T5 lamp PAR readings - Page 4

cwal · 09/03/2006, 04:53 PM

I hate to ask a dumb question, but what is a PAR reading

raynist · 09/03/2006, 08:37 PM

Photosynthetically Active Radiation, refers to the wavelengths of sunlight that plants/corals can use to power photosynthesis

aeroaustin · 09/03/2006, 10:26 PM

Hey everbodies,

what do you setting timer for T5? I have 6 bulbs. Do you running all the bulbs for all the day or setting up for dawn and dusk?

for example,

8 am 2 SA
10 am midday and Aquasun and other 2 aquablue
8 pm midday and Aquasun off
10 pm 2 SA and 2 Aquablue off Moonlight on

that is fine? or what is your recommedation?

tank will be SPS, LPS and inveterbrates. IThank has not set up yet. The ordered of T5 Retro hasn't arrive yet, and have to make canopy first then carribean rocks and Indo-Pacfic sands

Probably start the tank by first of oct.

cwal · 09/03/2006, 10:48 PM

Thanks...

The Grim Reefer · 09/04/2006, 07:06 AM

That should work.

Quote:

Originally posted by aeroaustin
Hey everbodies,

what do you setting timer for T5? I have 6 bulbs. Do you running all the bulbs for all the day or setting up for dawn and dusk?

for example,

8 am 2 SA
10 am midday and Aquasun and other 2 aquablue
8 pm midday and Aquasun off
10 pm 2 SA and 2 Aquablue off Moonlight on

that is fine? or what is your recommedation?

tank will be SPS, LPS and inveterbrates. IThank has not set up yet. The ordered of T5 Retro hasn't arrive yet, and have to make canopy first then carribean rocks and Indo-Pacfic sands

Probably start the tank by first of oct.

Husky_1 · 09/04/2006, 07:57 AM

Grim,
I read the other T-5 thread, well only the last 29 pages or so and really appreciate the effort that you (and others) have put into the thread.

As for the PAR values listed, I assume that is for the 54 watt bulbs. Do you have reading for the 39's, and would you expect that ATI would overall be the best in that wattage as well.

The Grim Reefer · 09/04/2006, 08:55 AM

Havent done 39 watt lamps but I would bet they follow the same pattern.

TandN · 09/04/2006, 11:47 AM

Hey Grim do you have pics of each of the bulbs lit by themselves ??? would love to see it

The Grim Reefer · 09/04/2006, 12:27 PM

It is really hard to get a decent shot of the lamps with the camera/knowledge of photography I have.

Here are some shots of different blues/actinics taken with the with balance adjusted so you only see the effects on corals, not the color of the light.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...hreadid=876329

ryan115 · 09/04/2006, 06:56 PM

I am currently setting up a 40 breeder. I want to run 6 T5's off of 2 Workhorse 5 ballasts. I am planning on keeping a few sps, lps, some softies, and possibly a clam or 2. I really didnt have an idea for the bubs I wanted until reading this thread. So what I have come up with so far is...

Ballast 1:
2 ATI Blue Plus
1 UVL SA
for my actinics and...

Ballast 2:
1 UVL Aquasun
1 GE Daylight
1 ATI Sunpro

Does this sound like a good setup or am I completly off...feel free to make any adjustments to this setup.

TandN · 09/04/2006, 08:52 PM

Thank you for the link ...... I was thinking of gettin the icecap t5 retro kit
4 T5's
660 ballast

TandN · 09/04/2006, 08:57 PM

lol forgot my question lol

I got a great price for them from my LFS that I go to cheaper then online prices. for my 120g i have 2 400w MH 20k's and using the T5's for actinics should I go with the 2 bulb or 4 bulb ?????

The Grim Reefer · 09/04/2006, 10:09 PM

You might not be able to get the ATI Sun for a while. I'd maybe try a UVL actinic white in its place if you cant.

