T5 lamp PAR readings - Page 2

Shawnts106 · 08/31/2006, 07:22 PM

I rushed and hit submit...

I read where you do not recommend the GE bulbs anymore? explain about that...

The Grim Reefer · 08/31/2006, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Creetin
So those readings would be similar to bulbs ran off of a sunlight supply tek fixture? If not what can i expect?
Just purchased the 6 bulb 54 watt fixture, I like it alot, I had the icecap setup and sold off for this.
TIA

The numbers are meaningless except for comparison of the different lamps. You can pick better output lamps for your Tek based on the output from the list.

The Grim Reefer · 08/31/2006, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Shawnts106
I rushed and hit submit...

I read where you do not recommend the GE bulbs anymore? explain about that...

I liked the way the lamp picked up red and yellow colors. The white looking lamps I have tried just don't give you the pop the dingy colored GE did. I will have to pop it in with a bunch of blues and actinics and see how it does but it looks like the cheap 10K lamps some of the cheap fixtures come with.

Shawnts106 · 08/31/2006, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Do you think the "Daylight" Bulbs from ATI and GEISMANN would have the same effect on reds and yellows?

Oh, and why dont you recommend the GE's anymore?

mmoore0803 · 08/31/2006, 07:35 PM

Grim

I have the 48" tek light and want to put it on a 6 ft tank (180g). I'm trying to figure out a way to light up the last 24" of the tank. Could I use a 24" fixture just to illuminate that 2' x 2' square? I was also thinking of just getting a 250w Halide to illuminate.

Any ideas?

Thanks

goda · 08/31/2006, 07:37 PM

what are these numbers compared to the VHO bulbs

was this with or with out reflectors

i always thought UVL was the best but according to your par readins they are 2nd to ATI.

Creetin · 08/31/2006, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by The Grim Reefer
The numbers are meaningless except for comparison of the different lamps. You can pick better output lamps for your Tek based on the output from the list.

I see, Thanks.
Has anyone tried the red hydro bulbs?
I have heard they make your red corals pop with color.

http://hydroliquidators.net/store/pr...fc5aecf0850a11

The Grim Reefer · 08/31/2006, 11:06 PM

Dunno about that lamp but I have ran the GE 3000K and it does make pink and purple stand out a lot better. I plan on running it once I have my nutrients in check.

JustOneMoreTank · 09/01/2006, 06:44 AM

Thanks Grim! The numbers are very enlightening! Haha.
I really love my T5 setup and reading your posts a long time ago helped me choose T5 instead of heating the water with a handful of MHs!

I have had my current system running for about a year and my corals are going thru a really good growth spurt right now so I am not going to change any lamps until I notice them not growing.

BLockamon · 09/01/2006, 10:45 AM

I don't know...UV still probably has the best actinic bulb, which has always been their strong point.

Tomzpc · 09/01/2006, 10:51 AM

I didn't realize that ATI was still around and was under the impression that the D&D bulbs were the same bulbs with different names? Can you still get the bulbs that are called blue plus then?

The Grim Reefer · 09/01/2006, 10:59 AM

ATI Sells Blue Plus, D&D/Guisemann has the Actinic Plus. Reefgeek has the Blue Plus and they are quite a bit better than the Actinic plus.

Klownfish · 09/01/2006, 12:26 PM

Dear Grimm,

A note of "Thanks" for helping with the understanding of T-5's, and how to make them work for us in our tanks.

There use to be an old 'guideline' of how many watts per gallon of light would be minimal for keeping different types of aquatic life.

Example: I had a 70g tank, with 4-VHO 48" bulbs, so 440 watts of light. That would be 6.28 watts per gallon. OK, for most things but not stonys and high light clams.

Now I have T-5's, 4- bulbs (54W) on an IC660 W/ IC reflectors, and one on a TEK ballast and reflector (54W) so I have a total watts of 270. This now gives me 3.85 watts per gallon.

The numbers say less light, but it just isn't so. Is there any guidelines for T-5's, and how much light is needed to keep softies, stonies, anemones and clams?

I think I have enough light for stonies, high light clams, and anemones, am I correct?

Thanks again for your time!

Robyn

artful-dodger · 09/01/2006, 01:21 PM

Robyn, watts are a measure of electrical consumption, not of light. The burner on your electric range set to high turns uses a lot of electricity and glows with orange light...not much PAR for a lot of watts.

The watts/gallon concept was never close to exact, but it can only be applied within one class of lighting. VHO, PC, T-5, MH--and even within each of those classes--vary pretty dramatically in their output of light for a given amount of power. (That's the whole thrust of the PAR testing of bulbs/reflectors/ballasts that The GR does so well.)

That said, you have enough light to keep some "SPS" corals, most clams and many anemone species. (At least I can say, with similar lighting, I'm able to do so. YMMV)

Gary

The Grim Reefer · 09/01/2006, 02:30 PM

WHat ^^^ Said. There are so many different ballast, lamp and reflector combination and varied tank deminsions that watts per gallon is useless. Back when everyone had flat reflectors and rectangular tanks it was still only a helpful guideline.

