T5 Bulb arrangement (Daylight's and actinics)

green1181 · 11/02/2010, 09:27 AM

Finally got my 72 bowfront stand/canopy set up so I plan on installing my t5's now. I have 4 tubes running on an IceCap 660 and 2 on another ballast for actinics. My question is what position should my dusk/dawn actinics be at? And what bulb order should I have from front to rear?
My bulbs are:

3 - ATI Blue +
2 - ATI Aquablue Special
1 - ATI True Actinic 03

THE ROOK · 11/02/2010, 10:42 AM

1. Plus
2. Special
3. Actinic
4. Plus
5. Special
6. Plus

1st & last are the dawn/dusk bulbs. Just my opinion & how I have mine arranged on my 75.

green1181 · 11/02/2010, 01:30 PM

Thanks! I was going to use the actinic but your right it should be near the middle. So 2" reflectors will spread the light enough in the middle?

THE ROOK · 11/02/2010, 02:19 PM

Never used those reflectors. I have a 6 bulb Tek. You could give it a couple of weeks then make a bulb swap to see if you get better coverage.

rtparty · 11/02/2010, 05:10 PM

Whatever you do make sure the actinic is NOT on the 660. It will last about 4 months being overdriven. I would get the Aquablue Specials and 2 Blue Plus on the 660.

Blue Plus
Actinic
Aquablue
Blue Plus
Aquablue
Blue Plus

Put 2 and 6 on the standard ballast. Make sure you have the proper cooling for overdriving.

green1181 · 11/21/2010, 01:52 PM

Just had a look at the canopy, and because of the bow, and the overflow going across the back, 6 bulbs is pretty crowded back there. Would it be enough light running 2 on the 660 and the other two on the other ballast? There will be a sebae anemone and some LPS corals.

11/02/2010, 09:27 AM	#1
green1181 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 101	T5 Bulb arrangement (Daylight's and actinics) Finally got my 72 bowfront stand/canopy set up so I plan on installing my t5's now. I have 4 tubes running on an IceCap 660 and 2 on another ballast for actinics. My question is what position should my dusk/dawn actinics be at? And what bulb order should I have from front to rear? My bulbs are: 3 - ATI Blue + 2 - ATI Aquablue Special 1 - ATI True Actinic 03

11/02/2010, 05:10 PM	#5
rtparty Raise The Reef! Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Utah Posts: 7,404	Whatever you do make sure the actinic is NOT on the 660. It will last about 4 months being overdriven. I would get the Aquablue Specials and 2 Blue Plus on the 660. Blue Plus Actinic Aquablue Blue Plus Aquablue Blue Plus Put 2 and 6 on the standard ballast. Make sure you have the proper cooling for overdriving. __________________ Ryan Click on my user name and check out my homepage! Current Tank Info: 50g Cadlights/Giesemann Spectra (250w Radium, 2 ATI Blue Plus, 2 ATI Actinic)/2 x Vortech MP10wQD/Skimz SN123/Eheim Compact 3000+

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11/02/2010, 10:42 AM	#2
THE ROOK Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Springfield, MA Posts: 2,100	1. Plus 2. Special 3. Actinic 4. Plus 5. Special 6. Plus 1st & last are the dawn/dusk bulbs. Just my opinion & how I have mine arranged on my 75.

11/02/2010, 01:30 PM	#3
green1181 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 101	Thanks! I was going to use the actinic but your right it should be near the middle. So 2" reflectors will spread the light enough in the middle?

11/02/2010, 02:19 PM	#4
THE ROOK Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Springfield, MA Posts: 2,100	Never used those reflectors. I have a 6 bulb Tek. You could give it a couple of weeks then make a bulb swap to see if you get better coverage.

11/21/2010, 01:52 PM	#6
green1181 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 101	Just had a look at the canopy, and because of the bow, and the overflow going across the back, 6 bulbs is pretty crowded back there. Would it be enough light running 2 on the 660 and the other two on the other ballast? There will be a sebae anemone and some LPS corals.