Help understanding T5 HO lights

[flower]

Can someone explain this 8 bulb T5HO unit to me please?

• 
  420/460nm Actinic/Blue Lamps (Qty. 5)
• 
  10,000K Ardent White Lamps (Qty. 2)
  460/620nm Purple Lamps (Qty. 1)

5 actinic looks like overkill and what is the difference between a purple and actinic ...out of 8 bulbs only 2 are 10K...it looks to me like they just want the tank to look blue. I know if I were to get such a unit that I can get different bulbs and arrange it like I want. I would put 2 actinic on each outside and 4 10K bulbs in the center...but what use is a purple lamp besides just color?
I was going to get the linkable units and I think I still will...but that has only 6 bulbs all combined. It would still be 3 10K bulbs and 3 actinc....more light than this unit, but not if I redo the bulbs...I was just considering 8 to be better than 6 bulbs....they are all 54w
Can someone explain things for me?

 

[snakeblitz33]

Actinic light has better par readings for coral growth. Purple lamps give color temps to help coral growth and adds a little violate and red spectrum to help make your corals colors pop/stand out. The white light is mainly for our own amusement and color that we like. It's now understood that most corals benefit from actinic light more than daylighting. What brand bulbs are they? Ati? Tek?

 

[flower]

Quote:
Originally Posted by SnakeBlitz33 http:///t/389744/help-understanding-t5-ho-lights#post_3446515
Actinic light has better par readings for coral growth. Purple lamps give color temps to help coral growth and adds a little violate and red spectrum to help make your corals colors pop/stand out. The white light is mainly for our own amusement and color that we like. It's now understood that most corals benefit from actinic light more than daylighting. What brand bulbs are they? Ati? Tek?
I'm not sure, what an Ati or Tek is....the linkable lights have one 420/460 nm actinic and one 10K bulb (54w)...all three connected gives me six altogether and three of each bulb to placed as I want.
I just had to look at the eight bulb (54w) fixture, thinking more was better and in the end it has less lighting... which I found strange. With the linkable I can do two actinic, three 10K and one purple if I so desire, and still get more light than the 8 bulb unit. Five actinic is overkill for sure, and all you would see is blue. They want $519.99 for the unit. The linkables would only run me $405.00...I can pick up a purple bulb later on.
I know corals like the actinic and I have always had them on every light unit I ever bought.

 

[flower]

I went with the linkables, I got all three units at once, and will add a purple bulb maybe when I change them out in 12 to 18 months. Three actinic and three 10K should be fine for now. The one linkable I have on the seahorse tank is great...All I have are soft corals and macros in that tank...the one unit seems to do just fine for it.

 

[snakeblitz33]

ATI and Tek is a brand of bulb. The more you pay for the bulb, (like ATI, which I am a fan of) in general the better PAR readings you get for the amount of Watts the bulb is using. PAR readings are also better than standard T5HO bulbs on brand name bulbs such as ATI and Tek. Basically, you would be getting more for your money and making your corals more happy and need less bulbs. Standard bulbs = good, brand bulbs = much better.
I just bought my t5 unit and I'm going to wait till the 8 month mark and then upgrade the bulbs to ATI's.
Nova Extreme has an 8 bulb unit 8x54w system with four moonlights, two fans, two separate plug ins for actinic and daylights with individual reflectors for $429.99 .... you would be getting two extra bulbs for less than $30. if you went with that unit. I had that exact unit on a 90g show tank (32" tall) and I was keeping clams on the substrate with no problems... I was quite satisfied.

