What is the perfect setup of T5's?

[wannabeeareefkeeper]

6 T5 bulb light: Wanting to have some SPS and well as mushrooms and maybe some softies!

What combination would you choose?

Brand bulb and type of T5? [i.e. blue, blue +, coral +. purple +, aqua blue special, etc.]

Starting from the front of light fixture, name you selection of bulbs -- [total 6 bulbs]. example: blue +, blue +, blue +, purple +, purple +, purple +

If you have any current setups that have worked for you over time, please state in your post. I'm open to any personal experiences you've had and what type of reef setup you had, SPS, softies, etc.


wannabee


P.S. How long has this setup worked for you? What size aquarium do you have?

Edit:

WannabeeaReefKeeper;896310 wrote: 6 T5 bulb light: Wanting to have some SPS and well as mushrooms and maybe some softies!

What combination would you choose?

Brand bulb and type of T5? [i.e. blue, blue +, coral +. purple +, aqua blue special, etc.]

Starting from the front of light fixture, name you selection of bulbs -- [total 6 bulbs]. example: blue +, blue +, blue +, purple +, purple +, purple +

If you have any current setups that have worked for you over time, please state in your post. I'm open to any personal experiences you've had and what type of reef setup you had, SPS, softies, etc.


wannabee


P.S. How long has this setup worked for you? What size aquarium do you have?

Especially interested in [6 bulb] T5 setups.

 

[wannabeeareefkeeper]

Already at 28 views and no responses yet? :confused2: [What?] Is everyone turned to a new chapter and went to LED's?


Wannabee

 

[ringo®]

WannabeeaReefKeeper;896432 wrote: Already at 28 views and no responses yet? :confused2: [What?] Is everyone turned to a new chapter and went to LED's?


Wannabee

I still run T5's over my frag tanks. ATI and Giesemann are the top tier for bulbs imo. I'm pretty sure they're made in the same factory, so quality between the two will be a non-factor. Giesemann is easier to find around here, so that's what I run.

Perfect setup is really up to you and what look you want to achieve.

 

[wannabeeareefkeeper]

Ringo®;896441 wrote: I still run T5's over my frag tanks. ATI and Giesemann are the top tier for bulbs imo. I'm pretty sure they're made in the same factory, so quality between the two will be a non-factor. Giesemann is easier to find around here, so that's what I run.

Perfect setup is really up to you and what look you want to achieve.

Achievement = Growth and color of SPS's. Really, just some happy corals :roll: :yes: :whistling:.

 

[johniii]

When I ran t5ho
I ran
Ati blue+
Blue special
Purple +
Blue special
Blue+
Blue+

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[johniii]

But y
That was pretty darn blue if I was to do it again I would replace a blue+ with a blue special

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[wannabeeareefkeeper]

Bump! for more info.

Nobody else is using T5's. Everyone has moved over to LED's?

Wannabee

 

[snowmansnow]

yes,

I run T5s over my sps tank. 120g. I've been with T5s since I set it up years ago. Great growth... and now with new ballasts I'm getting some crazy colors.

I have 7 lamps. They lighting is powered by 2 Vue660 ballasts that run 12 hours a day.

I keep sps at the top /sps at the bottom... PLENTY of lighting power.

My configuration is (from front to back)

ATI Blue +
ATI Aquablue Special
ATI Blue +
ATI Aquablue Special
ATI Purple +
ATI Blue +
ATI Blue +

I've been running that lighting combo for a while now with really good results .

B

Edit: I do have to say that my tank may not appear as blue as others would with this same combo because the ballasts really drive the lamps to a little lighter color.

B

 

[saltloco]

Idk man. Maybe I just have bad luck w LEDs. All I got was bleached coral that wouldn't grow and died. I went back to t5 and having way better luck. Ask Dillon. He believes in t5 as I do and knows more.

Edit: And that was at minimal light. I tried everything. No luck.

