The T5 Q&a Thread - split

[akitareefer]

Originally Posted by TropTrea

Here are some estimated Plots of the spectrum with several 8 bulb combo's. The combo with a GE is bluer than a 10K but not as blue as 15K. In your case I would run 3 Blue plus and 1 purple for the dawn to dusk than pull the rest in on the mid day cycle.

Wow, thank you so much. Just ordered a few extra bulb to try some of these schemes out.

[Michigan Mike]

Originally Posted by akitareefer

I'm setting up a 8 bulb t5 fixture and trying to plan out which combination to use. I'd like to keep the first grouping of 4 actinic blue and purple and the other grouping of 4 between 10-15k. I don't want my lighting super blue except for dawn and dusk. I also don't want to lose any colors such as the yellow or reds. I plan on using ATI, Giesemann or a mixture of them both. Any thoughts or ideas would be appreciated. I'm making the big switch from MH

5 total blue bulbs - ATI blue plus/GMAN actinic plus
1 GE6500
2 purple or 1 purple & 1 coral plus if you want higher PAR.

Do you have a 8 bulb TEK, is that why its 4 dawn/dusk & 4 more on another switch?

[akitareefer]

Originally Posted by Michigan Mike

5 total blue bulbs - ATI blue plus/GMAN actinic plus
1 GE6500
2 purple or 1 purple & 1 coral plus if you want higher PAR.

Do you have a 8 bulb TEK, is that why its 4 dawn/dusk & 4 more on another switch?

Yes the 4 bulbs are on separate switches. The purpose is not only for a dawn dusk but also so I can easily take pictures under a more white/realistic setting. I'm not concerned too much with par since the tanks are so shallow.

[Mr_N1ce]

Hi everyone

the standard recommendation for 6 ATI bulbs is
1. Blue Plus
2. Aquablue Special
3. Purple Plus
4. Blue Plus
5. Aquablue Special
6. Blue Plus

Its been some time since I used T5 so I wanted to check if anyone has this combination and can show me a picture for reference or suggest an improvement. Was also considerung adding an actinic but wasnt sure where I could put that

[Michigan Mike]

Originally Posted by Mr_N1ce

Hi everyone

the standard recommendation for 6 ATI bulbs is
1. Blue Plus
2. Aquablue Special
3. Purple Plus
4. Blue Plus
5. Aquablue Special
6. Blue Plus

Its been some time since I used T5 so I wanted to check if anyone has this combination and can show me a picture for reference or suggest an improvement. Was also considerung adding an actinic but wasnt sure where I could put that

If you like a whiter look than its fine, a couple pages back there are some pics but I didn't use any aquablue bulbs, not as popular as it once was since the coral plus came out.

[Mr_N1ce]

My favourite look is a color about 14K so somewhere in between blue and white.
Edit:
The coral+ seems like a great mixture. Is there any reason not to use it as the only color? Apart from the fact that it is a little bit more expensive?

[stancfii]

Originally Posted by Mr_N1ce

My favourite look is a color about 14K so somewhere in between blue and white.
Edit:
The coral+ seems like a great mixture. Is there any reason not to use it as the only color? Apart from the fact that it is a little bit more expensive?

I'm wondering the same thing. I just bought a 2x39w retro kit from reef geeks to supplement my LEDs on my 40br. I bought 2 coral+, a true actinic, and a blue+. I'm going to try different pairings to see which one looks best to me, I'll try to post results soon.

I have seen a few user reviews of the coral+ that say that it the only bulb they use in a 4-6bulb fixture, but every person sees things differently. Might work well for you, but not someone else.

[Michigan Mike]

Originally Posted by Mr_N1ce

My favourite look is a color about 14K so somewhere in between blue and white.
Edit:
The coral+ seems like a great mixture. Is there any reason not to use it as the only color? Apart from the fact that it is a little bit more expensive?

Your above combo is probably pretty close to 14k. Maybe try a coral plus or 2 I stead of aquablue special.

You can try 3 blue plus,1 purple plus,1 ge6500 & 1 coral plus also should be close.

[Mr_N1ce]

Thx.I might give that a try. 3 blue,1 purple, 1aqua blue, 1 coral plus

[Michigan Mike]

Originally Posted by stancfii

I have seen a few user reviews of the coral+ that say that it the only bulb they use in a 4-6bulb fixture, but every person sees things differently. Might work well for you, but not someone else.

When I use 1 blue & 1 purple it doesn't look anywhere like using 2 blue & 2 purple, the more bulbs the better the color is seen by the eye.

[jermahin]

I switched last year from a 100 gal (21" high)tank to a 150 gal (27" high)(viewable from all sides) and went from a no-name 4x80W T5 fixture to an 6x80W ATI Sunpower. Since then I've had to place most of the LPS and Soft corals on the bottom of the tank, and even the RBTA's have moved to the bottom and have never fully extended.

I'm thinking of staggering my lights as described below to still get the dusk to dawn affect and continue to use all 6 lamps, since I have been experimenting with a few SPS frags lately

Here is the scenario I plan to set up with my Apex controller, see if you see any holes.

