The T5 Q&a Thread - split

[Michigan Mike]

Originally Posted by brandon0350

Icecap reflectors

if I overdrive with a 660 I will add fans. right now im just using advance ballast for 4 bulbs

max will be 6" off water

You have great reflectors, if you cool the bulbs you will have a good high PAR unit with longer lasting bulbs, overdriving with the 660 could work well if you only use 2 bulbs but there isn't a good reason to do it when you should be able to buy a workhorse ballast for 2-24w t5ho bulb for $20.

I don't overdrive bulbs but if I did it would be full spectrum T5HO or actinic T12 VHO bulbs.

I'd start with 4 T5 HO bulbs and go from there maybe adding a workhorse ballast for 2 more 24" t5ho bulbs.

[arbee]

I have the old Constellation 72" 14 bulb light . Anything new in bulbs out there? Getting ready to replace bulbs. Mostly SPS.
Also, what to put in each socket and switch and lighting times would be great. (I had that noted on my old computer that crashed)
Thanks,

[reef_of_flames]

Originally Posted by rtparty

I'd use one blue plus and one coral plus

I'm guessing ATI brand since that's what everyone is recommending?

[Michigan Mike]

Originally Posted by reef_of_flames

I'm guessing ATI brand since that's what everyone is recommending?

Or KZ Super Blue & Giesseman Actinic Plus for a blue plus substitute.

The KZ New Generation is close to a coral plus with not as much red spectrum.

[Michigan Mike]

Originally Posted by arbee

I have the old Constellation 72" 14 bulb light . Anything new in bulbs out there? Getting ready to replace bulbs. Mostly SPS.
Also, what to put in each socket and switch and lighting times would be great. (I had that noted on my old computer that crashed)
Thanks,

What color do you want your tank? White, in between, or blue?

[arbee]

Originally Posted by Michigan Mike

What color do you want your tank? White, in between, or blue?

I prefer a more blue look but do need the growth since it is mostly SPS.

[Stylo328]

Originally Posted by Michigan Mike

Try this, its close to XM 20k, Phoenix 14k. You can swap the second from rear blue plus for an actinic or place the purple plus as the second to the rear bulb & put an Actinic as the second from the front slot. Like above.
The purple closer to the rear gives a deeper purple undertone but closer to the front makes it a litte more pink.
Try it different ways if you want it I think the actinic will give you a closer to halide look.

So, for the 8 x 54w ATI over the 60x30x24, I decided to go with (4) blue+, (2) purple +, and (2) coral +. Will also be adding one 48" actinic reefbrite for the front, and possibly a second for the rear, down the line. What do you guys think of this combo?

[rtparty]

Originally Posted by Stylo328

So, for the 8 x 54w ATI over the 60x30x24, I decided to go with (4) blue+, (2) purple +, and (2) coral +. Will also be adding one 48" actinic reefbrite for the front, and possibly a second for the rear, down the line. What do you guys think of this combo?

I think it will be a little pink/purple overall. The coral plus has a nice red spike in it to warm things up. I don't think I'd want 4 of my 8 bulbs with that much red in them.

[Stylo328]

Originally Posted by rtparty

I think it will be a little pink/purple overall. The coral plus has a nice red spike in it to warm things up. I don't think I'd want 4 of my 8 bulbs with that much red in them.

What would you suggest instead? Considering the blue reefbrite?

[rtparty]

Originally Posted by Stylo328

What would you suggest instead? Considering the blue reefbrite?

Blue and red make purple. I'd do something like 4 blue and 4 coral plus. Grab a purple to play with as well.

[Stylo328]

Originally Posted by rtparty

Blue and red make purple. I'd do something like 4 blue and 4 coral plus. Grab a purple to play with as well.

How about (5) blue +, (2) coral +, and (1) purple + ?

Would I loose anything by not including a purple plus? Thanks for your patience and willingness to help.

[Michigan Mike]

Originally Posted by Stylo328

How about (5) blue +, (2) coral +, and (1) purple + ?

Would I loose anything by not including a purple plus? Thanks for your patience and willingness to help.

Give it a try, the only way to know is to see it & adjust it if needed, I think its going to be fine but I like blue/purple obviously . You will lose a little brightness/whiteness/purple without a purple bulb, I would get one in the mix so you can see it yourself but advise buying an extra bulb (or 2)just in case.
A lot of people like 4 blue, 2 coral & 2 purple. People use 2 blue,1 coral & 1 purple in 4 bulb combos all the time & love it. Factor in the blue LEDs, I think its fine but everyone likes what they like.
We are here to help! I'm sure Ryan & Dennis would agree.

[Stylo328]

Originally Posted by Michigan Mike

Give it a try, the only way to know is to see it & adjust it if needed, I think its going to be fine but I like blue/purple obviously . You will lose a little brightness/whiteness/purple without a purple bulb, I would get one in the mix so you can see it yourself but advise buying an extra bulb (or 2)just in case.
A lot of people like 4 blue, 2 coral & 2 purple. People use 2 blue,1 coral & 1 purple in 4 bulb combos all the time & love it. Factor in the blue LEDs, I think its fine but everyone likes what they like.
We are here to help! I'm sure Ryan & Dennis would agree.

