The T5 Q&a Thread
- Thread starter JohnL
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I'll take pics when i get home. I have an ATI Aqualblue right next to the Coral Wave, so I'll post a pic of the bulb array for comparison. The coral wave is definitely not white like the Aquablue... I think it could be a completely different species of bulb than the beloved Fiji.
Now I've never owned a 420 actinic T5, but the Coral Wave looks brighter than the 420 PC bulbs I used to love. It's funny how the spectral irradiance charts look, because I agree with you that it looks like the Reef Wave puts up better numbers. Who knows. Those graphs are janky at best.
Now I've never owned a 420 actinic T5, but the Coral Wave looks brighter than the 420 PC bulbs I used to love. It's funny how the spectral irradiance charts look, because I agree with you that it looks like the Reef Wave puts up better numbers. Who knows. Those graphs are janky at best.
Mavrk
New member
I was thinking of the actinic, but I am afraid the PAR will not be enough to keep clams in the substrate. Maybe I am wrong.
I think I will leave the open brain in the 90. I don't think it would be happy in the 40B. I don't know what clams I will have yet, but I would like that to be my main focus in lighting choice. Secondary thoughts to lighting color would be for my RBTA.
I wonder if I need something to bring out yellow. I imagine the 4 Blue+, ATI Pro Purple, and Aquablue Special should take care of all the colors, but I've heard good things about the GE 6500.
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
I wonder...... Does that coral wave lamp look sorta lavender or mauve colored tint? could be a rebadged UVL 75/25. To look at the lamp they are pretty neutral colored but they pop reds pretty well. As far as what looks good it really depends what other lamps you are using. I like lots of Blue Plus because they promote really good growth. To bring up the other colors you need a more harsh colored lamp. If you have like 2 blues and an aquablue the 75/25 looks sweet but they have really crappy PAR so I don't tend to recomend them.
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
Personal taste. Order the GE too so you have a spare then swap it and the Aquablue and see what you think.
Mavrk
New member
Sounds like a good idea. Does the GE bring out more yellow than the Aquablue?
Also, would the splash guard on a Tek Elite hinder the PAR enough that it shouldn't be used? The problem I see not using it is the reflectors will need to be cleaned or you lose PAR that way. What do you recommend?
Grim I've seen the 75/25 in person. It looks whiteish with a mauve tint. This isn't like that at all... at least I don't think. Maybe it's a 85/15, if there's such a thing. This thing is REALLY purple but not whiteish. It's not very bright, but the color dominates the Blue Plus I have it paired with on my 4 bulb fixture (when I switch on actinics only).
Flavordsm
New member
Grim, I've read through a handful of posts. I think I know what I need to get but I really just need some reassurance before I drop my current fixture for a t5.
I have a 75g tank and I jumped on the bandwagon and did a 48 led cree cw/rb build (ugh).. my colors are pretty washed out now. It's been on the tank since January and I finally have enough saved up (poor college student) for a nice tek 6 bulb fixture. I am putting LEDs on hold for the time being until a better combo of LEDs are pointed out for better coloration/growth. I have 60% sps, 35% lps and 5% softies. I also have a maxima clam on a rock ~6" from the sand bottom.
I really like a strong blue 20k European probiotic look. I was thinking a 6 Bulb tek fixture will get my by? As far as bulb setup I will be doing:
--Front--
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Actinic White
ATI Blue Plus
GE 6500K Daylight
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Blue Plus
--Back--
Does everything sound in order?
Thank you for your time. :beer:
I have a 75g tank and I jumped on the bandwagon and did a 48 led cree cw/rb build (ugh).. my colors are pretty washed out now. It's been on the tank since January and I finally have enough saved up (poor college student) for a nice tek 6 bulb fixture. I am putting LEDs on hold for the time being until a better combo of LEDs are pointed out for better coloration/growth. I have 60% sps, 35% lps and 5% softies. I also have a maxima clam on a rock ~6" from the sand bottom.
I really like a strong blue 20k European probiotic look. I was thinking a 6 Bulb tek fixture will get my by? As far as bulb setup I will be doing:
--Front--
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Actinic White
ATI Blue Plus
GE 6500K Daylight
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Blue Plus
--Back--
Does everything sound in order?
Thank you for your time. :beer:
I have a 120G tank w/ a canopy. I plan on doing t5. I was looking at using a ATI Powermodule 6 bulb fixture. However, I see that most people suggest doing a retro for canopies.
Can I get away with a fixture in a canopy or should I definatly go with a retro kit (if so which one)? I was kinda hoping to not have to do all that wiring and what not, but if its a big difference then I guess I have no choice!
Can I get away with a fixture in a canopy or should I definatly go with a retro kit (if so which one)? I was kinda hoping to not have to do all that wiring and what not, but if its a big difference then I guess I have no choice!
jeremyreef
Member
The fixture should be fine if it is properly cooled
jeremyreef
Member
I would suggest running some fans. Maybe Grim or rt can chime in on the best placement or other info.
I did this exact mix and switched the aquablue and ge back and forth and thought the ge was a little too yellow for my taste. But like Grim said, it's just personal preference.
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
More yellow, yes.
IME removing the splash shield on any actively cooled T5 fixture hurts the output. Fixtures with no fans overheat with a splash shield.
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
Sounds like an actinic thats doped then with some red. Growth accelerator huh. LOL Doesn't sound like a bad idea but I'd personally stick with the better PAR lamps. Always nice to have other options though. Sounds like that could be a sweet supplimental lamp for a halide system.
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
48 LED's is a lttle light for a 75 BUT, adding in some warm whites would probably solve your problem. Popping like 6 of those in there with no optics spread out should help.
For your T5 idea I think I'd swap the GE for a Aquablue if you want a more 20K look but either will work.
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
The issue is the ATI pulls air in from the top and out one end. If you have holes in the top so it can draw in fresh air and exhaust it out the end. Another idea would be going with a 36" fixture which eliminates the issue of the exhaust but you still need the holes in top for the fresh air. You also should use 8 lamps whatever you decide to do.
Ice Cap does make a pre wired retro but it's gonna be costly. If you go that route you'll need to add a couple cooling fans blowing in from the back of the canopy so the air runs down the rows of endcaps on each side.
Flavordsm
New member
Thanks.. Ya eventually I am going to go back to LEDs but I want to wait a little while I figure I'll have this 75g for the rest of my college career and probably after until I'm on my feet a little more then I'll go back to LEDs.
Just for clarification, by aquablue did you mean; ATI Aquablue Special, Giesemann 11000K Aquablue Plus, or UV 75/25 14000K AquaBlue?
I figure I'll get both GE and Aquablue and see which one I like more.. Then I have to run it by my lady friend she is the one who likes the crazy blue 20k :spin3:
Thanks again man
jeremyreef
Member
Ati aquablue
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