The T5 Q&a Thread - split - Page 153

A. Grandis · 08/29/2013, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Swip

How high should I hang a 6x24w Sunpower above a 13 inch deep tank for SPS?

Minimum would be about 8 inches normally, but you can adapt the corals and all to as much as you want without problems. You need to make sure water splashes won't reach the fixture.

Grandis.

A. Grandis · 08/29/2013, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nanook

BTW, thanks for answering

No problem!
There is a vast opportunity for T5 combinations, so to answer a question like that is really difficult.
I would suggest you to go to your LFS and take a look at those ATI Coral + and make sure you like them. They will give what your corals need, but you need to make sure you'll like the look.
KZ generation is another great "white" bulb.
Good luck!

Grandis.

Xartni · 08/29/2013, 11:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A. Grandis

Yeah, there is no bulb just like the UVL 75-25.
The UVL Actinic White is a little similar, I would think.
The KZ New generation is a great bulb.
Also the ATI Coral Plus is great!!! I personally prefer the KZ new gen.

I would try this first:

Front
Blue Plus
KZ New Generation
Blue Plus
Aquablue Special
Rear

Hope you can find the solution.

Grandis.

Thanks for the input. I ordered one KZ and one coral +. We'll see which combo I like better.

Jason

A. Grandis · 08/30/2013, 12:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xartni

Thanks for the input. I ordered one KZ and one coral +. We'll see which combo I like better.

Jason

nichthyes · 08/30/2013, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michigan Mike

If you want a little more blue look you can try a coral plus instead Aquablue Special. Blue plus for a deep water look with lots of flourescence, like my avatar(3 blue & 1 purple).

Yes a year is overdue if they aren't being cooled. A year is about right for bulbs that are cooled.

Thanks Mike! The reason I ask is because I have an overwhelming Derbesia hair algae prob right now, and I still can't locate the culprit. With these new bulbs tho I'm trying to move from the current 10k look to more of a 12-15K look. however what I'm reading about green algae's light absorption is weird also: people talk about it being in the red portion of the spectrum 600+ but what I'm reading is telling that its also around 430 nm - not far from the peak of the Coral+, blue+ and AB special bulbs. so the bulbs i'm trying to buy to help avoid the algae prob and still have the desired color and fluorescence I want, don't seem to help the problem.

So my ? is, what bulbs would be a good setup for a 12-15k look, but still help me with this overwhelming problem I have on my hands?! (been fighting this algae for 6 months or more

) Thanks again

Michigan Mike · 08/30/2013, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nichthyes

Thanks Mike! The reason I ask is because I have an overwhelming Derbesia hair algae prob right now, and I still can't locate the culprit. With these new bulbs tho I'm trying to move from the current 10k look to more of a 12-15K look. however what I'm reading about green algae's light absorption is weird also: people talk about it being in the red portion of the spectrum 600+ but what I'm reading is telling that its also around 430 nm - not far from the peak of the Coral+, blue+ and AB special bulbs. so the bulbs i'm trying to buy to help avoid the algae prob and still have the desired color and fluorescence I want, don't seem to help the problem.

So my ? is, what bulbs would be a good setup for a 12-15k look, but still help me with this overwhelming problem I have on my hands?! (been fighting this algae for 6 months or more

) Thanks again

Trading the aquablue special for a KZ new gen sounds about right. It doesn't have as much 625nm red as the coral plus.i believe.
Do you like the purple bulb? Maybe 3 blue & a white bulb?

There are usually more factors involved in algae issues, than just lighting. I would try peroxide or other means of eradication like lowering phosphates.

nichthyes · 08/30/2013, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michigan Mike

Trading the aquablue special for a KZ new gen sounds about right. It doesn't have as much 625nm red as the coral plus.i believe.
Do you like the purple bulb? Maybe 3 blue & a white bulb?

There are usually more factors involved in algae issues, than just lighting. I would try peroxide or other means of eradication like lowering phosphates.

Like I said I'm looking for the culprit - got a new skimmer, using phosphate absorption media(no reactor tho), amping up my CUC, swithed RO/DI water suppliers, switching salts, and in the process of looking for new bulbs. What's involved in peroxide treatment? haven't read anything about that anywhere

I'm not partial to the purple bulb at all, in fact I'd like to steer away from it bc of the red peak. so you think the KZ new gen and 3 blue +? would that look ok?

