T5 Growth Pics

[sjm817]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7430259#post7430259 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Horace
I just talked to ReefGeek and he indicated that the bulbs likely will be shipping out to us on Monday. So hopefully by Fri of next week we will all have them in our paws . I cant wait to see what the tank looks like under some different actinic. Up until now I have just run B+ and as a result my greens dont pop quite like they would under the actinic.

Monday is a holiday and I'm on the east coast. Doesn't seem likely that I'll get bulbs next week.

 

[horkn]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7430165#post7430165 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Horace
They are normally driven with Icecap reflectors and Triad ballasts

my setup is entirely too bright as well, and the 3x39 workhorse 5 driven with aqualux reflectors is normally driven. I really think the GE day bulbs is almost too much light for a shallow tank like my 17" tall 35g. And i only run 1 of those with the 2 ati blues.

 

[reelfreak]

I have the same issues w/ a green/purple rim cap....mine are almost white as well. I think I've got too much light for some of my corals, I'll be doing some rearranging soon to put my bleached corals lower in the tank....Growth has been outstanding since switching from PC bulbs though.

I guess I need to go check out reefgeek for the new SA bulbs, I'm looking to use one in place of one Actinic + bulb. Thanks for the heads up on the new bulb!!

 

[Wiskey]

Thanks for the update, and Great pictures! I just bought and installed a 4*54W Tek retrofit from Reefgeek for my tank that measures 48*12. I am very impressed with the T5's light output, measured with my LUX meter it is the same as I was getting out of my 2*250W MH with far less power, and the T5's are still 6 inches off the tank (acclimating).

I hope to get growth like yours! Now I need to really buckle down and get my water quality perfect.

Thanks,
Whiskey

 

[Horace]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7431910#post7431910 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Wiskey
I am very impressed with the T5's light output, measured with my LUX meter it is the same as I was getting out of my 2*250W MH with far less power, and the T5's are still 6 inches off the tank (acclimating).

Thanks,
Whiskey

If everyone would only understand the power of the dark side . IMO, they are too bright for some SPS. My T5s are going to be raised, and I am going to stop running the GE and add an extra actinic bulb in the mix. I am hoping the colors really start to come back again....I know my water quality is good. My nutrients are super low and I run Zeovit. I also have been pretty good about my water changes. Im almost certain my color loss has been a direct result of T5's being too bright for some stuff.

 

[Lights Are Bright]

Is it ok to have 2 SA? It seems some of you are only getting one. Why?

 

[sjm817]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7452030#post7452030 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Lights Are Bright
Is it ok to have 2 SA? It seems some of you are only getting one. Why?

Cause no one has used one yet. One to try out and see how it is.

 

[Horace]

I am getting two because I am confident that they will be good. I have heard far too many good things about them from people who have already seen them. The folks who have seen them say they are the exact same color of the VHO, but they are brighter. That sounds like a winning ticket to me

 

[NewSchool04]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7452030#post7452030 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Lights Are Bright
Is it ok to have 2 SA? It seems some of you are only getting one. Why?

I'm only doing one because I don't want to lose the PAR from the blue + bulb.

 

[Horace]

I am actually getting 2 to limit the PAR lol..... I really think the PAR level I have now is too much for alot of stuff. Cutting back on my PAR and adding more actinic IMO will really color up some things.

I am REALLY starting to believe this whole "blast the tank with TONS of PAR" is a bad idea. More and more people are finding out that they get better results when they cut back their lighting. Yet another argument against all these folks saying "our lights can never match the sun".

 

[NorthernCF]

Now, I am pretty sure most folks advocate "blasting PAR" for 2-4 hours only.

 

[smokez01]

WHere are you guys getting the PAR information on the bulbs comparing the T5 to MH? I would love to see and read about it

At work I was talking to a co-worker, telling him that the 250w SE MH bulb puts out the same PAR as a 150w DE MH bulb, he would not beleive me.

as far as this TEK lighting goes

NewSchool, I am definatly loving the growth you are getting on your 75g, and I am planning to get a TEK 6 bulb for my 75, it is going to be

AB
B+
AB
AB
B+
AB

something liek that... 4 AB, 2 B+

 

[Horace]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7462312#post7462312 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by smokez01
WHere are you guys getting the PAR information on the bulbs comparing the T5 to MH? I would love to see and read about it

At work I was talking to a co-worker, telling him that the 250w SE MH bulb puts out the same PAR as a 150w DE MH bulb, he would not beleive me.