If you are running 4 overdriven T5's with IC reflectors on a tank less than 24" tall you have enough light to grow anything under the lamps all the way to the sand bed.

mmoore0803 · 09/01/2006, 04:54 PM

So then......do the 24" lights with the IC reflectors put out as much PAR as the 48" lights?

The Grim Reefer · 09/01/2006, 04:56 PM

Normally driven probably not.

mmoore0803 · 09/01/2006, 04:57 PM

can you overdrive the 24" lights? what ballast config would do this?

Klownfish · 09/01/2006, 05:26 PM

Thanks, Artful and Grimm.

Even though T-5's aren't 'new' there isn't a lot of Good, Useful information, in my area.

Thanks again for your help!

With your PAR postings, it makes it so much easier to decide on bulbs to buy. Depending on which type of corals/animals I wish to keep, I can make better choices when making a purchase!

The Grim Reefer · 09/01/2006, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mmoore0803
can you overdrive the 24" lights? what ballast config would do this?

Ice Cap, the 660 will run 4 lamps the 430 will do 2

R.yumaDaddy? · 09/01/2006, 06:13 PM

Thank you very much Grim. I can see you put many hours into aiding newb and pro T5er's. What type / model of meter did you use and what type of light meter would you use to tell if the lamps spectrum has shifted considerably, hence know when to replace bulbs?

mmoore0803 · 09/01/2006, 06:20 PM

won't the 660 be too much for the 24w bulbs?

The Grim Reefer · 09/01/2006, 10:25 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by R.yumaDaddy?
Thank you very much Grim. I can see you put many hours into aiding newb and pro T5er's. What type / model of meter did you use and what type of light meter would you use to tell if the lamps spectrum has shifted considerably, hence know when to replace bulbs?

I use an Apogee QMSS meter. You would need a spectrometer to test for color shift, not a cheap gadget.

raynist · 09/01/2006, 11:07 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by The Grim Reefer
I use an Apogee QMSS meter. You would need a spectrometer to test for color shift, not a cheap gadget.

Do you have the one with the cable?

How about the switch?

That is much more reasonable than I thought it would be.

--Ray

The Grim Reefer · 09/01/2006, 11:10 PM

Yes the one with the cable. I have the sunlight calibrated one. I fugure I can check at noon outside and see how close the calibration is.

08/31/2006, 07:22 PM	#26
Shawnts106 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Alabama Posts: 2,436	I rushed and hit submit... I read where you do not recommend the GE bulbs anymore? explain about that... __________________ Love yourself! NO MATTER WHAT! Current Tank Info: Currently out of the hobby

08/31/2006, 11:06 PM	#33
The Grim Reefer Ready for some NOBALL!!! Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Kingman Az Posts: 25,259	Dunno about that lamp but I have ran the GE 3000K and it does make pink and purple stand out a lot better. I plan on running it once I have my nutrients in check. __________________ America, the way it outta be! Current Tank Info: 120 Starphire with Illudium Q-288 Photon Regurgitator DIY LED lighting

09/01/2006, 10:59 AM	#37
The Grim Reefer Ready for some NOBALL!!! Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Kingman Az Posts: 25,259	ATI Sells Blue Plus, D&D/Guisemann has the Actinic Plus. Reefgeek has the Blue Plus and they are quite a bit better than the Actinic plus. __________________ America, the way it outta be! Current Tank Info: 120 Starphire with Illudium Q-288 Photon Regurgitator DIY LED lighting

09/01/2006, 01:21 PM	#39
artful-dodger Registered Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Highlands Ranch, Colorado Posts: 3,011	Robyn, watts are a measure of electrical consumption, not of light. The burner on your electric range set to high turns uses a lot of electricity and glows with orange light...not much PAR for a lot of watts. The watts/gallon concept was never close to exact, but it can only be applied within one class of lighting. VHO, PC, T-5, MH--and even within each of those classes--vary pretty dramatically in their output of light for a given amount of power. (That's the whole thrust of the PAR testing of bulbs/reflectors/ballasts that The GR does so well.) That said, you have enough light to keep some "SPS" corals, most clams and many anemone species. (At least I can say, with similar lighting, I'm able to do so. YMMV) Gary __________________ "In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock." -- Thomas Jefferson Current Tank Info: 140g RR Oceanic "Ultimate" mixed reef, 37g softies, 40g RBTA tank, 65g FOWLR, 40g breeder frag, and (of course) a 29g QT! ...next up is a 240g! (Gotta go to K-Mart and buy a life...)

