T5 or not to T5
- Thread starter Buganddoug
- Start date
sjfishguy
Active member
Keep in mind the Nova Extreme Pro (NEP) fixture comes with some of the worst T5 bulbs you can get, current bulbs are terrible across the board. You really should replace the bulbs immediately, which is another $300. I got my NEP used and swapped out the bulbs with all ATI bulbs after a few weeks. The colors and growth can't even compare. My ATI bulb combo increases the PAR of the fixture by 25% over the stock bulbs! That is like running almost 2 more lamps without paying the electric bill!
Here is a good link to discuss the various options
http://tfivetesting.googlepages.com/par
Note that the ATI blue bulb has a higher PAR than the Current 10k, WOW.
I run 4 ATI Aquablues (daylight bulbs) + 2 ATI Blue Pluses (pure blue bulb)
Look into the ATI fixtures, much higher quality fixture and you get the ATI bulbs off the bat; the only thing is the biggest one they make is a 60''
Here is a good link to discuss the various options
http://tfivetesting.googlepages.com/par
Note that the ATI blue bulb has a higher PAR than the Current 10k, WOW.
I run 4 ATI Aquablues (daylight bulbs) + 2 ATI Blue Pluses (pure blue bulb)
Look into the ATI fixtures, much higher quality fixture and you get the ATI bulbs off the bat; the only thing is the biggest one they make is a 60''
Mr. Thingdoer
Don't ban me bro
I found the stock Current bulbs to be "not so bad".
The color was pretty sterile, but PAR at the top of the tank was still 550.
The color was pretty sterile, but PAR at the top of the tank was still 550.
redfishsc
New member
I certainly agree that the ATI look better and put out better PAR numbers.
But I also agree with Mr. Thingdoer, that you can still get good growth under the Current bulbs. I have seen people use the Nova Pro growing SPS and clams with the stock bulbs.
And again, color looks a bit sterile with them.
I know what the numbers say, but I'm not all that sure that our corals can read PAR meters nor react to the light in the same way a PAR meter will. It's certainly a good guess, but I don't think it's a hard and fast thing with these bulbs.
sjfishguy
Active member
I am by no means saying that these bulbs are totally worthless, you can definitely keep anything you want with the stock bulbs. But to me it just doesn't make sense to burn that much electric while sacrificing PAR AND COLOR. I can see arguments that sacrifice one for the other, but both?! And to me PAR is a pretty good way of quantifying growth potential holding all other things constant, but lets not turn this thread into that discussion 
redfishsc
New member
Now that I can certainly agree with.
What I wound up doing was using the 460 blues until they hit 8 months, and replaced them with ATI Blue+. Visually I cannot see a difference, either from the light itself or the effect it made in the tank.
Now, the 10,000K I think are the worst offenders here-- perhaps best described as "ug-buttley". I have the 10K from my fixture as "backup" in case of a bulb burnout, and I'm actually running one of them right now in my frag tank. It's 8 months old and will be replaced soon with an Aquablue Special.
There is a WORLD of difference between the Aquablue Special and the Current 10K. That's for certain!
Buganddoug
X NJRC Vice President
I think it might not be enough light for My SPS. From my sand bed to the top of my water is 25"
Any and All info would help.
Any and All info would help.
redfishsc
New member
FWIW, I am growing several LPS on the bottom at 21" under a 4X24 T5 that has an AWFUL reflector (not even individual).
That being said, if you really want the best, here's your friend!
An overdriven Icecap retro (if you have a canopy). I know these are 60" bulbs, but if you stagger them like I posted a few up, they won't show much, if any, fade on the ends.
For a couple hundred more you can go from a 6 light to an 8 light system.
These overdriven systems need a lot of fan work blowing across the endcaps to keep them cool. But, superb results can be had with
this setup. This is, generally speaking, the best ballast and reflector combo out there--- especially one like this that has been extensively used and attested.
You should be able to do many SPS on the bottom with this rig, so long as you stick to high quality bulbs and change them out every 6-8 months.
http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5..._6x80W_SLR_T5_Very_High-Output_Retrofit_Kit_w!_Bulbs_by_IceCap
That being said, if you really want the best, here's your friend!
An overdriven Icecap retro (if you have a canopy). I know these are 60" bulbs, but if you stagger them like I posted a few up, they won't show much, if any, fade on the ends.
For a couple hundred more you can go from a 6 light to an 8 light system.
These overdriven systems need a lot of fan work blowing across the endcaps to keep them cool. But, superb results can be had with
this setup. This is, generally speaking, the best ballast and reflector combo out there--- especially one like this that has been extensively used and attested.
You should be able to do many SPS on the bottom with this rig, so long as you stick to high quality bulbs and change them out every 6-8 months.
http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5..._6x80W_SLR_T5_Very_High-Output_Retrofit_Kit_w!_Bulbs_by_IceCap
Mr. Thingdoer
Don't ban me bro
Yes I did.
The Current bulbs he used for that test are Sunpaq which are compact flourescent bulbs, not the T5's supplied with the NEP...
sjfishguy
Active member
Ok, I am just gonna chalk that comment up to inexperience. I am not saying that you are not happy with the stock bulbs, thats great if you think they are good bulbs and are happy with the results, I am just giving facts (numbers) that CLEARLY state they are very inferior to other choices available.
That link is the Grim Reefer's homepage on T5s, most people on here would consider him an expert on T5 lighting. Take the link for what its worth.
That link is the Grim Reefer's homepage on T5s, most people on here would consider him an expert on T5 lighting. Take the link for what its worth.
Buganddoug
X NJRC Vice President
I think I will call IceCap and see what I can fit in my hood that I have right now. Maybe the can do the retro fit for me. I live about 15 min from IceCap.
redfishsc
New member
Nope. Not me, at least.
UVL is coming out soon with an "Indigo Sun" that's supposed to be a crisp white look like the Aquablue special.
Giesemann's Aquablue is nearly the same bulb as the ATI version. I don't think they are identical, but very very close. I have both and don't see a difference.
If you can find a 72" T5, that would be fine for soft corals (mushrooms etc...) but you'lll really want to go bigger.
There is a T5 Q&A Thread here in the lighting forum that is a better place to ask these, since Grim Reefer and a few other very wise individuals tend to lurk and answer questions.
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