Thanks. Have continued to read EVERYWHERE. What do you think of this combo? Last one, promise. Lol

FRONT TO BACK
BLUE+
BLUE+
CORAL+
BLUE+
AQUABLUE SPECIAL
BLUE+
PURPLE+
BLUE+

Thanks again,

[tekjunkie28]

I have a standard 75 gallon tank. Id like to keep softies amd LPS mainly. Maybe 3 max if Sps. Should I keep my 48" t5ho aquaticlife fixture or get MH?
My next option would be kessil led or if u van recommend another led fixture.
If you recommend keeping my t5ho what lights should I get for colors and growth?

Sent from my SCH-I605

[rtparty]

Originally Posted by tekjunkie28

I have a standard 75 gallon tank. Id like to keep softies amd LPS mainly. Maybe 3 max if Sps. Should I keep my 48" t5ho aquaticlife fixture or get MH?
My next option would be kessil led or if u van recommend another led fixture.
If you recommend keeping my t5ho what lights should I get for colors and growth?

Sent from my SCH-I605

How many bulbs? Your current fixture should be fine with good bulbs.

[rtparty]

Just an update from my previous post with the blue plus vs superblue.

After the last week of burning in the superblue it is totally clear that the superblue is a deeper blue bulb. You can see the difference pretty easily now. I much prefer the superblue look compared to the blue plus but running a combo may not be a terrible idea.

When the time comes for me to replace bulbs, I will be using the superblue instead of blue plus. (Unless the superblue drastically changes in the next 6 months or so.)

[tegee]

Originally Posted by rtparty

Just an update from my previous post with the blue plus vs superblue.

After the last week of burning in the superblue it is totally clear that the superblue is a deeper blue bulb. You can see the difference pretty easily now. I much prefer the superblue look compared to the blue plus but running a combo may not be a terrible idea.

When the time comes for me to replace bulbs, I will be using the superblue instead of blue plus. (Unless the superblue drastically changes in the next 6 months or so.)

Thanks for the update Ryan.........

[tekjunkie28]

Originally Posted by rtparty

How many bulbs? Your current fixture should be fine with good bulbs.

Its a 6 bulb fixture currently running 4 bulbs and A very dim purple, all by wave point.

Sent from my SCH-I605

[Michigan Mike]

Originally Posted by tekjunkie28

Its a 6 bulb fixture currently running 4 bulbs and A very dim purple, all by wave point.

Sent from my SCH-I605

Switch to ATI,KZ,or GIESSEMAN bulbs.

[tekjunkie28]

Oh I am. Just don't know which ones

Sent from my SCH-I605

[Michigan Mike]

Originally Posted by Stylo328

Thanks. Have continued to read EVERYWHERE. What do you think of this combo? Last one, promise. Lol

FRONT TO BACK
BLUE+
BLUE+
CORAL+
BLUE+
AQUABLUE SPECIAL
BLUE+
PURPLE+
BLUE+

Thanks again,

Good starting place, a bit more white than the other combos but you gotta start somewhere.

[Michigan Mike]

Originally Posted by arbee

I prefer a more blue look but do need the growth since it is mostly SPS.

How does the 7 bulb have its channels setup?

I'd do 4 coral plus & 3 blue plus/super blue on each side of the fixture. For less blue add a aquablue special instead of a coral plus.

[Michigan Mike]

Originally Posted by tekjunkie28

Oh I am. Just don't know which ones

Sent from my SCH-I605

3 coral plus 3 blue plus/super blue
Maybe buy a purple bulb if you want a little more purple & white or another coral plus if you want a lighter blue look.

Do you like purple bulbs?

[phenom5]

Any of you T5 masters have a 6 bulb combo that is a good approximation of a Radium being driven by an electronic ballast?

That's what I'm looking for. I've been debating going for MH/ T5 setup, but I don't know that I can stomach the heat or the $200/ year bulb costs.

And I'm thinking about replacing my current fixture. I've grown out all of my colonies with a 6x54 Nova Extreme Pro...color is good, but I think I can do better. So I'm debating either a 6x54 ATI Sunpower or a 6x54 LET retro. Thoughts?

Would it be crazy to put the ATI in an open top canopy? The wife isn't crazy about a hanging fixture.

[TropTrea]

Originally Posted by Stylo328

How about (5) blue +, (2) coral +, and (1) purple + ?

Would I loose anything by not including a purple plus? Thanks for your patience and willingness to help.

Think about it this way
Blue Plus = 4 parts Blue
Coral Plus = 2 parts blue 1 part green 1 part red
Aqua Blue Special = 2 parts blue 2 parts green
Purple Plus = 2 parts blue 2 parts red

Your combo =
26 parts blue 2 parts green 4 parts red

Remove the 2 parts of white that is equal all the colors and you have 24 parts blue to 2 parts red. Most people like to see a balance between green and red so that only blue is dominant. Others like to see a little spike in the green over the red for a slight blue cyan tint.

You will get a slight blueish purple tint in a color that some may still consider as a blue but others consider purple. Your reds and blues will be brighter from the reflective colors but your greens will be darker.

Remember color taste is something that everyone has there own preferences to. We can guide you tword what we think the most people will like but cannot guarantee it will make everyone happy. And even at that our guidences are influenced by our personal preferences.