Seriously Considering T5 - Bulb Ideas

[layer3switchguy]

Folks,

I considering a 7 bulb T5 fixture for my new 120g (4x2x2) tank. As I will be keeping mainly SPS corals and a clam or two, curious what bulbs would be an ideal combination of growth and color.

I'm still a little on the fence about T5-vs-MH, but think this is the route I'm going to go...

Cheers,
L3

[n8ureman]

Just my two cents...the only thing I miss about my MH is the shimmering effect on the water. Outside of that I'm still getting good colors and PE from my corals. I also seem to save a little on my electric bill since I made the switch. Just the opinion of a T5 convert...:rollface:

[atf72]

I have the same tank you do and decided to try t5's after using mh. I'll be running 6 bulbs all overdriven on icecaps. I'm going to try:

Front
URI Actinic
ATI Blue+
ATI Aquablue or URI 75/25
ATI Blue+
URI Aqausun
ATI Blue+

I'll chime back in and let you know how it looks when I get switched over.

[layer3switchguy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12794482#post12794482 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by atf72
I have the same tank you do and decided to try t5's after using mh. I'll be running 6 bulbs all overdriven on icecaps. I'm going to try:

Front
URI Actinic
ATI Blue+
ATI Aquablue or URI 75/25
ATI Blue+
URI Aqausun
ATI Blue+

I'll chime back in and let you know how it looks when I get switched over.

Awesome! Please let me know how the 6 bulb fixture works. I'm guessing Solarflare? I'm on the fence between that and the Constellation.

Cheers,
L3

[vvolfe1]

I've just got some new lamps and a two lamp retrofit. I just went all ATI. I really like the look. Running the icecap ballasts are the way to go IMO. Front to back I'm running.
Blue plus
aquablue
pro-color
blue plus
aquablue
blueplus

[atf72]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12794814#post12794814 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by layer3switchguy
Awesome! Please let me know how the 6 bulb fixture works. I'm guessing Solarflare? I'm on the fence between that and the Constellation.

Cheers,
L3

....It will be all retrofits with icecap reflectors. I could run 7 bulbs on the ballasts but need room for my beloved PowerBrite LED's.

I should have things switched out the first week of July and will chime back in.

[Primetime33]

So far you have gotten two great recommendations for bulb configs. Both wil give a clean blueish look and great PAR as well. ATI bulbs are very good bulbs.

[dobly_1999]

I have a combination of 4-T5 and 2 - MH. Once the year is up on my MH bulbs, I am going total T5. The expense for blubs and energy, T5 is my choice. The bulbs last 2 years compared to MH 6mos to a year.
You can change the color temp of the light for less than $25 compared to MH expense of at least $65 per bulb.

My corals under T5
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/SylvesterinFL/UrchinsEatTheGreenStuff/photo#5208502360093971458"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/SylvesterinFL/SEhRTPkvVAI/AAAAAAAAA1Y/YJd4kpLjeEw/s800/IMG_3706.JPG" /></a>

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/SylvesterinFL/UrchinsEatTheGreenStuff/photo#5208502501827892274"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/SylvesterinFL/SEhRbfkvVDI/AAAAAAAAA1w/2VhyVmF6AW8/s800/IMG_3709.JPG" /></a>

[fijiblue]

dobly_1999 - I think you were a little miss informed about the lifespan of T5's. They last about 7 to 9 months before loosing 30% total light output and color fading.

[drouner]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12796827#post12796827 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by fijiblue
dobly_1999 - I think you were a little miss informed about the lifespan of T5's. They last about 7 to 9 months before loosing 30% total light output and color fading.

Is that if they are overdriven?

I ask this because I'm on the fence as well and looking hard at costs of running my current system (w potnetial up grades) vs a T5 system.

[pIankton]

my configuration - front to back:

blue+
blue+
aquasun
blue+
aqua blue
blue+

Nice crisp 14k look - next time I will switch a center blue+ for another aquasun.

