My retrofit light setup came with 8 fixtures and 8 bulbs plus a box with 4 more bulbs. Is there a way to tell how old any of the bulbs are? My setup looks like it was never mounted as the board it was on showed no sign of use. I would hate to be using tired off colored bulbs only slightly less than throwing away perfectly good bulbs.
The T5 Q&a Thread - split
- Thread starter eagle9252
- Start date
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
Look at the pins on the lamp ends. If they haven't been used they should look shiny new
Thanks Grim,
One more question. I am reading up on T5 vs T5HO. My unit has 4 ballasts and 8 fixtures. The layout and wiring is very much a hack job. Since I plan on going to only 4 bulbs I plan or removing some of the ballasts. While I am there working on it, what should I look for in the ballasts to make sure they are sufficient to be running T5HOs?
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
Should list the wattage on the ballasts.
I currently have a 6 bulb tek light with 1 aquablue plus, 3 blue plus, a fiji purple and a giesemann midday. It seems a little bright when the daylights are on and I know there are some new bulbs out there. It is time for them to be replaced, what do you suggest I replace them with?
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
I'd change the aquablue for another blue plus if you want a little more blue and in addition to that change the Midday for a coral plus if you want a lot more blue.
Thanks Grim!
In what order would you place them on a ATI Dimmable Sunpower 8x54 ?
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
Ok thanks Grim! I was afraid you would say Ati Sunpower...what do you know abt the Sunlight Supply Sunblaze fixture? Ik it's not the top of the line by any means bt was curious of your opinion on it? Thanks for all your help Grim!
Not much. Just a cheap version of the Tek with poor reflector material.
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
GE in the middle and a Purple front in back of middle, maybe one in a Dusk/dawn slot if you like the look
jacob.morgan78
New member
Hey guys, I have an aquatic life 72" 12 bulb (6rows) fixture. I've had a few issues with a relay going bad and had to replace, moonlights going out, and now, the cooling fan on the right side (on the display side) has stopped working. I have a small computer sized fan blowing down into the opening now. Is it ok to keep it this way until I feel like tearing the thing apart again to replace?
Thanks!
Thanks!
maynardjames
New member
hey grim awesome thread as always. i have the dreaded solarflare fixture with icecap ballasts. if i add 2 more fans to air intake side & keep running the ones on the output side. would i be wasting my money or help heat control & lamp life?
Patrick Cox
Active member
This seems like a lot of blue. I am curious why you don't recommend any aquablue special? I thought that was the foundation bulb and then you added blue or purple from their to adjust the color.
Thanks!
Froggy
Reef "Hobbyist"...right!?
Your foundation bulb should be the Blue plus if using ATI bulbs. From that point you can accent with other bulbs to create the spectrum you want. If you want a brighter/whiter tank you can use a bulb like the GE6500 daylight to brighten things up, use a purple plus ( ATI ) or Fiji purple ( KZ ) to add more red spectrum . From what I understand, the coral plus is a nice spectrum mix and can be used as a daylight bulb if you like a bluer overall look but I have not used this bulb....yet.
The aquablue special is a harsh bulb and is said to wash coral color out. In a 6 bulb fixture I would use 4 of them as blue plus, one purple plus, and a coral plus or ge6500 depending on your likes. On my 8 bulb fixture I use 5 blue plus in the mix.
Joe
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
Nope, never have. I figured out early on a lot of blue was the secret. The aquablue lamp washes out a lot of colors. The Blue Plus turns out to have the Most PAR and looks cool. You use the other lamps to balance out the color.
Patrick Cox
Active member
Thanks! I guess I got confused. I think this is based on the bulb descriptions. I believe ATI advertises the Aquablue special as a "stand alone bulb" and then the Blue plus and Purple plus are recommended as supplemental bulbs.
jacob.morgan78
New member
Hey grim, I have an aquatic life 72" 12 bulb (6rows) fixture. I've had a few issues with a relay going bad and had to replace, moonlights going out, and now, the cooling fan on the right side (on the display side) has stopped working. I have a small computer sized fan blowing down into the opening now. Is it ok to keep it this way until I feel like tearing the thing apart again to replace?
Thanks!
Thanks!
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
Should be fine.
Starting lighting
Starting lighting
Hello all,
I am in the process of setting up my first saltwater tank (75 gallon). I received a dual bulb t5 Ho light fixture and was wondering two things. 1. Will this be enough light to start my aquarium through cycling and getting my first couple fish and possible starting corals. And 2 what color bulbs would be recommend? Any advice would be appreciated.. Thanks
Starting lighting
Hello all,
I am in the process of setting up my first saltwater tank (75 gallon). I received a dual bulb t5 Ho light fixture and was wondering two things. 1. Will this be enough light to start my aquarium through cycling and getting my first couple fish and possible starting corals. And 2 what color bulbs would be recommend? Any advice would be appreciated.. Thanks
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
Fish yes, maybe mushroom corals but I wouldn't try anything else. Blue Plus and Coral Plus lamps.
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