Quote:

Originally posted by ryan115
I am currently setting up a 40 breeder. I want to run 6 T5's off of 2 Workhorse 5 ballasts. I am planning on keeping a few sps, lps, some softies, and possibly a clam or 2. I really didnt have an idea for the bubs I wanted until reading this thread. So what I have come up with so far is...

Ballast 1:
2 ATI Blue Plus
1 UVL SA
for my actinics and...

Ballast 2:
1 UVL Aquasun
1 GE Daylight
1 ATI Sunpro

Does this sound like a good setup or am I completly off...feel free to make any adjustments to this setup.

The Grim Reefer · 09/04/2006, 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by tanya72806
lol forgot my question lol

I got a great price for them from my LFS that I go to cheaper then online prices. for my 120g i have 2 400w MH 20k's and using the T5's for actinics should I go with the 2 bulb or 4 bulb ?????

I would try 2 as long as you are using good equipment.

raynist · 09/04/2006, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by The Grim Reefer
Seriously doubt it. You would need to have a exact correct amount of source lighting in the right spectrum.

How long have you had your meter?

Did you order direct or is there somewhere cheaper?

Have you had any issues with this? Do you know of any other meters of this type?

Thanks
Ray Nist

The Grim Reefer · 09/04/2006, 10:32 PM

I got my meter from a hydroponics outfit but it is the same price from the factory. I've had it a couple years. I screwed up and pulled the cable out of it and sent it back to Apogee in Utah. They improved the method of mounting the cable in the meter body so they fixed mine and recalibrated it for free. I would deal directly with them.

Lothar · 09/05/2006, 12:04 AM

Grim,

Thanks for your work on this. I have a question(s) for lighting a 72" x 23"x 22" high tank with T5's. I originally thought about 6 60" bulbs but then I can't get the Icecap reflectors or the bulb selection that I want. Also Greg at Reef Geek said they might also start extra charges for shipping bulbs over 48". Most do that anyway. Then I thought about going 12 36" but relamp costs would almost double as well as having to buy two to make a color adjustment. So now I'm thinking about 6 48" with 4 of them 6" or so off center and 2 centered( thinking that if I only wanted one sun bulb it would look better centered then over to one side).
I'm mostly going to keep LPS and a bubble tip with a sprinkling of SPS. Would appreciate your thoughts.

Thanks

horkn · 09/05/2006, 06:32 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Quis
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.

4 will work quite well.

my tank (35g) is very close to the 40 breeders dimensions (except 11.5" front to back, not 18) and i have had good luck keeping sps , and clams with 3x39 of t5ho

raynist · 09/05/2006, 06:57 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Lothar
Grim,

Thanks for your work on this. I have a question(s) for lighting a 72" x 23"x 22" high tank with T5's. I originally thought about 6 60" bulbs but then I can't get the Icecap reflectors or the bulb selection that I want. Also Greg at Reef Geek said they might also start extra charges for shipping bulbs over 48". Most do that anyway. Then I thought about going 12 36" but relamp costs would almost double as well as having to buy two to make a color adjustment. So now I'm thinking about 6 48" with 4 of them 6" or so off center and 2 centered( thinking that if I only wanted one sun bulb it would look better centered then over to one side).
I'm mostly going to keep LPS and a bubble tip with a sprinkling of SPS. Would appreciate your thoughts.

Thanks

Check out this thread...

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...2&goto=newpost

The Grim Reefer · 09/05/2006, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Lothar
Grim,

Thanks for your work on this. I have a question(s) for lighting a 72" x 23"x 22" high tank with T5's. I originally thought about 6 60" bulbs but then I can't get the Icecap reflectors or the bulb selection that I want. Also Greg at Reef Geek said they might also start extra charges for shipping bulbs over 48". Most do that anyway. Then I thought about going 12 36" but relamp costs would almost double as well as having to buy two to make a color adjustment. So now I'm thinking about 6 48" with 4 of them 6" or so off center and 2 centered( thinking that if I only wanted one sun bulb it would look better centered then over to one side).
I'm mostly going to keep LPS and a bubble tip with a sprinkling of SPS. Would appreciate your thoughts.

