T5 Light discussion

HidingReefer · 09/09/2015, 06:32 PM

Hi guys,
I have a question for lights over my reef.
I bought a second hand tank and lucky for me the package came with a 48 inch 8 bulb T5 fixture for my 90g reef. Currently there are 3 corals, 2 bubble and one mushroom. The guy was running power compacts on it before, which is what is on the fixture now. So I was thinking of going with ATI bulbs. 8 bulbs is too much for me so im planning on 4. Im thinking of Purple Plus, Coral Plus, and 2 Blue plus, im aiming for a cool blue-purple color. Now a guy at my LFS said if i want to grow corals I NEED some sort of white light in there. I wanted to know if this was true, i have heard white light helps corals grow faster, but he claimed that with this combo i will get minimal growth. Now I dont mind relatively slow growth, but I dont want No growth. IF the LFS guy was correct, what bulb combo can I do to get some nice coral growth yet have some blue color to the tank.
Sorry If i typed too much
Any help would be appreciated

Dkuhlmann · 09/09/2015, 07:16 PM

With T5's you need actinic for growth and its recommended to use 50% of your lighting as actinic.

I don't know if that 8 bulb will work with only 4 in it. You would have to try it. Also remember you need to change bulbs every 7-9 months

ViktorVaughn · 09/09/2015, 09:17 PM

There's plenty of white in that coral plus, he probably doesn't know the bulb or is just misinformed. I have heard of the values of the actinic spectrum, just never heard the recommendation for half the bulbs being actinic. I just recently added some actinic spectrum in the form of a build my led strip but I have had good growth in the last year and a half without it.

Crush Coral · 09/09/2015, 09:34 PM

I keep herein about the need for actenic too but for years ran just 3 ati blue+ and 1 purple+ with great growth. Who knows, may have been even better with an actenic.

HidingReefer · 09/09/2015, 09:58 PM

Thanks guys

Dkuhlmann · 09/10/2015, 03:20 AM

Here is the light that I have

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...m?pcatid=21460

ATI's site

http://www.atinorthamerica.com/bulbs.php

Baiggann · 09/10/2015, 04:54 AM

I have a 90 Gal mixed reef and I run an ATI 6 X 54. My bulbs are 4 Blue+, 1 Purple+, and 1 Coral+. I have great growth with this combo. I average 275 in PAR at the sandbed.

Dkuhlmann · 09/10/2015, 05:14 AM

There are many threads on RC about this and it's funny that many people think that the white bulbs are the actinics but it's the blue bulbs that are.

I run two actinics, one B+ and one P+ which is what was recommended for optimum coral growth by ATI and many articles that I've read.

The main thing to note is to change whatever bulbs you have every 7-9 months.

Dkuhlmann · 09/10/2015, 05:18 AM

Actinic threads on RC, lots of good information about lighting.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=1918382
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=2427588
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=2182590
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=1850500

This is one that explains the benefits of actinic bulbs
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=1646508

Big E · 09/10/2015, 06:13 AM

The coral+ and blue+ both have more than enough actinic in them to grow and color any coral. You can see in the spectral charts in this link.

http://saltycritter.com/lighting/t5-bulbs-ati.htm

Running actinic bulbs in a 4 bulb setup is only going to reduce growth because they have weak par levels. You can use one or two in a 6-8 bulb setup for mainly ambience or a little more pop...............that's all the bulbs are good for.

I haven't used any actinic bulbs in over 5 years..........you can see the growth sequences and color of my corals here------

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...197142&page=12

I ran MH for 10 years without actinic supplementation because the bulbs I used had that wavelength in their spectral makeup.

Actinic bulbs have never been used for nothing more than supplemental looks for years with bulb setups be it MH or T5.

Early LED boxes had no 400-420(actinic) range spectrum in them so it became an issue.........most do now ,but still less than the amount a coral+ or blue+ put out and that's one of many reasons why people are using T5 and LED in combo.

Dkuhlmann · 09/10/2015, 06:32 AM

Ed, thanks for your post. Yes my fish and corals do "pop" out more than before I changed the bulbs. I have decent growth in all of my corals and everything looks great. I'm a Euphyllia freak and will be getting more in the future and at some point I will change my T5 to an led. I might borrow one from my buddy and see how it does. I mean for under $80 delivered to my house that's not much more than what I'll have in bulbs for my T5.

