The T5 Q&a Thread

[The Grim Reefer]

I assume the ATI lamps will still outperform the others overdriven. I would be looking to relamp after a year on the solar Flare. Especially the 2 lamps used for dusk/dawn. The fan only operates when the 4 lamp ballast is on so during dusk/dawn periods the 2 lamps running will overheat. If I had one of those fixtures I'd be rewiring the fans.

 

[ktar]

hey grim have a few quick question, i am starting up a new tank and it a 20gal long was wondering if 4-24watt T5 setup would be enough for my lps and some sps. should i overdrive them or not. how far off the surface of water should i have the bulbs.

 

[AquaPython]

grim can you explain 'Overdriven'

 

[grandp10]

Grim, thank you very much for the valuable info. Should I rewire so that both fans come on with the ballast that turns on 2 bulbs? Or should I try to figure a way to have one fan come on at a time (one with each ballast). I do not want to overcool the dusk/dawn lamps with the two fans, unless you say that will not overcool and it's fine. I was also wondering about overcooling. The ATI fixture says that they can extend the life of the bulbs because their powermodul does not blow fans on the bulbs because the fans are on top so it simply as they say: "sips through the ends" so there is not too much cooling. I asked Tom at Aquactinics the question if the Solar Flare unit can overcool because of how the fan is in comparison to the other unit, he said that it would not be overcooling because the fans are not directly blowing on the bulbs, they are just a means to let the heat escape. I definately trust his opinion like I do yours I just want to get your opinion on the matter. Again thank you very much!

 

[dc_909]

Hey Grim,

Which bulb would you choose. GE 65k or UVL Aquasun?

 

[dc_909]

Where do you get the GE 3k? Is it better that the 65k or Aquasun?

48"

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8599630#post8599630 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ktar
hey grim have a few quick question, i am starting up a new tank and it a 20gal long was wondering if 4-24watt T5 setup would be enough for my lps and some sps. should i overdrive them or not. how far off the surface of water should i have the bulbs.

4 normally driven will be plenty. Keep the lamps at least 4" off the water.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8599745#post8599745 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by AquaPython
grim can you explain 'Overdriven'

Driving the lamps at a wattage higher than what they were designed for.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8600021#post8600021 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by grandp10
Grim, thank you very much for the valuable info. Should I rewire so that both fans come on with the ballast that turns on 2 bulbs? Or should I try to figure a way to have one fan come on at a time (one with each ballast). I do not want to overcool the dusk/dawn lamps with the two fans, unless you say that will not overcool and it's fine. I was also wondering about overcooling. The ATI fixture says that they can extend the life of the bulbs because their powermodul does not blow fans on the bulbs because the fans are on top so it simply as they say: "sips through the ends" so there is not too much cooling. I asked Tom at Aquactinics the question if the Solar Flare unit can overcool because of how the fan is in comparison to the other unit, he said that it would not be overcooling because the fans are not directly blowing on the bulbs, they are just a means to let the heat escape. I definately trust his opinion like I do yours I just want to get your opinion on the matter. Again thank you very much!

I would have to say it would be pretty hard to over cool with the fans pulling air out. My opinion is that the fans should have been placed on their own power cord so the user can decide when to run them. If it isn't too hard I would try to do one fan on each circuit, otherwise have both come on with the Dusk/Dawn.

EDIT: I just heard the two fans are ran on a single converter so running one on each circuit isn't an option and if you do rewire it they will void your warranty

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8600302#post8600302 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by dc_909
Where do you get the GE 3k? Is it better that the 65k or Aquasun?

48"

I would personally take the Aquasun over the GE. The GE 3000K is available through Reefgeek but you have to call for them, not on the websit. I wouldn't use the 3000K with less than a 6 lamp systm.

 

[hahnmeister]

Hey Grim...
So I wanted to try and find someone who would sell Fauna-Marin/AquaScience, and I stumbled across Aquarium Obsessed. They also happen to sell the Ultra-Solaris unit, so I asked for pricing...

Turns out the pricing isnt bad... not bad at all...
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&postid=8600776#post8600776

But a 6x54watt System for $549.99 USD, 4x54watt for $429USD, active cooling, waterproof endcaps, and good reflectors (reflectors are like the units made by ATI and Aquaconnect lumimaster, once sold by aqualuxlighting) that you could simply swap out for another whenever you like because they clip onto the bulb.

