ATI is pretty powerful. Would a tek or tek elite six bulb work for sps everywhere in my 75 gallon? Is there a huge difference between the Tek six bulb and the ATI in terms of PAR?

Stick with the ATI. The Tek's are about 20-25% behind the ATI stuff. The Tek's also don't penetrate as well as ATI's do.

 

[rtparty]

So far the best mix on my 6x54 sunpower fixture is from
rear to front
B+
Act white
aqua blue special
B+
Act white
B+
It is very nice color well balanced and not too blue, I want to try to get the color just a touch more blue but if I swap a B+ to super act the color shifts to purpleish, If I swap any other single bulb to a B+ it is too blue. Switching just one bulb really shifts the color. I should leave well enough alone but always want to get it just a touch better:lmao: any ideas? I have extra bulbs laying around like 75/25, B+, super act, GE65,blue spec.
I cant imagine only having 4 bulbs to mix, 8 would be great and really let you dial a color in.

Change the Aquablue to a KZ New Generation. Could even try the 75/25 in place of the Aquablue.

 

[Felixc395]

Stick with the ATI. The Tek's are about 20-25% behind the ATI stuff. The Tek's also don't penetrate as well as ATI's do.

Thanks. Just wanted to make sure and I'll definitely go with the ATI after hearing how much more efficient it is.

 

[SquidHC]

Make that over 7k posts! Any help with my question would be rad!

Hello,

Sorry if this question has been addressed, but seeing as there is over 6k posts on this thread, I figured I'd be much better off just asking.

I have a 24x14x12" tank, with a water depth of about 10.5". I have a 4x24w T5 fixture, with a single reflector. I am seeking suggestions as to a bulb combo which would promote growth, as it is a brand new system. I really dislike the 20k look, but am willing to do what I need.

Thanks in advance.

 

[bawla47]

has anyone done tests on dif par readings for the differant ballasts available?

probably piecing together a retro system, and deciding which ballast would be best( price/efficiency) i dont want to overdrive them.

 

[mikedege]

Quick question. On my new tank build (48x24x22) I will have a Sunpower 6x39. How high would you recommend hanging it over the water? This will be 70% SPS top and midddle / 30% LPS on sides and bottom.

here are my planned bulb placements.

front:
Ati Blue Plus
KZ Fiji Purple
KZ Super Blue
GE Daylight
ATI Blue Plus
KZ Super Blue
back:

Oh, And how many hours would you recommend to run them?

Thanks alot,
-Mike:thumbsup:

 

[duastina]

does anyone know about the Icecap reef illuminations 4 T5, 4 LED strips fixture? how does it compare to the ATI?

 

[duastina]

What makes the ATI so much better?

 

[jbrown11352]

I would get the fans working on the ATI fixture and use it along with the Tek Elite. With the tank being 30 inches front to back, you need a lot of bulbs for coverage.

Might need to buy a few new bulbs to play with.

I can't use both the ATI and Elite so I'll go with the ATI and the cheapies. If I go that route how should I position them and which bulbs should I use front to back?

 

[PGUY1]

Hey, I have been reading endlessly through this thread, lots of good info here. Thanks Grim for sharing your expertise.

I have a question related to GFCI outlets... I'm ordering the ATI Powermodule and was wondering if there are any issues using them with these circuits? Since it is an electronic ballast (not quite sure how all this stuff works), I've heard they run into problems with nuisance breaking?? Can anyone chime in?

Also, ATI is coming out with a new powermodule with a dimming feature. It's a manual dimmer, so not sure how useful it will be when I get my lights on an automatic timer. Would you guys recommend the old model or is the dimming feature worth it?

Thanks!

Dan

T5 ballasts have leakage voltage that will trip a GFCI. I don't think there is a way around it. I definitely wouldn't have critical equipment on that circuit. I run my lights on a standard outlet and everything else on a GFCI.(legal note...I am not an electrician)

 

[PGUY1]

Grim...Over a year ago, toward the beginning of this thread i requested help on a 6 bulb set up. You advised 4 ATI blue+, a UVL actinic white, and either a GE 6500 or ATI aquablue. Thanks, and I have been very happy with my setup, but lately i see you replacing the actinic white with a KZ fiji purple. Why for? Just curious. thanks, Phil.

Grim? You there?

 

[Felixc395]

Hi again! How would this bulb combo be in terms of Kelvin and PAR in an ATI sunpower 54 watt over a 75 gallon sps dominated?

ATI blue plus
KZ coral light
ATI blue plus
KZ new gen
ATI blue plus
ATI blue plus

 

[Dunky019]

T5 ballasts have leakage voltage that will trip a GFCI. I don't think there is a way around it. I definitely wouldn't have critical equipment on that circuit. I run my lights on a standard outlet and everything else on a GFCI.(legal note...I am not an electrician)

Would it make a difference if I installed a high current GFCI?

 

[dan223]

T5 ballasts have leakage voltage that will trip a GFCI. .(legal note...I am not an electrician)

Mine doent, I run my sunpower very close to the water and it does cause a bit of inductance into the water, but if the tank is not grounded so there is no fault it, is only potential, thats my understanding as a non sparky.

 

[gonpostal]

Grim? You there?

Maybe I can help.
I have a 4 bulb fixture, and I've tried both bulbs. IMO, the purple color from the Actinic White is too harsh, while the purple from the KZ bulb is more subdued. The difference might not be as pronounced on your 6 bulb setup though. Also, I believe the KZ bulb puts out a little more PAR. I'm now using the Fiji Purple. HTH.