The T5 Q&a Thread

[lukinrats]

I didn't bother to write down the numbers when I did it but it wasn't equal to a Sunpower but it was in the same Zip Code. You have to use the Aquactinics reflectors, the others are too wide.

This is the test against the original Sunpower Fixture which isn't as good as the new version. This was with the crappy fauna marin reflectors.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1117651&highlight=wars

Ok, so the Sunpower was a little bit better than the Fauna, but that was with the stock reflectors on the Fauna, Correct?


Just so I can get this right in my head, what PAR number does (162 UMOL's) equal to? PAR is the only way I have ever tested mine

Also, at what depth did you get the 162 UMOL's reading?



If you had the choice, would you think that the Sunpower was worth $150 to $200 more than this Fauna fixture? With the Sunpower, I will have to buy bulbs too!
Or would you just not want either of them?


Thanks for the help
NathanS

 

[jauld]

You need to put a 3 or a 4 in front of that 7

I wouldn't try a clam on a 22" tall tank with the lower end T5 fixtures. I would want to see a Tek light at a minimum on that.

well, thats a little disappointing. I was under the impression that the catalina fixture Individual reflectors were at least better than the nova's.

even with 6 bulbs I still wont be producing enough light? I need to read more because i don't understand how that's possible. This fixture should have the same or more output than a 4 bulb tek shouldn't it?

Are the bulb's I have chosen good enough or is there another configuration with different types/brands of each bulb that I should consider?
3 x t5ho aquablue plus Giesemann
2 x t5ho actinic plus Giesemann
1 x t5ho pure actinic Giesemann

thanks,
Jason

 

[lukinrats]

well, thats a little disappointing. I was under the impression that the catalina fixture Individual reflectors were at least better than the nova's.

even with 6 bulbs I still wont be producing enough light? I need to read more because i don't understand how that's possible. This fixture should have the same or more output than a 4 bulb tek shouldn't it?

Are the bulb's I have chosen good enough or is there another configuration with different types/brands of each bulb that I should consider?
3 x t5ho aquablue plus Giesemann
2 x t5ho actinic plus Giesemann
1 x t5ho pure actinic Giesemann

thanks,
Jason

Here, let me help out Grim. Since I, myself, have experience with the Catalina fixtures. First of all let me say that the build quality of the Catalina
T5's is pretty good, considering. However, Grim is right, when he says that the 4 bulb Tek would be better. Not because of the bulbs, but because of the REFLECTORS. Granted, Catalina has individual reflectors, but they are the cheapest, most thin aluminum probably known, other than tin foil.

Now, I have the Catalina 8 bulb T5 retro fixture. It is 48 x 11.5 x 2-3". I used it for a while with the stock reflectors, and it was OK. One day I got a wild hair up my *** and decided to modify the fixture. So, I got me 4 of the Ice Cap SLR reflectors, and I stuck 2 bulbs in each reflector

Wammo, I had an all together new lighting system. That little mod there made all the difference in the world, and I was getting 215+ Par on the sandbed of a 30" tall tank. The reflectors make all the difference


It just so happens that I am in the process of maybe changing over to something new. If anybody wanted to buy my modded Catalina Powerhouse lighting, they could have it for a really great price, with the bulbs and all

Later,
NathanS

 

[kmu]

Don't use the UVL 50/50 and the 75/25 together unless you want a lot of purple in your look. I would use the GE 6500K Daylight in that mix, would give you a strong 14K kinda look, maybe a little more blue.

Grim if im looking at a radium with actinic supplemental look which bulb would combo be the best for my sunpower

this is what I had in mind
2 ATI Blue plus
2 UVL súper actinic
1 UVL 75/25
1 UVL 50/50

So I should get the GE 6,500 k instead of the 50/50 or another lamp like the Fiji purple, or ATI aquablue or ATI pro color.

Im willing to buy 7 lamps to have a spare one for more color options.

 

[lukinrats]

Hey Grim!!!! Come back, I need GUIDANCE!

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Ok, so the Sunpower was a little bit better than the Fauna, but that was with the stock reflectors on the Fauna, Correct?


Just so I can get this right in my head, what PAR number does (162 UMOL's) equal to? PAR is the only way I have ever tested mine

Also, at what depth did you get the 162 UMOL's reading?

If you had the choice, would you think that the Sunpower was worth $150 to $200 more than this Fauna fixture? With the Sunpower, I will have to buy bulbs too!
Or would you just not want either of them?


Thanks for the help
NathanS

The new model sunpower is way better. That reading was 17" down (below the surface of the water). The FM fixture had the stock crappy reflectors. If I was using the canopy I would probably lean towards the FM, no canopy the Sunpower, no contest.

 

[lukinrats]

The new model sunpower is way better. That reading was 17" down (below the surface of the water). The FM fixture had the stock crappy reflectors. If I was using the canopy I would probably lean towards the FM, no canopy the Sunpower, no contest.

Ok, so the Par 162 at 17", or does UMOL mean something else?


So, if my reading is 283 PAR at the same depth, then I will be hurting myself by switching to the FM....correct?


Wonder how much difference the Aquatinics reflectors will make?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Grim if im looking at a radium with actinic supplemental look which bulb would combo be the best for my sunpower

this is what I had in mind
2 ATI Blue plus
2 UVL súper actinic
1 UVL 75/25
1 UVL 50/50

So I should get the GE 6,500 k instead of the 50/50 or another lamp like the Fiji purple, or ATI aquablue or ATI pro color.

Im willing to buy 7 lamps to have a spare one for more color options.

I would use 4 Blue Plus, the 50/50 and a Super Actinic with an ATI Aquablue as the spare.

