The T5 Q&a Thread

[Shawnts106]

That should be slightly blue. You could try 2 blueplus, a GE and a UVL Superactinic. It will be a bit blue but the color should pop.

just to get things right, the Blueplus is made by Geisman? or G something???


Should I worry about Photoacclimation?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Actinic plus is the gueisemann lamp but yes, same thing.

 

[hahnmeister]

Here, I made a photo & listing of 'every T5 bulb worth a spit'...makes a good tool in case you get confused. Im not too impressed with the UVL actinics really.

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=174247&papass=&sort=1&thecat=500

From L to R:
G-man aquablue/11,000K
UVL superactinic
G-man true actinic
G-man blue+
UVL 12000K Actinic White
GE 6500K

 

[horkn]

look at all the pretty colors

 

[davejnz]

That UVL Actinic white sure looks alot like the VHO version of it.Hahn,is that a spec T5HO ballast fireing those bulbs?

 

[snaza]

do the 20k Blue plus help with coral growth of just give a nice blue colour? trying to decide whether i should get 2xblue plus or 2x11k in my 4x54 setup

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7580919#post7580919 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by hahnmeister
Here, I made a photo & listing of 'every T5 bulb worth a spit'...makes a good tool in case you get confused. Im not too impressed with the UVL actinics really.

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=174247&papass=&sort=1&thecat=500

From L to R:
G-man aquablue/11,000K
UVL superactinic
G-man true actinic
G-man blue+
UVL 12000K Actinic White
GE 6500K

Have you tried different pairings of the blue lamps to see which looks better? I like the combination of Actinic Plus and Pure Actinic. If running the Actinic plus with the UVL super actinic looks equal it would at least save a few bucks over running the Pure Actinic.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

dreaded double post

 

[Shawnts106]

Wupp, just when I thought I wasnt confused anymore! errrr


I would think the Giesmann Blue+ would make corals POP the best?

What are the NM on the Blue+ isnt it 420-460? what about PAR on that bulb?


I think that 2 Blue+ a GE65 and a UVL(URI) 12K actinic white would be the best color... what do you guys think...

Im trying to figure out what I want to do with my lighting.

 

[sjm817]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7580919#post7580919 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by hahnmeister
Here, I made a photo & listing of 'every T5 bulb worth a spit'...makes a good tool in case you get confused. Im not too impressed with the UVL actinics really.

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=174247&papass=&sort=1&thecat=500

From L to R:
G-man aquablue/11,000K
UVL superactinic
G-man true actinic
G-man blue+
UVL 12000K Actinic White
GE 6500K

Good effort, but trying to get a pic that depicts actual colors is extremely difficult. White balance for one is almost impossible to get right. for instance, the GE should be more yellow, the SA less purple, the AB, more white. The Blue+ looks very close to my eyes anyway.

 

[Shawnts106]

I think that 2 Blue+ a GE65 and a UVL(URI) 12K actinic white would be the best color... what do you guys think...

Does Champion Lighting carry Geismann bulbs?

They have the T5 endcaps and Standoffs, but doesnt say if its a pair or just 1 endcap and 1 standoff...

 

[davejnz]

I've since decided to switch my T5 bulbs to this(G.E.,UVL-SA,UVL-actinicwhite,and blue+).
Here's a pic of my old 40gal canopy where i was useing 2x39w T5's and 2x95w-VHO's off an IC660 ballast(G.E,SA,AW,blue+).This has been my favorite overall color combination of lamps i've tried so far.

 

[R33f3r]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7583645#post7583645 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sjm817
Good effort, but trying to get a pic that depicts actual colors is extremely difficult. White balance for one is almost impossible to get right. for instance, the GE should be more yellow, the SA less purple, the AB, more white. The Blue+ looks very close to my eyes anyway.

That is cool

 

[davejnz]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7583598#post7583598 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Shawnts106
Wupp, just when I thought I wasnt confused anymore! errrr


I would think the Giesmann Blue+ would make corals POP the best?

What are the NM on the Blue+ isnt it 420-460? what about PAR on that bulb?


I think that 2 Blue+ a GE65 and a UVL(URI) 12K actinic white would be the best color... what do you guys think...

Im trying to figure out what I want to do with my lighting.

The Giesseman actinicblue+ peaks at 435nm and 450nm,here's the spectral analsyis of that bulb.

 

[PrangeWay]

Color

Color

What color would be generated by the combination of...

B+
GE
AB
GE
AB
SA

Danke,
PW

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Fairly white. You might want to move an aquablue in front of the first ge.

 

[flameangel88]

Seems like a lot of people are going with T5s nowaday but can someone give me a quick run down of pros and cons of T5 vs Compact Flor?

I am in need of of adding one more light to the new setup and haven't decided on add'l CF (130W) or T5 HO (108W) and any suggestions is greatly appreciated and the current system is consist of the following:

75G tank standard 48" tank
CF 4x65W of 12k and actinic 03
120lbs LR & 150lbs LS
Will be adding some easy to care for corals & shrooms & a BTA (or Carpet) for the Maroon Clownfish

TIA!

 

[Shawnts106]

easy choice, T5...

They use less energy, are ALOT brighter than PC and Last alot longer...

a T5 bulb ran on a HO ballast lasts 2 YEARS!!! Vs PC only lasting 6 months 8 months at best....


T5s have alot more light that is usable for Corals than PC

Someone did a PAR reading on PC one day and found that they produce as much light as what would would get on a very stormy day out in the sea...




PC's are a thing of the past, ditch them... get some 5's!
Youll be much happier from what Ive seen!

 

[hahnmeister]

T5s actually compete with halides in output...PCs...well...they compete with tungsten bulbs as curly-Q replacements for around the house.

 

[HowardW]

Has anyone ever done tests on the D&D T5 bulbs using just a single reflector for all the bulbs vs. PC's? I'm wondering if they would be much better watt for watt without the individual reflectors even using the best T5 bulbs?