We don't have any really good comprehensive threads on T5HO lighting on NR, so I thought it was about time one got started.
I've been doing a lot of recent research on T5HO after buying a 24" 4x24w T5HO fixture from HelloLights.com at the incredible price of $100.
http://www.hellolights.com/index.asp?PageA...D=1718&HS=1

One of the really cool things about T5HO is the endless bulb combinations that can be used to produce various lighting effects.
Below are some pics and bulb information from different NR members who are using T5HO.

Masterbuilder

30G Finnex – 24x18x16 Tank
Aquactinics TX5 T-5HO Light Fixture
Bulb Configuration:
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue+
ATI Procolor
KZ Fiji Purple
ATI Blue+

Sac_State

75g Reef Ready Tank
8 bulb Tek Fixture
Bulb Used (configuration and brand unknown):
4 Actinic
2 75/25
2 Actinic Whites

chickendude10

10g tank
Fishneedit 4x24w fixture
Bulbs Used:
2 ATI Blue+
1 ATI Aquablue
1 UVL Aquasun

SaltyVT

20L Tank
24" Tek T5 HO 4x24 unit
Bulb Configuration:
Actinic Plus
Aquablue
Aquablue
True Actinic

BKtomodachi

15L Tank
Tek 4x24w Fixture
Bulbs Used:
1x GE 6500K daylight
1x Giesemann Pure Actinic
1x UV Actinic White
1x ATI Blue Plus
Comment from BK on above bulb combo-- "For what its worth, I'm replacing the 6500K. The tank is just too yellow for my tastes, but not by much. I just want a bit more blue."

Phixion

30g Finnex Tank, 24w X 18L X 18h
4x24w T5HO fixture w/ moon LEDs built-in
UVL 75/25 14000K AquaBlue
UVL Super Actinic
ATI 12,000K Aquablue Special
ATI Blue+

GobyInPeace

Tank: AGA 40 gallon breeder. Started 12/7/05.
Lighting: 4x39 watt T5s overdriven to 64 watts each. One of each: ATI Blue Plus, ATI Aqua Blue Special, UVL Superactinic, GE 6500K Daylight.

Wawawang

40b Tank
Aquactinics 36 inch tx5 T5HO fixture
Bulb Combo, front to back:
ATI Blue Special
ATI Actinic Blue
Fiji Purple
ATI Blue Special
ATI Blue Plus


fishez4alivin

60g Tank, 36x24x16x 3/4" Cell Cast Acrylic
ATI Powermodule 6x39W Fixture
Front
ATI Blue +
UV Super Actinics
ATI Blue+
UV Aquasun
ATI Blue+
ATI Aquablue special
This is exactly how the tank and corals look under that bulb combo

cpreefguy

6x24w ATI Powermodule Fixture
ATI Blue Plus
KZ New Generation 14K
UV Actinic
KZ Fiji Purple
UV Actinic
KZ New Generation 14K



2 ATI Blue+
1 KZ Fiji Purple
1 GE6500

Some excellent information on T5HO including different bulb combos and PAR values can be found here:
http://tfivetesting.googlepages.com/

I will continue to add FTS w/bulb combos as I find them.
In the interests of keeping this in a more useable format, if you have a tank with a T5HO fixture, please PM me your FTS and bulb combo to add to this post, instead of posting it yourself.
That way I can hopefully just keep all the pics together here instead of having them in different places all over the thread.
I will be continuing to post much more info that I have gleaned from various places and people over the next couple of days.

This is a great Idea, It was always a pain to try and search through threads to find which bulbs looked best. BTW I used Geismann bulbs, next time I am going to try ATI.

Great thread, Weets! I have T5HO on two of my tanks.

edit: Okay, I'm still collecting my info, but I'll be editing this post later on. Feel free to correct any mistakes I've made or help clarify some statements. I've temporarily removed references to most fixture/ballast brands due to there being many changes in quality.


What is a T5?

The bulbs we are talking about are "T5HO fluorescents" (aka T5-HO), but I will use the term "T5" from now on.

First, a T5 is a fluorescent bulb, which means it uses electricity to "excite mercury vapor" (yes mercury) to emit ultraviolet light. This ultraviolet light then hits phosphors (which are the whitish coating on the inside surface of the tube), which are excited to emit visible light. This reemission of light at a different energy (UV light is higher energy than visible light) is called fluorescence, which is where these lights get their name from. This is a cool video on how commercial fluorescents are made (T5s in the hobby are straight tubes, not U-curved like those in the video).