Michigan Mike · 08/30/2013, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nichthyes

Like I said I'm looking for the culprit - got a new skimmer, using phosphate absorption media(no reactor tho), amping up my CUC, swithed RO/DI water suppliers, switching salts, and in the process of looking for new bulbs. What's involved in peroxide treatment? haven't read anything about that anywhere

I'm not partial to the purple bulb at all, in fact I'd like to steer away from it bc of the red peak. so you think the KZ new gen and 3 blue +? would that look ok?

There's a ton of peroxide treatments if you search for it.

I use 3 blue & 1 KZ purple. I would think 3 blue & new gen/coral plus should be fine, if you like the look is another thing.

Michigan Mike · 08/30/2013, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michigan Mike

There's a ton of peroxide treatments if you search for it.

I use 3 blue & 1 KZ purple. I would think 3 blue & new gen/coral plus should be fine, if you like the look is another thing.

Edit- maybe 2 blue plus & 2 new gen or coral plus,or a mix of the two.

TropTrea · 08/30/2013, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nichthyes

Like I said I'm looking for the culprit - got a new skimmer, using phosphate absorption media(no reactor tho), amping up my CUC, swithed RO/DI water suppliers, switching salts, and in the process of looking for new bulbs. What's involved in peroxide treatment? haven't read anything about that anywhere?

My first question is how old is the tank? And secondly what do your water tests tell you? Nitrates, Nitrites, Amonia, Phosphates, ALK, and Calcium.

As far as the peroxide treatment goes you need to know what your doing. Peroxide breaks down the cell walls of many organism including algea. While it will kill the bad algea slightly excessive dosing will also kill the algea inside the corals that they depend upon for growth.

Quote:

Originally Posted by nichthyes

I'm not partial to the purple bulb at all, in fact I'd like to steer away from it bc of the red peak. so you think the KZ new gen and 3 blue +? would that look ok?

I'm very sensative to excessive red in my tanks. But it is the balance that is important for visual effects. Excessive red has been proven bad in several ways like promoting cyno bacteria and bleaching corals. But that is only in excess. One a six bulb fixture one purple plus is not excess or in an 8 bulb fixture 2 is an excess. With a 4 Bulb fixture one coral plus would be my recomendation with 3 blue plus or 2 blue plus and a aqua blue special.

moondoggy4 · 08/31/2013, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michigan Mike

I'm pretty sure it was like this....

B
Blue
Blue
Purple
Blue
Ge6500
Blue
F

I see your configuration and was wondering if that is with the Plus or not.

Michigan Mike · 08/31/2013, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moondoggy4

I see your configuration and was wondering if that is with the Plus or not.

Blue plus

gmyers0203 · 09/03/2013, 05:27 PM

Hello, this may not be appropriate for this thread, but wanted to see if you could provide some guidance before starting a thread.

I have a 2x150w MH and 4x54w T5 combo fixture. The MH bulbs are an unknown brand and say they are 20k, but appear whiter to me than a 20k should. The T5s are all an unknown brand and just labeled as blue.

I was hoping to get a better idea of what to replace the T5s with to really get my corals to fluoresce. Didn't know if I should add some sort of purple to the mix or a better blue combination.

Thanks for your help in advance!

moondoggy4 · 09/03/2013, 05:37 PM

For the MH part you will need to know which kind of ballast you are running. Bulbs compliment the ballast.
For my T-5's I went with 2 ATI Blue Plus and 1 coral plus and 1 purple plus I also have two 150 watt phoenix bulbs because I have a magnetic ballast.

moondoggy4 · 09/03/2013, 05:38 PM

I just ordered 4 blue plus 1 coral plus and 1 purple plus for my Tek Elite 54 unit.

Dapg8gt · 09/03/2013, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moondoggy4

For the MH part you will need to know which kind of ballast you are running. Bulbs compliment the ballast.
For my T-5's I went with 2 ATI Blue Plus and 1 coral plus and 1 purple plus I also have two 150 watt phoenix bulbs because I have a magnetic ballast.

Phoenix bulbs are supposed to be run on magnetic ballasts? I though radiums were best on the m80?ive been running phoenix bulbs on digital ballasts for years. Learn something new everyday .. Oh well they work lol

gmyers0203 · 09/03/2013, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moondoggy4

For the MH part you will need to know which kind of ballast you are running. Bulbs compliment the ballast.
For my T-5's I went with 2 ATI Blue Plus and 1 coral plus and 1 purple plus I also have two 150 watt phoenix bulbs because I have a magnetic ballast.