 

[jauld]

I understand the catalina fixture isnt the best, but what do you guys think is the best bulb set up is to give me the maximum light output with what I have? i was thinking...

3 x t5ho aquablue plus Giesemann
2 x t5ho actinic plus Giesemann
1 x t5ho pure actinic Giesemann

are there better bulbs than these or will these do ok for my application?
37 gal 30"long 12"deep 22" height.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Ok, so the Par 162 at 17", or does UMOL mean something else?


So, if my reading is 283 PAR at the same depth, then I will be hurting myself by switching to the FM....correct?


Wonder how much difference the Aquatinics reflectors will make?

Yep, If you are getting a solid 283 that far down you'd have to be an duficated idjet to change. :twitch:

The Sunpower would for sure be an upgrade, the FM PROBABLY would. How soon do you need to make a decision? I might be able to crack out the Sunpower and FM fixtures and do a check after the weekend.

UMOL's is the PAR measurement.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I understand the catalina fixture isnt the best, but what do you guys think is the best bulb set up is to give me the maximum light output with what I have? i was thinking...

3 x t5ho aquablue plus Giesemann
2 x t5ho actinic plus Giesemann
1 x t5ho pure actinic Giesemann

are there better bulbs than these or will these do ok for my application?
37 gal 30"long 12"deep 22" height.

Do the ATI lamps, they have higher PAR. There isn't a whole lot of difference in PAR between a Blue and Aquablue lamp. For looks and performance do this

4 ATI Blue Plus, 1 ATI Aquablue, 1 UVL Actinic White.

Using the extra "blue" lamp over the actinic is going to give you more PAR and still fluoresce the corals nice, the Aquablue and Actinic White both have lots of PAR to and will brighten things up and bring out nice colors.

 

[jauld]

Do the ATI lamps, they have higher PAR. There isn't a whole lot of difference in PAR between a Blue and Aquablue lamp. For looks and performance do this

4 ATI Blue Plus, 1 ATI Aquablue, 1 UVL Actinic White.

Using the extra "blue" lamp over the actinic is going to give you more PAR and still fluoresce the corals nice, the Aquablue and Actinic White both have lots of PAR to and will brighten things up and bring out nice colors.

thanks grim! I appreciate your help.

now i just need to find a place that sells them at a reasonable price...

 

[lukinrats]

Yep, If you are getting a solid 283 that far down you'd have to be an duficated idjet to change. :twitch:

The Sunpower would for sure be an upgrade, the FM PROBABLY would. How soon do you need to make a decision? I might be able to crack out the Sunpower and FM fixtures and do a check after the weekend.

UMOL's is the PAR measurement.

Not sure on time wise. I think I am just going to do some more measuriing first. I mean, I am trying to really just get something a little nicer, but I guess performance is more important than looks or quality

Thanks for the info. I dont know if it work for me now that I have looked into it

 

[reef_dude76]

I'm looking at Icecap SLR reflectors, 660 ballasts, and 60" 80W bulbs overdriven to 100W each. I can fit 8 bulbs over my 180 Gallon 24 x24x 72 tank. Would this be sufficent to keep sps/clams? if so what bulb combo would you recommend?

 

[dbc1717]

I'm looking at Icecap SLR reflectors, 660 ballasts, and 60" 80W bulbs overdriven to 100W each. I can fit 8 bulbs over my 180 Gallon 24 x24x 72 tank. Would this be sufficent to keep sps/clams? if so what bulb combo would you recommend?

I had no problem with clams in my 90 gallon, (I believe the same depth as your 180) using 6 t5 with reflectors on icecap 660's. I followed Grim's advice on the bulbs....

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I'm looking at Icecap SLR reflectors, 660 ballasts, and 60" 80W bulbs overdriven to 100W each. I can fit 8 bulbs over my 180 Gallon 24 x24x 72 tank. Would this be sufficent to keep sps/clams? if so what bulb combo would you recommend?

You need to get the Aqua Illumination reflectors from reefgeek. Ice Cap doesn't make 60" reflectors.

Should be fine. I would do 5 ATI Blue Plus, 2 KZ Fiji Purple and a GE 6500K Daylight. You could try 1 Fiji Purple and 1 ATI Aquablue with a 5 blue plus as well.

 

[sandhillcrane]

I'm in the early stages of setting up a 30x30x18 (70g) mixed (LPS, SPS, and maybe a clam). I'd appreciate any thoughts on whether an 6x24 ATI Powermodule be sufficient or should I just bite the bullet and go for the 8x24 ATI Powermodule?

Thanks.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I'm in the early stages of setting up a 30x30x18 (70g) mixed (LPS, SPS, and maybe a clam). I'd appreciate any thoughts on whether an 6x24 ATI Powermodule be sufficient or should I just bite the bullet and go for the 8x24 ATI Powermodule?

Thanks.

I'd do the 8 lamp unit if you plan a clam, you want to make sure you are casting a broad area of intensity.

 

[Acan Lord]

Ok I dont want this to seem like a dumb questiong but I have to ask. I always hear T5 are energy efficent but I was wondering how so. Like is a 70w metal halide more expensive to run that 70 w of t5 (i know impossible but just looking for comparision)? If not how are they energy efficent. THe main reason for asking this is because im running a 70w metal halide and i was looking into getting 96w of t5 and wondering how this would compare with energy cost. THanks everyone

 

[Elan L.]

hey grim. i was wondering if you can tell us about other bulbs i see on reefgeek that are usually not in the suggested range like ice cap "reef crest" or "Mid water" and "deep water"

just curious. thanks, Elan