WARNING: Some companies choose to label PCs (Power Compact Fluorescents) as T5s or "T5 PC", but they are a different type of bulb than what I'm talking about because they have twin tubes on one bulb instead of a single tube like the T5s of this thread. However, I have observed my own Current and Coralife PC bulbs are actually 6/8" in diameter, so a proper term could be T6. Some other manufacturers will call PC fixtures "T6". In any case, PC bulbs look like this, and T5s look like this.

The designation of a fluorescent tube comes from a code of F##T##, where F signifies fluorescent, the first number for the wattage, T for tubular bulb shape, and the last number for the diameter (measured in eighths of an inch). So, a F24T12 is a 24W tubular fluorescent bulb with a 12/8" diameter. T5s are therefore 5/8" in diameter. Most of the vendors in our hobby don't write the "F" and just state the wattage outright (i.e. a "39W T5HO fluorescent").

The "HO" signifies "high-output" lamps which are brighter (and use more watts) than normal output (NO) bulbs of the same length, and they need to have suitable ballasts to work properly. Likewise, VHO stands for very-high-output, and it is currently used to designate "overdriven" (higher output than what is listed) bulbs on ballasts like the Icecap 430/660.

Things to think about when buying a T5 fixture (roughly in order of importance): reflectors, bulbs (these are easy to change), and ballasts.

Ballasts: Most of the ones offered seem to be okay, and they don't make a huge difference. If you decide to get a ballast separately, remember that the specific wattages of T5HO bulbs should be listed on the ballast's label to ensure safe usage. The Icecap 660/460 ballasts are used on "T5-VHO" fixtures because they overdrives the bulbs to around twice the listed wattage. This is great for limited spaces, but the bulbs need to have cooling fans and may age faster. More recently, there have been bulbs that are specifically designed as T5VHO with specialized ballasts, like those on the TEK "light ultra elite" fixtures.

Bulbs: ATI, UVL, Giesemann, Korallen-Zucht and some other manufacturers have a wide variety of bulbs that put out great PAR (photosynthetically active radiation). One con with Current USA and other less expensive fixures is that their stock bulbs are usually limited in color selection (usually the standard "10000K" and "actinic"). The "10000K" was for growth while the "actinic" was for color. The problem that is some higher-end bulbs, like the ATI aquablue special, have good PAR ratings for growth while also enough blue spectrum to avoid getting any pure actinics. Bulbs usually have peaks in output at different wavelengths (corresponding to colors in the visible spectrum), and so it's useful to see a spectrum chart of a bulb. So, switching your bulbs is a hidden cost that you must consider when calculating where you shop.

Reflectors: These are what everyone keeps harping on when comparing T5s to MH. A T5 is similar to a standard PC in wattage, but it's advantage is having a single tube that can get more light in the tank with a proper reflector. You can think of it in another way: you pay for the energy to light the lamp, and the next step is to effectively get all that light down into the tank.

The less expensive T5 fixtures often have just a flat reflector with bulbs are packed like sardines (similar to a PC fixture). The next step up is fixtures with an "individually contoured reflector" which is one piece of metal folded between each bulb. Finally, there are "individual (parabolic) reflectors" that act like a flashlight to reflect the most light, even from the back of the bulb.

Here is a good link on T5 spectrum charts to know just what colors are actually produced by bulbs that may be similar to the naked eye.
http://www.practicalcoralfarming.com/t5spectrums.html

Hey Weetie great idea..I like bluer tanks
My 75g has a 36" Nova extreme
2x 460 nm
1x 420 nm
1x 10000k
and 4 x 54watt T-5 on individual reflectors
2x aquablue
1x 10000k
1x true actinic 03


My 40 long has a 48" Nova extreme fixture
2x 10000k
1x aquablue
1x 460nm


and the contest tank 2x 20 watt 18" nova extreme fixture and also runs 460 nm LED's
1x 10000k
1x 460 nm


I can't wait to see how other tanks look as I would like to change my bulbs later on and with the new 24" fixture

Maria

My 15g Nano

CurrentUSA Sundial 4x24w
2 x 24W Blue Plus T5 HO Fluorescent by ATI
1 x 24W Super Actinic T5 HO Fluorescent by UV Lighting
1 x 24W Fiji Purple T5 HO Fluorescent by Korallen Zucht

Thanks Weetie good idea on the thread.

Steve

Wow trav! that is a nice blue! that is what i am aiming for

Yeah, the stock bulbs with the Sundial are not nearly as blue. A friend of mine suggested that combo for a bluer look at it worked. My acro responded well, went from olive green to lime green with baby blue growth tips

Love that color Travis. I might have to add those four bulbs to the Current Outer Orbit that is on my RSM. I already have a 150W 14000K Phoenix in there with supplemental actinics, but nowhere near as nice looking as yours. thanks for posting.

