Lighting Help Needed

Waggs · 04/28/2012, 09:08 PM

I'm sorry for this question but I could use the help. I had a minor stroke last year and for some reason all the reading has left me more confused than enlightened. So I need to ask, I have a 102 gallon bow front tank. It measures 48" long x 18" wide and 24" deep. I have a T5HO, 6 tube fixture rated at 324 watts total. I need to replace the lights. I am in the process of rebuilding my reef display, which I lost while recovering. What is the suggested replacement lights and the order, front to back? I want to eventually get back to the point where I can have SPS in the upper back portion of the tank.

I saw the following suggestion and wondered what you thought.

Front to back:

ATI Blue +
ATI Blue +
ATI Fiji Purple
ATI Aqua Blue Special
ATI Blue +
ATI Blue +

Thanks so much for any help given.

Mel 2038 · 04/28/2012, 09:17 PM

It looks pretty good just keep in mind that all your white light will be coming from your center two bulbs. Although you can always change position rather easily. See what your corals like. Good Luck!

Waggs · 04/28/2012, 09:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mel 2038

It looks pretty good just keep in mind that all your white light will be coming from your center two bulbs. Although you can always change position rather easily. See what your corals like. Good Luck!

Thanks Mel, do you have any better suggestions? I'm open as long as it gets me to where I need to go. This is what came with the fixture and I'm thinking they are more for growing plants because ever since I put the new fixture on the tank I have a LOT of algae growth.

3 x 54W T5 HO 10,000K fluorescent lamps
3 x 54W T5 HO actinic blue lamps

tkeracer619 · 04/28/2012, 09:23 PM

Welcome back! Sorry to hear about your troubles and tank loss. That must be very difficult to go through.

Do not worry about asking questions here. This is what we are here for. Someone with more T5 experience will hopefully chime in and get you setup. I am more of a halide user.

Edit: I sent Grim a PM with a link to this thread. Hopefully he swings by.

TimeConsumer · 04/28/2012, 09:32 PM

I would skip the aquablue special and go with a ge 6500k to bring out the yellows. The aquablue special doesn't do much for color. This is a very blue 20k look. If you want more 14k replace one or two Blue Plus with a Coral Plus.

Blue+
Purple+
Blue+
Blue+
6500k
Blue+

That's how I'd arrange them.

Waggs · 04/28/2012, 09:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tkeracer619

Welcome back! Sorry to hear about your troubles and tank loss. That must be very difficult to go through.

Do not worry about asking questions here. This is what we are here for. Someone with more T5 experience will hopefully chime in and get you setup. I am more of a halide user.

Edit: I sent Grim a PM with a link to this thread. Hopefully he swings by.

Thanks for the kind words and it was difficult. My Drs. have run maybe $15,000.00 or $20,000.00 worth of tests and I think are keeping a close eye on me. For over a year all I could do is top off the tank when I felt like it.

I sure would like to get back to a nice veriety of corals and fish like I had before. I bought a new light fixture and it seems like the lights are set up for plant growth. LOL The algae is doing great since I decided to upgrade.

Waggs · 04/28/2012, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TimeConsumer

I would skip the aquablue special and go with a ge 6500k to bring out the yellows. The aquablue special doesn't do much for color. This is a very blue 20k look. If you want more 14k replace one or two Blue Plus with a Coral Plus.

Blue+
Purple+
Blue+
Blue+
6500k
Blue+

That's how I'd arrange them.

Thanks TC, are the ATIs ok? I'm shopping at Marine Depot. So if you can make suggestions as to brands they carry, I can get the order in. Also, will your suggested lights make the corals grow better? I'm These will make a great herb garden set of lights.

TimeConsumer · 04/28/2012, 09:51 PM

ATI is highly recommended.

Waggs · 04/28/2012, 09:57 PM

Ok I'm getting one of these: ATI 48 Inch 54W Purple Plus T5HO Fluorescent Bulb,
four of these: ATI 48 Inch 54W Blue Plus T5HO Fluorescent Bulb and I don't see an ATI 6500K tube.

TimeConsumer · 04/28/2012, 10:58 PM

GE makes the 6500k. There's also a Geisemann Midday, same exact thing.

Waggs · 04/28/2012, 11:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TimeConsumer

GE makes the 6500k. There's also a Geisemann Midday, same exact thing.

Found the Geisemann Midday and will be ordered for a Monday shipment. Thanks for all the help. I do think the lighting that came with the new fixture was set up more as a grow light than a marine/coral lighting system. I'll let you know how it looks when I get them and installed.

The Grim Reefer · 04/29/2012, 01:13 AM

What brand fixture do you have? If the lamps that came with it are new Use one of the 10K's in the mix you listed

Blue Plus
Purple Plus
Blue Plus
10K
Blue Plus
Blue Plus

Waggs · 04/29/2012, 01:20 AM

I bought it off eBay from a guy that I have had good luck with in the past with the MH light bulbs I got. It would save me about $23.00 for lights but then charge me through the nose for shipping. LOL I know that since I put the new light on, the algae is growing like wild fire and the parameters of the water is good.

Waggs · 04/29/2012, 01:41 AM

Well I ordered new lights but I was wondering, if I rearranged the lights I have would it make a difference? Right now they are arranged as follow, front to back"

actinic blue
10,000K
actinic blue
10,000K
actinic blue
10,000K

Maybe something like,

actinic blue
actinic blue
10,000K
10,000K
10,000K
actinic blue

The Grim Reefer · 04/29/2012, 07:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Waggs

Well I ordered new lights but I was wondering, if I rearranged the lights I have would it make a difference? Right now they are arranged as follow, front to back"

actinic blue
10,000K
actinic blue
10,000K
actinic blue
10,000K

Maybe something like,

actinic blue
actinic blue
10,000K
10,000K
10,000K
actinic blue

Leave it like it is. It could be the lamps are just junk. All things being equal lamps with a lot of infrared output will grow algae better than others but I find in most cases lights aren't to blame. If your tank is new algae is just part of the aging process. Just because your nitrates don't seem to be out of line doesn't mean they aren't. Remember all that algae is sucking them out of the water column as it's being produced. Make sure you have enough clean up crew.

