The T5 Q&a Thread - split

[Zacktosterone]

Anyone?

[mhucasey]

Originally Posted by Zacktosterone

OK so I have a 65" x 30"x 24". I was wondering what ati sunpower fixture I should go with. I'm guessing based on some of the posts I've seen, the 8bulb 60" fixture is good?
My tank is going to be sps dominant 95% of it actually.

I think the 8 bulb would be perfect for you. Even though the sun power is the "Value" fixture, its a really well made and nice looking light and it cranks out the PAR.

[Zacktosterone]

Originally Posted by mhucasey

I think the 8 bulb would be perfect for you. Even though the sun power is the "Value" fixture, its a really well made and nice looking light and it cranks out the PAR.

I have a 4 bulb led powermodule right now and its not cutting it

[mhucasey]

Is the LED power module not wide enough to cover the tank? I know they are capable of creating ludicrously high PAR but 4 bulbs is not many.

[Mazak]

Originally Posted by mhucasey

I don't think that would think that would be too blue, no. The purple plus's higher amount of red should help neutralize the big green peaks of the Aquablue Specials, resulting in a nice white light. I am using an Actinic bulb in my 8 bulb mix right now as well and it seems to be improving the colors, so I think its a good thing to have.

Personally I prefer the Fiji purple to the Purple +.

Thx for your advise.

In what order should i have the bulbs, (mixed together). Starting in back.

[Zacktosterone]

Originally Posted by mhucasey

Is the LED power module not wide enough to cover the tank? I know they are capable of creating ludicrously high PAR but 4 bulbs is not many.

I don't know what the par is..... I don't have a par meter and there is no where near by I can measure.

[mhucasey]

Originally Posted by Mazak

Thx for your advise.

In what order should i have the bulbs, (mixed together). Starting in back.

With this bulbs, from back to front I'd go with:
ABS-B+-P+-ABS-Actinic-B+
If that seems too blue then change it around like this:
ABS-B+-P+-Actinic-B+-ABS


The first bulb in the fixture has a big effect on the overall color perception in my experience.

[Mazak]

Originally Posted by mhucasey

With this bulbs, from back to front I'd go with:
ABS-B+-P+-ABS-Actinic-B+
If that seems too blue then change it around like this:
ABS-B+-P+-Actinic-B+-ABS


The first bulb in the fixture has a big effect on the overall color perception in my experience.

Thx again😊👍

[mhucasey]

Acan under T5s, this is the most colorful Ive ever seen this one:

[fiji4118]

Hey all. Liking Mhucasey's lighting pictured above. I have not changed out the bulb pattern on my tank in quiet some time. It was one that Grim set up years ago but I am wanting to go more blue. Noted below. With only 6 bulbs recommendations on getting that same look? Drop one of the ABS from the middle and the B+ in the back? These are 80W bulbs over a standard 150. Bulbs are in the canopy 6" above the water.

Front 80W
ATI Blue Plus
ATI purple Plus
Blue plus
4" Blue LED strip 453nm Actinic Blue
GE 6500K
Blue Plus
Blue Plus

[fiji4118]

And where is everyone getting bulbs now? I last ordered from reefgeek but I think they are gone now.

[cabinetman123]

I set up 2 frag tanks that measure 48x16x12 high. Would 2 t5 bulbs be enough per tank? What bulbs would you guys recommend?

[rtparty]

Originally Posted by fiji4118

Hey all. Liking Mhucasey's lighting pictured above. I have not changed out the bulb pattern on my tank in quiet some time. It was one that Grim set up years ago but I am wanting to go more blue. Noted below. With only 6 bulbs recommendations on getting that same look? Drop one of the ABS from the middle and the B+ in the back? These are 80W bulbs over a standard 150. Bulbs are in the canopy 6" above the water.

Front 80W
ATI Blue Plus
ATI purple Plus
Blue plus
4" Blue LED strip 453nm Actinic Blue
GE 6500K
Blue Plus
Blue Plus

I'd start with 4 blue plus and 2 coral plus. Marine Depot seems to be a good spot to order from now

[rtparty]

Originally Posted by cabinetman123

I set up 2 frag tanks that measure 48x16x12 high. Would 2 t5 bulbs be enough per tank? What bulbs would you guys recommend?

