The T5 Q&a Thread - split

[maroonman]

Originally Posted by mhucasey

Is your tank all LPS? LPS typically do well with T5s in comparison with SPS. What type of LEDs do you run? What is your budget for additional light?

Yes , my tank is 85 % euphyllias, and other lps.. Only 3~4 sticks that im trying.
These are the lights ,,,but bigger footprint..i had them custom ordered.
http://m.ebay.com/itm/321670309014
Was try to keep it low budget since its a try it and see project.

[AugustWest]

Originally Posted by mhucasey

If you like two actinics, The following:
Front to back:
Blue Plus
Aquablue Azure
Super actinic
Fiji Purple
Aquablue Special
Super Actinic
Actinic Blue
Aquablue Azure

Thanks for this suggestion , been running this combo for a week now. Nice white look with a hint of blue. Really like the Super Actinics.

Wanted to experiment at giving it a little bluer look. Which bulb would you suggest I swap out to give it a bluer look? I have an extra blue + bulb laying around or if you have another suggestion that's fine too.

Thanks for your help!

[mhucasey]

The bllue plus would work well for that, closer to the front will increase the blue effect.

[AugustWest]

Which of the above bulbs would you remove for the Blue+?

[Volcom698]

After moving I might be getting a 30x30x12 rimless tank. I already have a 36" 6 bulb ATI fixture which is pretty new, and I'm curious if you guys think that will be enough for this size tank. I had another tank set up, but with moving kids I want to set up a smaller tank till I have more time. I'm just hoping this fixture is enough for this size tank?

[mhucasey]

Originally Posted by AugustWest

Which of the above bulbs would you remove for the Blue+?

If you want it more blue, swap out one of the actinics I would think. But don't be afraid to try different combos.

[james30ct]

Would an 8x80 ati fixture be enough for a 180g sps reef? I have a calm and gig on the sand. Currently i am running 2 80w ati's and 3 reefbreeder value fixtures but the leds look too pink for me.

[bucfan]

Can someone tell me if I have the bulbs in right order or can I do better? Also do you think I have too much actinic? Running the ATI LED Powermodule.

[Back]
Giesemann Aquablue Azure
Giesemann Tropic T5
ATI Blue Plus
Giesemann Actinic Blue
LED LED LED
ATI Purple Plus
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Actinic
Giesemann Aquablue Azure
[Front]

Outer 4 tubes on 3.5 hours and inner 4 tubes on 8 hours.

[mhucasey]

The combo you have looks pretty good to me, you are covering the entire spectrum with emphasis on the most important parts. I'm jealous of you with the LEDs in that you can tweak the overall look a bit more by adding a bit of blue from them. Is there something about the look you have that you aren't happy with? Do you want it brighter or whiter or more blue? You certainly do not have too much actinic in that mix.

[maynardjames]

Hey guys have a 8 bulb 48" ati sunpower. Need new bulbs but money is tight. Anyone know which cheaper brand bulbs are decent. Have always used ATI's for years but at 20 bucks a bulb adds up. Seen a few out in 12 to 15 range but also saw some cheap but instead of 54 watt, they were like 28 watts! Don't want those for sure.
Thanks in advance

[Dapg8gt]

Originally Posted by maynardjames

Hey guys have a 8 bulb 48" ati sunpower. Need new bulbs but money is tight. Anyone know which cheaper brand bulbs are decent. Have always used ATI's for years but at 20 bucks a bulb adds up. Seen a few out in 12 to 15 range but also saw some cheap but instead of 54 watt, they were like 28 watts! Don't want those for sure.
Thanks in advance

I tested par on some wave point bulbs and they were pretty decent in initial par but it dropped pretty heavily at about 6 months. So for half the price you get half the performance ( longevity). I was surprised at how well they worked though and the blue + equivalent they have is pretty close to the color gauging by my eyes alone.

Fwiw I used them in a 48" fixture on a frag flat in my garage but wouldn't use them unless I was in a hard spot as it's not really saving money, it's just buying you some time to make more.. Can't recall what combo I used but I did use all wave point bulbs for about 7 months or so. LFS sells them for about $12 a piece around here..

[bucfan]

Originally Posted by mhucasey

The combo you have looks pretty good to me, you are covering the entire spectrum with emphasis on the most important parts. I'm jealous of you with the LEDs in that you can tweak the overall look a bit more by adding a bit of blue from them. Is there something about the look you have that you aren't happy with? Do you want it brighter or whiter or more blue? You certainly do not have too much actinic in that mix.