 

[flower]

Quote:
Originally Posted by SnakeBlitz33 http:///t/389744/help-understanding-t5-ho-lights#post_3446544
ATI and Tek is a brand of bulb. The more you pay for the bulb, (like ATI, which I am a fan of) in general the better PAR readings you get for the amount of Watts the bulb is using. PAR readings are also better than standard T5HO bulbs on brand name bulbs such as ATI and Tek. Basically, you would be getting more for your money and making your corals more happy and need less bulbs. Standard bulbs = good, brand bulbs = much better.
I just bought my t5 unit and I'm going to wait till the 8 month mark and then upgrade the bulbs to ATI's.
Nova Extreme has an 8 bulb unit 8x54w system with four moonlights, two fans, two separate plug ins for actinic and daylights with individual reflectors for $429.99 .... you would be getting two extra bulbs for less than $30. if you went with that unit. I had that exact unit on a 90g show tank (32" tall) and I was keeping clams on the substrate with no problems... I was quite satisfied.
Thanks for the heads up on the bulbs, I went with the linkables. I will make sure any replacement bulbs are ATI or Tek.
I had been working on the seahorse tank and the 90g reef went to the back burner after the heater broke and I lost close to $1500.00 in coral. Then I had the MHs develope a short so only one side works. That is the second set of MHs...for that kind of money I expected better. Between the heat, the fans that collect moist dust and now a short. I am sick of MHs, not to mention the $70.00 for each self firing lamp bulb....Coralife Elite only works with their own bulbs...This unit blew out two ballasts, which they replaced, and Coralife said it was because I used the wrong style of lamp. I thought all 175Ws were created equal...

 

[snakeblitz33]

That sucks!!!!! Best of luck!

 

[reefraff]

Not all T5's are created equally. You can grow anything under a good setup. The cheap crap is just that.
ATI is a brand of light fixture and Lamp. Tek is a fixture.
What size is the tank you are using these over?

 

[flower]

Quote:
Originally Posted by reefraff http:///t/389744/help-understanding-t5-ho-lights#post_3446895
Not all T5's are created equally. You can grow anything under a good setup. The cheap crap is just that.
ATI is a brand of light fixture and Lamp. Tek is a fixture.
What size is the tank you are using these over?
The 90g ... Cheap crap??? The linkables are the same or actually better than the more expensive setup because it's made more sturdy. It has a shield over the lights and both setups are 54w bulbs. The one has 5 actinic, 2 10Ks and 1 purple with no shield to keep water off. The linkable (3 units) will have three actinic, and three 10K bulbs all sealed and safe from water damage. Nothing on Earth needs that much actinic lighting...all it will do is make everything look blue, which I don't like...I have that now. I can always replace the bulbs with the ATI brand and make a better light can't I?
The 8 bulb unit is $599.00
The 3 linkables (6 bulbs) combined cost $405.00
They have the same brand of bulbs, the same wattage, neither are cheap IMO.
My first MHs were Hammelton retrofits, and the second unit is a Coralife Elite, both are 2 X 175w MH with 2 X 96w actinic. Only one side works on the Coralife and I am not handy enough to house the retrofit (I tried). The tank just looks dark and old...the critters seem happy enough, and I don't have any algae problems. I have the bubble coral, palys and zoa on the MH lighted side of the tank with actinic. The other side has only actinic lights working.

More info..... I have a few soft corals in it. This is the stock list to date:
[*]
A tiny bubble frag that is hanging in there but in 3 years hasn't grown...survived the heater incident
[*]
A tiny dime size colony of dragon Zoa..again whats left after the heater broke
[*]
Lots of green star polyps...another surviver not only of the heater, but the hair algae from the horse tank.
[*]
Some green palys that survived the seahorse tanks hair algae and I placed them into this tank.
[*]
2 leather corals one is a stubby finger and the other a purple finger ...from the SH tank
[*]
Kenya trees and lots of small ones here and there...from the SH tank
[*]
Oh and some very healthy mushrooms.
lemonpeel angelfish
Lawnmower blenny
Orchid dottyback
2 perc clownfish
Featherduster worm
Fire shrimp
CUC of snails and hermits
The parameters are pretty good but the calcium (380...should be at least 400) and alkalinity (2.5...should be at least 4) are always low. I dose some Cal and alk but not enough to make it perfect...better low than high I guess. I have a Kents kalk doser, but it was leaking and I just got it repaired last night. The skimmer stopped working too. I clean it up and it works great pulling out thick dark skim, until I unplug it and clean the cup then it's back to not running again, there must be something clogging it but I can't get it apart and I'm afraid to force it. The tank has been on the back burner since I started with the SH tank.
The other test results....
PH...8.3
PO4...0.1
NO3...0