Thanks

That should work.

The Grim Reefer · 09/05/2006, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by horkn
4 will work quite well.

my tank (35g) is very close to the 40 breeders dimensions (except 11.5" front to back, not 18) and i have had good luck keeping sps , and clams with 3x39 of t5ho

It really depends on the tank. If someone wants SPS and clams only those 2 extra lamps make a big difference with the extra 6" of tank depth. Once you move beyond that last reflector the intensity falls off pretty fast.

The Grim Reefer · 09/05/2006, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by horkn
4 will work quite well.

my tank (35g) is very close to the 40 breeders dimensions (except 11.5" front to back, not 18) and i have had good luck keeping sps , and clams with 3x39 of t5ho

It really depends on the tank. If someone wants SPS and clams only those 2 extra lamps make a big difference with the extra 6" of tank depth. Once you move beyond that last reflector the intensity falls off pretty fast.

Shawnts106 · 09/05/2006, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Photosynthetically Active Radiation

Or

Photosynthetic Available Radiation

ryan115 · 09/05/2006, 07:18 PM

So what do you think about this set up on a 40breeder?

Front:
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Aquasun
UVL Super Actinic
GE Daylight or ATI Sunpro (Which one?)
UVL Actinic White or ATI Aqua Blue (Which one?)
ATI Blue Plus
Back

Or should I flip it around?
Also is there much of a difference between the TEK reflectors and the Ice Cap reflectors? or is there another make that is better?

The Grim Reefer · 09/05/2006, 08:10 PM

Ice Cap reflectors are better but it wont make a huge difference over your tank. Mix of lamps looks good, once you fire them up you can play with the positions.

09/04/2006, 07:57 AM	#81
Husky_1 Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: South FL Posts: 1,541	Grim, I read the other T-5 thread, well only the last 29 pages or so and really appreciate the effort that you (and others) have put into the thread. As for the PAR values listed, I assume that is for the 54 watt bulbs. Do you have reading for the 39's, and would you expect that ATI would overall be the best in that wattage as well. __________________ Out of the hobby, but thinking of rejoining Current Tank Info: 92 Reef, 10 Reef

09/04/2006, 08:55 AM	#82
The Grim Reefer Ready for some NOBALL!!! Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Kingman Az Posts: 25,259	Havent done 39 watt lamps but I would bet they follow the same pattern. __________________ America, the way it outta be! Current Tank Info: 120 Starphire with Illudium Q-288 Photon Regurgitator DIY LED lighting

09/04/2006, 12:27 PM	#84
The Grim Reefer Ready for some NOBALL!!! Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Kingman Az Posts: 25,259	It is really hard to get a decent shot of the lamps with the camera/knowledge of photography I have. Here are some shots of different blues/actinics taken with the with balance adjusted so you only see the effects on corals, not the color of the light. http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...hreadid=876329 __________________ America, the way it outta be! Current Tank Info: 120 Starphire with Illudium Q-288 Photon Regurgitator DIY LED lighting

09/04/2006, 10:32 PM	#91
The Grim Reefer Ready for some NOBALL!!! Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Kingman Az Posts: 25,259	I got my meter from a hydroponics outfit but it is the same price from the factory. I've had it a couple years. I screwed up and pulled the cable out of it and sent it back to Apogee in Utah. They improved the method of mounting the cable in the meter body so they fixed mine and recalibrated it for free. I would deal directly with them. __________________ America, the way it outta be! Current Tank Info: 120 Starphire with Illudium Q-288 Photon Regurgitator DIY LED lighting

