The T5 Q&a Thread

[The Grim Reefer]

D&D is good. The 80 watt GE I don;t know about. I mean they are still good, just not what they once were.

 

[sjm817]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8382153#post8382153 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
D&D is good. The 80 watt GE I don;t know about. I mean they are still good, just not what they once were.

Thnx again. I'll ask Greg about them. How about the PA? I cant 60"get UVL SA's, so I guess that is what is available. 60" T5 is not what 48" was. More $$, less choices in bulbs and reflectors.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Normally driven the 80 watt lamps are more intense, overdriven the 54 watt lamps do better.

 

[lessthanlights]

I just got my custom acrylic 90 36x24x24! Do I want 6x39 T5s or 8x39 T5s? I'm looking at Tek T5s retros with Icecap reflectors and triad ballasts. Do I need to overdrive for softies, lps and a few montis with a 2" sandbed? I would like a calm but he can be near the top.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Nah, the good reflectors and standard ballasts will do fine.

 

[TracyZeuner]

I am trying to get more blue. Here is what I have:
BP
SA
AS
AB
AS
SA
AB
This is a Aquactinic 72 inch fixture for a 180

 

[lessthanlights]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8383951#post8383951 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Nah, the good reflectors and standard ballasts will do fine.

Would 6x39 be fine or would I need 8x39?

 

[beetle-b]

Hey Grim, quick question...have you seen T5 bulbs deform under intense heat? One of my ATI (blue plus) 54W bulbs developed a indentation about three inches from the end, all the way around the circumference of the bulb. The best visual I can describe is, it looks like if you were to put a tight rubber band around your wrist for a while and then remove, and the indentation left on your wrist...this looks like the same effect. Needless to say, I have removed the bulb and replaced. Some other info, my t5 set up has been going for about a month, I was running 4 total 54 watt bulbs on a ...hesistation...WH7. Interstingly enough I either had a defective ballast or just ran it too hard in a month, because it quit working, and I ended up replacing it out with an Icecap 660. Now all (4 54W bulbs ) are powered by the Icecap. My hood is pretty well ventilated but from day one the bulbs and the old ballast ran very hot.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8383974#post8383974 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by TracyZeuner
I am trying to get more blue. Here is what I have:
BP
SA
AS
AB
AS
SA
AB
This is a Aquactinic 72 inch fixture for a 180

Swap out the center Aquablue for Blue Pluses

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8383985#post8383985 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by lessthanlights
Would 6x39 be fine or would I need 8x39?

I'd go 8 but 6 would do.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8384001#post8384001 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by beetle-b
Hey Grim, quick question...have you seen T5 bulbs deform under intense heat? One of my ATI (blue plus) 54W bulbs developed a indentation about three inches from the end, all the way around the circumference of the bulb. The best visual I can describe is, it looks like if you were to put a tight rubber band around your wrist for a while and then remove, and the indentation left on your wrist...this looks like the same effect. Needless to say, I have removed the bulb and replaced. Some other info, my t5 set up has been going for about a month, I was running 4 total 54 watt bulbs on a ...hesistation...WH7. Interstingly enough I either had a defective ballast or just ran it too hard in a month, because it quit working, and I ended up replacing it out with an Icecap 660. Now all (4 54W bulbs ) are powered by the Icecap. My hood is pretty well ventilated but from day one the bulbs and the old ballast ran very hot.

So you weren't overdriving and it only happened to one lamp. If that is the case contact reefgeek if thats were you got your lamps. I would think the factory might want to see that lamp if you still have it.

 

[beetle-b]

Sounds good, they have great customer service. I am sending them back the WH7 anyways also. Thanks for the suggestion.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Sounds like the lamp may have taken out the ballast but I am just guessing.

 

[beetle-b]

hmm, interesting idea. I do hear something rattling on the inside, maybe its the filament.

 

[sarduci]

Re: Re: Re: Re: ?

Re: Re: Re: Re: ?

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8381692#post8381692 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
So SLS threatens to sue Ice Cap?

When in doubt, sue them out.

I'm sure glad my "Tek retro" came with no SLS equipment......

 

[sarduci]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8384051#post8384051 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by beetle-b
Sounds good, they have great customer service. I am sending them back the WH7 anyways also. Thanks for the suggestion.

Going to replace it with another or something else?

 

[beetle-b]

Oh... as I stated earlier it has already been replaced by an IceCap 660, just need to send them the WH7 for a refund

 

[horkn]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8384890#post8384890 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sarduci
Going to replace it with another or something else?

you know, theres nothing wrong with using WH ballasts to drive t5ho's

 

[TracyZeuner]

Grim, my setup again-
Blue Plus
Super Actinic
Aqua Sun
Aqua Blue
Aqua Sun
Super Actinic
Aqua Blue

Some one said that the Aqua Suns are washing out all of the blue.What does the red in the Aqua Suns do?Should I keep these bulbs or switch them with a more blue bulb?Sorry about all the ?

 

[FishF00d]

looking for advise on some actinic 80w bulbs. I run 250 MH in the range of 14k. Just want some actinic supplimentation. I run the T5's a few hours before the MH come on/go off.

Here are the list of bulbs that I have seen

ATI Aquablue Special
ATI Blue Plus
Giesemann Pure Actinic
Geisemann Actinic Plus

I have a coralvue actinic in right now and hate it. Also have an ATI bulb, not sure which one anymore but it is on the white side. What other bulb would go well with the Actinic for when the MH aren't on.