Thanks for the link I'm going to read it now

I think I'll order another B+ and P+ since these bulbs aren't that old to replace my actinics to see how this does.

Do you recommend running two of the same on each circuit? When my lights come on its only actinic then an hour later the other two come on. Does this make sense in how Im trying to explain it? Oh my Purple + is a 14k bulb I believe

09/09/2015, 06:32 PM	#1
HidingReefer Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 259	T5 Light discussion Hi guys, I have a question for lights over my reef. I bought a second hand tank and lucky for me the package came with a 48 inch 8 bulb T5 fixture for my 90g reef. Currently there are 3 corals, 2 bubble and one mushroom. The guy was running power compacts on it before, which is what is on the fixture now. So I was thinking of going with ATI bulbs. 8 bulbs is too much for me so im planning on 4. Im thinking of Purple Plus, Coral Plus, and 2 Blue plus, im aiming for a cool blue-purple color. Now a guy at my LFS said if i want to grow corals I NEED some sort of white light in there. I wanted to know if this was true, i have heard white light helps corals grow faster, but he claimed that with this combo i will get minimal growth. Now I dont mind relatively slow growth, but I dont want No growth. IF the LFS guy was correct, what bulb combo can I do to get some nice coral growth yet have some blue color to the tank. Sorry If i typed too much Any help would be appreciated

09/09/2015, 07:16 PM	#2
Dkuhlmann Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: NW Iowa Posts: 8,823	With T5's you need actinic for growth and its recommended to use 50% of your lighting as actinic. I don't know if that 8 bulb will work with only 4 in it. You would have to try it. Also remember you need to change bulbs every 7-9 months __________________ Previous tanks: 200 gal fowlr 9" Emperor Angel and many different butterfly fish 4" maroon clown and several other fish, 50 gal sump, 40 gal mixed reef/fish mostly softies and LPS. Current Tank Info: 40b 750 gph 45 lbs lr, 2"-3" sand, 165w full spectrum dimable LED, 20 gal sump/refugium 30 lbs lr, Bak Pak 2 skimmer, 4" sock temp 79-80, sg 1.026, NH3 0, NO2 0, NO3 <10, ph 8.2, calc 400, mag 1300

09/10/2015, 03:20 AM	#6
Dkuhlmann Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: NW Iowa Posts: 8,823	Here is the light that I have http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...m?pcatid=21460 ATI's site http://www.atinorthamerica.com/bulbs.php __________________ Previous tanks: 200 gal fowlr 9" Emperor Angel and many different butterfly fish 4" maroon clown and several other fish, 50 gal sump, 40 gal mixed reef/fish mostly softies and LPS. Current Tank Info: 40b 750 gph 45 lbs lr, 2"-3" sand, 165w full spectrum dimable LED, 20 gal sump/refugium 30 lbs lr, Bak Pak 2 skimmer, 4" sock temp 79-80, sg 1.026, NH3 0, NO2 0, NO3 <10, ph 8.2, calc 400, mag 1300

09/10/2015, 04:54 AM	#7
Baiggann Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Walton, Kentucky Posts: 74	I have a 90 Gal mixed reef and I run an ATI 6 X 54. My bulbs are 4 Blue+, 1 Purple+, and 1 Coral+. I have great growth with this combo. I average 275 in PAR at the sandbed. __________________ 90 Marineland RR Tank, Trigger Systems 36" Sump, Apex Controller, Bubble Magus Curve 7 Skimmer, ATI 6 X 54

09/10/2015, 05:14 AM	#8
Dkuhlmann Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: NW Iowa Posts: 8,823	There are many threads on RC about this and it's funny that many people think that the white bulbs are the actinics but it's the blue bulbs that are. I run two actinics, one B+ and one P+ which is what was recommended for optimum coral growth by ATI and many articles that I've read. The main thing to note is to change whatever bulbs you have every 7-9 months. __________________ Previous tanks: 200 gal fowlr 9" Emperor Angel and many different butterfly fish 4" maroon clown and several other fish, 50 gal sump, 40 gal mixed reef/fish mostly softies and LPS. Current Tank Info: 40b 750 gph 45 lbs lr, 2"-3" sand, 165w full spectrum dimable LED, 20 gal sump/refugium 30 lbs lr, Bak Pak 2 skimmer, 4" sock temp 79-80, sg 1.026, NH3 0, NO2 0, NO3 <10, ph 8.2, calc 400, mag 1300

09/09/2015, 09:17 PM	#3
ViktorVaughn Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Aurora, CO Posts: 619	There's plenty of white in that coral plus, he probably doesn't know the bulb or is just misinformed. I have heard of the values of the actinic spectrum, just never heard the recommendation for half the bulbs being actinic. I just recently added some actinic spectrum in the form of a build my led strip but I have had good growth in the last year and a half without it.

