ScottyDon't
New member
Big Als sells some T-6 bulbs called "Lightning Rods" made by quantum aquatics. Supposedly they fire in a regular flourescent fixture but put out lots more light. Anybody use them or know anything about them? Thanks!
T-6 Lighting
- Thread starter ScottyDon't
- Start date
ScottyDon't
New member
anybody?
Bobby417919
New member
I have heard of them but never use them
swashbuckler
New member
quantum offers only NO t-6's to my knowledge now- at least thats all we got at my store..
but they are NOT bright, so until we see VHO versions... it aint worth it.
but they are NOT bright, so until we see VHO versions... it aint worth it.
electrokate
New member
I got some of these with trade cred at a friend's store when they first came out. Bought a 48" reptile bulb and 2 20" actinics. The reptile bulb is actually less bright than a standard output flourescent of the same size, both visually and using a light meter.
The actinics were originally put in 2 20 watt "Lights of America" (made in China) under cabinet fixtures and set over the tank. They blinked and lit unevenly for about 5 minutes and then the fixtures caught on fire. Next tried a standard flourescent fixture made for aquariums and they worked fine in that. I took 2 strip lights and ripped the guts out, tossed the plastic shell and installed them parallel to the halides up at the edge of the spider reflectors. This has worked great for about 6 months, they really light up the coral after the halides are off but they are not anywhere as nice as VHO's. SPS color has improved with them but this could be coincidence.
The 48" reptile bulb also set a Lights of America shop light on fire. LOA is a shoddy company, but I know a lot of people use these dirt cheap fixtures in or on animal cages. Scary. Couldn't find a way to warn the manufacturer-I think they should put a note on the box that you have to use a proper ballast with these bulbs.
Kate
The actinics were originally put in 2 20 watt "Lights of America" (made in China) under cabinet fixtures and set over the tank. They blinked and lit unevenly for about 5 minutes and then the fixtures caught on fire. Next tried a standard flourescent fixture made for aquariums and they worked fine in that. I took 2 strip lights and ripped the guts out, tossed the plastic shell and installed them parallel to the halides up at the edge of the spider reflectors. This has worked great for about 6 months, they really light up the coral after the halides are off but they are not anywhere as nice as VHO's. SPS color has improved with them but this could be coincidence.
The 48" reptile bulb also set a Lights of America shop light on fire. LOA is a shoddy company, but I know a lot of people use these dirt cheap fixtures in or on animal cages. Scary. Couldn't find a way to warn the manufacturer-I think they should put a note on the box that you have to use a proper ballast with these bulbs.
Kate
rickburdeniuk
New member
The 48" T6's at BigAls have been referred to as 'NO' but they are 40W each - while T5's are 54W unless of course your over driving them. We're only talking about a 25% difference compared to HO T5's many people love.
In that many people have success with T5's I don't think we can entirely discount these already available T6's. To put it in perspective, I believe that's the same difference between not using a quality individual reflector and the two bulbs.
I think they could be an option for people considering PC's or T5's or otherwise running a tank with lower lighting requirements. A central question is will they have the same or better benefit from an individual reflectors already on the market? I suspect so but I'm not sure.
Any how if not as your main lighting as dawn dusk effect lamps or supplements for your viewing pleasure I'd assume they'd be quite applicable. They are affordable, $17 for 48" Blue Atinic that claims to operate for 10,000 hours:
http://bigalsonline.com/search/?typ...itebuilder/catalog3-1&keywords1=T6+48&x=0&y=0
or
http://www.petsolutions.com
In that many people have success with T5's I don't think we can entirely discount these already available T6's. To put it in perspective, I believe that's the same difference between not using a quality individual reflector and the two bulbs.
I think they could be an option for people considering PC's or T5's or otherwise running a tank with lower lighting requirements. A central question is will they have the same or better benefit from an individual reflectors already on the market? I suspect so but I'm not sure.
