T5 lamp PAR readings

[zachtos]

Can I get a reccomendation on T5 bulb selection for my new 240 gallon tank? I'm setting it up next month (thread coming soon!) 84"Lx28"Wx24"D, the hole in the top is only 76"x18", so I was thinking of both sides having 6-36" T5s, for a total of 12 bulbs all on overdriven icecap660 ballasts (3 of those total, the bulbs will be retrofitted into two wood boxes with glass shield, 2 fans, the ballasts will have some sort of quick disconnect for easy maintenance and removal) This will be an SPS/clam tank for the majority. I personally prefer the 12-14K color temperature and dislike 20K (too blue for me), I prefer good par values on a NEW tank for growth.

1left 1right
2left 2right
3left 3right
4left 4right
5left 5right
6left 6right

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Front

Blue Plus
Aquablue
GE 6500K
Blue Plus
Aquasun
Blue Plus

That should be bright. Once the tank matures the Aquablue could be changed to super actinic but for initial growth the Aquablue will be the way to go.

 

[thriceanangel]

What makes you say that the T6's are less intense? I have both and I'd have to say that with my naked eye, (I know not really an accurate way of measuring) that the T6 is brighter. Is there any data supporting this?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

PAR meter.

 

[thriceanangel]

What were the values?

 

[joroscoe]

Hi, I am currently planning a canopy for a 29G mostly LPS tank and I want to try a T5 solution. I am looking at two options:
1. Icecap 24" Retrofit: 4-24W T5 HO Fluorescents, or
2. Tek 24" Retrofit: 6-24W T5 HO Fluorescents

The Tek retro is more expensive and appears to produce more light. However, the Icecap comes with that 660 ballast which overdrives, correct? What solution do you think is better?

Additionally, since the canopy is going to be about 30" long, do you suggest staggering the lights? Finally, can you suggest a bulb combo for whichever retro is better? Thank you so very much for helping me, and for helping all of us in general!

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9480881#post9480881 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by thriceanangel
What were the values?

2 Blue and 2 10K VHO T6 and 1 Super Actinic T5 was good for 117 at the sand. 2 Blues, 1 Actinic and 1 Super Actinic in a Fauna Marin T5 fixture is good for 146

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9481162#post9481162 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by joroscoe
Hi, I am currently planning a canopy for a 29G mostly LPS tank and I want to try a T5 solution. I am looking at two options:
1. Icecap 24" Retrofit: 4-24W T5 HO Fluorescents, or
2. Tek 24" Retrofit: 6-24W T5 HO Fluorescents

The Tek retro is more expensive and appears to produce more light. However, the Icecap comes with that 660 ballast which overdrives, correct? What solution do you think is better?

Additionally, since the canopy is going to be about 30" long, do you suggest staggering the lights? Finally, can you suggest a bulb combo for whichever retro is better? Thank you so very much for helping me, and for helping all of us in general!

Isn't the 29 like 20" tall? Don't need to overdive lamps for that. You need 2 1/2" inches per lamp so you will only fit 4 in there. I would get the Tek retro and maybe upgrade it to IC reflectors. I would run 1 UVL aquasun, 1 Super Actinic, 1 Aquablue and 1 Blue Plus.

 

[hahnmeister]

Reefgeek has the Tek2 reflectors in... I have a couple on the way to see how they are. They are supposed to have a record number of bends/facets, and be made out of a corrosion resistant material like the IC SLRs now. The downside is that they are wider than the Icecaps now.. 2.75" across. Ill post pics when I get mine next week (waiting on back-ordered ATI blue+ bulbs before the order ships).

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I hear they are sorta a mini version of a reef optix reflector. Could be time for Ice Cap to go back to the drawing board

 

[danskim]

Ooh... that sounds pretty impressive.

 

[thriceanangel]

What type of fixture was used for the T6?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Retrofits with pretty good reflectors and an Ice Cap 660 ballast.

 

[thriceanangel]

Thanks!

 

[markush]

ok guys don't laugh to hard but i need a some help. 90 AGA 48x18x24 with a Nova extreme 8x54 fixture....my budget won't allow for a whole new light setup so i'm stuck with the single reflector Nova. My ultimate goal is clams...is it even possible for me? Even if it isn't i want to at least switch out the bulbs which are the Current 4 daylight and 4 blue. I'd like a look more on the blue side but not excessively so. What would be the best bulb combination for me?

 

[thriceanangel]

How do you think that T6's in tek II reflectors would do? I am building a bigger tank, and I have 4 T5, and 4 T6 fixtures that I am going to be dismantling, and putting in good reflectors. It is going to be a 48" cube, 22" deep. and I only have the eight lights right now, so looking to maximize what I already have. Also for this type of situation would you recommend making an array that sends light outward? I am going to be spacing the bulbs around 4" apart and they will be located in the middle. I may add 2 more T5 at another time, or possibly a pair of 175 MH but for now will be just the 8 t5 and t6.

 

[joroscoe]

I just called ReefGeek and was informed that the TekII reflectors have basically been recalled because they are too long.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9493571#post9493571 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by markush
ok guys don't laugh to hard but i need a some help. 90 AGA 48x18x24 with a Nova extreme 8x54 fixture....my budget won't allow for a whole new light setup so i'm stuck with the single reflector Nova. My ultimate goal is clams...is it even possible for me? Even if it isn't i want to at least switch out the bulbs which are the Current 4 daylight and 4 blue. I'd like a look more on the blue side but not excessively so. What would be the best bulb combination for me?

Use ATI lamps, probably 4 blueplus, 2 Aquablues, the 1 UVL Aquasun and 1 Super Actinic. Get a 6 or 8 inch clip on fan and mount it on the back of the tank blowing down over the fixture (dont blow directly on the lamps). That should get you good intensity. I don't know if I would try a Crocea or Maxima on the sand but if you keep them on the rocks you should be good.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

If you could possibly find the ATI W shaped retro reflectors they will work pretty good with a T6. You can try contacting www.aqualuxlighting.com but I think they went out of business. They sold the ATI reflectors as computer designed.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9494149#post9494149 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by thriceanangel
How do you think that T6's in tek II reflectors would do? I am building a bigger tank, and I have 4 T5, and 4 T6 fixtures that I am going to be dismantling, and putting in good reflectors. It is going to be a 48" cube, 22" deep. and I only have the eight lights right now, so looking to maximize what I already have. Also for this type of situation would you recommend making an array that sends light outward? I am going to be spacing the bulbs around 4" apart and they will be located in the middle. I may add 2 more T5 at another time, or possibly a pair of 175 MH but for now will be just the 8 t5 and t6.

 

[markush]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9494299#post9494299 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Use ATI lamps, probably 4 blueplus, 2 Aquablues, the 1 UVL Aquasun and 1 Super Actinic. Get a 6 or 8 inch clip on fan and mount it on the back of the tank blowing down over the fixture (dont blow directly on the lamps). That should get you good intensity. I don't know if I would try a Crocea or Maxima on the sand but if you keep them on the rocks you should be good.

Thanks Grim! Are you saying the internal fans on the Nova aren't so hot either? I know the best setup for the fans would be one pushing and one pulling but the Nova has two pulling. I do notice the end with the fans gets warmer then the other.