T5 Growth Pics

[cwegescheide]

newschool.. That much growth in 10 mos?? Your kidding me? Not trying to call you a liar but thats a tremendous amount in that short of a time I think. Unless these corals are just a variety that grow really quickly

 

[NewSchool04]

It's real. I didn't get my T5's until mid Jan. last year, didn't have any acros in the tank before that.

 

[Horace]

<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!

Let me make this super simple

Individual reflectors for each T5 bulb = Good
Single reflector for all bulbs = Crap

Tek/Icecap/Aquatinics use Individual reflectors = Good
NOVA units use the Single Reflector = Fill in the blank

The difference in light output between the Nova and the Tek/Icecap/Aquatinics is drematic. IMO you would be foolish to buy anything w/out individual reflectors... I did it and I have realized the error of my ways and have upgraded to the Icecap SLRs in my retro. HUGE HUGE HUGE difference.

 

[mvarghese84]

ahhh I get it now! thanks horace.

 

[Serioussnaps]

Holler!!!!!!!!!!!! you just sold me on the tek t5. I was gonna get another MH fixture for a smaller tank and was worried about heat because the small amt of water, but was worried about if the tek t5 was enough light. You solved my issue. This looks awesome.

Do you use individual reflectors(im sure you do)? and what kind of reflectors.

 

[Serioussnaps]

nevermind i just readfurther you answered it

 

[reelfreak]

Has anyone recieved the UV SA yet?? Were they worth the wait if so?? It looks like reefgeek is selling/shipping them now. Anybody have pics or experience with these new bulbs?

I think I want to try one out real soon, just looking for some input....

 

[Horace]

Only one person has them so far that I have seen post. No pictures yet . Mine are due to arrive on Monday.

 

[horkn]

2 now horace..

and the second review is less than stellar...

 

[smokez01]

how does everyone have their TEK fixture mounted to the aquiarum? I was checking out the mounting legs and the price ive seen is between 60-70 dollars for them, and there is nooooo way i am hanging anything from the cieling.

What have you guys who have the fixtures done to have it on the aquarium? Did you guys just rest it on the top, or put something together your self?

 

[Horace]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7477516#post7477516 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by horkn
2 now horace..

and the second review is less than stellar...

I will have to wait to see for myself I guess. Some pics would be nice though! I am not really expecting the tank to all the sudden explode with color. The B+ flouresces things quite well as it is. It just lacks in coloring the greens. I think to get optimal flourescence you need both B+ and SA. I am also looking to drop some PAR so I dont even want it to put down as much PAR as the B+.....

 

[The Grim Reefer]

The D&D pure actinic pops greens great. I was using 2 actinic pluses and a pure actinic in my last mix and it looked really good.

 

[HowardW]

<<< Single reflector for all bulbs = Crap >>>


Not crap at all IMO, just not suitable for very high light requiring corals or clams. The Nova fixture is a nice turn key fixture for most applications, and the LED moonlights look really cool at night

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7479012#post7479012 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by HowardW
<<< Single reflector for all bulbs = Crap >>>


Not crap at all IMO, just not suitable for very high light requiring corals or clams. The Nova fixture is a nice turn key fixture for most applications, and the LED moonlights look really cool at night

The bad thing is you could get about the same light from a 4 lamp Tek running D&D lamps as you will get out of an 8 lamp Nova. They will both work but I like using good reflectors. They use no power, really never wear out and create no heat.

 

[HowardW]

<<< The bad thing is you could get about the same light from a 4 lamp Tek running D&D lamps as you will get out of an 8 lamp Nova. >>>

Yes, I agree 100% however the Tek fixture and mounting brackets and acrylic shield and all the bulbs also costs about twice as much as the complete Nova fixture when you compare apples to apples.

I was just saying the Nova fixture is not a piece of crap IMO for what it is, and is a decent enough choice if you don't require a ton of light for your tank.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

The Current brand stuff is pretty good quality, not not a premium design. I really don't understand why they haven't come out with a good unit, reflector wise. They would sell a lot of them. I am not sure how good their lamps are, never messed with them. I guess I'll have to get ahold of a couple to measure.

 

[dpieroni]

Hello grim Reefer:
What is the best suplementation to a Hamilton 250w 10K? I was using a 250w phoenix 14K and the new hamilton look like crap...
I have one T5 actinic and two NO. I wasa thinking in cahnging this 2 NO to T5 bulbs. What do you recommend?
thanks
diego

 

[The Grim Reefer]

If you are going to use 3 T5's I would run 1 Pure Actinic and 2 Actinic Plus. Should pop colors and give you back the bluish tint you are missing.

 

[lvmartian]

So Blackie, you switched out vho's on your IC 660 and put in t5s?

 

[NewSchool04]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7477584#post7477584 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by smokez01
how does everyone have their TEK fixture mounted to the aquiarum? I was checking out the mounting legs and the price ive seen is between 60-70 dollars for them, and there is nooooo way i am hanging anything from the cieling.

What have you guys who have the fixtures done to have it on the aquarium? Did you guys just rest it on the top, or put something together your self?

I use the leg brackets. Expensive but well worth it!