Hydroponics t5s

anarchy

anarchy

Active member
What's the difference between the t5 fixtures used for hydroponics compared to the reef t5s like ATI? I'm wanting to use t5s for supplemental lighting. They will be controlled by my apex so built in timers are useless to me.
 
All i can tell u is that ati drivers and reflectors make a whole world of diffrence with par readings but maybe if its just supplimental u maybe ok
 
I'll need good par numbers since the t5s will be on my future 180 On the front and back and there will be 3 250w halides between them
 
Hydroponic lighting generally has more of the warmer spectrum.

This can be bad for a reef tank as nuisance algae respond favorably to this spectrum.

If you want lighting easily controlled by your APEX 1-10v dimmable drivers with LEDs work very well.

If you have any questions on a Cree 5 watt retro version of this let me know.

Cheers

Bill
 
wld1783 said:
Hydroponic lighting generally has more of the warmer spectrum.

This can be bad for a reef tank as nuisance algae respond favorably to this spectrum.

If you want lighting easily controlled by your APEX 1-10v dimmable drivers with LEDs work very well.

If you have any questions on a Cree 5 watt retro version of this let me know.

Cheers

Bill
Click to expand...
Would the fixture or bulbs determine the spectrum?
 
Yes

As far as LEDs go there are 5 different intensity Bins and 28 different Colour Bins of just their 5 watt Cool White LED. Choosing the right mix can make or break a LED Fixture.

T5s use numerous combinations of phosphors and heavy metals to achieve their spectrum. Each bulb is different and better companies post their spectrum on the package.

If you have a plant grow aka hydroponic T5 light and change the bulbs out to 50/50 and actinic you now have an aquarium light.

Hope this helps

Bill
 
wld1783 said:
Yes

As far as LEDs go there are 5 different intensity Bins and 28 different Colour Bins of just their 5 watt Cool White LED. Choosing the right mix can make or break a LED Fixture.

T5s use numerous combinations of phosphors and heavy metals to achieve their spectrum. Each bulb is different and better companies post their spectrum on the package.

If you have a plant grow aka hydroponic T5 light and change the bulbs out to 50/50 and actinic you now have an aquarium light.

Hope this helps

Bill
Click to expand...
Thanks for all the help. I may get ahold of you for the leds. I'll have to see about pricing to see which fits my budget
 
Top End Cree LEDs like the 5 watt XT-E in the long run are much less expensive than MH or T5

I've done both in the past on my 2000 gal set up and I'm very pleased with the results of 100% LED.

Cheers

Bill
 
anarchy said:
Would the fixture or bulbs determine the spectrum?
Click to expand...

The bulbs u put in the fixture determin the spectrum as for quality ati seems to be most effective there ballast and reflectors seem to be the best . Example i ran cheap t5 fixture had to run 8bulbs all ati bulbs but not fixture to go over my reef 75gal. With a ati fixture i will be able to get away with a 6 bulb and still have more power then my 8 bulb . I had leds for the last idk 5 yrs or so i played with many combos the main issue i have is the spread they r way to directional if i want the spread im gonna have to add a third fixture and at that time im not saving on wattage so i just bought a ati t5 fixture . Ive gotten best colors out of all my corals under t5 . Ive seen lots of tanks and best ones have been under halides with t5 suppliments second best been straight t5 and at the end of the list have been under led . Walt a former member had the best looking tank with all led but his tank was small like a thirty gallon or something and his lights were some where like 600$ each and he had like three of them i could be wrong on price but it was a insane amount maybe even more then what i said . With that said i believe u just wanted to supliment your lights i dont c why u couldnt with the hydroponic lights u talking about since your main light source im guessing is mh the t5 will change color temp will add some par but dont expect a crazy amount . Just my years of staring at dif tanks and light set ups oppinion being a sps collector chaseing color is a daily exercise lol
 
madjoe said:
The bulbs u put in the fixture determin the spectrum as for quality ati seems to be most effective there ballast and reflectors seem to be the best . Example i ran cheap t5 fixture had to run 8bulbs all ati bulbs but not fixture to go over my reef 75gal. With a ati fixture i will be able to get away with a 6 bulb and still have more power then my 8 bulb . I had leds for the last idk 5 yrs or so i played with many combos the main issue i have is the spread they r way to directional if i want the spread im gonna have to add a third fixture and at that time im not saving on wattage so i just bought a ati t5 fixture . Ive gotten best colors out of all my corals under t5 . Ive seen lots of tanks and best ones have been under halides with t5 suppliments second best been straight t5 and at the end of the list have been under led . Walt a former member had the best looking tank with all led but his tank was small like a thirty gallon or something and his lights were some where like 600$ each and he had like three of them i could be wrong on price but it was a insane amount maybe even more then what i said . With that said i believe u just wanted to supliment your lights i dont c why u couldnt with the hydroponic lights u talking about since your main light source im guessing is mh the t5 will change color temp will add some par but dont expect a crazy amount . Just my years of staring at dif tanks and light set ups oppinion being a sps collector chaseing color is a daily exercise lol
Click to expand...
Yes main lighting will be MH the problem is I'm not satisfied with the par my 250w is putting off over my 93. I'm getting a range between 350 at the top shelf and 100 on the sand. And on my shallow 30 I've got 420 at the top rock and 100 on the sand. So I need to supplement because even around the edges of the 30 the par is poor. So I know when I put 3 halides on a 180 it's going to be the same poor par around the edges. So I was thinking if I put a 2 bulb on the front and back that it would help boost par some. Maybe even 4 bulbs
 
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