T5 lamp PAR readings - Page 3

raynist · 09/01/2006, 11:28 PM

I imagine that would be a good tool to get a baseline par value with and then you can check to see when the lights need to be replaced.

I can think of a lot of uses for that in placing my corals and seeing the effects of glass/acrylic shields and the effects that eggcrate over the top of the tank has.

I think I just talked myself into buying one

--Ray

PS - do the sensors ever wear out or is there any costly maintenance on these?

The Grim Reefer · 09/01/2006, 11:30 PM

They need to be calibrated every couple years or so.

raynist · 09/01/2006, 11:36 PM

Can you calibrate yourself?

The Grim Reefer · 09/01/2006, 11:38 PM

Seriously doubt it. You would need to have a exact correct amount of source lighting in the right spectrum.

Quis · 09/02/2006, 10:02 AM

Grime I have a 40 gal breeder and was wondering if I should get the Tek T5 4x39 fixture or the 6x39 fixture since I want to add sps and clams to my tank. The tank is 36L x 18D x 16H. I don't want to spend more than I have to.

The Grim Reefer · 09/02/2006, 11:04 AM

Go with 4. 6 would be nice just to be able to add more lamps for a better mix but that would be just an option. $ will give you what you need.

Quis · 09/02/2006, 08:36 PM

Thanks Grime. What bulbs should I get? I want a combo that's going to make the corals colors stand out, and give me growth at the same time.

The Grim Reefer · 09/02/2006, 09:39 PM

Try 2 ATI Blue Plus, 1 UVL Aquasun and a Super Actinic. The Sun and Blue Pluses put out quite a bit of PAR so you will get geed growth and the blue pluses and Actinic will pop the colors.

NewSchool04 · 09/02/2006, 09:48 PM

Hey Grim! What do you think of the UVL Super Actinic? I know there was a ton of hype when the bulb came out and then a lot of it's not that hot. Do you find it much better than the old ATI actinic now Geissman?

The Grim Reefer · 09/02/2006, 09:56 PM

They are just a little bluer than the other T5 actinics. I am currently running an ATI actinic, a UVL SA and ATI blue plus along with a actinic white and a aquasun. Can't decide if I like the look or not but it definatly pops corals.

I don't think the lamp comes close to living up to the pre release hype but mixed with a blue plus they are nice.

NewSchool04 · 09/02/2006, 10:24 PM

I'm going to switch over to the ATI I think just to see a difference. I usually use 3 blue plus and aqua blue Giesmann bulbs but recently put in the old ATI actinic that I had laying around. I think overall it gives a 14K look.
I'm going to go with ATI Aquablue and Blue Plus and I'm going to order one of the UVL SA's just to test.
Probably won't look any different then what I have now!

This is a pretty accurate look of the Actinic Plus and Pure Actinic Giesmann bulbs from last night. I wish the actinic had a little more punch.

aeroaustin · 09/02/2006, 10:30 PM

Where I can find the ATI bulbs? I haven't find any one, they do selling UVL, Giesmann bulbs.

I just bought 4X54 watts retro tek T5.

kroe · 09/02/2006, 10:30 PM

I really like 1x GE 6500k and 3x BluePlus - very 14k looking, everyone who saw the tank loved the look too. I recently swapped one BluePlus for a UVL super actinic. It does pop some corals more, but I am not sure it is worth the loss of PAR. Nobody would notice the difference looks wise but me.

romain · 09/02/2006, 10:31 PM

So, which specific bulb is the bluest?

The Grim Reefer · 09/02/2006, 10:35 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by aeroaustin
Where I can find the ATI bulbs? I haven't find any one, they do selling UVL, Giesmann bulbs.

I just bought 4X54 watts retro tek T5.

www.reefgeek.com

The Grim Reefer · 09/02/2006, 10:36 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by kroe
I really like 1x GE 6500k and 3x BluePlus - very 14k looking, everyone who saw the tank loved the look too. I recently swapped one BluePlus for a UVL super actinic. It does pop some corals more, but I am not sure it is worth the loss of PAR. Nobody would notice the difference looks wise but me.

The UVL and other T5 actinics really grab green and yellow better than the blueplus.

