AquaPython
New member
do you have 2 smaller reflectors for each bulb or one larger one? and do you require a chiller ?
The T5 Q&a Thread
- Thread starter JohnL
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2 small ones. IC does not make 60" reflectors. They will sell you two 33" reflectors at a nice discount. Email andy@icecapinc.com if you are interested.
No, I dont use a chiller. I'm fundamentally opposed to using electricity to heat the water, then using more to cool it back down.
Here is my canopy setup:
No, I dont use a chiller. I'm fundamentally opposed to using electricity to heat the water, then using more to cool it back down.
Here is my canopy setup:
korbynlehr
Premium Member
I checked reefgeek and they only have 2 different 39 watt t5 bulbs. IS there another site that carries all the ones suggested?
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
Reefgeek has the best selection. Stick with ATI for Blue Plus and Aquablue and use Gmann or UVL for the others.
horkn
New member
i wouldnt worry. the bulbs will be fine, even nearly 2 years down the road.
see mine are close to 2 years old. they automatically turn on with a timer about 9am, and off at 830pm, with daylight savings altering that by an hour every few months. the 3x39 are driven by a w5. no issues yet...
korbynlehr
Premium Member
One last question, How often should these be changed on average?
simion3
New member
I want to get rid of my VHO's and put in T5's instead. Ive got a 90 gallon (24"H) and was thinking of 6 T5's with IceCap SLR reflectors. I was gonna have 4 bulbs on one IC660 ballast and two bulbs on another for dusk/dawn effect. Will this be enough light for a mixed reef? How high off the water should the T5's be?
hahnmeister
In Memoriam
Id put the T5s as close to the water as possible, as long as you can still get a fan with some air movement going on under the reflectors. Sounds fine for a mixed reef.
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
6" would be as high as I would want to go.
korbynlehr
Premium Member
Why is that? What are the benefits to getting it closer to the water?
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
Higher intensity. If you mount your light 8" above the water you will have half as much intensity striking the top of the water as you would with the lamps 4" above. The light you lose before it strikes the water is pure waste.
I too have been interested in switching from VHO to T5s. Since it's time to replace my bulbs now is the right time. I've got a 110G 5'x1.5'wx2'd. I'm using 6 110W now and thinking of going to 5 T5s.
My thoughts are to go with 60" Giesemanns (2 True Actinic/420nm and 3 11k's). Any thoughts?
Will this be really blue or bright white with touch of blue? I'd prefer more to the white side but I'm afraid 4 11ks and 1 Actinic will not be enougth actinic.
My thoughts are to go with 60" Giesemanns (2 True Actinic/420nm and 3 11k's). Any thoughts?
Will this be really blue or bright white with touch of blue? I'd prefer more to the white side but I'm afraid 4 11ks and 1 Actinic will not be enougth actinic.
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
Yes
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
Try to get the ATI lamps if possible. Should look slightly blue.
Grim what do you think of the Aquaz bulbs for the Solar Flare, do you think they are fine? Would you still recommend the ATI bulbs for this fixture for color, and I assume the ATI would still have more par per your comparisons to other bulbs. I just didn't know if the par comparisons between these lamps would be different because they are being overdriven, or is it still the same concept, also I have seen many different opinions on how often the bulbs should be changed when overdriven, what is your opinion? Thank you very much.
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