Do your colors really look that blue in real life, or does your camera make it look a little bluer?

it looks that blue, but is brighter looking.

My tank now
KZ Coral Light II
ATI Blue+
UVL Aquasun
Fiji Purple
ATI Blue+

For comparison:
All pics taken on manual setting with exact same settings. Straight form the camera, no processing in photoshop. Not exactly how it looks in person, but gives a good look at different combos.
Please ignore my tank...its under going a rescape and the corals are pissed because I keep turning off the lights to change lamps.

ATI Aquablue -- 336
ATI Blue+ -- 311
KZ Fiji Purple-- 330
ATI Blue+ -- 311
PAR avgs. out to-- 322


ATI Aquablue -- 336 (This would look similar to the Current-USA 18" fixture w/just white and blue lamps)
ATI Blue+ -- 311
ATI Aquablue --336
ATI Blue+ -- 311
PAR avgs. out to-- 323.5


ATI Aquablue -- 336
ATI Blue+ -- 311
UVL Aquasun -- 345
ATI Blue+ -- 311
PAR avgs. out to-- 325.75


ATI Blue+ -- 311
UVL Actinic (Super Actinic?) -- 210
UVL Aquasun -- 345
ATI Blue+ -- 311
PAR (w/Super Actinic) avgs. out to-- 294.25


In Honor of Travis's beautiful tank
ATI Blue+ -- 311
UVL Actinic (Super Actinic?) -- 210
KZ Fiji Purple -- 330
ATI Blue+ -- 311
PAR (w/Super Actinic) avgs. out to-- 290.5


Any other combos your interested in ...let me know...I have other lamps and might be able to get a sample pic.

Masterbuilder, what prompted you to change?

Finnex 4x24w w/standard bulbs:
2 - Shin Mao 24w AB Actinics
2 - Shin Mao 24w 10K


Current Sundial 4x24w w/standard bulbs:
2 - Current 24w 460nm Actinics
2 - Current 24w 10K

I plan on messing with the 20H's lighting tonight.. by taking out one of the 10Ks and replacing it with a Sunpaq 460nm, just to see how it will look. I'll post a pic of that too!

http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?...=140511&hl=

Hey, thanks

Does anyone have any info on the different PAR numbers of the different bulbs? I clicked on that link weetie posted but it didn't have any numbers.

Here are a few:

Tek fixture and 54 Watt bulbs.

Aquascience
Special 15K 320
DUO 15K 334
22000K Blue 304

AquaZ
Sun Pro 285
Ocean Pro 323
Blue Pro 266

ATI
Sun Pro 357 (no longer available)
Aquablue 336
Blue Plus 311
Actinic 137
Pro Color 215

Current Sun Paq
Daylight 10K 272
Blue 252

D&D/Giesemann
Midday 325
Aquablue 324
Actinic Plus 264
Pure Actinic 157


General Electric
GE Daylight 340
GE3000 319

Helios
Daylight 309
Super Blue 225

KZ
Coral Light (10k) 342
Fiji Purple 330

UVL
Aqua sun 345
Actinic White 293
Super Actinic 210
75/25 254

See why I dont care for actinics lamps when a ATI blue+ will give your corals the same pop/glow.

Mark

Nova Extreme Pro 48"
ATI Blue + x3
ATI Aquablue x2
UVL Aquasun x1

Useless comment, but great thread guys.

Masterbuilder: those side-by-side bulb combos and pictures were great. It's perfect for deciding which bulbs to order. You might want to merge your photo post with your numbers post into a single post with a total par for all 4 bulbs so you can see the photo and total par for each bulb combo.

I'll see if I can go do that myself in a bit here, thanks for the suggestion.

This thread is excellent timing! I was just contemplating which bulbs to get to go with my fixture when I buy it. Keep up the photos! This is VERY helpful!

Wawawang has contributed the following pic of his tank with just a KZ Fiji Purple bulb over it:



He gave the following commentary on the bulb:
"That is close to real life as far as the color. I used the same camera and settings for this pic for my latest fts. It is a pinkish purple color and its very bright. The colors it effects the most is red, orange, pink as far as pop. My orange digi and my sunset changed to a orangey pink color when i went to this light setup."

According to Masterbuilder's earlier post, the KZ Fiji Purple bulb has a PAR of 330.

I am strongly leaning towards the above combo for my fixture.

In other news, lakshwadeep has added some REALLY good T5HO info to post #4 on the first page of this thread, I strongly recommend checking it out.
Thanks lakshwadeep!

it was my understanding that the more blue the less PAR you would get w/ just a straight daylight bulb. looking at alot of these combos i see alot of blue (which i do like). does going w/ a more blue look lower the level of coral you can have?