Includes the bulbs BTW.

Just thought I would present it as an option for those looking for fixtures. Many in the German forums consider these (along with the ATIs) to be the best units made.

http://www.faunamarin.de/eng/ultrasolaris.php

 

[horkn]

Re: Yea Right - we believe that one

Re: Yea Right - we believe that one

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8594975#post8594975 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Herndog

hey, it got a laugh, or 2

 

[horkn]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8600849#post8600849 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by hahnmeister
Hey Grim...
So I wanted to try and find someone who would sell Fauna-Marin/AquaScience, and I stumbled across Aquarium Obsessed. They also happen to sell the Ultra-Solaris unit, so I asked for pricing...

Turns out the pricing isnt bad... not bad at all...
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&postid=8600776#post8600776

But a 6x54watt System for $549.99 USD, 4x54watt for $429USD, active cooling, waterproof endcaps, and good reflectors (reflectors are like the units made by ATI and Aquaconnect lumimaster, once sold by aqualuxlighting) that you could simply swap out for another whenever you like because they clip onto the bulb.

Includes the bulbs BTW.

Just thought I would present it as an option for those looking for fixtures. Many in the German forums consider these (along with the ATIs) to be the best units made.

http://www.faunamarin.de/eng/ultrasolaris.php

not a bad price at all. good find Jon

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8600849#post8600849 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by hahnmeister
Hey Grim...
So I wanted to try and find someone who would sell Fauna-Marin/AquaScience, and I stumbled across Aquarium Obsessed. They also happen to sell the Ultra-Solaris unit, so I asked for pricing...

Turns out the pricing isnt bad... not bad at all...
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&postid=8600776#post8600776

But a 6x54watt System for $549.99 USD, 4x54watt for $429USD, active cooling, waterproof endcaps, and good reflectors (reflectors are like the units made by ATI and Aquaconnect lumimaster, once sold by aqualuxlighting) that you could simply swap out for another whenever you like because they clip onto the bulb.

Includes the bulbs BTW.

Just thought I would present it as an option for those looking for fixtures. Many in the German forums consider these (along with the ATIs) to be the best units made.

http://www.faunamarin.de/eng/ultrasolaris.php

This is interesting, Looks about like the same diffrence between ASM and Euroreef

http://www.atiaquaristik.com/index.php?id=95,0,0,1,0,0

http://www.faunamarin.de/eng/ultraskim.php

I may have to see if I can gt my hands on some of those lamps.

 

[hahnmeister]

Yeah, I figure its a good find for those looking for something better than a Tek, but dont quite want to pay for an ATI. The Solar Flare is the other option though as well. Im just not into overdriving the bulbs... thats all. Im going to be starting a long term comparitive test on the effects of overdriving T5s to see what emerges spectrum-wise, and output wise, in one-month intervals.

 

[hahnmeister]

Oh, and those 'matching skimmers' are another reason why some consider ATI to be another 'copy shop'. Im not gonna go there, because I dont care... hey, if its a good design, and its not patented... why not?!? That fauna-marin skimmer was around about 3 years ago, maybe more. The ATI is how old???

 

[dc_909]

Thanks Grim for answering all my questions

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Dunno. I've heard people say TAAM ripped off Tunze's stream but the patents on the Seio preceed those for the stream.

I'd be willing to bet the AS lamps are the same as the D&D Giesemanns. I hadn't heard anything about them bolting Narva. It too bad those people in Germany testing the lamps opted for a lux meter instead of using a PAR meter.

 

[LittleBlueGT]

Another question on Blue+ bulbs (450 Nm) from Geiss or ATI

I know the ATI are better, but is there much difference seeing as I am supplementing three 250 halides, and 2 VHOs?

 

[hahnmeister]

Yeah, both the Aquascience and Giesemann are by Narva, and the ATIs are made by Sylvania... so who knows. I wouldnt go saying that they are the same though just because of that. Different mixtures can be used, just like Sylvania... they make their own blue bulbs, but the ATIs made by them are not the same.