Seems the tank is a bit more white than I prefer.

[mhucasey]

Originally Posted by bucfan

Seems the tank is a bit more white than I prefer.

To start out with switch the Azure in position 1 with the blue plus in postion 6. Do you have any other bulbs to rotate in? Removing the tropic or the purple and replacing with a blue pus will change the overall color toward blue. How do you use the LEDs? Can you "blue up" the tank any by using the blue LEDs?

[maynardjames]

Originally Posted by Dapg8gt

I tested par on some wave point bulbs and they were pretty decent in initial par but it dropped pretty heavily at about 6 months. So for half the price you get half the performance ( longevity). I was surprised at how well they worked though and the blue + equivalent they have is pretty close to the color gauging by my eyes alone.

Fwiw I used them in a 48" fixture on a frag flat in my garage but wouldn't use them unless I was in a hard spot as it's not really saving money, it's just buying you some time to make more.. Can't recall what combo I used but I did use all wave point bulbs for about 7 months or so. LFS sells them for about $12 a piece around here..

Yeah sorta thought that. Just have to hold off & get ATI or try new geismans out

[mhucasey]

Originally Posted by maynardjames

Yeah sorta thought that. Just have to hold off & get ATI or try new geismans out

Either of those are great options, look for sales at the online vendors, I have purchased bulbs for as much as 50% off.

[apolloreef]

I just bought a new 4 bulb fixture to use on a 29 or 40 gallon up from a 2 bulb. I have 2 24" Blue Ecoxotic LED strips to supplement the fixture with. What bulbs would you recommend for good coverage and a bright more white than blue appearance?

[bucfan]

Originally Posted by mhucasey

To start out with switch the Azure in position 1 with the blue plus in postion 6. Do you have any other bulbs to rotate in? Removing the tropic or the purple and replacing with a blue pus will change the overall color toward blue. How do you use the LEDs? Can you "blue up" the tank any by using the blue LEDs?

I have an extra Coral+ and Blue+ bulb lying around. Yes I can make the LEDs all blue. I currently have a bit of red/white in there.

[mikeatjac]

For my frag tank, 2x4x18", I have a ATI 6 bulb 48" light.
I have the following bulbs
4 B+
2 C+
1 P+
2 NG
3 Aquablue Azure.

What combination of these bulbs would give a nice 14k look with a high par.

[mhucasey]

Originally Posted by bucfan

I have an extra Coral+ and Blue+ bulb lying around. Yes I can make the LEDs all blue. I currently have a bit of red/white in there.

I would use the LEDs to add blue and tone down the red and white for sure. Since you have a coral plus you could swap the coral plus in for the tropic or the purple plus. That should shift it toward blue even more. If that isn't enough then switch out the tropic for a blue plus.

[C-21 USAF]

Time to replace my 4 - 39w T-5s. I also have for 4 110w VHO super actinics that do not need replacing.

My tank is 4'x2'x1'.

I keep mostly SPS under the T-5s and LPS around the edges.

With the 4 VHOs do I really need any more blue?....Right now I have 2 - Blue +, GE 6500, Fiji Purple and it's REALLY blue...looking to lighten things up a bit and increase PAR slightly

I included a (bad) pic of my set-up.

THANKS!

[Tabasco]

So glad to see this thread is alive and kickin.

Just set up an ATI 6 bulb dimmable sunpower. It is too blue for my taste. What would be the best bulb to switch out to get a more crisp whiter look. I am pretty sure I'm running the bulbs in this order front to back:

blue +
purple +
blue +
coral +
aquablue special
blue +

TIA!!

[creefer01]

You could ditch one of the blue + for another coral plus and play with the arrangement. The AB Special was always to white for me. I prefer the more 20k look.

[Tabasco]

Thanks Chris!

That is what I was thinking. I think I read in earlier post that if I change the first bulb which is a b+ that would change the color temp more than changing a middle bulb. Correct?

[mhucasey]

Yes, I find that to be true. The first bulb has a big effect on the overall color perception. Let us know what you think

[bucfan]

Originally Posted by Tabasco

So glad to see this thread is alive and kickin.



Just set up an ATI 6 bulb dimmable sunpower. It is too blue for my taste. What would be the best bulb to switch out to get a more crisp whiter look. I am pretty sure I'm running the bulbs in this order front to back:



blue +

purple +

blue +

coral +

aquablue special

blue +



TIA!!

Try taking a blue+ out and replace with Giesemann Aquablue Azure.