T5 Manufacturers, bulb names, Kelvin rating, and side notes

Here is a quick reference list to keep the names and Kelvin rating straight.

ATi:
Sun Pro - daylight - 6000K
Aquablue Special - blue/daylight - 12000K
Blue Plus - blue/actinic - 20000K - 450n
Actinic Blue - actinic - 420n

GE:
Daylight - 6500K

Giesemann: PowerChrome
Midday Sun - 6000K
Aqua Blue Plus - 60%Blue/40%Daylight - 11000K
Actinic Plus - actinic/blue - 450n
Pure Actinic - actinic - 420n

UV Lighting:
AquaSun - daylight - 10000K
Actinic White - 50%daylight/50%actinc - 12000K
Super Actinic - actinic

Additional Notes and Observations:

• T5 Bulbs MUST use a reflector per bulb for optimum operation. In addition, weekly cleaning of bulbs/reflectors is necessary if water splash occurs.
• When upgrading to T5, ALWAYS acclimate corals over a minimum of 1 week to prevent bleaching. Iodine supplements also help.
• ATi bulbs seem to light end to end better. Where as Giesemann leave about a 1 ½ of black at both ends.
• Replace bulbs every 18 – 24 months if using standard ballast
• If using Ice Cap ballast, replace bulbs every 12 – 18 months
• Using Ice Cap ballast will over drive the bulbs producing more usable light.
• Significant reduction in heat (normal operation) over VHO lighting while producing higher PAR ratings.
• T5’s produce more PAR/sq in. than halides.
• Switching from halide to T5, corals might need to be moved around if they were use to a shade spot that is now lit up.
• For SPS tanks use more of the blue/actinic bulbs vs. straight actinic. For example, 4 bulb combo – 2 x Aquablue Special, 1 x Actinic Blue, 1 x Sun Pro
• For Soft /LPS tanks use more straight actinic. For example, 4 bulb combo – 2 x Aquablue Special, 2 x Actinic Blue. Swap a daylight bulb for one of the Aquablue Specials if you don’t like a lot of blue color.
• Tank depth vs. Number of Bulbs – 4 to 6 bulb fixture up to 18” depth, 6 to 8 bulb fixture 18 – 24” depth.
• Suggestions about purchasing – If doing retro kit, go with IC ballast and reflectors. If buying a light fixture, TEK 5 fixtures are extremely well made.

 

Typically you should use more white/yellow as compared to blue to grow SPS... 2:1 OR 3:1 ratio

Nice post though!

 

Awesome thread becuase im just about order some Icecap T5's retro.

I have a question...i have a 120 gallon which is 24" deep and and 48" long

I currently only have two 250W MH 14000K

I can only add 4 more lights ...2 on either side (space limitation)

I want corals to have the best color possible. I have green star polyp, frogspawn, torch coral,galaxea, flowerpot and xenia so far.

I will not buy any corals that dont move. So i will only be buying LPS corals in the future.

My greenstar polyp color has improved dramatically after i moved it from my T5 only tank to the metal halide tank.

Any advice on how the lights should be arranged and what bulbs would give my corals rich colors would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

 

You should post that here...
http://www.3reef.com/forums/reef-lighting/t5s-q-54866.html

 

Here are those pictures I took. Good luck!

 

Get yourself 4 UVL super actinics .. 420nm and run them 16 to 18 Hrs a day and then about 6 to 8 of the M/H.

 

you forgot the UVL 14k's!! 75/25

 

if i add 1 x 12k bulb and 1 x 10k bulb to my 2x 460nm actinics will i be able to suport a mix reef in my 55g?

 

Don't forget Hagen. They make some very nice HO T5 Bulbs in 6500K 18000K and actinic.

 

and the Glo brand bulbs that are 18000K ! great bulbs...