Any how if not as your main lighting as dawn dusk effect lamps or supplements for your viewing pleasure I'd assume they'd be quite applicable. They are affordable, $17 for 48" Blue Atinic that claims to operate for 10,000 hours:
http://bigalsonline.com/search/?typ...itebuilder/catalog3-1&keywords1=T6+48&x=0&y=0
or
http://www.petsolutions.com
Last edited:
swashbuckler
New member
rickburdeniuk, your reference of comparing a NO t-6 to a HO t-5 is completely false
though there is only a little difference in terms of wattage (54W vs. 40W) the t-5 is about 2 times as powerful as far as overall light output (about 92 lumens/watt for t-5)... a 40W t-6 looks barely lit compared to a 54W t-5...
quantum's NO t-6's just blow IMO..
now a VHO t-6 is a different story- whenever they come out if they do come out..
though there is only a little difference in terms of wattage (54W vs. 40W) the t-5 is about 2 times as powerful as far as overall light output (about 92 lumens/watt for t-5)... a 40W t-6 looks barely lit compared to a 54W t-5...
quantum's NO t-6's just blow IMO..
now a VHO t-6 is a different story- whenever they come out if they do come out..
rickburdeniuk
New member
Interesting! I wasn't aware of that! Is there anything you can link to help me appreciate or understand this principal? Luman testing on T6's etc....
I know you can't correlate wattage with PAR between dissimilar technologies; but based on the earlier threads describing how T6's differ I didn't believe that was applicable in this case.
In addition thought I'd read that HO versions of florescent bulbs are just a increase in output that can be directly compared to their 'NO' equivalents on a per watt basis (minus some adjustments for heat).
As an exaple, in that case and using your lumen number a 'NO' T5 (28W?) would put out 46 lumens.
swashbuckler
New member
it has to do with the unique architecture and geometry of the t-5 bulb itself (ballast technology too) AND the fact that its so thin and coupled with a parabolic relfector (especially of german design-spider reflector or the M shape)) the light output is increased tremendously...(like dont look at it too long or loose vision temperarily) :smokin:
i googled and found this, but i coudlnt tell you about PAR as there are many factors to consider in testing
oh yeah and NO t-5 lumens are far less than HO (which is around 92/watt)
http://www.ecmweb.com/ops/electric_fluorescent_lamp_coming/
i googled and found this, but i coudlnt tell you about PAR as there are many factors to consider in testing
oh yeah and NO t-5 lumens are far less than HO (which is around 92/watt)
http://www.ecmweb.com/ops/electric_fluorescent_lamp_coming/
rickburdeniuk
New member
Good link! I'll read up and see what I can find as well!
swashbuckler
New member
sure buddy- there are lot more knowledable people here than me- i just know from what ive seen personally and from what i read in other posts (check out the massive t-5 thread here somewhere) lots of good info there. 
Chris@IceCap
Premium Member
Does anyone have contact info and/or a point person at Quantum Aquatics? I think it would be in their best interest to send us lamp samples for testing with our ballasts.
Chris Conti
IceCap Inc.
609-588-5338 X22
Chris Conti
IceCap Inc.
609-588-5338 X22
electrokate
New member
This is what is on their box:
Quantum Aquatics
A division of Ethical Products Inc
Bloomfield NJ 07003
Made in China
http://www.ethicalpet.com/
If you can, let them know that they set Lights of America 20 watt undercabinet fixtures on fire for me eh? Oh yeah, and they owe me 40 bucks for new ones!
Kate
Quantum Aquatics
A division of Ethical Products Inc
Bloomfield NJ 07003
Made in China
http://www.ethicalpet.com/
If you can, let them know that they set Lights of America 20 watt undercabinet fixtures on fire for me eh? Oh yeah, and they owe me 40 bucks for new ones!
Kate
Roland Jacques
Premium Member
Year later and still no good t-6 N.O. bulbs?
I guess they never took up IC on there offer.
I guess they never took up IC on there offer.
pjf
Premium Member
If you are looking for T6 lamps, they are also available from www.naturallighting.com.
My two 55-watt actinic T6 tubes and 64-watt Workhorse ballasts have arrived.
Unfortunately, I am too tired from digging myself out of two snowstorms within a week to lift a finger for my aquarium lighting right now. I'll let you know about them later.
My two 55-watt actinic T6 tubes and 64-watt Workhorse ballasts have arrived.
Unfortunately, I am too tired from digging myself out of two snowstorms within a week to lift a finger for my aquarium lighting right now. I'll let you know about them later.
Chris@IceCap
Premium Member
Roland,
You're correct, I have not been contacted by Quantum Aquatics. Maybe they're not going forward with distributing these bulbs, or they never got the message.
Chris
IceCap Inc.
You're correct, I have not been contacted by Quantum Aquatics. Maybe they're not going forward with distributing these bulbs, or they never got the message.
Chris
IceCap Inc.
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