T5's: A cautionary note
- Thread starter JohnL
- Start date
Reefmaniac1
Active member
horkn, I was asked to deliver this message from Grim Reefer to you:
"You're kind of wreckless with your comments and accusations. First off I have been recomending Ice Cap equipment for a few years in the forum (simple to search and see). The only thing they ever gave me was a 4x54 watt system in November to test the effectiveness of their ballast on the more standard size lamps. I also was very up front about the fact they had given me the equipment to use.
Now the way you plaster aqualux lighting's link in every friggin T5 thread since the creation of time I'll ask, what are they giving you? They only way they beat Reefgeek's or Ocean encounter's price (which are both forum sponsor's) is if the customer asks for a price match."
"You're kind of wreckless with your comments and accusations. First off I have been recomending Ice Cap equipment for a few years in the forum (simple to search and see). The only thing they ever gave me was a 4x54 watt system in November to test the effectiveness of their ballast on the more standard size lamps. I also was very up front about the fact they had given me the equipment to use.
Now the way you plaster aqualux lighting's link in every friggin T5 thread since the creation of time I'll ask, what are they giving you? They only way they beat Reefgeek's or Ocean encounter's price (which are both forum sponsor's) is if the customer asks for a price match."
Reefmaniac1
Active member
Gibson,
Yes, the T5s are overdriven on IC's ballasts. However, that's not a bad thing if you have everything wired properly and are careful with your selection of corals.
Yes, the T5s are overdriven on IC's ballasts. However, that's not a bad thing if you have everything wired properly and are careful with your selection of corals.
Reefmaniac1
Active member
My alter ego 
Oh yeah, one more thing to tack onto my original reply to you: Make sure that you also have the hood vented adequately.
Oh yeah, one more thing to tack onto my original reply to you: Make sure that you also have the hood vented adequately.
hahnmeister
In Memoriam
Well, I suppose the best thing now, since we have ASH talking with us, would be to simply ask...
Are there any studies that have been done comparing the long term operation/longevity of T5 bulbs running on IC ballasts?
Are there any studies that have been done comparing the long term operation/longevity of T5 bulbs running on IC ballasts?
Reefmaniac1
Active member
I remember reading on one of his threads that he'd been testing them on a tank for 24+ months with, I think, 90% of the original lumen output still intact.
hahnmeister
In Memoriam
Perhaps one of the reasons for the reports of early diminished output would be because of the rumored low longevity of the GE 6500K bulbs??? Perhaps tests using these bulbs were the reason for diminished output.
So how can IC run a bulb with more heat, yet not diminish the output of the phosphors?
So how can IC run a bulb with more heat, yet not diminish the output of the phosphors?
Reefmaniac1
Active member
A question for Andy.
Reefmaniac1 does his homework. When I first started playing with T5HO lamps I thought overdriving them would cause an explosion. They seemed too bright to last. As a result, at IceCap we began a 12 month speeded up time trial where the four GE 54-watt 6.5K lamps were packed into a stock AG lighting hood and the torture began. Each night they would cycle on and off four times. I discovered the temperature to output relationship first hand by not allowing heat to dissipate from the lamps I could watch the light levels drop. Turn on a fan and they brightened back up. At the end of the year the lamps looked like hell, but when lit still came in around 94% of initial lumens. Unlike 'normal' fluorescent lamps, day one is initial lumens, not after 100 hours of break-in.
We didn't go to market on a hope they'd work. We ran them in a way I would hope no one would do purposely. I never thought of GE as the premier lamp manufacturer in the world but as these came from the recently rebuilt Hungarian plant they were state of the art. More recently, the GE line has an environmental kick too, the mercury is locked up in the discarded old lamp rather than leeching out as they did historically. The new UVL lamps will likewise have this feature.
As to depreciation of actinic lamps, the rate is faster but of less significance. Most tanks exceed ocean levels in their actinic light portion of the spectrum. You can go by looks (to your eye) as they mostly provide aesthetics for us. There are poorly made lamps we've tested that look beat in 3 to 6 months. But these lamps looked like the phosphorus was sprayed on in a hurry when still new. Cheap bulbs are not only made in T-12 sizes.