[Frankenpora]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12793934#post12793934 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by n8ureman
Just my two cents...the only thing I miss about my MH is the shimmering effect on the water. Outside of that I'm still getting good colors and PE from my corals. I also seem to save a little on my electric bill since I made the switch. Just the opinion of a T5 convert...:rollface:

How much exactly are you saving in KWh on your bills??
And what was the configuration of halides?
This is a serious question.......

[SteveNMegz]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12794482#post12794482 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by atf72
I have the same tank you do and decided to try t5's after using mh. I'll be running 6 bulbs all overdriven on icecaps. I'm going to try:

Front
URI Actinic
ATI Blue+
ATI Aquablue or URI 75/25
ATI Blue+
URI Aqausun
ATI Blue+

I'll chime back in and let you know how it looks when I get switched over.


thats pretty much the exact bulb combo we have in our solar flare, colours are awesome, no yellow tint what so ever, and you don't notice how much blue there actually is (until you take a picture)

[sjfishguy]

MH lasting 6 months? That is old info; new documentation shows you can make them last at least 2 years. This article explains it: http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-04/ac/index.php

I have a single MH over my 30cube and like it. The only benefit I see with T5s is you don't get shadows like you do from having only one, maybe two halides. The coral tissue looks more colorful all the way around the skeleton, thus a brighter looking tank. This is what I have noticed between t5 and MH tanks. I am still up in the air about which is better though because I love my colors and growth with the 14k Phoenix.

[chadfarmer]

t5 I use on my 120

kz figi purple

kz 14k

kz 14k

kz 14k

kz 14k

kz 14k

kz 14k

kz figi purple

[Mchava]

chadfarmer do you have any pictures of your set up. I am also looking at t5 for my next tank. Also going with a 120

[vvolfe1]

[i] The only benefit I see with T5s is you don't get shadows like you do from having only one, maybe two halides. The coral tissue looks more colorful all the way around the skeleton, thus a brighter looking tank. This is what I have noticed between t5 and MH tanks. [/B]

That is the best explanation I've read on the differences.

[mcliffy2]

I would go:

For blue bulbs: 1 actinic, 3 blue plus,

For "white" bulbs: pro color, kz fiji purple, and ATI Aquablue (only aquablue is actually white, but others have mainly white besides their slight tint (purple for kz fiji and red for pro color).

If it seems like too much light, swap out one of the blue blus for an actinic.

[dobly_1999]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12796827#post12796827 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by fijiblue
dobly_1999 - I think you were a little miss informed about the lifespan of T5's. They last about 7 to 9 months before loosing 30% total light output and color fading.

I have read reports of 6 months to 2 years. Even if I split the time in half, it will still be cheaper than MH over a period of time. I will change the T5 1 to 1.5 years.

I will not overdrive the bulbs.

[dobly_1999]

One other than, FPL (our thieve power company), plan to increase the cost of energy another 9% this year. Therefore, I am very interested in saving on energy cost and maintain a sps reef tank.

Seriously, with the dramatic increase in household expenses, I for one have to consider alternative ways to cut back on expensives without giving up the hobby. Running chillers and MH are a couple of things I can cut on the cost to run a SPS tank.

[reefsahoy]

I have a TEK 6 bulb light and using the combo.

URI super atinic
giesman aqua blue
giesman atinic
ATI figi purple
giesman atinic +
URI atinic

i keep all 300 watts on for 8 hours and the rest of the 4 hours 100 watts of atinic

heres some pics.

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/nickleege/FishTank/photo?authkey=skq2uCYtWH4#5220662393829601666"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/nickleege/SHOEyXR0MYI/AAAAAAAAAEI/-EbmDJEDsOQ/s800/IMG_0749.JPG" /></a>

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/nickleege/FishTank/photo?authkey=skq2uCYtWH4#5220664517236673986"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/nickleege/SHOGt9lgzcI/AAAAAAAAAI4/3I5pINHUgwI/s800/IMG_0798.JPG" /></a>

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/nickleege/FishTank/photo?authkey=skq2uCYtWH4#5220663927842888242"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/nickleege/SHOGLp7FWjI/AAAAAAAAAHw/vMBR5Lm2TMI/s800/IMG_0788.JPG" /></a>
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/nickleege/FishTank/photo?authkey=skq2uCYtWH4#5220661845599374146"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/nickleege/SHOESc9iy0I/AAAAAAAAAJI/Pr4ttGohbn0/s800/IMG_0801.JPG" /></a>

[drouner]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12924498#post12924498 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by reefsahoy
I have a TEK 6 bulb light and using the combo.