 

[acrylic51]

Quote:
Originally Posted by reefraff http:///t/389744/help-understanding-t5-ho-lights#post_3446895
Not all T5's are created equally. You can grow anything under a good setup. The cheap crap is just that.
ATI is a brand of light fixture and Lamp. Tek is a fixture.
What size is the tank you are using these over?
Reef or whoever how would you rate the Tek fixture.......

A (4) bulb system over a 40 breeder tank.....

 

[flower]

Okay I Googled the Tek light you showed...it's made for horticulture, the bulb lumas is 5,000 not 10k...also a 54w. It sells for $300.00 and if you want a protective lens it costs an extra $15.00
The marine T5HOs have the same 54w but 10K bulbs. This unit is equal to two of the linkables but with lower bulbs that could upgrade since it's 54ws...2 linkables for a 48 inch tank is $135.00 each...That means an equal light would cost $270.00 and you would have the lens already and not have to pay $15.00 extra for it, also you would still have to purchase 10K bulbs
The linkable unit is a better buy.

 

[acrylic51]

Sorry a bit lost....Where you answering me Flower.....

 

[flower]

Quote:
Originally Posted by acrylic51 http:///t/389744/help-understanding-t5-ho-lights#post_3447013
Sorry a bit lost....Where you answering me Flower.....
LOL...now I'm lost. Didn't you post the question on my opinion of the Tek lights shown?

I know Reefraff was quoted and explained the difference between Tek and ATI and said cheap lights were crap. I assumed everyone was blasting the linkable T5s. I personally think the T5 Linkables are a better light then the Tek ones shown.

 

[al&burke]

Flower your are refering to the Aquatic Life linkables correct. These are great lights with real good reflectors.

 

[2quills]

I think they make those aquatic life linkables in led now too if I'm not mistaken..

 

[flower]

Quote:
Originally Posted by 2Quills http:///t/389744/help-understanding-t5-ho-lights#post_3447102
I think they make those aquatic life linkables in led now too if I'm not mistaken..
I have to check that out just to see it....I don't understand LEDs at all. Eventually you have to replace all those tiny lights. I have the blue LEDs and when they go bad, I toss out the light and buy a new one, they are pretty corroded by then...but the LEDs for the main light are very expensive.

 

[flower]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Al&Burke http:///t/389744/help-understanding-t5-ho-lights#post_3447101
Flower your are refering to the Aquatic Life linkables correct. These are great lights with real good reflectors.
Yes, I have one unit over my seahorse tank and I just love it, and just purchased three to go over my 90g...one unit is on back order so I will have two for now. I'm looking forward to light all the way across, right now I have only actinic on the one side. I thought I could live with it and put the non-photosynthetic coral on that side...but it's so blue nothing looks good. I really don't understand folks who like 20K lamps...just too much blue.

 

[al&burke]

I think the purples are great ATI purple plus - I have them on my tank, the make the coral look great, they are considered a daylight bulb from what I have been told.

 

[acrylic51]

Flower curious how close are your lights mounted over your tank?

 

[flower]

Quote:
Originally Posted by acrylic51 http:///t/389744/help-understanding-t5-ho-lights#post_3447134
Flower curious how close are your lights mounted over your tank?
6 inches....I used to keep it just above the canopy (8 inches) but because I have only one lamp working I removed the canopy, and hung the light where it is now. ....The one side shorted out when the lights were hung 8 inches and it has a glass shield, which stays dusty because the fan draws air into one side and out the other. I believe the minimum is 4 inches...I say that because of the little useless legs that came with the unit, it was way to heavy and the legs snapped like a burnt twig.