The T5 Q&a Thread

[hahnmeister]

Well, alot of European companies do, but the ones I know of are all retrofit. SLS should have a new Maristar unit with 2x250wattDE and 4x54wattT5s sometime next year, but really, I think seperates in a canopy is the way to go... not that you couldnt make a nice rack/fixture out of retrofit parts.

 

[naka]

Here's what my light fixture looks like.
Sfiligoi Infinity

 

[hahnmeister]

naka, if you dont mind me asking about your tank real quick... what are the dimensions and what is the glass thickness on the front? Is it starphire?

I only ask as reference for my own tank construction. I am using 1/2" Starphire on a 36x36x18"h tank, and I wonder if I should Euro-brace as well, or if 1/2" thick Sterphire on the front and sides is enough.

 

[my2girls]

What do you guys think of the Current USA Nova extreme T5 retrofit kits? They do come with individual reflectors. I'm looking to get rid of my TEK 6x54w fixture and get a canopy and T5 retro.

 

[hansmatt]

my2girls...why are you getting rid of your tek 6x54? I've been eying this setup for my 90g and am curious on your take. I'd love a MH T5 setup (maristar/sigflo/g'man) but not interested in the capital outlay or heat of the mh.

 

[naka]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8734991#post8734991 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by hahnmeister
naka, if you dont mind me asking about your tank real quick... what are the dimensions and what is the glass thickness on the front? Is it starphire?

I only ask as reference for my own tank construction. I am using 1/2" Starphire on a 36x36x18"h tank, and I wonder if I should Euro-brace as well, or if 1/2" thick Sterphire on the front and sides is enough.

It's 3/4" Starphire (PPG) front and sides. My tank is 60 x 30 x 24.

Here's my tank thread ----> Naka's tank thread

James

 

[my2girls]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8735243#post8735243 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by hansmatt
my2girls...why are you getting rid of your tek 6x54? I've been eying this setup for my 90g and am curious on your take. I'd love a MH T5 setup (maristar/sigflo/g'man) but not interested in the capital outlay or heat of the mh.

The 6x54 is great. I have the mounting legs too. I just decided to put my canopy back on and the fixture won't allow that. I like the look of the canopy but it is harder to work on the tank with it on. For 6 months (the age of the Tek fixture) I have had no canopy and have enjoyed the ease of tank maintenance.

I have access to Current USA product through my LFS, thats why I asked about the Nova Extreme Retro. If it is no good then I will either go with the Tek 6x54 retro or go Icecap.

 

[Coraline2020]

my2girls...

Glad that you weren't having any problems with your Tek, 'cause i just ordered mine today! BUT, where were you earlier?? I could have taken that Tek off your hands...

 

[my2girls]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8735009#post8735009 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by my2girls
What do you guys think of the Current USA Nova extreme T5 retrofit kits? They do come with individual reflectors. I'm looking to get rid of my TEK 6x54w fixture and get a canopy and T5 retro.

Does anyone have experience with this retro system?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I havent even heard of it up til now.

 

[cyclops23]

hey Grim, i know this is probably already covered in here somewhere, but do you think i would be doing the right thing switching from my 48" 6x54w t-5 single reflector to a tek 48" 4x54w w/ individual reflectors? i don't have much for light demanding corals (don't really want SPS) but i do want to get a crocea clam. would i be gaining anything?

 

[hahnmeister]

Well, if we compare percentages for reflector performance, all other things like ventilation and bulbs being equal...

Up to 60% of the potential output of a T5 is in the individual parabolic reflector in comparison to a flat, or even single large parabolic reflector. Using 6x54wattT5s in a parabolic setup can be our reference point. Not using parabolic reflectors, according to the percentage lost, means its a bit like only running 130 watts with parabolic reflectors. This is where you are at right now. Now, going with only 4 of the 6 bulbs would mean a 33% loss, or a relative output of 216watts. So going from your current 6 bulb setup without individual parabolic reflectors to a 4 bulb setup with should give you an increase in light of about 4o%.

Just remember to use some fans to keep the bulbs cool, or you could lose about 20% of the output, and who knows how much life.

 

[nemo g]

my2girls,

not sure if anyone has answered your question yet, but those currentusa nova-e t5 retros have been out for a while, and theres probably a reason why they havent recieved any attention.

if you take the picture from their site and lighten it, it looks like they just used a seperate pc reflector for each t5 bulb, as it seems rectangular, flat, and only the edges bent in, just like in their sunpaq fixtures.

i'd send an e-mail to confirm, but it desnt look like its worth the investment.

 

[2fewtanks]

HI, can anybody tell me if I will lose a signifigant amount of light from my 5bulb 36" aquatinics fixture if i cover my tank with eggcrate?I wan't to keep some fish tht may jump

TIA,Bill

 

[my2girls]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8740785#post8740785 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by nemo g
my2girls,

not sure if anyone has answered your question yet, but those currentusa nova-e t5 retros have been out for a while, and theres probably a reason why they havent recieved any attention.

if you take the picture from their site and lighten it, it looks like they just used a seperate pc reflector for each t5 bulb, as it seems rectangular, flat, and only the edges bent in, just like in their sunpaq fixtures.

i'd send an e-mail to confirm, but it desnt look like its worth the investment.

Thanks. I agree with you. It's not worth it. I'm ordering a TEK retro with IC reflectors. Now time to sell the fixture.

BTW NemoG- nice avatar

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8740741#post8740741 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by cyclops23
hey Grim, i know this is probably already covered in here somewhere, but do you think i would be doing the right thing switching from my 48" 6x54w t-5 single reflector to a tek 48" 4x54w w/ individual reflectors? i don't have much for light demanding corals (don't really want SPS) but i do want to get a crocea clam. would i be gaining anything?

You probably could add a couple of fans and good lamps to your current lighting setup and be good for the clam. I would maybe watch for a good deal on the tek or the 5 lamp aquactinics unit used. A 55 isn't really that hard to light.

 

[MikeBrke]

Hey Grim,

I am getting a Tek T-5 8x54 setup. I am wondering your choice of bulbs. I would like a whiteish look with a little blue. I am getting the bulbs from Reef Geek. I think they have Geissman, UVL, and ATI bulbs. The set up comes with 4 6500K GE bulbs. Thanks so Much!

 

[hahnmeister]

Grim can add in as well, but my choice for a 'white look' would be 4x6500K GEs and 4x ATI blue+ bulbs (considering you are already getting the GE 6500s).

Here is a buddy's tank (Gypsy here at RC), a 40B, with a 4x39wattTek running 2x6500K and 2x blue+. Its blinding, and the corals love the spectrum... some of the best colored corals under T5 that I know of.

Its exactly a white/day color with a hint of blue... like a 12,000K. Its also the combo of perhaps the highest output bulbs available. The only thing some might suggest to be better would be to perhaps only use 6 bulbs in this setup, and then have the last 2 running G-man true actinics. This would give you a little more actinic, and you would just save that extra 6500K for next time. Still bright as all ****.

 

[MikeBrke]

Awesome! Thanks hahnmeister! That really does look bright!

You have responded to some of my other posts and I really appreciate it!

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I would add in an actinic in place of one of the GE lamps. Just gives a little extra pop to the colors.