The T5 Q&a Thread - split - Page 162

FlyPenFly · 10/26/2013, 01:39 PM

I tried that theory but as soon as I removed my actinic bulb, my bright green ORA bird's nest especially looked much less shiny and vibrant. To me, Actinics are a must if you have at least a 4 bulb.

TropTrea · 10/26/2013, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlyPenFly

Actinics seem to really shine with deeper water corals such as chalices and even certain SPS. They bring out colors you won't get with any other bulb. They appear dimmer but they add significant energy that's low in a general purpose blue bulb.

I replaced my 6500k bulb with a purple plus and noticed 0 change in growth rates or calcium/alk demands. The tank though in general looks nicer because of the added focused spectrum. It is remarkable how much better the UVL actinic bulb is in PAR if it is in fact truly actinic.

This is taken from Manhattan Reefs:

http://www.manhattanreefs.com/forum/...bulb-pars.html

Do not put all your marbles in the PAR nuumbers. The Par readings take a wide band width into consideration while only about half of those frequencies are used for photosybthesis in corals. The Greens and Yellows especialy are not used by corals yet will give higher meter readings.

As faras simular growth when swapping the GE for the Purple Plus it is understandable. The 6,500K produces limited light in the entire spectrum but the midle of that spectrum is only used for reflective color and some florescense rather than growth. The purple plus is strong in red and blue so it is boosting the blue part of the spectrum corals love.

Personaly I would not enjoy viewing a tank with out some broad spectrum lighting in it. The reflective colors would be extremly washed out.

FlyPenFly · 10/26/2013, 01:47 PM

Yeah, I run

Blue+
Coral+
Blue+
Purple+
ATI Actinic
Blue+
Coral+
Blue+

On my setup.

I've been thinking about getting the Hagen GLO single T5HO fixtures with swivel tank mounts to mount perpendicular at the long edges of my tank running some actinic bulbs. I want to prevent some of the shading polyp death I'm getting on some SPS where the branches have really grown out.

HurricaneSystem · 10/26/2013, 01:49 PM

Fly,

I believe you change lighting about as much as I do. Well, almost, lol.

FlyPenFly · 10/26/2013, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HurricaneSystem

Fly,

I believe you change lighting about as much as I do. Well, almost, lol.

I have more than 1 tank

jay6629 · 10/26/2013, 08:55 PM

I am going back from LEDs to t5 ..... Need a little help got a ati sun power ati 6 bulb fixture

My is a 60 gallon with a 30 gal sump

Tank is 36x24x16

Predominantly sps and 15% LPS hammers , acans and brains. A few chalices.

What would've the best configuration from best colors and good growth? I'm thinking :

Blue plus
Aqua blue special
Blue plus
Kz purple
Blue plus
Blue plus

Or maybe an ati coral + in the mix

Can u guys advise me please I have always been halide tried radion gen 1 and the upgraded to the pro

Not getting results like you guys with t5 tanks.... So I'm throwing in the towel

Thank u

rtparty · 10/27/2013, 12:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jay6629

I am going back from LEDs to t5 ..... Need a little help got a ati sun power ati 6 bulb fixture

My is a 60 gallon with a 30 gal sump

Tank is 36x24x16

Predominantly sps and 15% LPS hammers , acans and brains. A few chalices.

What would've the best configuration from best colors and good growth? I'm thinking :

Blue plus
Aqua blue special
Blue plus
Kz purple
Blue plus
Blue plus

Or maybe an ati coral + in the mix

Can u guys advise me please I have always been halide tried radion gen 1 and the upgraded to the pro

Not getting results like you guys with t5 tanks.... So I'm throwing in the towel

Thank u

For high PAR I would go with 4 Blue and 2 Coral Plus.

For a little more pop but less PAR, try something like 3 Blue, 1 Actinic, 1 Purple and 1 Coral Plus. Again, you could use 2 Coral Plus here if wanted.

Michigan Mike · 10/27/2013, 01:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jay6629

I am going back from LEDs to t5 ..... Need a little help got a ati sun power ati 6 bulb fixture

My is a 60 gallon with a 30 gal sump

Tank is 36x24x16

Predominantly sps and 15% LPS hammers , acans and brains. A few chalices.

What would've the best configuration from best colors and good growth? I'm thinking :

Blue plus
Aqua blue special
Blue plus
Kz purple
Blue plus
Blue plus

Or maybe an ati coral + in the mix

Can u guys advise me please I have always been halide tried radion gen 1 and the upgraded to the pro

Not getting results like you guys with t5 tanks.... So I'm throwing in the towel

Thank u

sounds like a good bulb lineup to me... coral plus if you want a bluer look, but using the ABS bulb will give you a broader spectrum (added 550nm) and a bit more of a natural appearance.

TropTrea · 10/27/2013, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jay6629

I am going back from LEDs to t5 ..... Need a little help got a ati sun power ati 6 bulb fixture

My is a 60 gallon with a 30 gal sump

Tank is 36x24x16

Predominantly sps and 15% LPS hammers , acans and brains. A few chalices.