The Grim Reefer · 09/02/2006, 10:37 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by romain
So, which specific bulb is the bluest?

Blue Plus by ATI

Blue Pro by Aquaz

Actinic Plus by D&D/Geisemann

aeroaustin · 09/02/2006, 10:45 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by The Grim Reefer
www.reefgeek.com

Thanks, I find it, going order 4 bulbs....

kroe · 09/02/2006, 10:48 PM

Quote:

The UVL and other T5 actinics really grab green and yellow better than the blueplus.

Agreed. With a 6 bulb setup I would definitely do a UVL super actinic. With a 4 bulb if you are trying to grow SPS (as I do) I am not sure the slight difference in pop is worth the significant loss in PAR. That said I am still running the UVL super actinic - I am going to leave it in and see if growth slows (hasn't noticably yet).

romain · 09/02/2006, 10:53 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by The Grim Reefer
Blue Plus by ATI

Blue Pro by Aquaz

Actinic Plus by D&D/Geisemann

Thanks for the info.

Do you know which one is more similar to Aqua Medic Ocean Blue?

romain · 09/02/2006, 10:55 PM

BTW, I'm gonna use the actinic to supplement the MH 150w 10k.

The Grim Reefer · 09/02/2006, 10:56 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by kroe
Agreed. With a 6 bulb setup I would definitely do a UVL super actinic. With a 4 bulb if you are trying to grow SPS (as I do) I am not sure the slight difference in pop is worth the significant loss in PAR. That said I am still running the UVL super actinic - I am going to leave it in and see if growth slows (hasn't noticably yet).

This will give you an idea of what lamps will give you the most PAR. The GE 3000K had more PAR than the daylight but I need to recheck that.

ATI

Sun Pro 357
Aquablue 336
Blue Plus 311
Actinic 137

D&D/Giesemann

Midday 325
Aquablue 324
Actinic Plus 264
Pure Actinic 157

UVL

Aqua sun 345
Actinic White 293
Super Actinic 210

AquaZ

Sun Pro 285
Ocean Pro 323
Blue Pro 266

Helios

Daylight 309
Super Blue 225

Current Sun Paq

Daylight 10K 272
Blue 252

GE Daylight 340

The Grim Reefer · 09/02/2006, 10:58 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by romain
Thanks for the info.

Do you know which one is more similar to Aqua Medic Ocean Blue?

The Blue Plus is a more blue lamp. If you can run 2 lamps I would do a Blue plus and 1 UVL super actinic. That will get you the best overall look.

romain · 09/02/2006, 11:02 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by The Grim Reefer
The Blue Plus is a more blue lamp. If you can run 2 lamps I would do a Blue plus and 1 UVL super actinic. That will get you the best overall look.

OK will do.

Quis · 09/03/2006, 05:56 AM

You are the man Grim.

09/01/2006, 11:30 PM	#52
The Grim Reefer Ready for some NOBALL!!! Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Kingman Az Posts: 25,259	They need to be calibrated every couple years or so. __________________ America, the way it outta be! Current Tank Info: 120 Starphire with Illudium Q-288 Photon Regurgitator DIY LED lighting

09/01/2006, 11:38 PM	#54
The Grim Reefer Ready for some NOBALL!!! Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Kingman Az Posts: 25,259	Seriously doubt it. You would need to have a exact correct amount of source lighting in the right spectrum. __________________ America, the way it outta be! Current Tank Info: 120 Starphire with Illudium Q-288 Photon Regurgitator DIY LED lighting

09/02/2006, 11:04 AM	#56
The Grim Reefer Ready for some NOBALL!!! Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Kingman Az Posts: 25,259	Go with 4. 6 would be nice just to be able to add more lamps for a better mix but that would be just an option. $ will give you what you need. __________________ America, the way it outta be! Current Tank Info: 120 Starphire with Illudium Q-288 Photon Regurgitator DIY LED lighting

09/02/2006, 09:39 PM	#58
The Grim Reefer Ready for some NOBALL!!! Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Kingman Az Posts: 25,259	Try 2 ATI Blue Plus, 1 UVL Aquasun and a Super Actinic. The Sun and Blue Pluses put out quite a bit of PAR so you will get geed growth and the blue pluses and Actinic will pop the colors. __________________ America, the way it outta be! Current Tank Info: 120 Starphire with Illudium Q-288 Photon Regurgitator DIY LED lighting

