T-6?

[The Grim Reefer]

Custom Aquatics has the NO T6 fixtures. For HO you have a couple options. You could run them in a T8 fixture or throw them in a VHO system. Helios makes gaskets for the lamps so you can use them in T8 or T12 endcaps and they will still be water proof.

I was running 2 blue and 2 10K T6 VHO's with a T5 super actinic. I got 117 PAR to the sandbed. The T5 fixture I am currently using does in the 160's running 2 Blue Plus, 1 ATI Actinic Blue and 1 UVL Super Actinic. If I add in the 10K and another Blue Plus it does 242. If I run 4 blue pluses, 1 15000K and 1 10K I get anywhere from 282 to 363 depending on which reflectors I run. This is a high end German fixture, a 6 lamp Tek system would be around half of the output.

 

[Roland Jacques]

Wow, that awesome. i'm guessing thats the new VS ballast, sounds like those ballast do as well or better than the Ice Cap. So much for T-6.

 

[pjf]

T6HO Fixture Source and Glass Tube Diameter

T6HO Fixture Source and Glass Tube Diameter

I’ve found some 48” 4x55W T6HO fixtures with individual Miro aluminum reflectors here: http://www.naturallighting.com/web/shop.php?crn=773. Options include VHO ballasts and dual power cords. The downside appears to be the galvanized steel body.

I just sold my MH x T6 fixture but I remember that the T6 glass tube had the same 5/8” diameter of the T5 glass tube. Can anyone with a T6 verify this?

“Though the tube is the same narrow diameter as the T5, the T6 lamps have a standard bipin (G13 base) connection, and are standard lengths (24”, 36”, and 48”), so they fit into the older fixtures designed for T8 and T12 lamps, and can also use the same ballast as T5 and T8 lamps.” (Source: Delbeek & Sprung, The Reef Aquarium, volume 3, page 486)

 

[The Grim Reefer]

A real live T6 will have a 3/4" diameter. The natural lighting lamps are a modified T5 tube.

 

[Buckeye1]

So are these T6 lights that aquatraders.com sells complete junk?? Has anybody tested them. Pretty cheap for a 4 bulb fixture with Moon lights.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I wouldn't buy anything from Aquatraders

 

[tprize]

Depends there have been a lot of reviews about there MH fixtures being extremely well built.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

And just as many about them being junk. Never buy anything that doesn't list a brand name.

 

[pjf]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9537752#post9537752 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
A real live T6 will have a 3/4" diameter. The natural lighting lamps are a modified T5 tube.

Grim,

Have you measured the diameter of your T6 glass tubes? Per Delbeek & Sprung (v3, p. 486), they should have the same 5/8" diameter as T5 glass tubes.

I guess I am cynical. I can't believe a manufacturer will buy a 3/4" diameter glass tube to make a T6 when there is a cheaper 5/8" diameter tube available. (No, they are more honest than that!)

Thanks!

 

[thriceanangel]

The one I have is a T6 from aquatraders, I have also bought their old t5 which totally sucked, but the T6 is really a big improvement in quality as well as color. And at only $100, it's a real bargain even if your aim is to just use the bulbs, wires, and ballast- as I am going to do, and add your own reflectors. Also there are 2 bulbs per reflector- not individual reflectors, but better than a single reflector. I'd say its far far from the best you can get if you have the money, but worth it if you don't.... JMO

The 5 in T5 is the number above an 8th of an inch; as in T5 are 5/8" in diameter. T6 is 6/8" in diameter, t12 is 12/8, t8 are 8/8 or 1" in diameter.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9554211#post9554211 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by pjf
Grim,

Have you measured the diameter of your T6 glass tubes? Per Delbeek & Sprung (v3, p. 486), they should have the same 5/8" diameter as T5 glass tubes.

I guess I am cynical. I can't believe a manufacturer will buy a 3/4" diameter glass tube to make a T6 when there is a cheaper 5/8" diameter tube available. (No, they are more honest than that!)

Thanks!

Trust me, these are T6 as in 6/8 of an inch. They are the same size from the lamp cap through the tube. The glass is supposed to be slightly thicker than the T5's'. For that company to refer to 5/8 inch lamps as T6 borders on false advertisment.

 

[tprize]

Hey can we get some pics of some tanks illuminated by T-6

 

[The Grim Reefer]

My tank was in startup mode when I ran T6's. I will check the other computer to see if I had any pics.

 

[pjf]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9555748#post9555748 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
For that company to refer to 5/8 inch lamps as T6 borders on false advertisment.

For now, I'll give the "T6" companies the benefit of the doubt. I could have measured the diameter incorrectly or forgotten the exact diameter. All things being equal, I do not mind a thinner diameter. The greater the size of the reflector to the size of the light source, the more light is directed to the aquarium.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Before I had seen a T6 in person I was told there were modified T5's out there that had larger endcaps so they would fit in standard fixtures. I am not sure what the internal differences are. The T6's I have are 55 and 110 watt versions for the 4 foot lamps and the 6 footers are 165 watts I believe.