Calling All T-5 users

[prattreef]

I just received a new Aquatinics/Icecap Solar flare 6 lamp T-5 fixture ( very sweet). I need to order lamps for it and I've never used T-5's before. What combination of UV brand lamps would you recommend? Right now I plan to go with 2 Actinics, 2 50/50 and 2 10K on a system dedicated primarily to Clams and Anemones.
Thanks. Randy

 

[Domboski]

Talk to Russ (masterswimmer) and Jim (House of Laughter). I bought Super Actinics from them that are awesome.

They may be able to help you out with the best bulbs and combo.

 

[scarf_ace1981]

if i'm not mistaken, russ suggested ATI bulbs to me.

 

[prattreef]

Let's just say I have incentive to use UV brand

 

[ming]

the only UV Lighting brand T5 I use is the super actinics.
The other 4 bulbs I have are from ATI Blue+, and Aquablue special

 

[fritz]

I've thought about picking one of these up. My problem with T5 is I just can't use one without throwing in some GE Starcoat bulbs. I mean come on those bulbs are ri-donk-u-lous. Once you add some yellow bulbs like that it throws the whole tank off. I fount T5s to lite the tank in sections so if your bulbs colors very greatly you'd notice it. When using bulb combinations that were closer to each other I found they would blend better.

When I tried T5 I ran 4 bulbs on an Icecap 660 over a 55 gallon tank so YMMV.

 

[House of Laughter]

Randy,

I would go with a 65k daylight bulb in the mix somewhere in there and aI just looked at the UVL listing and they only carry the 10k Aquasun T5 -

If the solarflare has 7 bulbs I'd so 3 blue and 4 Aquasun for POP and daylight. If it has 6 I'd do 2 and 4 - maybe even 3 and 3 actinic to daylight.

hOPE THAT HELPS,

House

 

[grisha]

this is the white bulb with 10000 k http://www.hellolights.com/36htru1039w.html
i never used it but i want to try

 

[pecan2phat]

Randy,
IMO the True actinics or URI actinics are space taking bulbs. With a six bulb, I would try, D&D actnic + (blue bulb), D&D aquablue (11k bulb), D&D actinic + (blue bulb), GE starcoat (65k bulb), D&D actinic + (blue bulb), D&D aquablue (11k bulb).

 

[grisha]

what is the good white bulb on the market? im looking for one

 

[Wes]

Nothing but AquaScience for me until something better comes along...I have used blue +, aquablue, and GE 65K bulbs before and they put out good PAR but my colors always looked washed out...I especially dislike the aquablues they wash everything out.

after switching to AquaScience i got better color and growth...

I agree on the pure/super Actinics being waste of space...not enough par to be worth it IMO

 

[prattreef]

Thanks for your suggestions folks. It seems as with all lighting, that there is little agreement As I stated, I have reasons for using UV lamps, but will seriously reconsider using the actinics.

 

[jrodjordan]

I use 10K and Atinic and my clam is fine and all my corals grow well. Just replace 'em every 12 months

 

[masterswimmer]

Hey Randy. I just got wind of your query here. I like the UVL bulbs.

The AquaSun are a 10K bulb that will lean a bit towards the white/yellow appearance. I'd use one in a seven bulb fixture.

The Actinic White is my favorite of the UVL bulbs. It runs at 12K and IMO gives a nice crisp white look to the tank. I'd probably use four of these.

Contrary to other opinions, I would use two of the super blue actinics. I personally like the way they fluoresce. There isn't a whole lot of usable spectrum there, but the corals pop nicely. You'll have five other bulbs that will produce the required spectrum.

Just like everybody else.....JMO

R

 

[tomzpc]

Randy,

If the UVL T-5's are the same as their VHO's (which I believe they are based on my exp. with the super actinics) then I would recommend a 1/1 or a 1/2 blend of the super actinics and the actinic whites. The majority of people using VHO lighting, as I did for years before switching to T-5's, have been using this combo because it is the most aesthetically pleasing (although we all know that beauty is in the eye of the beholder) and it has achieved good growth. Most shy away from the aquasun bulbs because they give the tank a bright pinkish-white hue. Also, since you have the solar flare fixture you will be getting much better penetration into the tank than you could achieve with a 6 bulb or even an 8 bulb tek-light so going with a color on the higher end of the spectrum will still yield excellent results while being more pleasing to the eye. So my suggestion would be 4 of the actinic white and 2 of the super actinic. BTW, I'm jealous, having seen the solar flare units first hand at MACNA. Good luck with it!

 

[fritz]

Randy,
I've been considering getting a solar flare for my upcoming 90 gallon. I've had a few conversations with Grim Reefer about it and he was advising me to go with blues on the outside and day bulbs on the inside. Last time I did T5s conventional wisdom said to alternate bulbs. He said people have found that blues on the outside and day bulbs on the inside give an added depth and more uniform color.

He recommended:
Front
UVL super Actinic
ATI Blue Plus
GE 6500K or 3000K (3000k will bring out reds and yellows)
ATI Aquablue
Aquasun
ATI Blue Plus

The above setup seems like it would be a little blue for my tastes. I might play with an additional 6500k bulb in the mix. Perhaps put the 6500k in the 4th spot and the Aquablue in the 5th, removing the aquasun altogether.

 

[prattreef]

Thanks Fritz. Though I haven't fired it up yet this is one sweet fixture.

 

[fritz]

Please let me know once you do I'd love to see it in action

 

[tomzpc]

Front
UVL super Actinic
ATI Blue Plus
GE 6500K or 3000K (3000k will bring out reds and yellows)
ATI Aquablue
Aquasun
ATI Blue Plus

The above setup seems like it would be a little blue for my tastes. I might play with an additional 6500k bulb in the mix. Perhaps put the 6500k in the 4th spot and the Aquablue in the 5th, removing the aquasun altogether.

That wouldn't look very blue at all IMO. The aquablue bulbs are white and have no visible blue to them. The aquablue along with the 6500K and the aquasun will more than offset the 2 blue plus and one super actinic IMO. I've used all of these bulbs. Right now I'm running 2 blue plus, 2 super actinic and 2 aquablues in a 6 bulb tek light and the color is still very white to my eyes. I'm a big fan of the blue plus bulbs also but Randy asked specifically for the UVL/URI bulbs.

 

[fritz]

Yeah I know but if you don't get the mix of bulbs right there's no point. (IMHO)