09/01/2006, 02:30 PM	#40
The Grim Reefer Ready for some NOBALL!!! Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Kingman Az Posts: 25,259	WHat ^^^ Said. There are so many different ballast, lamp and reflector combination and varied tank deminsions that watts per gallon is useless. Back when everyone had flat reflectors and rectangular tanks it was still only a helpful guideline. If you are running 4 overdriven T5's with IC reflectors on a tank less than 24" tall you have enough light to grow anything under the lamps all the way to the sand bed. __________________ America, the way it outta be! Current Tank Info: 120 Starphire with Illudium Q-288 Photon Regurgitator DIY LED lighting

08/31/2006, 07:35 PM	#30
mmoore0803 Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Oceanside Posts: 667	Grim I have the 48" tek light and want to put it on a 6 ft tank (180g). I'm trying to figure out a way to light up the last 24" of the tank. Could I use a 24" fixture just to illuminate that 2' x 2' square? I was also thinking of just getting a 250w Halide to illuminate. Any ideas? Thanks

08/31/2006, 07:37 PM	#31
goda Moved On Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: fortlauderdale florida area Posts: 1,874	what are these numbers compared to the VHO bulbs was this with or with out reflectors i always thought UVL was the best but according to your par readins they are 2nd to ATI.

09/01/2006, 06:44 AM	#34
JustOneMoreTank Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 967	Thanks Grim! The numbers are very enlightening! Haha. I really love my T5 setup and reading your posts a long time ago helped me choose T5 instead of heating the water with a handful of MHs! I have had my current system running for about a year and my corals are going thru a really good growth spurt right now so I am not going to change any lamps until I notice them not growing.

09/01/2006, 10:45 AM	#35
BLockamon Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 1,104	I don't know...UV still probably has the best actinic bulb, which has always been their strong point.

09/01/2006, 10:51 AM	#36
Tomzpc Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: NY Posts: 1,738	I didn't realize that ATI was still around and was under the impression that the D&D bulbs were the same bulbs with different names? Can you still get the bulbs that are called blue plus then?

09/01/2006, 12:26 PM	#38
Klownfish Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: West Bloomfield, Michigan Posts: 165	Dear Grimm, A note of "Thanks" for helping with the understanding of T-5's, and how to make them work for us in our tanks. There use to be an old 'guideline' of how many watts per gallon of light would be minimal for keeping different types of aquatic life. Example: I had a 70g tank, with 4-VHO 48" bulbs, so 440 watts of light. That would be 6.28 watts per gallon. OK, for most things but not stonys and high light clams. Now I have T-5's, 4- bulbs (54W) on an IC660 W/ IC reflectors, and one on a TEK ballast and reflector (54W) so I have a total watts of 270. This now gives me 3.85 watts per gallon. The numbers say less light, but it just isn't so. Is there any guidelines for T-5's, and how much light is needed to keep softies, stonies, anemones and clams? I think I have enough light for stonies, high light clams, and anemones, am I correct? Thanks again for your time! Robyn

09/01/2006, 04:54 PM	#41
mmoore0803 Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Oceanside Posts: 667	So then......do the 24" lights with the IC reflectors put out as much PAR as the 48" lights?

09/01/2006, 04:56 PM	#42
The Grim Reefer Ready for some NOBALL!!! Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Kingman Az Posts: 25,259	Normally driven probably not. __________________ America, the way it outta be! Current Tank Info: 120 Starphire with Illudium Q-288 Photon Regurgitator DIY LED lighting

09/01/2006, 04:57 PM	#43
mmoore0803 Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Oceanside Posts: 667	can you overdrive the 24" lights? what ballast config would do this?

09/01/2006, 05:26 PM	#44
Klownfish Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: West Bloomfield, Michigan Posts: 165	Thanks, Artful and Grimm. Even though T-5's aren't 'new' there isn't a lot of Good, Useful information, in my area. Thanks again for your help! With your PAR postings, it makes it so much easier to decide on bulbs to buy. Depending on which type of corals/animals I wish to keep, I can make better choices when making a purchase!

09/01/2006, 06:13 PM	#46
R.yumaDaddy? T5 ABUSER Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Easton, Pa / SUNY Morrisville Posts: 285	Thank you very much Grim. I can see you put many hours into aiding newb and pro T5er's. What type / model of meter did you use and what type of light meter would you use to tell if the lamps spectrum has shifted considerably, hence know when to replace bulbs? __________________ The early bird gets the worm, but what about the early worm? Current Tank Info: 110 w/ custom 60 gallon in cabinet refugium / no skimmer

09/01/2006, 06:20 PM	#47
mmoore0803 Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Oceanside Posts: 667	won't the 660 be too much for the 24w bulbs?

09/01/2006, 11:10 PM	#50
The Grim Reefer Ready for some NOBALL!!! Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Kingman Az Posts: 25,259	Yes the one with the cable. I have the sunlight calibrated one. I fugure I can check at noon outside and see how close the calibration is. __________________ America, the way it outta be! Current Tank Info: 120 Starphire with Illudium Q-288 Photon Regurgitator DIY LED lighting