From 10:00AM to 12:00PM:

#1 - (Blue Plus) OFF
#2 - (Actinic) ON
#3 - (Coral Plus) OFF
#4 - (Actinic) OFF
#5 - (Blue Plus) ON
#6 - (Blue Plus) OFF

From 12:00pm to 2:00PM:

#1 - (Blue Plus) ON
#2 - (Actinic) OFF
#3 - (Coral Plus) ON
#4 - (Actinic) ON
#5 - (Blue Plus) OFF
#6 - (Blue Plus) ON

From 2:00PM to 6:00 PM:

#1 - (Blue Plus) ON
#2 - (Actinic) ON
#3 - (Coral Plus) ON
#4 - (Actinic) ON
#5 - (Blue Plus) ON
#6 - (Blue Plus) ON

From 6:00PM to 8:00PM:

#1 - (Blue Plus) ON
#2 - (Actinic) OFF
#3 - (Coral Plus) ON
#4 - (Actinic) ON
#5 - (Blue Plus) OFF
#6 - (Blue Plus) ON

From 8:00PM to 10PM:

#1 - (Blue Plus) OFF
#2 - (Actinic) ON
#3 - (Coral Plus) OFF
#4 - (Actinic) OFF
#5 - (Blue Plus) ON
#6 - (Blue Plus) OFF

Any insight or personal experiences would be greatly appreciated.

[TropTrea]

Originally Posted by Mr_N1ce

My favourite look is a color about 14K so somewhere in between blue and white.
Edit:
The coral+ seems like a great mixture. Is there any reason not to use it as the only color? Apart from the fact that it is a little bit more expensive?

Actualy when ATI designed the bulb they were looking for a stand alone bulb. Most people were using a combo of Blue Plus, Purple Plus and Aqua Bluie Special so they basicly put the three together in a ration that they thought most people would like.

When personal preference comes int play you can have a tank with all Coral Plus bulbs and some people will think it is too blue, and others think it is not blue enough. Yes you can combine just Coral Plus with Blue Plus or Atinic bulbs with no problem in order to match your viewing preference. But I don;lt believe you would like it with just Atinics regardless of your color taste.

[TropTrea]

[QUOTE=jermahin;21458545]I switched last year from a 100 gal (21" high)tank to a 150 gal (27" high)(viewable from all sides) and went from a no-name 4x80W T5 fixture to an 6x80W ATI Sunpower. Since then I've had to place most of the LPS and Soft corals on the bottom of the tank, and even the RBTA's have moved to the bottom and have never fully extended.

I'm thinking of staggering my lights as described below to still get the dusk to dawn affect and continue to use all 6 lamps, since I have been experimenting with a few SPS frags lately

Here is the scenario I plan to set up with my Apex controller, see if you see any holes.

I do not see any major issues with it however for color prefernece I would personaly want 2 Coral Plus bulbs. The other thing is why are you turning off bulbs rather than just adding more to increase the total lighting? Yes it will work as your slightly shifting the spectrum but would it not be simpler to go the route like

pre dawn + blue plus + Atinic
Dawn +Atinic + Coral Plus
Midday + Blue Plus + Coral Plus
Dusk - Blue Plus - Coral Plus
Post Dusk - Atinic - Coral Plus
Night - blue plus - Atinic

Another idea as long as your using 2 Atinic whuy not use them on the predawn and post dusk phase alone? It would be close to my 454 LED's at predawn and Post Dusk with maximium Florescense.

[Howebomber]

Hi guys. I am looking for a few recommendations on a 6 bulb combo using all ATI bulbs. I am looking for something not too white or too blue. Guessing 14kish? I have 4 B+, 2c+, 2AB, a ge 6500 and a purple plus to play with. Please suggest what order to put them in front to back.

I am mostly looking for best color growth is secondary.
Thanks,

Howebomber.

[jermahin]

I do not see any major issues with it however for color prefernece I would personaly want 2 Coral Plus bulbs. The other thing is why are you turning off bulbs rather than just adding more to increase the total lighting? Yes it will work as your slightly shifting the spectrum but would it not be simpler to go the route like

pre dawn + blue plus + Atinic
Dawn +Atinic + Coral Plus
Midday + Blue Plus + Coral Plus
Dusk - Blue Plus - Coral Plus
Post Dusk - Atinic - Coral Plus
Night - blue plus - Atinic

Another idea as long as your using 2 Atinic whuy not use them on the predawn and post dusk phase alone? It would be close to my 454 LED's at predawn and Post Dusk with maximium Florescense.[/QUOTE]



The fixture only has the two ballasts. It wouldn't be possible to stagger them that way. I wish I could do it like that.

Since I have to switch from one ballast to the other from pre-dawn to dawn. Unless I went to three or more actinics. I would lose them when I switched from two to four.

[Michigan Mike]

Originally Posted by Howebomber

Hi guys. I am looking for a few recommendations on a 6 bulb combo using all ATI bulbs. I am looking for something not too white or too blue. Guessing 14kish? I have 4 B+, 2c+, 2AB, a ge 6500 and a purple plus to play with. Please suggest what order to put them in front to back.

