The T5 Q&a Thread

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I use 60" T5s on my 180G. As above, you dont even notice the 6" on the ends. No need to stagger them.
 
Grim, have you tested the aquablue bulbs long-term at all? I redid my tests today... and in a black box, 18" from the bulb, the blue+ that I have has the exact same output as the aquablue... unless I remove the fan... then the aquablue actually has a lower output and the blue+ doesnt seem to mind so much. Those blue phosphors must be the most durable or something... at 8 months old, I find it odd that the blue+ bulbs are holding themselves together better than the aquablues.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8793461#post8793461 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by PaintGuru
Has anyone compared the "New Wave" fixture from Sunlight Supply to the TEK fixture? Same with just different packaging or what?

Seems some have good reflectors and some don't. If it does hav the reflectors it is going to perform like the Tek.
 
Re: 65 show and 210 need ideas?

Re: 65 show and 210 need ideas?

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8793529#post8793529 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by michaeltwana
what units should i buy for both the 65 is 36x18x24 and the 210 is 72x24x30(i think--have to measure). want to grow everything sps,lps, and soft...ideas????

www.aquactinics.com

5 lamp unit for the 36" tank and the 7 lamp unit for the big one.
 
Re: has anyone heard of....

Re: has anyone heard of....

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8793555#post8793555 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by michaeltwana
has anyone heard of aquarium lights on e bay...is it crap???

Les Crap
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8794191#post8794191 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by hahnmeister
Grim, have you tested the aquablue bulbs long-term at all? I redid my tests today... and in a black box, 18" from the bulb, the blue+ that I have has the exact same output as the aquablue... unless I remove the fan... then the aquablue actually has a lower output and the blue+ doesnt seem to mind so much. Those blue phosphors must be the most durable or something... at 8 months old, I find it odd that the blue+ bulbs are holding themselves together better than the aquablues.

My Aquablues were still like 950 (down from 1150)after 14 months, the blues were around 1000 new and they had dropped about th same as the Aquablues but I don't remember the exact numbers
 
First of all, I have read this entire thread and appreciate all the info that is in it. Grim, your wealth of knowledge is appreciated and impressive. Has anyone dealt with this vendor and/or their products? I am including a link to the T5 retro kit that I am considering. The ebay store is Aquarium Lights and the payment goes to Pet Supply Liquidator. The retro setup is a 72 inch 8x80 watt fixture with three power cords, switches, and the bulbs are included. The vendor is actually building a 16x34 watt fixture with the same layout. Please look at this link and offer opinions.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...MEWA:IT&viewitem=&item=250060263464&rd=1&rd=1

The only non specified concern I have is if the end caps are waterproof. Should I have additional concerns?
 
Don't waste your money. That company operates under several different names. There is usually a reason for that which isn't quality workmanship and great customer service.

If you want a good 72" fixture check out www.aquactinics.com
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8794437#post8794437 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Seems some have good reflectors and some don't. If it does hav the reflectors it is going to perform like the Tek.

Cool. I shot Sunlight Supply a note to see what they say the differences are. We'll see what they say.
 
I'm sure I am going with the T5s however I was wondering what size and wattage I need for a 30x12x18 tank? Is it okay to just buy one dual strip fixture with one daylight and one actinic bulb?

I plan on adding Soft and LPS corals. If it is enough I might as well add SPS too:)
 
I'm planning to order some UVL Super Actinic bulbs. Anyone know of a vendor who gives a ReefCentral discount and sells UVL T5 bulbs?

TIA!
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8795854#post8795854 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Mtown
I'm sure I am going with the T5s however I was wondering what size and wattage I need for a 30x12x18 tank? Is it okay to just buy one dual strip fixture with one daylight and one actinic bulb?

I plan on adding Soft and LPS corals. If it is enough I might as well add SPS too:)

2 lamps will just get you by for softies and most LPS
 
Grim,
Instead of replacing my 2 aging 10k 150w hqi metal halides and 2 t5 actinic bulbs, i'm now considering upgrading the whole lighting on my 75g 48x18x21 tank. Would the 5 bulb 48" Aquatinics be considered an upgrade in lighting and par or an even swap or downgrade? If its not worth it then what would be considered a worthwhile step up?

Thanks again, your knowledge is most appreciated on this forum :)
 
Depending on your halide setup it should be an upgrade. If your running PFO mini pendants or Reefoptix stuff it is an even trade at best, maybe a little better.
 
Here is what Sunlight Supply sent me back regarding the differences between the New Wave and TEK fixtures:

The Tek light is made of 100% aluminum the New Wave is sheet metal.

The Tek light will accept an acrylic protective lens the New Wave will
not.

The Tek light has separate power cords and switches to simulate
dusk-dawn effect.

The reflectors are the same 95% German aluminum in both.


So it looks like for those that simply want a light, the New Wave is perfectly acceptable for $100 less.
 
Hi there Grim,

greetings from Singapore. i've been an avid follower of your T5 findings, having used them now for about 3 years, principally, employing ATi and D&D tubes.

I've not heard much discussion on RC about the new Korallen-Zucht Coral Light tubes. Apparently, theyre 50/50 tubes, much like the triphosphor (if i have that term right) ATi aquablue specials, but also incorporate 5% of red spectrums.

As im presently experiencing good colours for all my sps bar the purple coloured ones, i was wondering if these tubes are worth switching to, in a bid to achieve better colouration.

kindly let me know your thoughts ya.

cheers,
ian
 
iantoh, thats because as of yet, nobody is importing Korallen-Zucht bulbs to the US, so nobody has had the chance to experiment with the KZ's yet. Heck, we just got our hands on the Aquascience (supposedly the same as the Aqua-perfect) bulbs finally...lol.

PaintGuru,
SLS gave me that same response a while back when I looked into the New-Wave. Then I saw one in person and realized what was going on. They dont tell you this ahead of time, and I consider SLS rather sneaky for doing so, but the reflectors on the Tek have a great deal more bends on them to make them parabolic. The New-Wave have only something like 5 bends to them. They are not as good as the Teks.

Hey, have you guys seen the pricing on the new fauna-marin units though? I just thought Id relay them here... http://www.aquariumobsessed.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=AO&Category_Code=FM-LX

The pricing on most of the units it about what you would expect... a bit more than the Tek, but for a better unit (but not as expensive or nice as the ATIs powermodul). Keep in mind that the bulbs are included, and the thing that got me was the 5' units.

Look at the pricing on the 5' units!! Its dirt cheap. That 6x80watt fixture is a little more than $100 per bulb!! Thats a steal considering those 1x80wattT5HO ballasts are about half that cost. Just wanted to pass it on for those who might be considering a 5-6' tank and need T5 lights. Thats a great deal.
 
iantoh

I would try the lamps and see what you get.

Fauna marin's 80 watt pricing is pretty good but other than that they are a little spendy for what is basically a prefab retro kit. For those prics I would probably stick with Ice Cap retros.
 
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