You'll really need 4 for enough coverage

[cabinetman123]

Wow. 4 over that shallow of a tank. Even though it's only 12" deep to eh

[swk]

Originally Posted by fiji4118

And where is everyone getting bulbs now? I last ordered from reefgeek but I think they are gone now.

I shop at premium aquatics.

[fiji4118]

Originally Posted by rtparty

I'd start with 4 blue plus and 2 coral plus. Marine Depot seems to be a good spot to order from now

I'm seeing that there are fewer recommendations for the GE 6500K bulbs. Are the others doing what it did as far as spectrum? It definitely makes the overall look whiter but is growth adversely affected by removing them?

[rtparty]

Originally Posted by cabinetman123

Wow. 4 over that shallow of a tank. Even though it's only 12" deep to eh

You won't be able to really cover 16" with only 2 bulbs. You're starting to push into 6 bulb range in all honesty

[Deep Reef]

Does anyone other than ati make a good t5 fixture? Theirs' are the only ones I see for sale.

[Deep Reef]

I am looking for an 8 bulb x 48"

Thanks

[Cysco]

Does anyone use the old Aquascience bulbs?


I can't find these anywhere lately. You used to be able to get them but now it seems you can only find a few select sizes, colors.

Any info?

[mhucasey]

Some thoughts about Spectrum and T5s:

After a lot of research I have found that there are basically two spectrums that are used over our tanks made up of a mix of blue, green, and red. Originally these were generated by metal Halides.
The first spectrum is the so-called 10000K spectrum, some 140000K bulbs also fall into this category. One of these is the XM10000K:

The 10000k is supposed to be a growth monster, and makes yellows and reds look good, but the general consensus is that it is less than ideal for coloring up corals. Notice where the "Blue" peak is? Its right at 420. In relative terms, there is very little of the 450-470nm blue. There is the standard 550nm green peak. There is also a nice selection of peaks in the yellow and red sections, with the red peaks at 590, 670, and 690. The only bulb that looks even somewhat like that in the T5s is the GE6500K:

The other spectrum is the "20000K spectrum". The Radium is the most notable example of this, but the Phoenix 14K uses the same approach:

In this spectrum the Blue is a peak at 450, and almost nothing at 420. The same 550 green peak is there, and the red peak is about 590, 670, and 690.

Why is one great for growth and the other great for color? Other than intensity and par, the biggest differences are that the 10K has lots of 420nm while the 20K does not and the 10K has additional peaks in the yellow region.

With T5s we can mix and match the spectrum to get the best of both worlds - For example, Blue plus gives a great 450-470 peak as well as a small 550 peak:

In fact, most T5s these days have a peak around 460nm and a green peak at 550, so then the trick is to add just enough of the right kind of red to balance the colors. However, if you add at least one 420nm actinic bulb and a white bulb with some yellow in it, you will get everything that the 10000k and 20000k offer in the same mix.
There are spectral plots out there for pretty much all the bulbs made so look carefully there to get a general idea of the mix you want then i would suggest getting an extra white and extra blue bulb so you can tweak the mix. That is how I have been looking at bulbs these days, I hope it helps others here on the board with how they look at their selection of bulbs.

[mhucasey]

Originally Posted by Cysco

Does anyone use the old Aquascience bulbs?


I can't find these anywhere lately. You used to be able to get them but now it seems you can only find a few select sizes, colors.

Any info?

I think these are more available in Europe than USA those days. The ATI Bulb line is very similar and fairly inexpensive.

[Electrobes]

I currently run (Front to Back, the bulbs are about six months old) B+, P+, B+, B+, C+, B+

My Montipora Digis (It's a dedicated tank) are growing very well but I'd like to have the tank a bit bluer to my eyes... could I change any of the above bulbs to make that happen, without taking too much of the beneficial PAR away from the Digis?

[mhucasey]

You could change either the purple plus or coral plus out for a blue plus without PAR loss. I'd replace the coral plus.