09/05/2006, 12:04 AM	#92
Lothar Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: NorCal Posts: 101	Grim, Thanks for your work on this. I have a question(s) for lighting a 72" x 23"x 22" high tank with T5's. I originally thought about 6 60" bulbs but then I can't get the Icecap reflectors or the bulb selection that I want. Also Greg at Reef Geek said they might also start extra charges for shipping bulbs over 48". Most do that anyway. Then I thought about going 12 36" but relamp costs would almost double as well as having to buy two to make a color adjustment. So now I'm thinking about 6 48" with 4 of them 6" or so off center and 2 centered( thinking that if I only wanted one sun bulb it would look better centered then over to one side). I'm mostly going to keep LPS and a bubble tip with a sprinkling of SPS. Would appreciate your thoughts. Thanks __________________ Is that a penguin on the tele? Current Tank Info: 75g

09/03/2006, 04:53 PM	#76
cwal Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Iowa Posts: 21	I hate to ask a dumb question, but what is a PAR reading

09/03/2006, 08:37 PM	#77
raynist Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 4,921	Photosynthetically Active Radiation, refers to the wavelengths of sunlight that plants/corals can use to power photosynthesis

09/03/2006, 10:26 PM	#78
aeroaustin Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 134	Hey everbodies, what do you setting timer for T5? I have 6 bulbs. Do you running all the bulbs for all the day or setting up for dawn and dusk? for example, 8 am 2 SA 10 am midday and Aquasun and other 2 aquablue 8 pm midday and Aquasun off 10 pm 2 SA and 2 Aquablue off Moonlight on that is fine? or what is your recommedation? tank will be SPS, LPS and inveterbrates. IThank has not set up yet. The ordered of T5 Retro hasn't arrive yet, and have to make canopy first then carribean rocks and Indo-Pacfic sands Probably start the tank by first of oct.

09/03/2006, 10:48 PM	#79
cwal Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Iowa Posts: 21	Thanks...

09/04/2006, 11:47 AM	#83
TandN Registered Member. Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: NYC Posts: 2,009	Hey Grim do you have pics of each of the bulbs lit by themselves ??? would love to see it

09/04/2006, 06:56 PM	#85
ryan115 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Ocean Springs, MS Posts: 753	I am currently setting up a 40 breeder. I want to run 6 T5's off of 2 Workhorse 5 ballasts. I am planning on keeping a few sps, lps, some softies, and possibly a clam or 2. I really didnt have an idea for the bubs I wanted until reading this thread. So what I have come up with so far is... Ballast 1: 2 ATI Blue Plus 1 UVL SA for my actinics and... Ballast 2: 1 UVL Aquasun 1 GE Daylight 1 ATI Sunpro Does this sound like a good setup or am I completly off...feel free to make any adjustments to this setup.

09/04/2006, 08:52 PM	#86
TandN Registered Member. Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: NYC Posts: 2,009	Thank you for the link ...... I was thinking of gettin the icecap t5 retro kit 4 T5's 660 ballast

09/04/2006, 08:57 PM	#87
TandN Registered Member. Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: NYC Posts: 2,009	lol forgot my question lol I got a great price for them from my LFS that I go to cheaper then online prices. for my 120g i have 2 400w MH 20k's and using the T5's for actinics should I go with the 2 bulb or 4 bulb ?????

09/05/2006, 07:18 PM	#99
ryan115 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Ocean Springs, MS Posts: 753	So what do you think about this set up on a 40breeder? Front: ATI Blue Plus UVL Aquasun UVL Super Actinic GE Daylight or ATI Sunpro (Which one?) UVL Actinic White or ATI Aqua Blue (Which one?) ATI Blue Plus Back Or should I flip it around? Also is there much of a difference between the TEK reflectors and the Ice Cap reflectors? or is there another make that is better?

09/05/2006, 08:10 PM	#100
The Grim Reefer Ready for some NOBALL!!! Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Kingman Az Posts: 25,259	Ice Cap reflectors are better but it wont make a huge difference over your tank. Mix of lamps looks good, once you fire them up you can play with the positions. __________________ America, the way it outta be! Current Tank Info: 120 Starphire with Illudium Q-288 Photon Regurgitator DIY LED lighting