T5 help

[Lariat]

I have an odyssea 72" fixture with 3 250watt mh and 4 80watt t5's. for the mh I have 3 Phoenix 15k's. I'm looking to put new t5's in it but I don't know what combination to use. Any suggestions? I think I want to go with ati's

 

[GoVols]

@reefwiser

 

[Lariat]

I'm thinking 2 blue plus 1 aquablue and 1 actinic

 

[dragon99]

Do you have a preference on how the tanks looks? Do you prefer a bluer, whiter, or even redder appearance?

 

[lion king]

If you go to ati website they have suggestions of combos. It gives you details to color temp and overall color perception.

 

[GoVols]

I'm thinking 2 blue plus 1 aquablue and 1 actinic

If you want a whiter spectrum then dump the Aquablue and get the KZ gen ii.
The gen ii is the best full daylight t5 bulb I've ever owned :)

With you going with 15k MH. I'd want to go to the more blue side with the T5's.
For ATI I'd lean more to 4 B+ / or 3 B+ with 1 kz gen ii

Like I said if you want a full daylight bulb pass on the ABS and get the gen ii (You can thank me later) lol

 

[Lariat]

I like white with a blue tint

 

[rtparty]

This really depends on what you want the T5s to do. Are they mostly used to add PAR? Are you using them to fine tune the color? If so, are the halides too white for you? Are the T5s mainly just for the dusk/dawn effect?

I have a MH/T5 fixture going on my new tank and will use the Phoenix bulb as well. I really like the Phoenix as a stand alone so my T5s will be for dusk/dawn mostly. Therefore, I'll probably run 2 actinic bulbs for pop. If I wanted a brighter tank during the day I'd run 2 ATI Coral Plus.

 

[dragon99]

Get (1) each of the actinic and coral+ bulbs to try them out and see how they look. Then you can either supplement that with blue+ or just buy a couple more.

 

[ReeferDave01]

I have exact same fixture plus marine orbit pro 72" led. I just ordered gielsemann bulbs.. White (2x), purple and blue. I'm going to run led's 8-10 hrs day and t5 about 4 hrs during peak sun.

 

[rtparty]

One thing to note is that Odyssea ballasts don't run T5 bulbs properly. They are usually under driven and will show a little more blue IME.

Years ago I had a 2 bulb Odyssea when I just started in the hobby. I ran 2 Aquablue Special bulbs and loved them. When I got an ATI fixture and the bulbs were run to spec, it was night and day different. The Aquablue bulbs were super white and washed out my colors. I've avoided them ever since then

 

[GoVols]

One thing to note is that Odyssea ballasts don't run T5 bulbs properly. They are usually under driven and will show a little more blue IME.

Years ago I had a 2 bulb Odyssea when I just started in the hobby. I ran 2 Aquablue Special bulbs and loved them. When I got an ATI fixture and the bulbs were run to spec, it was night and day different. The Aquablue bulbs were super white and washed out my colors. I've avoided them ever since then

+1
The ABS = Wash Out :eek:/ The Coral+ is way better bulb than the abs.

Trust me... Done the road try (1) KZ gen ii and it will blow you away :)

They have the sweetest crisp White / Blue spectrum on the market and are par monsters :cool:

 

[rtparty]

+1
The ABS = Wash Out :eek:/ The Coral+ is way better bulb than the abs.

Trust me... Done the road try (1) KZ gen ii and it will blow you away :)

They have the sweetest crisp White / Blue spectrum on the market and are par monsters :cool:

I've used them in the past. I like all of the KZ bulbs. I just don't think they're worth the premium in the end. If they're on sale though, I'd grab them no issue.

IIRC ATI and KZ bulbs are made by the same company. Just slightly different formulas used. The KZ Super Blue is a very nice blue bulb

 

[Lariat]

I'll try the kz gen II thanks. During the day all lights are on. Actinics and mh and I like the way it looks but at night after the mh go off it's too blue for me

 

[Lariat]

Maybe 3 blue plus and a kz?

 

[rtparty]

I'll try the kz gen II thanks. During the day all lights are on. Actinics and mh and I like the way it looks but at night after the mh go off it's too blue for me

Try one pink/purple bulb for the dusk/dawn. It will also help balance the Phoenix look.

2 Blue Plus, 1 Actinic and 1 Purple Plus looks really good for dusk/dawn IMO

 

[GoVols]

I've used them in the past. I like all of the KZ bulbs. I just don't think they're worth the premium in the end. If they're on sale though, I'd grab them no issue.

IIRC ATI and KZ bulbs are made by the same company. Just slightly different formulas used. The KZ Super Blue is a very nice blue bulb

I've tried them all too.
The gen ii is worth the premium but that's JMO.
I like the super blues (blue metallic look) but... I think the ATI b+ is a better all around bulb than the KZ SB.

I don't care if there made it the same factory as long as their good products.
After all my years on buying and swapping out bulbs every six months. Yes I do swap every six months it may be overkill but it's my money (lol)

Over the years this what I like in my combos and it's JMO :)
ATI - Blue +
ATI - Coral +
KZ - gen ii

Right now i'm pushing 8 t5 with led in the middle so front to back
1) B+
2)B+
3)KZ gen ii
4)B+
LED Middle section
5)B+
6)C+
7)B+
8)B+

After tomorrow I'll be total led again for the first time since 2013 (lol)

In my heart I'll always be a MH/T5 man.
Nothing makes me drool more than a 20K radium bulb :)

If Giesemann made the Spectra in 36" it would have been over my reef long ago.
My RSM 400 is 42" wide.
The Spectra MH/T5 starts at 24" and jumps to 48" :confused: :(
But their led/t5 hybirds start at 24", 36", 48" etc..

I love the Giesemann canopy look and if the don't make in a 36" holding 39 watt t5 then I just would be going back to mh/t5.

 

[GoVols]

I'll try the kz gen II thanks. During the day all lights are on. Actinics and mh and I like the way it looks but at night after the mh go off it's too blue for me

Your Welcome,
If it's too blue for your taste after the mh shuts off.
Then... You will love the gen ii. :)

 

[Velcro]

The gen II is also one of the highest par t5 bulbs out there. With my PAR meter just below a coral+ I get ~1000. Just under the new gen I get a PAR of 1300