T5's: A cautionary note

[ribs]

Why is it we're trying to drive T5HO to 1.5x or 2x it's rating? Who says this is ok? Icecap?
The appeal, for me at least, of the T5HO is they're stock manufactured to be rated with the output we want, and they have added the spectrums that we want as reefers. This is why I use them, and on the appropriate ballast rated to drive them. They're pretty effective properly driven, it's like a jag as opposed to a geo.
I understand it's been discovered that you can overdrive the T5HO on pre-existing reefer-friendly electronic ballasts without instantly blowing them up, very convenient especially for the manufacturer.
You can run nitrous oxide in your jag, but you're not going to use the nitrous to pick up milk and bread everyday. It won't blow up if you do, either, but you'll fry your non-nitrous gaskets sooner than later.

 

[ribs]

....Does it show that I still have the shot fixtures with fried endcaps and a toasted-tube graveyard from the std NO flourescent "overdrive" days?

 

[tgreene]

I just received my CoralVue T5's on Friday, and I have to say that I absolutely love the difference!!!

Being that I have a 72" tank, I opted to use (4) 36" dual bulb fixtures. Each fixture came with a pair of bulbs (50/50 & Actinic BL), but it's a bit too white for me, so now I have to begin customizing the spectrums.

One thing that I really like about the CoralVue is that they are plug-n-play... Each fixture is pre-wired and has it's own AC cord.

 

[Obi-dad]

ribs, I don't think the nitrous analogy applies here, and the over-driven NO bulbs is way different - that is using the same ballast, just hooking up 2 or more circuits to the bulb. The method the Icecap ballast uses to drive the lamps is different from the standard ballasts (much higher frequency, and doesn't heat the filaments to start the bulb).

I have not had T5s on my Icecap long enough to see if their claims are true, but they had done a lot of testing as reported by some here on RC who seem like they know what they are talking about, so I giving them the benefit of the doubt. We shall see, as I run some bulbs on 2 different T5 spec ballasts as well as Icecap. Our club has a PAR meter and I will make measurements as the bulbs age.

 

[sjm817]

I just received my CoralVue T5's on Friday, and I have to say that I absolutely love the difference!!!

Being that I have a 72" tank, I opted to use (4) 36" dual bulb fixtures. Each fixture came with a pair of bulbs (50/50 & Actinic BL), but it's a bit too white for me, so now I have to begin customizing the spectrums.

One thing that I really like about the CoralVue is that they are plug-n-play... Each fixture is pre-wired and has it's own AC cord.

Pics please!!

 

[tgreene]

I'll take some tonight...

As I stated previously, I'm using 4 of the 36" fixtures (CV-T5RK3), for a total of 8 39w bulbs.

Here's a link to the lights, although the info is minimal at best: http://www.coralvue.com/t5retro.htm

 

[255 255 255 0]

anyone tried Arcadia's T5 Luminaire? planning on getting one fer my 90g. here's a link:

http://www.arcadia-uk.com/en/180overtank.html

what do you guys think? im getting the 48" 4 x 55w setup.

 

[ribs]

ribs, I don't think the nitrous analogy applies here, and the over-driven NO bulbs is way different......

.....We shall see, as I run some bulbs on 2 different T5 spec ballasts as well as Icecap. Our club has a PAR meter and I will make measurements as the bulbs age.

Thanks Obi-dad, re overdriving I guess there's no comparison, one method is not quite the same as the other, except that they're putting out more light than they're rated to do. I know how the "overdriven NOs" were working, I'm not sure how the IC660 does the T5 (with the no-filament/frequency-control stuff). The IC660 way really isn't overdriving them, instead of more power it's higher Hz? And this is OK? They're physically rated for the frequency? The fixtures/endcaps are?
I am interested in your test results and will be looking for an update. What are the other 2 ballasts you have set up? One of them from Advance, by chance?

 

[Obi-dad]

The Icecap is definitely applying more power, just not the same way. Yes, I have a Triad and an Advance Centium in addition to the Icecap.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I got over 1 year on my T5's with Ice Cap ballasts. The system also put a hell of a lot more light in the bottom of the tank than the 150 watt halides I use now.

 

[Obi-dad]

I agree with Grim - so much more light on the bottom of the tank that you have to be very careful with low-light corals - hence the title of this thread. (I have over 300 PAR on the sandbed...)

 

[tgreene]

Okay, I took a bunch of pics last night...

I have a 72" long 125g tank, that is covered by (4) 36" dual-bulb CoralVue T5 units. Each bulb has it's own reflector that clips directly to the lamp and is fully adjustable to just about any angle, so that you can actually shape your lighting to create/reduce/eliminate shadows.

Except for the 3rd image, all of these pics were taken at night, with all other lights off. Without the tank lights bein on, the room would be pitch black. This is especially important to note when viewing the last pic in this series! :eek2:

Actinic only

Actinic & 50/50

Top of fixtures -- taken during daylight

Actinic bulbs

Tank in un-lit room at night, with Actinics & 50/50

 

[Obi-dad]

That shot of the actnics looks like my blue+ bulbs. Are they really actinics? Just the way it came out in the photo?

 

[tgreene]

They are marked as such, but they are clearly not the true 420nm, otherwise they would be more purple.

I will be adding in true 420 Actinics as soon as I can though, and most likely will be sticking with URI VHO's to do so.

 

[dieselab]

I currently have 5 T5's in my 36"long, 24"tall and 18"wide tank with an open top. Using a 660 for four of the T5's and a triad for the last T5. Tank has LPS, SPS, Yumas, and 1 Clam. Everything in the tank is colorful and alive. No problems what so ever. Bulb configuration are ATI actinic, blue plus, actinic, blue plus and aquablue. This post has been fairly helpful. Thanks and for those that have not tried T5's, give them a chance.

 

[Codeman00]

deisel, how far are your lights from the water surface?

 

[TEC1364]

Tgreene

Iââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢m currently running straight T5ââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢s but plan on adding a URI VHO Actinic to the mix in the next week.

Iââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢ve never used them before, but have heard nothing but praise other than some think they look too purple.

I guess Iââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢ll know for myself soon.

Tom

 

[dieselab]

Codeman00,
Currently about 4" over the water with 2 small computer fan at the rear.

 

[tgreene]

Tgreene

Iââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢m currently running straight T5ââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢s but plan on adding a URI VHO Actinic to the mix in the next week.

Iââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢ve never used them before, but have heard nothing but praise other than some think they look too purple.

I guess Iââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢ll know for myself soon.

Tom

URI Super Actinics are unmatched in quality and performance. They are designed with an internal reflector, thus all of the lumens are directed at the water, where we want them!

 

[Codeman00]

I have mine set up...of course there's nothing to look at in the tank yet. So far, I like what I see....it definitely has a purple look and is nothing like any of my T5 bulbs.