Supplemental T5s

jimrawr · 06/17/2011, 12:12 PM

I am changing my bulb over from a 400w Radium 20k to a 400w Ushio 14k in hopes of better colors and growth. The Ushio 14k is a little to yellow for me so I want to supplement the light with T5 actinics but the ones I have right now arent very bright for some reason.

Currently I have a Reeflux 14k bulb that I wasnt using so I plugged that one into my fixture, and its pretty yellow. When I turn on my t5's there is hardly and change at all and the color is still yellow. You really cant notice a change in the color if the T5s are on of off.

Here is what I have for actinics

Its in a 92g corner tank I have the reflectors and bulbs screwed into the side of the canopy.

What could I do to get more power out of my actincs and actually effect the color of my tank while the MH is on?

rtparty · 06/17/2011, 01:42 PM

Get rid of the actinic bulbs. Try using some ATI Blue Plus bulbs instead.

I also question the GLO ballast. I highly doubt it is running the bulbs to their spec wattage.

Are you cooling the T5's? That will have a big impact on how much light they put out as well.

jimrawr · 06/17/2011, 02:01 PM

Ok actually I misspoke, they are Geissemen blue bulbs, not the actinic purples. I dont cool the T5's

rtparty · 06/17/2011, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimrawr

Ok actually I misspoke, they are Geissemen blue bulbs, not the actinic purples. I dont cool the T5's

2 T5's are gonna have a rough time being seen through 400w MH. Any way you can add 2 more? That or change MH bulbs IMO.

I would get some fans in there to cool the T5's. I know you don't need the PAR but the heat is killing their output and bulb life.

ilmigliore · 06/17/2011, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rtparty

2 T5's are gonna have a rough time being seen through 400w MH. Any way you can add 2 more? That or change MH bulbs IMO.

I would get some fans in there to cool the T5's. I know you don't need the PAR but the heat is killing their output and bulb life.

+1 - good advice there.

jimrawr · 06/17/2011, 02:35 PM

Yeah I could add more but I dont want to do it unless I know for sure that they will help change the color of the tank to be slightly more blue. I could buy another ballast which runes 4 bulbs and then have 6 total.

rtparty · 06/17/2011, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimrawr

Yeah I could add more but I dont want to do it unless I know for sure that they will help change the color of the tank to be slightly more blue. I could buy another ballast which runes 4 bulbs and then have 6 total.

See if someone local has a 2 bulb retro kit you can borrow really quick.

I can't guarantee that adding 2 more bulbs will help but I bet it does.

06/17/2011, 12:12 PM	#1
jimrawr Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Palm Beach County, FL Posts: 1,887	Supplemental T5s I am changing my bulb over from a 400w Radium 20k to a 400w Ushio 14k in hopes of better colors and growth. The Ushio 14k is a little to yellow for me so I want to supplement the light with T5 actinics but the ones I have right now arent very bright for some reason. Currently I have a Reeflux 14k bulb that I wasnt using so I plugged that one into my fixture, and its pretty yellow. When I turn on my t5's there is hardly and change at all and the color is still yellow. You really cant notice a change in the color if the T5s are on of off. Here is what I have for actinics Its in a 92g corner tank I have the reflectors and bulbs screwed into the side of the canopy. What could I do to get more power out of my actincs and actually effect the color of my tank while the MH is on? __________________ Tank Info: 75g, 40g Sump, AquaMaxx Skimmer, Two Tunze 6095, ATI 8x52", Bubble Magus Dosing Pump, Apex Controller, Tunze ATO.

06/17/2011, 01:42 PM	#2
rtparty Raise The Reef! Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Utah Posts: 7,404	Get rid of the actinic bulbs. Try using some ATI Blue Plus bulbs instead. I also question the GLO ballast. I highly doubt it is running the bulbs to their spec wattage. Are you cooling the T5's? That will have a big impact on how much light they put out as well. __________________ Ryan Click on my user name and check out my homepage! Current Tank Info: 50g Cadlights/Giesemann Spectra (250w Radium, 2 ATI Blue Plus, 2 ATI Actinic)/2 x Vortech MP10wQD/Skimz SN123/Eheim Compact 3000+

06/17/2011, 02:01 PM	#3
jimrawr Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Palm Beach County, FL Posts: 1,887	Ok actually I misspoke, they are Geissemen blue bulbs, not the actinic purples. I dont cool the T5's __________________ Tank Info: 75g, 40g Sump, AquaMaxx Skimmer, Two Tunze 6095, ATI 8x52", Bubble Magus Dosing Pump, Apex Controller, Tunze ATO.

06/17/2011, 02:35 PM	#6
jimrawr Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Palm Beach County, FL Posts: 1,887	Yeah I could add more but I dont want to do it unless I know for sure that they will help change the color of the tank to be slightly more blue. I could buy another ballast which runes 4 bulbs and then have 6 total. __________________ Tank Info: 75g, 40g Sump, AquaMaxx Skimmer, Two Tunze 6095, ATI 8x52", Bubble Magus Dosing Pump, Apex Controller, Tunze ATO.

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