This is true, and yet not true. Generally, more PAR can be achieved with bulbs that are lower kelvin.
Although you can find many actinics that do well in the PAR department too.

I guess my question is, as i do like the more blue look. would it be better/keep more coral w/ a higher par/laylight bulb?

From what I am reading so far, T5HO seems to be unique in the fact using more "Daylight" bulbs does not necessarily mean a higher PAR reading overall than using "Blue" bulbs.
There are many Blue bulbs that seem to have pretty good PAR readings.
Check out the link in my first post on this thread, and also take a look at Masterbuilders post about 3/4 of the way down the first page for some pics and PAR readings on bulb combos that have plenty of blue in them.

some bulbs, like the ATI aquablue special have a fair amount of blue while still giving great PAR (the color is an ice white). That bulb, and other similar kinds, are the closest you could get to an all-in-one spectrum.

Awesome pic and tank, Travis!

I am wondering if this would be a good 2 bulb combo, I currently have an ati blue plus and a super actinic, wich is to blue, even though I like blue IMO to blue, I was thinking about keeinG one of the bulbs I have and trying the KZ coral light? ant thoughts on ths would be appreciated- the lights are currently over a 10g

anybody?

Yeah...That combo your using now would be blue alright. The KZ Coral Light (12K) and the ATI Aquablue Special (12K) are the same color. The KZ Coral Light II is bluer (14K).

So...IMO ...the ATI Aquablue and a ATI Blue+ would be Ice White. The Blue+ and KZ Coral Light II would be slighty more blue. With a two lamp fixture and you indicating you like a bluer look.... The Blue+ and KZ II might be the way to go. Either way...its gonna be a whole lot whiter and BRIGHTER than what you have now.

40BR 36" 6 bulb TEK light
front
ATI blue+
Gesseman Pure Actinic
ATI Pro Color
ATI Blue +
ATI bluespecial
Geissmenn Pure Actinic

Pics are pretty close to the color, but its look more crisper in person. I will be changing out the last Pure actinic for another blue+

36" T5 HO 39wat
Current USA Actinic
Current USA 10,000k
Current USA Actinic
Current USA 10,000k

I'll take pics of my
Coralife Actinic 03
C USA Actinic
ATI Actinic
C USA 10,000k
C USA Actinic

those are frekin awsom tanks omg omg omg im druling hope mine look like that

Can we also get people to post the underside of their fixtures so we can see how each bulb lights up? Like which ones are bluer, whiter, pinker, etc? Anyone who wants to I think it would help.

EDIT* How do you guys think this combo would look on a 24x24x20 cube?

4x ATI Blue+
2x UVL 75/25 Aquablue
1x KZ Figi Purple
1x ATI Pro Color

Also where is everyone ordering there bulbs from? I am looking on Reef Geek

ReefGeek.com and Premium Aquatics are the two sources I've found for bulbs so far, and PA is a Sponsor here. The prices seem about the same at each place.
If you check out the link I posted in the first post on this thread, there are pics of how many of the available bulbs look when lit up.

Thanks Weetabix, those pics on that site though are not any of the bulbs I considered using. Where the hell is Masterbuilder to comment on my bulb selection?

PS: I can't get enough of this guy! -->

Aquarium Specality carry's the bulbs also.

Crackerballer, that bulb combo would give you pretty good PAR and a 20Kish look.

That is PERFECT. 20K is exactly what I am going for. Thanks DTF. Now, how long can I hold out until I order my cube!

Like 5min

Jesus DT, do you know me? You are correct, I would be calling glass cages today if I didn't have wheels to finish paying for for my S. Oh and the G/F said I could rearrange the guest bedroom (our study) to put the cube in there. (A huge deal, because I live with her rent free!)

dont piss her off, fyi care with glass cages tanks. Some people have had good luck and some bad luck with them. Like tanks leaking etc.

I saw that, but I haven't found anywhere else to custom do me one. Any suggestions?

why isn't this thread a sticky yet. I would hate to run around looking for this page later.

Those UVL 75/25 are have a pink color to them and are fairly low in PAR. I am not sure why they call them Aquablue. I would think that combo would have LOTS of pink to it, esp with the Procolor and Fiji. I might use ATI Aquablues (12K) or for a bluer look you could use a couple of 14K KZ Coral Light II (also called "New Generation) in place of the 75/25's.

Another place to order from is http://www.aquariumspecialty.com I have used reefgeek and aquarium specialty. Both great service.

when i get new bulbs in a month or so I am going to run this
When i get new bulbs I am going to run this setup
ATI Blue+
ATI 12000 AquaBlue
UV 10000 Aquasun
ATI Blue+
I think that should give good par and a nice blueish color