T5 user safety advice

[Miami Reef]

T5’s are on the way. I’m going to use the BRS recommended spectrum of 4 blue plus 2 coral plus and 2 actinics. Am I allowed to run the unit without some of the bulbs for 5 minutes so I can see what each individual bulb color looks like?

Is it best to turn off unit when changing bulbs? Or can I change the bulbs while unit is on?

 

[tehmadreefer]

2 actinic? Weird.
A purple plus and 1 actinic would have been a much better choice. Depends on the unit but usually you need them all in I believe.

 

[tehmadreefer]

You can also check ATI’s for the best bulb combos, since they are the manufacturer of said bulbs, if you bought ATI which are the best. I would highly recommend against what brs says.

 

[Miami Reef]

It’s an 8 bulb. I think I'm going to end up with purple plus. I like that look.

this is the BRS spectrum. I think the green is too high and red too low for my preference. I’m going to order some purple plus just in case.

 

[CanuckReefer]

T5’s are on the way. I’m going to use the BRS recommended spectrum of 4 blue plus 2 coral plus and 2 actinics. Am I allowed to run the unit without some of the bulbs for 5 minutes so I can see what each individual bulb color looks like?

Is it best to turn off unit when changing bulbs? Or can I change the bulbs while unit is on?

Dependant on the quantity of ballasts running these lamps, they may not ignite properly. If 2 ballasts for example you may need to put in four lamps of the eight... depends on configuration.