09/02/2006, 09:48 PM	#59
NewSchool04 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Go Bears! Posts: 7,629	Hey Grim! What do you think of the UVL Super Actinic? I know there was a ton of hype when the bulb came out and then a lot of it's not that hot. Do you find it much better than the old ATI actinic now Geissman? __________________ 180 w/ Tek 8 bulb T5 fixture 2 6105 Tunze w/ 7095 controller Tunze Wave Box

09/01/2006, 11:28 PM	#51
raynist Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 4,921	I imagine that would be a good tool to get a baseline par value with and then you can check to see when the lights need to be replaced. I can think of a lot of uses for that in placing my corals and seeing the effects of glass/acrylic shields and the effects that eggcrate over the top of the tank has. I think I just talked myself into buying one --Ray PS - do the sensors ever wear out or is there any costly maintenance on these?

09/01/2006, 11:36 PM	#53
raynist Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 4,921	Can you calibrate yourself?

09/02/2006, 10:02 AM	#55
Quis Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Hampton, VA Posts: 348	Grime I have a 40 gal breeder and was wondering if I should get the Tek T5 4x39 fixture or the 6x39 fixture since I want to add sps and clams to my tank. The tank is 36L x 18D x 16H. I don't want to spend more than I have to.

09/02/2006, 08:36 PM	#57
Quis Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Hampton, VA Posts: 348	Thanks Grime. What bulbs should I get? I want a combo that's going to make the corals colors stand out, and give me growth at the same time.

09/02/2006, 09:56 PM	#60
The Grim Reefer Ready for some NOBALL!!! Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Kingman Az Posts: 25,259	They are just a little bluer than the other T5 actinics. I am currently running an ATI actinic, a UVL SA and ATI blue plus along with a actinic white and a aquasun. Can't decide if I like the look or not but it definatly pops corals. I don't think the lamp comes close to living up to the pre release hype but mixed with a blue plus they are nice. __________________ America, the way it outta be! Current Tank Info: 120 Starphire with Illudium Q-288 Photon Regurgitator DIY LED lighting

09/02/2006, 10:24 PM	#61
NewSchool04 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Go Bears! Posts: 7,629	I'm going to switch over to the ATI I think just to see a difference. I usually use 3 blue plus and aqua blue Giesmann bulbs but recently put in the old ATI actinic that I had laying around. I think overall it gives a 14K look. I'm going to go with ATI Aquablue and Blue Plus and I'm going to order one of the UVL SA's just to test. Probably won't look any different then what I have now! This is a pretty accurate look of the Actinic Plus and Pure Actinic Giesmann bulbs from last night. I wish the actinic had a little more punch. __________________ 180 w/ Tek 8 bulb T5 fixture 2 6105 Tunze w/ 7095 controller Tunze Wave Box

09/02/2006, 10:30 PM	#62
aeroaustin Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 134	Where I can find the ATI bulbs? I haven't find any one, they do selling UVL, Giesmann bulbs. I just bought 4X54 watts retro tek T5.

09/02/2006, 10:30 PM	#63
kroe Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Wallingford, CT Posts: 1,211	I really like 1x GE 6500k and 3x BluePlus - very 14k looking, everyone who saw the tank loved the look too. I recently swapped one BluePlus for a UVL super actinic. It does pop some corals more, but I am not sure it is worth the loss of PAR. Nobody would notice the difference looks wise but me.

09/02/2006, 10:31 PM	#64
romain Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Long Island Posts: 488	So, which specific bulb is the bluest? __________________ romain Current Tank Info: 50g Acrylic Reef since August 2004, 20g DIY sump, AquaMedic 2x150w 10K DE + 2x39w T5

09/02/2006, 10:55 PM	#71
romain Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Long Island Posts: 488	BTW, I'm gonna use the actinic to supplement the MH 150w 10k. __________________ romain Current Tank Info: 50g Acrylic Reef since August 2004, 20g DIY sump, AquaMedic 2x150w 10K DE + 2x39w T5

09/03/2006, 05:56 AM	#75
Quis Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Hampton, VA Posts: 348	You are the man Grim.