The T5 Q&a Thread

[The Grim Reefer]

U selss

C ollege

L oses

A gain

 

[hahnmeister]

Grim, for a planted tank, or one where just pure sun bulbs / PAR monsters would be used... which would have a higher output IYO? A 5000-6500K halide or the same wattage of sun 3000-6500K T5's? Thank god Im a UW-Madison grad...

 

[Robert Patterso]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8346831#post8346831 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
U selss

C ollege

L oses

A gain

You go Grim

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8346834#post8346834 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by hahnmeister
Grim, for a planted tank, or one where just pure sun bulbs / PAR monsters would be used... which would have a higher output IYO? A 5000-6500K halide or the same wattage of sun 3000-6500K T5's? Thank god Im a UW-Madison grad...

Depends on the tank really. If it isn't too deep the T5's will be better for lighting up the whole thing assuming you arent using a lumenarc for the halides. You can actually mix up the T5's too. The 3000K has the most PAR now. I am thinking a couple of those and a Aquablue or 2 to put a glisten in the light might look nice in a planted tank.

 

[hahnmeister]

So, watt for watt, would the 3000K have a higher output than say... a Iwasaki 6500K?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

A 250 watt Iwasaki running on an Ice Cap ballast is going to pull what, 240~250 watts and cover better than a 2x2 foot section of tank but for the sake of argument lets say 2x2 (Lumenarc reflector) Based on a reading a guy took with a 15K 175 watt Saki the 250 is going to hit the bottom of a 20" tank with PAR of 350 or so. Lets say over a 48x24x20" tank you would use 500 watts to get that 350 to the bottom with halides. an 8 lamp Ice Cap T5 system would use 606 watts or so and even running all 3000K lamps I really doubt it would break 250 at the bottom.

But for a planted tank how much penetration do you need? I think normally driven T5 would be the most efficient method to light the tank.

 

[hahnmeister]

Thats what I was thinking... how much do you really need... what it really came down to was this...
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&postid=8346319#post8346319

Im thinking that since 250s arent going to be the case, that the smaller amount of T5 wattage used would do a better job.

 

[ultraxr]

Hey guys... I currently have a 8x54watt Teklight fixture. Its only running on 4 GE daylight 6500k bulbs. I would like a crisp cool blue look to my tank. I'm thinking of ordering 2- ATI Aquablue bulbs and 2- ATI Blue Plus bulbs.

And would this order achieve what i want? Or will this be too white? I just dont want the yellowish or greenish look.

1. Blue plus
2. 6500k
3. Aquablue
4. 6500k
5. 6500k
6. Aquablue
7. 6500k
8. Blue plus

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Take out Number 2 and number 7 6500K's and use UVL Super Actinics in those slots instead. Swap number 3 Aquablue and number 4 GE's positions and you should be set. The Aquablues produce about as much PAR as the GE lamp and the blue plus isn't than far behind so you will have good intensity.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8349171#post8349171 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by hahnmeister
Thats what I was thinking... how much do you really need... what it really came down to was this...
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&postid=8346319#post8346319

Im thinking that since 250s arent going to be the case, that the smaller amount of T5 wattage used would do a better job.

Halide guys can't grasp the concept

Generally speaking T5's are more efficient than halides, otherise youd be seeing people changing from T5 to halides for commercial and industrial purposes instead of the opposit.

I would put T5's up against halides watt for watt if the halide is running in anything but a lumenarc reflector.

 

[ultraxr]

1. Blue plus
2. UVL Super Actinics
3. 6500k
4. Aquablue
5. 6500k
6. Aquablue
7. UVL Super Actinics
8. Blue plus

Thanks Grim!

 

[The Grim Reefer]

You may need to play with the center 4 positions to get the look you want but that will get you damn close.

 

[ultraxr]

EDITED:

Anyone know where else i can order some Blue Plus bulbs? Reefgeek.com doesn't have anymore. =(

 

[kau_cinta_ku]

http://www.reefgeek.com/products/categories/lighting/104952.html
it's on their site still. did you call them?

 

[ultraxr]

whoops, I meant they don't have the 54W Blue Plus T5 HO Fluorescent bulbs.

Anywhere else where i can get these at?

 

[DrBDC]

Here's some:

http://www.thereefstop.com/catalog/...9_190&osCsid=129bde8532c0adcfd6f346dd507498d0

 

[ultraxr]

silly question but are Aqua Blue Plus and Blue Plus the same?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

No.

Premium Aquatics might have them too if the Geek is out.

 

[creep]

Is there a cheaper alternative to mounting the tek light system? I can't use the cables to hang the fixture, i need a tank mount, but they are $50+. that seems a little high, and was wondering if anyone knew of a place where i could get something that would work for a lot cheaper.

 

[ambaratur]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8342917#post8342917 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
That should be fine.

If you have room I would go for 2 660 ballasts and run 5 T5's and a 5 ft VHO actinic. You can run T5's and VHO's on the same IC ballast. I'd go 1 GE, 1 Geisemann Midday, 1 ATI Aquablue and the 2 ATI Blue Plus and the VHO Actinic. Pay attention to the brands. In the 54 watt T5's the ATI has better output, I assume 80 watt lamps are the same.

Like Hahn said if you go for the 5 T5's only and want a brighter look swap out one of the aquablues but I would use the Geisemann Midday so you would have that and a GE daylight instead of 2 of one or the other.

Thanks for the response Grim. I have read much of your advice to others as well and just want to express my appreciation to you for the time you take in helping others understand some of the lighting questions.

Thank you.

And also thanks to hahnmeister as well.