I am mostly looking for best color growth is secondary.
Thanks,

Howebomber.

Try
Back
Blue
Blue
Ge6500 (whitest) aquablue(middle) coral (for more blue)
Blue
Purple
Blue
Front

Start with something like this & see what you might change. The majority of this arrangement makes it pretty easy to change out one or two bulbs and get a desired color.

[Howebomber]

If I switch the position of the aqua blue and purple plus will that make the tank look "brighter".

[TropTrea]

Originally Posted by jermahin

I do not see any major issues with it however for color prefernece I would personaly want 2 Coral Plus bulbs. The other thing is why are you turning off bulbs rather than just adding more to increase the total lighting? Yes it will work as your slightly shifting the spectrum but would it not be simpler to go the route like

pre dawn + blue plus + Atinic
Dawn +Atinic + Coral Plus
Midday + Blue Plus + Coral Plus
Dusk - Blue Plus - Coral Plus
Post Dusk - Atinic - Coral Plus
Night - blue plus - Atinic

Another idea as long as your using 2 Atinic whuy not use them on the predawn and post dusk phase alone? It would be close to my 454 LED's at predawn and Post Dusk with maximium Florescense.

The fixture only has the two ballasts. It wouldn't be possible to stagger them that way. I wish I could do it like that.

Since I have to switch from one ballast to the other from pre-dawn to dawn. Unless I went to three or more actinics. I would lose them when I switched from two to four.[/QUOTE]

Yes I see your point with only two ballasts. Considering you have only two Ballasts then I would simply go with two phases to the lighting. the two bulbs for the dawn to dusk and the other 4 for mid day.

On my 120 gallon I using the 3 phase however I'm doing it fairly differently. I have an 8 bulb fixture that I custom rewired for 2 bulbs on one circuit and 6 bulbs on the other circuit. Dawn to dusk I'm using 2 ATI blue Plus, and for midday I add 1 GE 6,500K, 2 Purple Plus, and 3 more Blue Plus. For my Predawn to Post Dusk I'm using roughly 28 watts of all blue spectrum LED's. Actually 2 near UV's(430nm), 4 True Blues (460nm) and 6 Royal Blues. The effect is simular to running straight Atinics only the florescense pops even more so, and the reflective light is very minimal.

[TropTrea]

Originally Posted by Howebomber

If I switch the position of the aqua blue and purple plus will that make the tank look "brighter".

That will depend a lot on the landscaping of the tank and the lighting fixture. Moving the aquablue up one may help but moving it to far forward would start giving a negative effect. But what would help a lot more is using a GE 65,000 instead of a an Aquablue to brighten things up.

A while back I was running 2 Aqua Blues, 2 Purple Plus, and 2 Blue Plus and thought it looked too cyan colored. Compared to another tank with 1 GE, 2 Purple Plus and 3 Blue plus the tank with the ingle GE looked much brighter.

[Howebomber]

Ok. I will try b+ p+ b+ ge b+ b+.
I have a retro fit kit insides a 15in canopy. Lights sit about 11 in above water level. Nothing really is in front of tank as 150 of rock and corals sit in back 75% off tank.

[Michigan Mike]

What I've found is placing the "bright" low kelvin lights like the GE bulb away from an area that has high rock work below it. Or it being too close to the rocks.
I used to place it near the back because my rock wall is closer the the lights near the rear & my SPS coral benefits from the higher lighting but it would make a too large of color difference in my tank.
I hope tht came out right & it makes sense, haha.

[jdraider75]

I am looking to buy an 8 bulb sunpower for my 48x24x24 sps dominate tank. I have a nova extreme now and have all sps in upper half. Witb a sunpower can I grow sps in sand or does it still need to be upper half. I am looking to rescape my tank wit less rock and not have a big rock wall.

[Michigan Mike]

Originally Posted by jdraider75

I am looking to buy an 8 bulb sunpower for my 48x24x24 sps dominate tank. I have a nova extreme now and have all sps in upper half. Witb a sunpower can I grow sps in sand or does it still need to be upper half. I am looking to rescape my tank wit less rock and not have a big rock wall.

You can grow on the sand if you keep your light fairly close to the water.

It will be a lot better than that nova pro.

[jdraider75]

Originally Posted by Michigan Mike

You can grow on the sand if you keep your light fairly close to the water.

It will be a lot better than that nova pro.

How close you think like 4 inches. The reason I ask I have been debating on goin led or buyn a sunpower. I probably wil have sps a good 6 inches up and 2 inch sandbed so sounds like should be ok.

[Michigan Mike]

Originally Posted by akitareefer

Wow, thank you so much. Just ordered a few extra bulb to try some of these schemes out.

Originally Posted by jdraider75

How close you think like 4 inches. The reason I ask I have been debating on goin led or buyn a sunpower. I probably wil have sps a good 6 inches up and 2 inch sandbed so sounds like should be ok.

You should be fine like that.