Thanks!

I have two 150w Fishneedit fixtures which state on the website are electronic ballasts. I will be the first to admit I don't know much about them at all, or MH lights in general.

What would you recommend with the electronic ballasts?

YoungREEFA · 09/03/2013, 06:58 PM

Moon doggy, i know you will post pics, right!

moondoggy4 · 09/03/2013, 08:49 PM

Looks like I've been called on the carpet LOL

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-03/sj/ 3/4 down see the graph for some reason it does not show the Phoenix bulb in the 150 watt comparison but it does show both the Phoenix and radium bulbs in the 250 DE section, and in the article it states to match the ballast with the bulb. I will see if I can find my other bookmark on this subject because I was trying to find the same answer.
I just purchased a Maristar II and I just ordered some bulbs I will have either 3 o 4 ATI blues plus or 3 with I coral plus or purple plus do sure.
I will order two Aqua Medic M80 ballast i believe, and run either Phoenix or Radium DE bulbs.
My Giesemann Infinity 150 DE with 4 24 watt T-5's have a 150 watt magnetic ballast from Giesemann and I have already purchased a couple of phoenix bulbs and a couple of Elos bulbs for this light, my 40 breeder is not up and running I will try to set it up over my 120 for pictures.

moondoggy4 · 09/03/2013, 09:21 PM

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=1589665 also check out the link

Michigan Mike · 09/03/2013, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moondoggy4

Looks like I've been called on the carpet LOL

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-03/sj/ 3/4 down see the graph for some reason it does not show the Phoenix bulb in the 150 watt comparison but it does show both the Phoenix and radium bulbs in the 250 DE section, and in the article it states to match the ballast with the bulb. I will see if I can find my other bookmark on this subject because I was trying to find the same answer.
I just purchased a Maristar II and I just ordered some bulbs I will have either 3 o 4 ATI blues plus or 3 with I coral plus or purple plus do sure.
I will order two Aqua Medic M80 ballast i believe, and run either Phoenix or Radium DE bulbs.
My Giesemann Infinity 150 DE with 4 24 watt T-5's have a 150 watt magnetic ballast from Giesemann and I have already purchased a couple of phoenix bulbs and a couple of Elos bulbs for this light, my 40 breeder is not up and running I will try to set it up over my 120 for pictures.

Radium doesn't come in 250w DE, sorry. Wish it did. I like the Phoenix just fine and its cheaper.

Congrats on the light.

moondoggy4 · 09/03/2013, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sirreal63

To the big picture, no, you can get equivalent light from either. DE needs the glass shield and SE does not. DE may burn brighter until you add the glass shield and in general it is at that point it evens out. That is not a hard and fast rule, there are some SE bulbs that kick serious butt but in general that is how it is. Running a bulb designed for DE HQI on an electronic ballast limits the bulb and then putting it behind the glass shield limits it further. So if you have a 150 watt electronic ballast and are using a lower PAR bulb, you may not get enough PAR other than very high in the tank. If this is your situation you may want to switch to a lower K bulb that delivers more PAR. That is the main caveat with 150's, bulb and ballast selection have a large effect on the light output.

hth

Michigan Mike · 09/03/2013, 10:18 PM

Ugh, I think what I meant to say was HQI doesn't mean double ended bulb.

I think I'm going to get some new bulbs for the new build. Battle of the blue bulbs? Finally throw the ATI & KZ purple together and compare?

invertinoob · 09/05/2013, 09:07 AM

i have a 6x39w t5ho over a 54 gallon bow front. my first question would be, with all ati bulbs would it be enough to keep high light clams? i want to run one of the two light set ups.

1) blue+ 4x
purple+
coral+

2) blue+ 4x
purple+ 2x

3) blue+ 4x
purple+
ati actinic

im afraid that running a coral plus in one will wash out all of the other colors. and i am also afraid that the actinic in the third one will not allow me enough par to do what i want.
(mixed reef sps dominate)

any suggestions will help. i have plans of adding some blue led strips in the future as well. will this help with raising par? and also help put blue back in the tank if i go with a coral plus?

moondoggy4 · 09/05/2013, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dapg8gt

Phoenix bulbs are supposed to be run on magnetic ballasts? I though radiums were best on the m80?ive been running phoenix bulbs on digital ballasts for years. Learn something new everyday .. Oh well they work lol

I would do like Dapg8qt did and use Phoenix bulbs they are cheap, and really popular. In one of the articles I posted they stated that the elec. ballast can run all bulbs just not to their fullest capacity.