 

[gregoryleonard]

I too just decided to add T5s to my LEDs as a supplement. I am not super excited about the overall look, colors, growth I am getting on my 125 gal DT with just 3 Maxspect Razor 160 watt full spectrum LED units. I have a 6 lamp 48" Tek light (54 watts per bulb) and have ordered ATI bulbs (Blue+, Purple+ and Aquablue special). They have not come in yet, but here is my plan. T5 setup in the back between the overflows angled slightly towards the front, then take the 3 160 watt Razors and place them accross the front of the tank (6ft) and angle them slightly towards the back. I currently run my LEDs (blue channel) for 12 hours @ 100%, and the white channel for 5 hours @ 80% intensity. I plan on running the 2 bulb T5 channel with Blue+ or Actinic+ for 8 hours and slowly ramping the other channel with 4 bulbs up to 6 hours overlapping the LED light cycle. May have to tweak that as I get into it.
My reason for adding T5s is because since the LEDs are in clusters, it seems like there isn't enough total light all over the tank and after a year+ with LEDs it was starting to show some deficiencies (for me) and I want to see how this will help my SPS colors and growth overall.
I would also welcome anyone else from the community to chime in with experience and/or ideas that will assist me in this change. I did a lot of research on-line and other forums (sorry, not enough from just ARC) and decided to go this route to see if I can make a positive change to my system. With this combination of lighting sources, I should achieve total lighting coverage, plenty of PAR and good color and growth. I have also noticed many T5 manufacturers coming out with combo lights (T5 and LEDs) that are getting positive reviews.

 

[wannabeeareefkeeper]

Thanks for all your inputs so far. Keep the comments coming! We all can learn from your responses.

Wannabee

 

[wannabeeareefkeeper]

ARC homepage lists 830 members strong and who knows how many others come to this website for information.

I've had only 5 people response to my original post. It's hard to believe that only 5 people are using T5 lighting. With that information, I assume that the rest of you are using either halide or LED lighting.


Wannabee

 

[mdumet]

I use a 4 bulb t5 for my 65g but I am also trying to figure out what is the best combination. Mine has been running for two months with the bulbs that came with it: 10k, actinic, 10k, actinic. But I find it to be too bright for my taste so I added three 12" led panorama strips of blue 455nm to add more color, but I think it is still too white so I am thinking on changing the bulbs to something like this: actinic, blue+, 10k, actinic.

But I don't if that would be the best for growth or coloration. If anyone else has a better solution I'd love to hear about it.

 

[supermancrv]

I run t5s only tried leds didn't like at all on my 90 I runs a 3 ft 6 bulb Ari sunpower wit blue + blue + blue special blue+ coral plus blue + its a little blue but not to much in my opinion

 

[dball711]

I have a 4 bulb ATI sunpower...

Rear
Blue+
Coral+
Blue +
Blue +
Purple +
Blue +

If you want a little less blue you can switch the Coral + for GE 6500K. Lots of par form this arrangement.

 

[wannabeeareefkeeper]

How about a BUMP? Looking for other's experiences with T5 lighting.

What setups are you running or have you run in the past? Any combinations that you like to help SPS growth and overall color?

Do you remember the sequencing {placement} of your T5's from back to front or front to back? Specify placement in responses please.


Wannabee

 

[wannabeeareefkeeper]

Need a BUMP! Thanks for all the responses so far. Is there any others running a T5 setup?

What is your current arrangement of T5 setup, fish only, reef, SPS only, etc.?


Wannabee

 

[dcreef]

I have a 6 bulb on a relatively new 66gal tank so only softies and LPS at the moment, but I would think there would be plenty of light for SPS.

I went with the following based on a reccomendation from the guys at Reefgeek and I am very happy with it. A bit blue, but that is what I was going for.

Not home at the moment, but I am pretty sure the order from the front is:
Blue +
Blue +
Coral +
Blue +
Purple +
Blue +

 

[snowmansnow]

I'll say this... all t5 fixtures / DIY jobs are NOT equal. A QUALITY 6 lamp t5 fixture can out do an average one with 8 lamps any day.

Look for active cooling (my opinion)
High quality INDIVIDUAL reflectors (none of that parabolic bent stuff)
And OD ballasts (if you're wanting to kick it up). Heat CAN become an issue though

a 24"deep with 6-8 lamps Vue660 ballasts, good lamps and a fan will grow anything out there

Edit: the reason for the post is we've seen a lot on lamp selection... but whats driving the lamps makes A HUGE difference.