09/09/2015, 09:34 PM	#4
Crush Coral Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Central Wisconsin Posts: 1,233	I keep herein about the need for actenic too but for years ran just 3 ati blue+ and 1 purple+ with great growth. Who knows, may have been even better with an actenic.

09/09/2015, 09:58 PM	#5
HidingReefer Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 259	Thanks guys

09/10/2015, 05:18 AM	#9
Dkuhlmann Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: NW Iowa Posts: 8,823	Actinic threads on RC, lots of good information about lighting. http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=1918382 http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=2427588 http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=2182590 http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=1850500 This is one that explains the benefits of actinic bulbs http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=1646508 __________________ Previous tanks: 200 gal fowlr 9" Emperor Angel and many different butterfly fish 4" maroon clown and several other fish, 50 gal sump, 40 gal mixed reef/fish mostly softies and LPS. Current Tank Info: 40b 750 gph 45 lbs lr, 2"-3" sand, 165w full spectrum dimable LED, 20 gal sump/refugium 30 lbs lr, Bak Pak 2 skimmer, 4" sock temp 79-80, sg 1.026, NH3 0, NO2 0, NO3 <10, ph 8.2, calc 400, mag 1300

09/10/2015, 06:13 AM	#10
Big E Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: South Euclid, OH Posts: 4,281	The coral+ and blue+ both have more than enough actinic in them to grow and color any coral. You can see in the spectral charts in this link. http://saltycritter.com/lighting/t5-bulbs-ati.htm Running actinic bulbs in a 4 bulb setup is only going to reduce growth because they have weak par levels. You can use one or two in a 6-8 bulb setup for mainly ambience or a little more pop...............that's all the bulbs are good for. I haven't used any actinic bulbs in over 5 years..........you can see the growth sequences and color of my corals here------ http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...197142&page=12 I ran MH for 10 years without actinic supplementation because the bulbs I used had that wavelength in their spectral makeup. Actinic bulbs have never been used for nothing more than supplemental looks for years with bulb setups be it MH or T5. Early LED boxes had no 400-420(actinic) range spectrum in them so it became an issue.........most do now ,but still less than the amount a coral+ or blue+ put out and that's one of many reasons why people are using T5 and LED in combo. __________________ 80g Rimless Acropora System reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2197142&page=31 Ed

09/10/2015, 06:32 AM	#11
Dkuhlmann Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: NW Iowa Posts: 8,823	Ed, thanks for your post. Yes my fish and corals do "pop" out more than before I changed the bulbs. I have decent growth in all of my corals and everything looks great. I'm a Euphyllia freak and will be getting more in the future and at some point I will change my T5 to an led. I might borrow one from my buddy and see how it does. I mean for under $80 delivered to my house that's not much more than what I'll have in bulbs for my T5. Thanks for the link I'm going to read it now I think I'll order another B+ and P+ since these bulbs aren't that old to replace my actinics to see how this does. Do you recommend running two of the same on each circuit? When my lights come on its only actinic then an hour later the other two come on. Does this make sense in how Im trying to explain it? Oh my Purple + is a 14k bulb I believe __________________ Previous tanks: 200 gal fowlr 9" Emperor Angel and many different butterfly fish 4" maroon clown and several other fish, 50 gal sump, 40 gal mixed reef/fish mostly softies and LPS. Current Tank Info: 40b 750 gph 45 lbs lr, 2"-3" sand, 165w full spectrum dimable LED, 20 gal sump/refugium 30 lbs lr, Bak Pak 2 skimmer, 4" sock temp 79-80, sg 1.026, NH3 0, NO2 0, NO3 <10, ph 8.2, calc 400, mag 1300