Dude, that is because your buddy is right, 150w DE doesnt even come close to 250w SE....I dont know where this falacy came from. Go to sanjay's site ----> http://www.reeflightinginfo.arvixe.com/selectperformancedata.php

150w XM 10k on m81 (HQI) - 61 PAR
250w XM 10k on m58 ballast (not HQI) - 137 PAR
250w XM 10k on M80 ballast (HQI) - 182 PAR

You tell me how 150w is even close?? The fact is many folks have said in the past that 200w DE is close to 400w SE. This MAY be true when comparing some low kalvin DE to some high kelvin SE, but when you compare apples to apples, they arent even close.

Far too many people on here just repeat what some other shmoe on here has told them and takes it for the gospel w/out even researching it for themselves. This is why there is as much false info on here as there is good.

 

[Horace]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7462312#post7462312 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by smokez01
WHere are you guys getting the PAR information on the bulbs comparing the T5 to MH? I would love to see and read about it

At work I was talking to a co-worker, telling him that the 250w SE MH bulb puts out the same PAR as a 150w DE MH bulb, he would not beleive me.

as far as this TEK lighting goes

NewSchool, I am definatly loving the growth you are getting on your 75g, and I am planning to get a TEK 6 bulb for my 75, it is going to be

AB
B+
AB
AB
B+
AB

something liek that... 4 AB, 2 B+

I would also like you to know that your bulb choice isnt going to be the best either. If you only use AB and B+ you should go with a 1:1 ratio of those bulbs. It will still look crisp white with a hint of blue. If you dont have a 1:1 your corals will not flouresce very well at all IMO.

 

[mvarghese84]

Another newb question here. What is the main difference in buying a Nova Extreme T5 Fixture 4X54W ($200 on Drs. Foster and Smith) versus buying the reefgeek retro kit with the icecap ballast 660 ($360)? I have a 75G tank and would like to keep high light corals. Would the nova be enough or is the icecap necessary? Thanks!

 

[v8maro]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7462842#post7462842 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mvarghese84
Another newb question here. What is the main difference in buying a Nova Extreme T5 Fixture 4X54W ($200 on Drs. Foster and Smith) versus buying the reefgeek retro kit with the icecap ballast 660 ($360)? I have a 75G tank and would like to keep high light corals. Would the nova be enough or is the icecap necessary? Thanks!

the icecap over-drives the bulbs putting out more light
the tek has individual reflectors putting out more light

the tek bulb for bulb will be brighter, so if you want high-light corals, i'd say get the tek. how deep is the tank? you may not need the icecap right away

 

[NewSchool04]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7462312#post7462312 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by smokez01
WHere are you guys getting the PAR information on the bulbs comparing the T5 to MH? I would love to see and read about it

At work I was talking to a co-worker, telling him that the 250w SE MH bulb puts out the same PAR as a 150w DE MH bulb, he would not beleive me.

as far as this TEK lighting goes

NewSchool, I am definatly loving the growth you are getting on your 75g, and I am planning to get a TEK 6 bulb for my 75, it is going to be

AB
B+
AB
AB
B+
AB

something liek that... 4 AB, 2 B+

You probably are going to want to put the blue + bulbs in the first and last slot for the dawn/dusk effect. I have mine

B +
AB
AB
GE 6500
AB
B +

It's looks pretty white. I used to use a B + bulb in the 6500 slot but just decided to switch it up a bit.

 

[mvarghese84]

v8maro the tank is only 20 inches deep. The icecap retro kit comes with individual reflectors for each bulb. If I can save some money and still keep high light corals with the NOVA than Id much rather buy that than the icecap retro.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7463413#post7463413 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mvarghese84
v8maro the tank is only 20 inches deep. The icecap retro kit comes with individual reflectors for each bulb. If I can save some money and still keep high light corals with the NOVA than Id much rather buy that than the icecap retro.

Get the straight Tek retro. If you gotta have a full hood and don't want to drop the bucks for a Tek hood check out www.aquactinics.com t5 unit

 

[mvarghese84]

Grim Reefer do you mean a TEK light like this one?
Tek Light ?

I think these are a little cheaper on ebay too. Thanks