T5 diffuser

[Fakegolfnews]

I have a shallow 7 inch deep tank in my office and have a 2 bulb T5 about 3 inches over the water. (Sits on legs on the tank) Its too much light for the corals i keep and i dont want to build a whole setup to hang it. Ive been wondering if its possible to attach a diffuser on it and if it would decrease the par much.

I have a blue plus and an actinic, is there maybe another combo that produces less par? Ive been told by a source i trust 2 actinic wont work long term. Can anyone weigh in on that?

Thanks

 

[A. grandis]

You can use a Blue Plus and a Coral Plus. Better spectrum blend.
No need to worry too much about PAR!
If you adapt them slowly they will do great.
It's not too much light for the corals!

 

[Fakegolfnews]

You can use a Blue Plus and a Coral Plus. Better spectrum blend.
No need to worry too much about PAR!
If you adapt them slowly they will do great.
It's not too much light for the corals!

Holy heck i hate this place haha. Thanksnfor a solution for more light when i asked for less and telling me how much light my corals need

 

[N.Sreefer]

Mabey try a fine screen/mesh lid for the tank that would reduce par and spread the light evenly

 

[oreo54]

I have a shallow 7 inch deep tank in my office and have a 2 bulb T5 about 3 inches over the water. (Sits on legs on the tank) Its too much light for the corals i keep and i dont want to build a whole setup to hang it. Ive been wondering if its possible to attach a diffuser on it and if it would decrease the par much.

I have a blue plus and an actinic, is there maybe another combo that produces less par? Ive been told by a source i trust 2 actinic wont work long term. Can anyone weigh in on that?

Thanks

Screen Top PAR Reduction

I did a test today to see what the difference in PAR was for my tank from screen top on to screen top off. I used a Seneye and the results are shown in the screenshots. The Seneye was kept in the same position on the sand about center tank. For the screen top on I passed the Seneye cord through...

www.reef2reef.com

Effects of various aquarium covers on light transmission

I got a private message from GaryE and thought my reply might be of interest to others. Here’s the message: I know you have done innumerable studies on the various different lighting packages available. Have you ever studied the effects of different coverings on PAR levels? Specifically, I'm...

www.reef2reef.com

Will give you some ideas

 

[A. grandis]

Holy heck i hate this place haha. Thanksnfor a solution for more light when i asked for less and telling me how much light my corals need

Go ask nature, my dear. Haha!
2 bulbs too much light?
Just telling you the truth about it.

 

[tehmadreefer]

You can use a Blue Plus and a Coral Plus. Better spectrum blend.
No need to worry too much about PAR!
If you adapt them slowly they will do great.
It's not too much light for the corals!

Then get rid of the T5’s altogether.. The actinic is the lowest par bulb and plays no role other than to make corals pop more.

 

[A. grandis]

Then get rid of the T5’s altogether.. The actinic is the lowest par bulb and plays no role other than to make corals pop more.

Oh man, you should not say that. Sometimes it's just better to watch the thread than say anything you don't know...
They do add to the combo quite well.

 

[tehmadreefer]

Oh man, you should not say that. Sometimes it's just better to watch the thread than say anything you don't know...
They do add to the combo quite well.

Well considering I’ve always ran 8 and 6 bulb combos, pretty sure I know what I’m taking about... Besides, all one has to do is go on ATI’s site..

 

[tehmadreefer]

Here I’ll make it easy for ya: https://www.atinorthamerica.com/lighting/t5-bulbs/

Take a minute and read about the true actinic bulb.... ya might learn something new!

 

[A. grandis]

Well considering I’ve always ran 8 and 6 bulb combos, pretty sure I know what I’m taking about... Besides, all one has to do is go on ATI’s site..

So go ahead and put some diffusers on a 2 bulb set, right? Hehe.
The main problem is that people normally try to set their preferences on their visual, using PAR as an excuse, and forget that corals are actually living organisms.
In the end everyone gets to do with their tanks what they really want. I know that!
Those people shouldn't come to a place like this to ask suggestions then.
Have fun using a screen or something like that to block the "not enough light" you already have.

 

[RobB'z Reef]

 

[Mike konesky]

Can you raise the fixture? I like the look of that combo for 2 bulb. What fixture do you have?

 

[Midrats]

An easy, quick, and non-permanent way to reduce light is to take some salt water in a spray bottle and mist the splash lens with it. When it dries you have a frosted lens.

 

[A. grandis]

Here I’ll make it easy for ya: https://www.atinorthamerica.com/lighting/t5-bulbs/

Take a minute and read about the true actinic bulb.... ya might learn something new!

"True Actinic​

Produces a violet-blue light that is designed to maximize fluorescence in capable corals and make livestock colors pop. Color spectrum peaks at 421nm. Usually just one per fixture is used to add additional fluorescence to the system. Recommended as a supplement to LEDs and metal halides and commonly used for sunrise and sunset applications in T5 set ups."

I use the Blue Plus for what they say above.
The True Actinic in a combo of 6 or 8 bulbs makes a great bulb and WILL make a difference in the formation of real piments, not only a visual!!!
In a combo of 2 bulbs it will "steal" the place a "white" bulb spectrum and shouldn't be the best option.
I hope you didn't brake that microphone.

 

[Midrats]

@tehmadreefer I'm actually serious.

 

[Weasel1960]

Is your fixture Dimmable?

 

[tehmadreefer]

"True Actinic​

Produces a violet-blue light that is designed to maximize fluorescence in capable corals and make livestock colors pop. Color spectrum peaks at 421nm. Usually just one per fixture is used to add additional fluorescence to the system. Recommended as a supplement to LEDs and metal halides and commonly used for sunrise and sunset applications in T5 set ups."

I use the Blue Plus for what they say above.
The True Actinic in a combo of 6 or 8 bulbs makes a great bulb and WILL make a difference in the formation of real piments, not only a visual!!!
In a combo of 2 bulbs it will "steal" the place a "white" bulb spectrum and shouldn't be the best option.
I hope you didn't brake that microphone.

lol guess information directly from ATI, you know the actual manufacturer of the bulb doesn’t know what they are saying when they market their own bulb on their own site. But eh, who are they anyway?

 

[tehmadreefer]

@tehmadreefer I'm actually serious.

Oh I know I hate when those reflectors get all pitted and frosty, is a good idea tho!

 

[Mike konesky]

The ati actinic is a PUR monster. Don't like the par, get a meter that will actually measure it. How are people still in the dark about ancient lighting? There is data everywhere. Quit bickering and come up with something constructive for the OP.