09/03/2013, 05:27 PM	#3813
gmyers0203 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 83	Hello, this may not be appropriate for this thread, but wanted to see if you could provide some guidance before starting a thread. I have a 2x150w MH and 4x54w T5 combo fixture. The MH bulbs are an unknown brand and say they are 20k, but appear whiter to me than a 20k should. The T5s are all an unknown brand and just labeled as blue. I was hoping to get a better idea of what to replace the T5s with to really get my corals to fluoresce. Didn't know if I should add some sort of purple to the mix or a better blue combination. Thanks for your help in advance! __________________ Born 1/31/2015 \| 120 g Display \| 40 g Custom Sump \| Apex Lite \| RO Skimmer \| 2x MP40s \| Reefbreeders Photon 48 \| Transitioning to 120 \| 80g Deep Blue Edge rimless \| 30g sump \| Apex Lite \| SCA 303 \| Current Tank Info: 80 gallon Deep Blue Rimless mostly LPS at the moment

09/05/2013, 09:07 AM	#3824
invertinoob Registered Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Cincinnati OH Posts: 243	i have a 6x39w t5ho over a 54 gallon bow front. my first question would be, with all ati bulbs would it be enough to keep high light clams? i want to run one of the two light set ups. 1) blue+ 4x purple+ coral+ 2) blue+ 4x purple+ 2x 3) blue+ 4x purple+ ati actinic im afraid that running a coral plus in one will wash out all of the other colors. and i am also afraid that the actinic in the third one will not allow me enough par to do what i want. (mixed reef sps dominate) any suggestions will help. i have plans of adding some blue led strips in the future as well. will this help with raising par? and also help put blue back in the tank if i go with a coral plus? __________________ -Rob- Current Tank Info: Standard 90 gallon with a 55 gallon sump, Skimz Dc skimmer, 2xJebao wp25 pumps, Lumentek pro 180 over half and a 2bulb t5HO on the other half.

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09/03/2013, 05:37 PM	#3814
moondoggy4 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: menifee So cal Posts: 11,042	For the MH part you will need to know which kind of ballast you are running. Bulbs compliment the ballast. For my T-5's I went with 2 ATI Blue Plus and 1 coral plus and 1 purple plus I also have two 150 watt phoenix bulbs because I have a magnetic ballast.

09/03/2013, 05:38 PM	#3815
moondoggy4 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: menifee So cal Posts: 11,042	I just ordered 4 blue plus 1 coral plus and 1 purple plus for my Tek Elite 54 unit.

09/03/2013, 06:58 PM	#3818
YoungREEFA Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Indianapolis IN Posts: 895	Moon doggy, i know you will post pics, right!

09/03/2013, 08:49 PM	#3819
moondoggy4 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: menifee So cal Posts: 11,042	Looks like I've been called on the carpet LOL http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-03/sj/ 3/4 down see the graph for some reason it does not show the Phoenix bulb in the 150 watt comparison but it does show both the Phoenix and radium bulbs in the 250 DE section, and in the article it states to match the ballast with the bulb. I will see if I can find my other bookmark on this subject because I was trying to find the same answer. I just purchased a Maristar II and I just ordered some bulbs I will have either 3 o 4 ATI blues plus or 3 with I coral plus or purple plus do sure. I will order two Aqua Medic M80 ballast i believe, and run either Phoenix or Radium DE bulbs. My Giesemann Infinity 150 DE with 4 24 watt T-5's have a 150 watt magnetic ballast from Giesemann and I have already purchased a couple of phoenix bulbs and a couple of Elos bulbs for this light, my 40 breeder is not up and running I will try to set it up over my 120 for pictures.

09/03/2013, 09:21 PM	#3820
moondoggy4 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: menifee So cal Posts: 11,042	http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=1589665 also check out the link

09/03/2013, 10:18 PM	#3823
Michigan Mike Freedom costs a buckofive Join Date: May 2012 Location: Michigan Posts: 3,002	Ugh, I think what I meant to say was HQI doesn't mean double ended bulb. I think I'm going to get some new bulbs for the new build. Battle of the blue bulbs? Finally throw the ATI & KZ purple together and compare?