What would've the best configuration from best colors and good growth? I'm thinking :

Blue plus
Aqua blue special
Blue plus
Kz purple
Blue plus
Blue plus

Or maybe an ati coral + in the mix

Can u guys advise me please I have always been halide tried radion gen 1 and the upgraded to the pro

Not getting results like you guys with t5 tanks.... So I'm throwing in the towel

Thank u

Dependent on the particular corals your keeping and how much of there color is reflective bases florescent the combo you isted should be good with your SPS corals. If you want to boast your florescent color on the LPS corals at the expense of the reflective colors then swap out the Aqua Blue Special and the Purple for 2 Coral Plus bulbs.

jay6629 · 10/27/2013, 10:32 AM

Thank you everyone for your input! I would def like the best combo that would bring out the best colors in the sps and sacrifice a little growth, my tank is predominantly sps so I would want the best line up for them

YoungREEFA · 10/27/2013, 01:44 PM

We need a sticky that suggests the most used and "best" over all configuration for all fixtures. A 4,6,8,10,and 12 combination.
We could do a 18-20K look
and a 10-15K look
Even though these are commonly found on the internet, it would be useful to be posted on the forum no?

jay6629 · 10/27/2013, 02:03 PM

What do u guys think of the life of the bulbs and changing schedule?

greg0385 · 10/27/2013, 02:04 PM

Two questions

1) i want to upgrade my 48" retro t5 reflectors. I dont know the current reflectors(bought used) but know they are far from the best. Any suggestion on new reflectors?

2)I have been using 4-48" ati bulbs on a icecapp 660 ballast for two years(B+,P+,C+,B+).
Im tossing the idea of using 2-B+ and 2-C+ but think that might be too white.
I wouldnt mind a little bluer look. Should i go 3-B+ 1-C+? or should i keep the P+ and lose the C+?

Any suggestions on bulb combo?

Bpb · 10/27/2013, 02:31 PM

I run my bulbs for 12 months at a time before I think about changing. Some people will recommend changing them every 6 months. Some manufacturer say they're good for 18+ months. I think every 6 months is excessive though. Yearly is fine for me! Just change them one at a time and space the changes out by a week or so

greg0385 · 10/27/2013, 02:39 PM

Oops sorry i left out that i change the bulbs every 12 months but have been running that combo for 2yrs.

rtparty · 10/27/2013, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YoungREEFA

We need a sticky that suggests the most used and "best" over all configuration for all fixtures. A 4,6,8,10,and 12 combination.
We could do a 18-20K look
and a 10-15K look
Even though these are commonly found on the internet, it would be useful to be posted on the forum no?

ATI North America has this already. You can interchange the bulbs from each manufacture with little to no change in look.

rtparty · 10/27/2013, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jay6629

What do u guys think of the life of the bulbs and changing schedule?

Non cooled bulbs change every 4-6 months.

Semi cooled bulbs can go 8-9 months.

Properly cooled can go 12 months if you really want to. I've seen some white bulbs go 18 months although I don't recommend that.

Blue and actinic bulbs degrade the quickest.

rtparty · 10/27/2013, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by greg0385

Two questions

1) i want to upgrade my 48" retro t5 reflectors. I dont know the current reflectors(bought used) but know they are far from the best. Any suggestion on new reflectors?

2)I have been using 4-48" ati bulbs on a icecapp 660 ballast for two years(B+,P+,C+,B+).
Im tossing the idea of using 2-B+ and 2-C+ but think that might be too white.
I wouldnt mind a little bluer look. Should i go 3-B+ 1-C+? or should i keep the P+ and lose the C+?

Any suggestions on bulb combo?

LET reflectors from reefgeek are the best retro reflectors.

3 blue and a coral should be good. You'd be better off changing ballasts and getting the true colors from the bulbs.

FlyPenFly · 10/27/2013, 03:14 PM

Dude your quoting is seriously broken.

rtparty · 10/27/2013, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlyPenFly

Dude your quoting is seriously broken.

It's tapatalk.

greg0385 · 10/27/2013, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rtparty

LET reflectors from reefgeek are the best retro reflectors.

3 blue and a coral should be good. You'd be better off changing ballasts and getting the true colors from the bulbs.

Suggestion for a 48" 4 bulb ballast? 2-2bulb ballast?

rtparty · 10/27/2013, 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by greg0385

Suggestion for a 48" 4 bulb ballast? 2-2bulb ballast?

Yeah 2 ballasts total. Then you can also have more control over your lighting instead of just on/off.

Reefgeek will have what you need.

Tron_954 · 10/27/2013, 05:07 PM

Ryan don't you run 2 Blue 2 Coral? I'm still itching to ditch the Purple+ for either the Coral or Blue+... not sure which...

rogergolf66 · 10/27/2013, 05:44 PM

How important is the bulb placement in the fixture ? I have an 8bulb ati sunpower fixture in a tank that is 24 in front to back. Any good reading on info on best place to place bulbs?

rtparty · 10/27/2013, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tron_954

Ryan don't you run 2 Blue 2 Coral? I'm still itching to ditch the Purple+ for either the Coral or Blue+... not sure which...

