The T5 Q&a Thread

[The Grim Reefer]

It should be fine.

 

[grandp10]

Does overdriving cause more heat. I got the Aqauctinics fixture but may use 1 or 2 Icecap ballasts, will I need another fan besides the one on the unit, not sure how much hotter if any it will be. If I use 1 Icecap ballast it will be for 2 bulbs, if I use 2 ballasts it will be for all. Thanks.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I would add another fan if you overdrive any lamps. I would mount one on the outside blowing in on the non fan side. It wouldn't be too hard to make a shroud of some sort for it.

 

[hahnmeister]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8575887#post8575887 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by crvz
I asked a few questions many pages ago, but i thought i was due for another. I placed an order for an Oceanic 156 with a euro-brace today, and i'm trying to confirm my lighting decision. I intend to run bare-bottom with mostly SPS corals. I have two icecap 660's on my 58 gallon running 6 39w bulbs. I was planning on running 7 54w bulbs in SLR reflectors in the new 156 (which is 24" deep). 2 questions;

In terms of available light, would there be a limit to what i could keep in this tank?

I like the look of 14k metal halide systems. What bulb pattern would be a good immitation of this?

What are the overall dimensions of this tank BTW?

Ok, for limitations, well, for 156gallons you will have a medium light level. You will have about 560 watts of T5s with those Icecap ballasts. For a bulb mix to match a 14,000K, I use the following mix, and its a near identical match to a pheonix 14,000K... only better because there is more actinic and daylight...

Run a ratio of 1: aquablue to 1:true actinic03 to 1: blue+.

 

[revclyburn]

Hey Grim

getting t5 lighting for Christmas. I don't want my sister's to spend to much money, so would a 2x54 tek light be ok with me current 4x54 pc and 2 40 watt NO lighting? I plan on retroing the NO lights with t5's soon as I get through the holidays. So, it would give me 2 more 2x54 t5's The lighting fixture has reflectors already, that should be ok. Any suggestions on what bulbs to use, would 50/50's be ok, if they have them?

edwin

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I assume you are talking retrofits here and not fixtures?

A couple of Aquablue lamps will look nice and give great intensity.

 

[LittleBlueGT]

What is a good T5 lamp that is around 15-16 K?

I was thinking more Blue+ but I think they are too blue for what I want.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

ATI Aquablue would be closer to what you want.

 

[TekCat]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8576293#post8576293 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sjm817
Here is the canopy for my 180 with 6x60" T5s. I'm using doubled up Ice Cap 33" SLRs and a pair of 660 ballasts. I have (4) 92mm fans blowing in from the rear.

Nice!!! What kind of reflectors are you using? And where to get them?

 

[kau_cinta_ku]

those are doubled up 36" icecap reflectors

 

[GL]

Anyone know if there is a better reflector replacement for the original Tek 48" 6 bulb fixture. Mine is over 2 years old and seems to have lost some of its luster from sw splashes.

Greg

 

[LittleBlueGT]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8579761#post8579761 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
ATI Aquablue would be closer to what you want.

Had the aquablue (around 11k) but looking for something else, even 14 k would be nice.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8579969#post8579969 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by GL
Anyone know if there is a better reflector replacement for the original Tek 48" 6 bulb fixture. Mine is over 2 years old and seems to have lost some of its luster from sw splashes.

Greg

I hear SLS is comming out with better reflectors on the Teks. Could be they would be willing to sell them to people wanting to replace old reflectors.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8580041#post8580041 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by LittleBlueGT
Had the aquablue (around 11k) but looking for something else, even 14 k would be nice.

Not much else out there as far as choices.

 

[Roland Jacques]

hey guys'
you know how "The Captive Reef" by Dana Riddle has comparison charts of lighting of vho vs MH at heights...
Is their any printed anything that compares T-5 HO or std to Vho t12 or MH?

im just trying get some idea how to compare t-5s HO and std to what I Know

 

[TekCat]

I am planning on retro, so I need to know how many bulbs can I fit. So here are couple of questions:
What is the best reflector out there?
And if known how wide it is?

thx

 

[sjm817]

Ice Cap SLR. 2.5" wide.

 

[grandp10]

Does anyone know comparatively how much heat the Aquactinics Solar Flare would give out in comparison to a 4 X 96 watt power compact or a regular 6 lamp t5 fixture? Hotter or cooler ? Thanks.

 

[Henry Bowman]

grandp10
I have a solar flare and it does generate some heat, which is vented out via the built in fans. I am sure that the heat is greater than a regular 6 lamp t5 fixture since the bulbs are being overdriven (then again, the lamp fixture is enclosed on all sides with a plastic light shield and the fans are keeping the heat from being directed and or vented into the aquarium). If all 3 units you mention are fully enclosed, then heat transfer would not really affect the tank. Of the 3 listed I would say that the PC would give most heat to the tank then the regular 6 light fixture with the solar flare being coolest since I know it is enclosed and vented outside the area of the tank.

My two cents....

 

[hahnmeister]

The heat shouldnt be anything too much larger... the extra 30% wattage used by the IC seems to be made up for by about the same amount of light output boosted... so watt for watt, the heat output shoud be the same.