As far as the ebay fixture assume you have about half the output as the good fixtures so keep that in mind. Limit SPS to the top of the rocks.

Waggs · 04/29/2012, 10:41 AM

I think it's the lamps as well. I think they are junk for an aquarium and will be replacing them as you mentioned above but I think I'll get the Giesemann Powerchrome 48 Inch 54W Midday T5HO Fluorescent Bulb to replace one of the 10K's that I have. All new lights should make all the difference in the world. I have read elsewhere that the fixture was great and the bulbs were junk.

I'll be getting the clean up crew tomorrow. Do you have any suggestions there?

04/28/2012, 09:08 PM	#1
Waggs Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Sacramento, CA USA Posts: 238	Lighting Help Needed I'm sorry for this question but I could use the help. I had a minor stroke last year and for some reason all the reading has left me more confused than enlightened. So I need to ask, I have a 102 gallon bow front tank. It measures 48" long x 18" wide and 24" deep. I have a T5HO, 6 tube fixture rated at 324 watts total. I need to replace the lights. I am in the process of rebuilding my reef display, which I lost while recovering. What is the suggested replacement lights and the order, front to back? I want to eventually get back to the point where I can have SPS in the upper back portion of the tank. I saw the following suggestion and wondered what you thought. Front to back: ATI Blue + ATI Blue + ATI Fiji Purple ATI Aqua Blue Special ATI Blue + ATI Blue + Thanks so much for any help given.

04/28/2012, 09:23 PM	#4
tkeracer619 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Westminster, CO Posts: 17,289	Welcome back! Sorry to hear about your troubles and tank loss. That must be very difficult to go through. Do not worry about asking questions here. This is what we are here for. Someone with more T5 experience will hopefully chime in and get you setup. I am more of a halide user. Edit: I sent Grim a PM with a link to this thread. Hopefully he swings by. __________________ Hobby Experience: 9200ish gallons, 26 skimmers, and a handful of Kent Scrapers. Current Tank: Vortech Powered 600G SPS Tank w/ 100gal frag tank & 100g Sump. RK2-RK10 Skimmer. ReefAngel. Radium 20k.

04/28/2012, 09:32 PM	#5
TimeConsumer Registered Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: New Orleans, La Posts: 1,919	I would skip the aquablue special and go with a ge 6500k to bring out the yellows. The aquablue special doesn't do much for color. This is a very blue 20k look. If you want more 14k replace one or two Blue Plus with a Coral Plus. Blue+ Purple+ Blue+ Blue+ 6500k Blue+ That's how I'd arrange them. __________________ Steve - Retired from reefing, for now.

04/28/2012, 09:51 PM	#8
TimeConsumer Registered Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: New Orleans, La Posts: 1,919	ATI is highly recommended. __________________ Steve - Retired from reefing, for now.

04/28/2012, 10:58 PM	#10
TimeConsumer Registered Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: New Orleans, La Posts: 1,919	GE makes the 6500k. There's also a Geisemann Midday, same exact thing. __________________ Steve - Retired from reefing, for now.

04/28/2012, 09:17 PM	#2
Mel 2038 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Bolingbrook,IL Posts: 172	It looks pretty good just keep in mind that all your white light will be coming from your center two bulbs. Although you can always change position rather easily. See what your corals like. Good Luck!

04/28/2012, 09:57 PM	#9
Waggs Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Sacramento, CA USA Posts: 238	Ok I'm getting one of these: ATI 48 Inch 54W Purple Plus T5HO Fluorescent Bulb, four of these: ATI 48 Inch 54W Blue Plus T5HO Fluorescent Bulb and I don't see an ATI 6500K tube.

04/29/2012, 01:13 AM	#12
The Grim Reefer Ready for some NOBALL!!! Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Kingman Az Posts: 25,259	What brand fixture do you have? If the lamps that came with it are new Use one of the 10K's in the mix you listed Blue Plus Purple Plus Blue Plus 10K Blue Plus Blue Plus __________________ America, the way it outta be! Current Tank Info: 120 Starphire with Illudium Q-288 Photon Regurgitator DIY LED lighting

04/29/2012, 01:20 AM	#13
Waggs Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Sacramento, CA USA Posts: 238	I bought it off eBay from a guy that I have had good luck with in the past with the MH light bulbs I got. It would save me about $23.00 for lights but then charge me through the nose for shipping. LOL I know that since I put the new light on, the algae is growing like wild fire and the parameters of the water is good.

04/29/2012, 01:41 AM	#14
Waggs Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Sacramento, CA USA Posts: 238	Well I ordered new lights but I was wondering, if I rearranged the lights I have would it make a difference? Right now they are arranged as follow, front to back" actinic blue 10,000K actinic blue 10,000K actinic blue 10,000K Maybe something like, actinic blue actinic blue 10,000K 10,000K 10,000K actinic blue

04/29/2012, 10:41 AM	#16
Waggs Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Sacramento, CA USA Posts: 238	I think it's the lamps as well. I think they are junk for an aquarium and will be replacing them as you mentioned above but I think I'll get the Giesemann Powerchrome 48 Inch 54W Midday T5HO Fluorescent Bulb to replace one of the 10K's that I have. All new lights should make all the difference in the world. I have read elsewhere that the fixture was great and the bulbs were junk. I'll be getting the clean up crew tomorrow. Do you have any suggestions there?