URI super atinic
giesman aqua blue
giesman atinic
ATI figi purple
giesman atinic +
URI atinic

i keep all 300 watts on for 8 hours and the rest of the 4 hours 100 watts of atinic

heres some pics.

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/nickleege/FishTank/photo?authkey=skq2uCYtWH4#5220662393829601666"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/nickleege/SHOEyXR0MYI/AAAAAAAAAEI/-EbmDJEDsOQ/s800/IMG_0749.JPG" /></a>

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/nickleege/FishTank/photo?authkey=skq2uCYtWH4#5220664517236673986"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/nickleege/SHOGt9lgzcI/AAAAAAAAAI4/3I5pINHUgwI/s800/IMG_0798.JPG" /></a>

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/nickleege/FishTank/photo?authkey=skq2uCYtWH4#5220663927842888242"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/nickleege/SHOGLp7FWjI/AAAAAAAAAHw/vMBR5Lm2TMI/s800/IMG_0788.JPG" /></a>
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/nickleege/FishTank/photo?authkey=skq2uCYtWH4#5220661845599374146"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/nickleege/SHOESc9iy0I/AAAAAAAAAJI/Pr4ttGohbn0/s800/IMG_0801.JPG" /></a>

That's a nice looking tank..............

[spsfreak]

Doug, agreed; it is a nice tank. Hey reefsahoy, what size tank you have? I am looking for a T5 combo for my 75g setup that will have a lighting coloration exactly like what you run.

Thanks, Matt

[reefsahoy]

I'm using TEK 6 bulb and my tank is a standard 90 gallon tank. i will be upgrading to ATI 6 bulb powermodules soon.

check out how i made my canopy. it's an open top and my fans run when lights are on. my tank runs 77 degrees and that's where my house runs too.

<img src="http://216.77.188.54/coDataImages/p/Groups/370/370511/folders/285742/2285173topon.JPG" width="470" height="352">

here's my young daughter taking the top off. the wood is light.


<img src="http://216.77.188.54/coDataImages/p/Groups/370/370511/folders/285742/2285174topbeingremoved.JPG" width="470" height="352">

here's what left when the top is removed. note that the light and fans are left behind on a 3 sided inside fixture. this is what makes my top so light and easy to remove. note also a slight tilt to the back brace that holds the fan so it blows onto the water. the TEK fixture does not enclose the top so all the air gets pushed thru the top of the canopy and thus constant cool air to the water.

<img src="http://216.77.188.54/coDataImages/p/Groups/370/370511/folders/285742/2285175topshell.JPG" width="470" height="352">

[drouner]

reefsahoy - Why the upgrade to ATI?

[reefsahoy]

because the claim is that i will get more penetration with that light and i'm trying to get the best colors i can using t5's. talking to reefgeek and grimreefer they claim i'll get better par so i figure to give it a try. the TEK light served me good so far but when i see the likes of TOTM i figure i can't go wrong.

[spsfreak]

Very nice, thanks for the info.

[drouner]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12927298#post12927298 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by reefsahoy
because the claim is that i will get more penetration with that light and i'm trying to get the best colors i can using t5's. talking to reefgeek and grimreefer they claim i'll get better par so i figure to give it a try. the TEK light served me good so far but when i see the likes of TOTM i figure i can't go wrong.

I figured that was going to be the answer. If be considering the TEK just because of the cost. Since right now I've gone towards more LPS recently, I'm thinking that maybe a better choice because of the lack of penetration.

[Joe Kelley]

Has anyone measured the PAR with a meter of these bulbs in various configurations and between HO and VHO sources? They seem very interesting but without any real data look like the old HO but small and really bright with a good reflector.
Good luck with your tanks and have fun.

Joe