T5 Lighting Question

pdiehm · Apr 25, 2017

Thinking about swapping out my LED fixture for a 6x80W T5 setup. If/when i do, I'm looking at the following bulb combination. LPS mainly, but would like to try my hand at SPS at some point.

Front to rear:

Blue+
Actinic
Coral+
Blue+
AB Special
Blue +

ATI recommends 4 Blue+, Coral+ and Purple + for 6 bulb 16k-20k look. Actinic from what I understand really brings out the pop in corals. so maybe replace the purple+ with the Actinic?

Then I would have to figure out height over the water surface, though I'm thinking 9".

saltyfilmfolks · Apr 25, 2017

At 12in its about 175 par per tube basicly.

pdiehm · Apr 25, 2017

ok, I have my LED 12" over the water now.

doing more research on ATI's website:

Blue +
Actinic
Coral +
Blue +
Actinic
Blue +

think that would be a nice look, cover the spectrums, not too white, not too blue (though I like the 16-20k look).

saltyfilmfolks · Apr 25, 2017

pdiehm said:
ok, I have my LED 12" over the water now.

doing more research on ATI's website:

Blue +
Actinic
Coral +
Blue +
Actinic
Blue +

think that would be a nice look, cover the spectrums, not too white, not too blue (though I like the 16-20k look).

leds have %s so par depends on the intensity and color. you can use a lux meter to estimate what you have.

Thats a good standard color to use, Id be tempted to play around though.

OH look more info!https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/which-ati-bulb-combination-should-i-choose.205103/#post-2345319 From ati

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/g...and-a-whole-mess-of-data.200357/#post-2288276

luke33 · Apr 25, 2017

pdiehm said:
ok, I have my LED 12" over the water now.

doing more research on ATI's website:

Blue +
Actinic
Coral +
Blue +
Actinic
Blue +

think that would be a nice look, cover the spectrums, not too white, not too blue (though I like the 16-20k look).

This would be pretty blue. I would lose the actinic personally as they are not great par wise. A purple + and AB is what I would go with. You could even run some E5's instead of the actinic, still get that blue led pop with some par intensity ; )

saltyfilmfolks · Apr 25, 2017

David.Dao said:
How many hours per day do you plan to run? I also wonder if the corals need to be acclimated to the new light....6x80w fixtures are not dimmable if I remember correctly...

they do need acclimation. pulling tubes or reducing photoperiod is highly recommended.

pdiehm · Apr 25, 2017

Right now there isn't anything in the tank but a pair of clowns and an anemone.

This also isn't happening soon as I need to figure out mounting and such.

ATI North America · Apr 25, 2017

Let me know if I can help in anyway. Looks like everything has been addressed for the most part, but we are here to help!

Cheers

pdiehm · Apr 25, 2017

Would I need a 60" 6x80W? Or will a 48" 6x54 work for my tank?

60x18x26

ATI North America · Apr 25, 2017

I would stick with the 6x80, while the 54w would get the job done, you can more flexibility with aquascaping and coral placement with a 60" fixture.

pdiehm · Apr 25, 2017

Time to start selling old equipment! Lol.

Need to figure out how to hang it. Drop ceiling. Center of tank is about 19" from the wall. Suppose there are brackets that I could attach to the back of the stand and use those to hang the light from.

With the 6x80 am I still 9" from water? Sand is approximately 24" from surface.

Fishmantim · Apr 25, 2017

I have switched from a 8 bulb ATI to ai leds a couple years ago what a mistake

saltyfilmfolks · Apr 25, 2017

pdiehm said:
Time to start selling old equipment! Lol.

Need to figure out how to hang it. Drop ceiling. Center of tank is about 19" from the wall. Suppose there are brackets that I could attach to the back of the stand and use those to hang the light from.

With the 6x80 am I still 9" from water? Sand is approximately 24" from surface.

distance will dictate PAR. IE its brighter the closer it is = more par.

saltyfilmfolks · Apr 25, 2017

found this for you.
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/par-readings-from-sunpower.223967/

pdiehm · Apr 25, 2017

saltyfilmfolks said:
found this for you.
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/par-readings-from-sunpower.223967/

Saw that. So with the 6x80, and I am shooting for 120-150 on the sand...it's gotta be high or I take out one of the B+ and add an actinic, which if I understand lowers the overall PaR of the unit?

ATI North America · Apr 25, 2017

pdiehm said:
Saw that. So with the 6x80, and I am shooting for 120-150 on the sand...it's gotta be high or I take out one of the B+ and add an actinic, which if I understand lowers the overall PaR of the unit?

You'll have plenty of PAR regardless of the bulb combination. I recommend you just buy 1-2 extra bulbs and try whatever combination you like best for your own 2 eyes. Then, set the extras a side for the next bulb swap. People tend to get very caught up in numbers and spectra charts etc, just use 6 ATI bulbs you like the look of and the results will follow!

pdiehm · Apr 25, 2017

I am a big fan of 18k-20k. Looks more natural to me.

But as mentioned since plan is to have lps at first, definitely don't want to fry them.

Mark9 · Apr 26, 2017

I suggest swap out one actinic for another blue+, you don't need 2.

And don't add an aqua blue special, they are just too white, not visually appealing at all.

I've run a 6 bulb setup for years and tried tons of different configurations.

Maybe change the actinic for a purple+, but you can't beat 4 blue+, 1 coral+ and an actinic or purple+ for coral growth.

http://www.atinorthamerica.com/faq.php

ATI North America · Apr 26, 2017

Mark9 said:
I suggest swap out one actinic for another blue+, you don't need 2.

And don't add an aqua blue special, they are just too white, not visually appealing at all.

I've run a 6 bulb setup for years and tried tons of different configurations.

Maybe change the actinic for a purple+, but you can't beat 4 blue+, 1 coral+ and an actinic or purple+ for coral growth.

http://www.atinorthamerica.com/faq.php

Mark keep in mind much of this is personal opinion. I actually run 2 of the Aqua Blue Special in my 8 bulb fixture, however it is an LED Powermodule so I have added blue (and white) from the LEDs. I prefer a more white tank, not windex color so I appreciate Aqua Blue Special.

Best practice is either to find a tank you like and copy it, or buy plenty of bulbs and do your own mix and match until you find the combination you appreciate.

Mark9 · Apr 26, 2017

Yes, lighting is in the eye of the beholder.
But, that's why I recommended 1 coral+, it's 40% Aquablue special, so you get that spectrum but it's not blinding white.
ABS is just not pleasing to look at, not at all.