The T5 Q&a Thread

[Serioussnaps]

oh and however...u can mitigate buying SLS by buying from Greg at Reefgeek...probably the best vendor in this hobby i have dealt with

 

[hahnmeister]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8393127#post8393127 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 96p993
6 bulb is the biggest I can find in a 36" long tank. I dont think keeping SPS with a 5 bulb will be a problem..we will see

Tek Makes a 8 bulb 3' Tek. It fits over an 18" wide tank as well, easily.

 

[johnfaas]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8394967#post8394967 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Serioussnaps
NOW...SLS is by far the worst company i have ever dealt with ..in or out of the aquarium hobby....threads started by me and many others have prompted them to leave RC because they know they suck...i hope they send me a letter on the basis of libel...LMAO....

you probably cant get ATI bulbs right nwo...i looked everywhere and all i could find was the pure actinics

Greg at reefgeek says ATI is developing a new "sun bulb" which should be out in the near future and the blue plus's will be back at reef geek soon to hopefully

if you can find another t5 unit i would highly suggest not buying SLS due to their customer service..or lack there of

I got my Tek t5 from Specialty-Lights.com and when I the light got to me the one ballast was shorting out so they put me in contact with Sunlight Supply and they had a new unit on the way that day , was good to me .

 

[kau_cinta_ku]

quick question, i understand that not blowing fans on the bulbs makes the bulbs die off quicker. but i have also read that you can also cool them to much also. what happends to the bulbs if they are cooled to much? as i have 3-39 watt T5's running off an icecap 660 over my 46 gal. and i have 4-3" fans blowing accross the bulbs which keeps them very cool but also creates to much evaporation. can i just use 2 fans?

TIA

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8395139#post8395139 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by hahnmeister
Tek Makes a 8 bulb 3' Tek. It fits over an 18" wide tank as well, easily.

I think they only make the 8 lamp units in the 54 watt version now.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8395139#post8395139 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by hahnmeister
Tek Makes a 8 bulb 3' Tek. It fits over an 18" wide tank as well, easily.

I think they only make the 8 lamp units in the 54 watt version now.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8396203#post8396203 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kau_cinta_ku
quick question, i understand that not blowing fans on the bulbs makes the bulbs die off quicker. but i have also read that you can also cool them to much also. what happends to the bulbs if they are cooled to much? as i have 3-39 watt T5's running off an icecap 660 over my 46 gal. and i have 4-3" fans blowing accross the bulbs which keeps them very cool but also creates to much evaporation. can i just use 2 fans?

TIA

I doubt if you would hurt anything cooling them too much, it drops the output.

2 fans would be plenty for your setup

 

[coraladdict]

Hi Grim,

What do you recommend for a 20" deep x 72 long and 24 wide tank with softies ,lps,sps,clams?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8397516#post8397516 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by coraladdict
Hi Grim,

What do you recommend for a 20" deep x 72 long and 24 wide tank with softies ,lps,sps,clams?

I'd probably go for halides or mount 2 6x39 watt retros side by side,

 

[Elmo18]

For T5HO applications, what ballast (other than Ice Cap) is 'better'?

I am figuring questions about Triad and Fulham Workhorse ballasts. Which ones will run T5HO better.

Thanks.

Best,
Ilham

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Triad is probably th best for the price.

 

[horkn]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8397615#post8397615 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Elmo18
For T5HO applications, what ballast (other than Ice Cap) is 'better'?

I am figuring questions about Triad and Fulham Workhorse ballasts. Which ones will run T5HO better.

Thanks.

Best,
Ilham

price wise, you cant beat the workhorse ballasts.

 

[horkn]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8390440#post8390440 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by RichT
Anyone have an inside scoop if they will be changing this policy?
I'm coming up on bulb time and would like to give them (ULV) a try.

there are no plans that have been leaked out.


i wouldnt rule it out though...

however, IC said that if UVL were to make 5 foot bulbs, then they might make 60" t5ho IC reflectors.

so dont hold your breath

 

[coraladdict]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8397602#post8397602 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
I'd probably go for halides or mount 2 6x39 watt retros side by side,

If I do choose the 2 6x39 W would 2 660 ic do fine?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

If your tank is only 20" tall go for Ice Cap reflectors but you wouldn't need to overdrive the lamps.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8398092#post8398092 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by horkn
price wise, you cant beat the workhorse ballasts.

The Ballastwise.com universal beats it like a dog, same price and the ballastwise unit is a true T5 ballast. They did bump the price up so it is now th same as the WH7, guess they have been getting a little business.

 

[coraladdict]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8398181#post8398181 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
If your tank is only 20" tall go for Ice Cap reflectors but you wouldn't need to overdrive the lamps.

Useing normal ballast , how far from the water sufface should the lamps be?

 

[loweryster]

Grim, I’m not sure if I missed it but did you post results on the new Philips 6000k Bulb. I’m trying to decide if I should wait or just get the UVL Aquasun.

My current setup
UVL super act.
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue+
ATI Blue+

I’m looking for a bit more par

Thanks

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8398328#post8398328 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by coraladdict
Useing normal ballast , how far from the water sufface should the lamps be?

Keep them about 4" above

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8398350#post8398350 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by loweryster
Grim, I’m not sure if I missed it but did you post results on the new Philips 6000k Bulb. I’m trying to decide if I should wait or just get the UVL Aquasun.

My current setup
UVL super act.
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue+
ATI Blue+

I’m looking for a bit more par

Thanks

Havent sen that one. Did a 5000K, not a bad look but not great PAR.