I will qualify my statement, when overdriving T5HO lamps, if you expect 18 - 24 months, use well made lamps in a well vented hood. Always run a fan when the T5HO lamps are lit. Always use a ballast that shuts off current to a dead lamp and use SLRs to get the most out of your T5 lamps and put the light where you want it.
Andy
We didn't go to market on a hope they'd work. We ran them in a way I would hope no one would do purposely. I never thought of GE as the premier lamp manufacturer in the world but as these came from the recently rebuilt Hungarian plant they were state of the art. More recently, the GE line has an environmental kick too, the mercury is locked up in the discarded old lamp rather than leeching out as they did historically. The new UVL lamps will likewise have this feature.
As to depreciation of actinic lamps, the rate is faster but of less significance. Most tanks exceed ocean levels in their actinic light portion of the spectrum. You can go by looks (to your eye) as they mostly provide aesthetics for us. There are poorly made lamps we've tested that look beat in 3 to 6 months. But these lamps looked like the phosphorus was sprayed on in a hurry when still new. Cheap bulbs are not only made in T-12 sizes.
I will qualify my statement, when overdriving T5HO lamps, if you expect 18 - 24 months, use well made lamps in a well vented hood. Always run a fan when the T5HO lamps are lit. Always use a ballast that shuts off current to a dead lamp and use SLRs to get the most out of your T5 lamps and put the light where you want it.
Andy
horkn
New member
well, coming from someone that can't post nere, i take that at face value as well.
If he were around here, he would realize that i do not plaster around the aqualux name at all. I only mention it when people do not understand that ther are alternatives to just tek , and icecap reflectors, and that they will match anyones price, as well as having the least expensive good t5ho retros available. I have never been given anything for free by aqualux, i have posted what i paid for my retro and compare that to what other companies sell theirs for.
I am all about equal or better performance for less price. thats why i like aqualux. It seems most people are very happy with the aqualux sold items, esp once they realize how much $$ they save.
In fact, i ordered a set of bulbs from reefgeek, because they were less money, and had the bulbs on hand i wanted. but, i really dont think its that big of a deal to ask for a price match. its kinda like asking a sponsor for our RC discount. If you dont feel like asking, you will pay more.
also, when aqualux gets bigger, they will probably be a sponsor.
horkn
New member
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7195407#post7195407 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Sparkss
Last I checked, just because he can't post doesn't mean he can't read and keep up with the threads. Just pointing out that obvious little bit.
umm yeah.
thats true, but you missed my point i guess.
there's a reason he isnt here.
hahnmeister
In Memoriam
Er, oops, sorry. I meant the ATI 6000K bulbs were short lived...not the GE 6500Ks. Nevermind.
From IceCap:
horkn - I'm not looking to get into a posting battle but suggesting TGR was in anybody's pocket is ridiculous.
I find it funny that when you deny plugging a brand name you repeat the brand name 5 times in your retort.
I just visited http://www.aqualuxlighting.com/workhorse5.html and I'm concerned that they spec a WH for T5HO lamps yet clearly state that when it comes to End of Life Protection - No EOL Circuit exists.
IMO, when recommending sites that sell applications that could be dangerous, add a 'buyer beware'.
Andy
horkn - I'm not looking to get into a posting battle but suggesting TGR was in anybody's pocket is ridiculous.
I find it funny that when you deny plugging a brand name you repeat the brand name 5 times in your retort.
I just visited http://www.aqualuxlighting.com/workhorse5.html and I'm concerned that they spec a WH for T5HO lamps yet clearly state that when it comes to End of Life Protection - No EOL Circuit exists.
IMO, when recommending sites that sell applications that could be dangerous, add a 'buyer beware'.
Andy
floridareefs
New member
Great point ASH. The No EOL concerned me from the beginning with the Workhorse 5 or 7. Sometimes you get what you pay for and a lighting mishap can be nasty, to say the least. Its Icecap for me and I have no problem paying the extra money for a quality product. In fact, looking into your 4x54 retro system right now. Thanks
NorthernCF
Premium Member
Some one help me... I missed it... EOL?
Reefmaniac1
Active member
No EOL circuitry? Wow! Strike 5 against Workhorse. Not that I would have ever really considered the things, but man...that's NUTS!
