The T5 Q&a Thread

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<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8601155#post8601155 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 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.
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Anyone who says that, IMO, is an idiot. The pumps arent even similar designs. One is a prop pump, and one is basically a very specialized impellar pump. (not to mention that Tunze wasnt even the first one to use prop pumps)


That being said, skimmer design is pretty damn simple. Skimmer bodys are destined to look similar because deviating from the basic design leads to decreases in performance. Theres some SERIOUS differences between those two skimmers though.. note bubble plate in one.....


and then take a real good look at the pump.
 
Grim, what light set up should I go with for a 30X30X18?
Also, what bulbs should use?
I plan on keeping sps and clams.

Should i buy a pendant or build my own canopy and retro?

Seems retro would be better b/c I can always add more bulbs, what do you recommend. Thanks.

-Retzius
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8600707#post8600707 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
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:rolleyes:
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Grim, thank you very much for the info. I talked with Tom again and he said that when only the 2 bulbs are on for dusk to dawn, generally one hour before and one hour after the other 4 lamps turn on and then turn off. The 2 lamps will dissipate the heat fine. He said that the only time he thinks it would be a problem is if you ran those 2 bulbs with no fan for a whole day, but just the one hour before and one hour after the fan would be fine. I am hoping that you agree in your opinion or do you have other suggestions? Thanks.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8601261#post8601261 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 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.
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I would about be willing to bet money the lamps are the same. I'll have to see about grabing some lamps.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8601193#post8601193 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 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?
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If convinient I would go with ATI over Giesemann but both look about the same.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8582130#post8582130 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 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....
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Henry, do you ever have any issues with this unit since the fans only come on with the 4 bulbs, does the unit still operate pretty cool when the 2 bulbs for dusk to dawn are on with no fan. Tom at Aquactinics said this is totally fine because it dissipates the heat well with just the two lamps on. I was just wondering your opinion. Also what bulbs do you use/recommend. Thanks.
 
Personally I would use a single halide in a lumenarc reflector over that tank. A 175 watt 15K Iwasaki with a couple of T5 actinics would look sweet.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8601440#post8601440 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Retzius
Grim, what light set up should I go with for a 30X30X18?
Also, what bulbs should use?
I plan on keeping sps and clams.

Should i buy a pendant or build my own canopy and retro?

Seems retro would be better b/c I can always add more bulbs, what do you recommend. Thanks.

-Retzius
Click to expand...
 
I really want T5 b/c of less electricity and heat issues. I'm also thinking of going with 30X24X18? What can you reccommend?
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8601553#post8601553 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by grandp10
Grim, thank you very much for the info. I talked with Tom again and he said that when only the 2 bulbs are on for dusk to dawn, generally one hour before and one hour after the other 4 lamps turn on and then turn off. The 2 lamps will dissipate the heat fine. He said that the only time he thinks it would be a problem is if you ran those 2 bulbs with no fan for a whole day, but just the one hour before and one hour after the fan would be fine. I am hoping that you agree in your opinion or do you have other suggestions? Thanks.
Click to expand...

What I know to be a fact is that normally driven T5's get hot enough to lose over 20% of their output after running less than 5 minutes on a table under a running ceiling fan. What do you think will happen overdriving them inside a fixture? That heat cannot be good for the lamps. Seeing as how most everyone does dusk/dawn I don't understand running the fans off the mains.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8601805#post8601805 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Retzius
I really want T5 b/c of less electricity and heat issues. I'm also thinking of going with 30X24X18? What can you reccommend?
Click to expand...

You will need to retro. I would run 8 24 watt Tk retros. As far as lamps I would mix it up

ATI Super Blue
UVL Super Actinic
GE 6500 Daylight
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Aquasun or GE 3000K
ATI Aquablue
Geisemann Pure Actinic
ATI Blue Plus
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8601268#post8601268 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by RichConley
That being said, skimmer design is pretty damn simple. Skimmer bodys are destined to look similar because deviating from the basic design leads to decreases in performance. Theres some SERIOUS differences between those two skimmers though.. note bubble plate in one.....


and then take a real good look at the pump.
Click to expand...

Awww, man Rich... so you're pointing out differences between the Olsen twins I see. That pump is actually the same pump that ATI used, and aquabee, on their skimmers prior to coming to the states where the 110v meant they had to change to the Tunze pumps. The only differences between the two skimmers is that ATI has added a bubble plate. Whoop-E. Those SERIOUS differences add up to me in the basement for 15 minutes with a drill press and some scrap acrylic.

Look at how the pump feeds into the vortex chamber of the skimmer, look at the collection cup. Look at the sticker on top that was scratched off and an ATI one was placed over it...lol.

Just saying... for one of two SERIOUS differences you see, I see about a hundred SERIOUS similarities.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8607268#post8607268 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by marcom1234
should i go with the open design or the closed?
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If you are running it in a canopy I would go open.
 
I want to add some t5 to my tank. The tank is an aga 75g 48x24x30. Right now I run 2 MH 250's.

What t5 retro kit brand and light bulbs do you guys recommend?

tek
coralife
...
..

I was thinking of a tek 48" 2x54w retro kit with "What bulbs"

send me in the right direction ..

Danny.
 
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