The T5 Q&a Thread
- Thread starter JohnL
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hahnmeister
In Memoriam
Re: supplier for 5ft bulbs?
Re: supplier for 5ft bulbs?
Id also consider looking at the fauna-marin's if you are interested in 5' bulbs and reflectors. Their 5' T5 fixtures are a steal... same price as a reefgeek retrofit (the 6x80watt is $649 w/ bulbs) but a complete fixture, and better reflectors than the 5' Tek. They include the bulbs as well. For those who dont know why this is such a steal... consider this... 1x80watt Sylvania/OSRAM T5 ballasts are about 1/2 of that $649... 80watter ballasts are exceptionally expensive. They actually make the Icecap 660 look like a deal. So considering the package value, the fauna-marin is a steal.
http://www.aquariumobsessed.com/
Re: supplier for 5ft bulbs?
Id also consider looking at the fauna-marin's if you are interested in 5' bulbs and reflectors. Their 5' T5 fixtures are a steal... same price as a reefgeek retrofit (the 6x80watt is $649 w/ bulbs) but a complete fixture, and better reflectors than the 5' Tek. They include the bulbs as well. For those who dont know why this is such a steal... consider this... 1x80watt Sylvania/OSRAM T5 ballasts are about 1/2 of that $649... 80watter ballasts are exceptionally expensive. They actually make the Icecap 660 look like a deal. So considering the package value, the fauna-marin is a steal.
http://www.aquariumobsessed.com/
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
Good deal But they still aren't Ice Cap ballasts
Litefoot Sr
New member
Grim,
Please explain how do the IC ballasts overdrive 54w T-5 lamps? Is it just a wiring change? I have 4 lamps now and want to add 2 more so I was thinking of ordering the IC 430 to overdrive the 2 new and rewire 2 of the older ones. I don't think the IC 660 can overdrive all 6 lamps. Am I correct?
Please explain how do the IC ballasts overdrive 54w T-5 lamps? Is it just a wiring change? I have 4 lamps now and want to add 2 more so I was thinking of ordering the IC 430 to overdrive the 2 new and rewire 2 of the older ones. I don't think the IC 660 can overdrive all 6 lamps. Am I correct?
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
Nothing special. It would be sort of like running a 175 watt halide in a 250 watt ballast.
660 runs 4 lamps (Or 3 80 watt T5's max) 430 runs 2 T5's of any length.
660 runs 4 lamps (Or 3 80 watt T5's max) 430 runs 2 T5's of any length.
I am planning my next tank, primarily SPS, and want to figure what size tank makes the best use of the lighting.
Is the 5 bulb Aquatinics fixture adequate for a 24 inch wide tank (front to back) or should I go with a narrower tank or maybe the Tek 8 bulb fixture?
HO T5 good for a 24" deep or 30" deep tank?
Is the 5 bulb Aquatinics fixture adequate for a 24 inch wide tank (front to back) or should I go with a narrower tank or maybe the Tek 8 bulb fixture?
HO T5 good for a 24" deep or 30" deep tank?
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
For a 24" wide tank I would probably go with the 8 lamp tek unit. If you want a 30" tall tank go with the Aquactinics Solar Flare fixture which uss 6 Ice Cap driven lamps.
Litefoot Sr
New member
Are you sure about this? The Reef Geek web site says
IC 660 any 4 lamps up to 440w
IC 430 any 4 lamps up to 330w
Now I'm really confused.
revclyburn
Active member
HEY GRIM
I see you also have/had/researched t6 vho's, what's the color like? Could you post some pics
rev
I see you also have/had/researched t6 vho's, what's the color like? Could you post some pics
rev
revclyburn
Active member
HEY GRIM
how close are the T6 VHO'S to T5'S?
revclyburn
how close are the T6 VHO'S to T5'S?
revclyburn
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
Those are VHO specs. The 660 is able to run more T5's but it doesnt drive them any harder than the 430. Thats all according to Ice Cap.
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
I was going to have some more frags but Live Aquaria dropped the ball so I guess it will be next week now. I'll try to get a few shots. The color is nice. I am limited on lamps right now to just Supr Blues and Daylights but there are a lot more comming out. A 50/50 mix seems to look pretty good. I am running 1 UVL Super Actinic T5 to suppliment right now.
revclyburn
Active member
Coool
I'm caught up in what I should get. Was supposed to be a Christmas gift to me, but got lazy and didn't order the t5's I wanted, then I saw your thread about the t6's and thought I might try them also. Please post pics when you can
rev
I'm caught up in what I should get. Was supposed to be a Christmas gift to me, but got lazy and didn't order the t5's I wanted, then I saw your thread about the t6's and thought I might try them also. Please post pics when you can
rev
revclyburn
Active member
Anyone else ever tried the t6 VHO's?
rev
rev
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
If you are starting from scratch stick with the T5's. T6's are hard to find and use more power. I think the lamps are going to last a lot longer but until I see it I aint making no bets.
Very informative thread. Going to be setting up a 40g hex tank and need a 24" tank mountable light. I have a 24" Corallife 130 pc but want a little moreee. I was thinking of the current nova extreme but it only comes out to be 96 total watts. Would using ice cap reflectors make the best light for me to purchase?
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
Get the 24" Tek
sg1.025
Premium Member
Hey Grim - I went ahead to took the T5 plunge for my 48x48x36 cube tank. I current have 2 - 8 bulb TEK light fixtures using all URI bulbs. The bulb config is as follows: Super Actinic, Aquasun 10k and Actinic White 12k. Any suggestions on bulb config per fixture?
Looks like the light 2 outsideson one switch and 4 middle on the other switch. After about 6 months, i'm going to yank the internal ballast and replace them with IC 660.
Looks like the light 2 outsideson one switch and 4 middle on the other switch. After about 6 months, i'm going to yank the internal ballast and replace them with IC 660.
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
Just go with what looks nice. I would Grab some GE's to add in to the mix.
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