The T5 Q&a Thread

[Henry Bowman]

Spikehs,

The size or diameter of the t5 bulb is the part of the equation that makes them work so well, the other part of the equation is the reflectors that go above the bulbs.
Since the bulbs are so small, the reflectors are VERY effective at bouncing a huge amount of light that would otherwise be wasted into the tank.

I think your decision to stick wiht the Tek fixture is a better choice. Your corals will thank you for it in the long run.

 

[hahnmeister]

That ebay unit has to be total crap for output. No individual reflectors is one thing that can cost you 60% of your potential, but no fans can kill another 25% at the bulb, and having the bulbs soo close together like that, I bet those things are very very weak.

 

[my2girls]

Quick question: Does anyone know if the Current USA T5 bulbs are standard size like Giesmann, UV, ATI?

 

[simion3]

What kind of colour temp would 2 ATI actinic blue 03, 2 aquablue special, and 2 blue plus give?

 

[Ti]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8640387#post8640387 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by hahnmeister
Wow, I cant believe that the RC filter blocked the $h!t in Matsu$h!ta. That seems a little extreme.

wu7 th3y blokkk?

 

[ExarKun]

Well seeing as there's close to 200 pages in this thread im sure this has been answered. I'm going to ask anyways though, sorry

I will soon be setting up a 30 gallon tank (36"x12"x16" high)

I was originally going to go with this light fixture:

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=12772&N=2004+113175

However, after reading the first 10 pages of this thread I'm think this fixture is the way to go:

http://www.reefgeek.com/products/categories/lighting/104188.html

Would this be over kill for this size tank? I'm planning on starting off with a FOWLR set up and than after 6 months or so move on to a full reef setup. What kind of corals could I keep and would I be able to keep clams? What type of bulbs should I run?

Thanks for your help!

 

[RichConley]

Ok, so I got my 4 Sylvania Quicktronic 2x54w ballasts in the mail yesterday ($50 shipped total...I heart ebay..couldnt pass them up at that price).

Here's the problem: I've got a 3' tank. Any ideas?

 

[Kiel'thalin]

On bulb selection I find it very confusing. I know you can suggest a bulb for a particular setup. But I don't understand why?
For example on my setup thes was suggested to me on here back in July:

(2) Aquaz Blue Pro
(1)Aquaz Sun Pro (10000K)
(1)Aquaz Ocean Pro (20000K)
(1) D&D Pure Actinic

Now that one of my Blue Pro has blown, I am kinda confuse on what to replace it with. I was going to get an ATI Blue Plus Special (12000K), more of a brighter look.
But with this setup, does the Sun Pro (10000k) bulb constitute a daylight, or will I be better off getting a cooler lamp like a 6000k or 6500k to replace that with since I have more supplements than daylight? Sorry so long, but after researching a bit, I am at a loss...

 

[hng]

Anyone tried the "ballastwise" brand of electronic ballast for T5HO's? You can get one for about $10 which will drive a single 39 watt T5HO bulb or $15 for one that drives 2 bulbs.

 

[RichConley]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8650461#post8650461 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by hng
Anyone tried the "ballastwise" brand of electronic ballast for T5HO's? You can get one for about $10 which will drive a single 39 watt T5HO bulb or $15 for one that drives 2 bulbs.

I was looking at those, and they dont have the program start, or any of the fun stuff like that. They only have those options for the 54w.

 

[DrBDC]

I have an advance ballast I only paid about 20 after shipping that runs 2 bulbs with the T5 extra stuff built in.

 

[hahnmeister]

Yeah, rich and I only paid $20 for every two ballasts, each one being a 2x54wattT5 with those Sylvanias. A friend of mine here (nursefry) also bought 6 of those ballasts... he has an IC660 that he planned on using, but wasnt sure about the heat/overdriving since he planned on using the bulbs mostly for actinics/blue bulbs. So he figures he can sell the IC660 and just use the regular ballasts... they are nice ones at that (like the ATI Osrams and that other brand).

 

[hng]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8650522#post8650522 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by RichConley
I was looking at those, and they dont have the program start, or any of the fun stuff like that. They only have those options for the 54w.

Is program start important? I think the ones I was looking at are instant start. Does that affect the quality of the lights or bulb life? Would Sylvania ballasts be better?

 

[Salty Sam]

Does anyone know the approx. kelvin of the Korallen Zucht lamps, the ones that have some red?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Plug a couple of 39 watters into one of those and see what you get. I really don't know why it wouldn't work, just make sure you use good endcaps.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8650217#post8650217 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by RichConley
Ok, so I got my 4 Sylvania Quicktronic 2x54w ballasts in the mail yesterday ($50 shipped total...I heart ebay..couldnt pass them up at that price).

Here's the problem: I've got a 3' tank. Any ideas?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Either will work but the Tek would be more suitable if you were to upgrade to a taller tank at some point.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8649844#post8649844 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ExarKun
Well seeing as there's close to 200 pages in this thread im sure this has been answered. I'm going to ask anyways though, sorry

I will soon be setting up a 30 gallon tank (36"x12"x16" high)

I was originally going to go with this light fixture:

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=12772&N=2004+113175

However, after reading the first 10 pages of this thread I'm think this fixture is the way to go:

http://www.reefgeek.com/products/categories/lighting/104188.html

Would this be over kill for this size tank? I'm planning on starting off with a FOWLR set up and than after 6 months or so move on to a full reef setup. What kind of corals could I keep and would I be able to keep clams? What type of bulbs should I run?

Thanks for your help!

 

[The Grim Reefer]

The sun pro is about the same color range as the GE daylight now. Going with the Aquablue would be a good move if you want to brighten it up some.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8650266#post8650266 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Kiel'thalin
On bulb selection I find it very confusing. I know you can suggest a bulb for a particular setup. But I don't understand why?
For example on my setup thes was suggested to me on here back in July:

(2) Aquaz Blue Pro
(1)Aquaz Sun Pro (10000K)
(1)Aquaz Ocean Pro (20000K)
(1) D&D Pure Actinic

Now that one of my Blue Pro has blown, I am kinda confuse on what to replace it with. I was going to get an ATI Blue Plus Special (12000K), more of a brighter look.
But with this setup, does the Sun Pro (10000k) bulb constitute a daylight, or will I be better off getting a cooler lamp like a 6000k or 6500k to replace that with since I have more supplements than daylight? Sorry so long, but after researching a bit, I am at a loss...

 

[tgsplano]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8632953#post8632953 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
The difference is worth it, about 20% more light. Ice Cap will cut you a deal on the reflectors if you contact them. Just order the 6 lamp retro from reefgeek minus reflectors.

I've emailed IceCap (via the sales email on their site) about the reflectors and they don't respond. I also called their sales dept and they never answered the phone this entire week. So I called their service department and they said I'd have to go through a vendor. They did tell me that they would not be producing 5 foot reflectors due to a low demand.

Just a quick FYI that they aren't selling directly with the consumer.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Thats odd, they had been on threads in their forum. I saw where a couple people had bought them, maybe they quit doing it.

 

[somethinfishier]

Hey Grim, I am looking on ballastwise.com to buy a new ballast for some of my t5s. I need one or two to push four 39watt bulbs. What would you suggest?

Thanks Jered