4 blue and 2 coral but that will be changing soon.

10/27/2013, 05:44 PM	#4049
rogergolf66 im an addict lol Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Land o lakes, FLorida Posts: 12,930	How important is the bulb placement in the fixture ? I have an 8bulb ati sunpower fixture in a tank that is 24 in front to back. Any good reading on info on best place to place bulbs? __________________ Goal levels: salinity 35ppt, temp 78-79, alk 8-9, cal 430-450, mag 1310-1400 po4 .03, no3 1-3 Current Tank Info: System 1... 100 gal Zoa tank I built, 30 gal Ric Yuma shroom tank, 30 gal mix tank my sons,40 gal softie tank, 40 gal nem tank, two 40 gal LPS tank. System 2... 240 gal SPS display attached 100 gal frag SPS only tank.

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10/26/2013, 01:39 PM	#4026
FlyPenFly SPS Killer Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 1,490	I tried that theory but as soon as I removed my actinic bulb, my bright green ORA bird's nest especially looked much less shiny and vibrant. To me, Actinics are a must if you have at least a 4 bulb.

10/26/2013, 01:47 PM	#4028
FlyPenFly SPS Killer Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 1,490	Yeah, I run Blue+ Coral+ Blue+ Purple+ ATI Actinic Blue+ Coral+ Blue+ On my setup. I've been thinking about getting the Hagen GLO single T5HO fixtures with swivel tank mounts to mount perpendicular at the long edges of my tank running some actinic bulbs. I want to prevent some of the shading polyp death I'm getting on some SPS where the branches have really grown out.

10/26/2013, 01:49 PM	#4029
HurricaneSystem Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: TN Posts: 528 Blog Entries: 1	Fly, I believe you change lighting about as much as I do. Well, almost, lol.

10/26/2013, 08:55 PM	#4031
jay6629 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Albany, NY Posts: 3	I am going back from LEDs to t5 ..... Need a little help got a ati sun power ati 6 bulb fixture My is a 60 gallon with a 30 gal sump Tank is 36x24x16 Predominantly sps and 15% LPS hammers , acans and brains. A few chalices. What would've the best configuration from best colors and good growth? I'm thinking : Blue plus Aqua blue special Blue plus Kz purple Blue plus Blue plus Or maybe an ati coral + in the mix Can u guys advise me please I have always been halide tried radion gen 1 and the upgraded to the pro Not getting results like you guys with t5 tanks.... So I'm throwing in the towel Thank u

10/27/2013, 10:32 AM	#4035
jay6629 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Albany, NY Posts: 3	Thank you everyone for your input! I would def like the best combo that would bring out the best colors in the sps and sacrifice a little growth, my tank is predominantly sps so I would want the best line up for them

10/27/2013, 01:44 PM	#4036
YoungREEFA Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Indianapolis IN Posts: 895	We need a sticky that suggests the most used and "best" over all configuration for all fixtures. A 4,6,8,10,and 12 combination. We could do a 18-20K look and a 10-15K look Even though these are commonly found on the internet, it would be useful to be posted on the forum no?

10/27/2013, 02:03 PM	#4037
jay6629 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Albany, NY Posts: 3	What do u guys think of the life of the bulbs and changing schedule?

10/27/2013, 02:04 PM	#4038
greg0385 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: summertown,tn Posts: 279	Two questions 1) i want to upgrade my 48" retro t5 reflectors. I dont know the current reflectors(bought used) but know they are far from the best. Any suggestion on new reflectors? 2)I have been using 4-48" ati bulbs on a icecapp 660 ballast for two years(B+,P+,C+,B+). Im tossing the idea of using 2-B+ and 2-C+ but think that might be too white. I wouldnt mind a little bluer look. Should i go 3-B+ 1-C+? or should i keep the P+ and lose the C+? Any suggestions on bulb combo?

10/27/2013, 02:31 PM	#4039
Bpb Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Texas Posts: 3,148	I run my bulbs for 12 months at a time before I think about changing. Some people will recommend changing them every 6 months. Some manufacturer say they're good for 18+ months. I think every 6 months is excessive though. Yearly is fine for me! Just change them one at a time and space the changes out by a week or so

10/27/2013, 02:39 PM	#4040
greg0385 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: summertown,tn Posts: 279	Oops sorry i left out that i change the bulbs every 12 months but have been running that combo for 2yrs.

10/27/2013, 03:14 PM	#4044
FlyPenFly SPS Killer Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 1,490	Dude your quoting is seriously broken.

10/27/2013, 05:07 PM	#4048
Tron_954 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Ft. Lauderdale, FL Posts: 940	Ryan don't you run 2 Blue 2 Coral? I'm still itching to ditch the Purple+ for either the Coral or Blue+... not sure which...