The T5 Q&a Thread

[hahnmeister]

Get the Tek2 if you want to try, or the IC SLR reflectors, but not with a WH ballast. Stick with the universal triads or advance ballasts. I think if you call Geek they can piece it together for you.

 

[tigga]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9341626#post9341626 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by hahnmeister
Get the Tek2 if you want to try, or the IC SLR reflectors, but not with a WH ballast. Stick with the universal triads or advance ballasts. I think if you call Geek they can piece it together for you.

i live in canada so if i order from reefgeek I have to worry about customs and shipping

there is nothing wrong with Wh if you turn on the lights once per day

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Sounds good. I would add a couple Super actinics for sure. For other lamps it depends, If you want to brighten up the tank add aquablues, if you look the more blue look add blue plus, either will beive you a nice boost in PAR.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9339546#post9339546 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mikee68
Grim, here's a few questions....right now i have 2-250 watt Xm20k bulbs without supplements over my SPS tank. I thinking about adding some T5's for supplementation. You think if I added two of the 48" ready-fit kits from reefgeek would be a good idea? I would place two bulbs in front of the halides and two bulbs behind the halides. I was thinking I could have different bulbs to help with colors. Let me know what you think.

 

[slavearm]

Any options for a cheap par meter?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

not really

 

[lightning716]

assuming I don't have the $800 + bulb cost to spend on the aquactinics solar flare, would you consider this http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5...48_inch__Tek_Light:_6-54W_T5_HO_Fluorescents_(Black)_by_Sunlight_Supply a good low cost alternative with good performance and penetration. Basically what I'm looking for is light enough to grow most all corals, but not melt the top of my acrylic tank. thanks again.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Bad link but if its a Tek light I would spend the extra 30 bux or whatever for the Limited Edition version with the good reflectors.

 

[slavearm]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9343537#post9343537 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
not really

Cheaper than this?

http://www.specmeters.com/Light_Meters/Quantum_Light_Meter.html

?

 

[hahnmeister]

Those seem slightly cheaper than the Apogee site, but Im sure then they add on shipping. Apogee doesnt, so its really the same price as direct.

 

[Khaley]

Any tests done on the FM T5 bulbs (not the new light system just the bulbs)? Interested in how they compare to tha ATI / Geissman. Sorry if this was answered in an earlier post. This is one long thread.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

The Aquascience lamps don't match the ATI's PAR. The blues are close.

 

[Spiffyguy]

Has anyone tried the Cadlight T5 fixture?

http://www.cadlights.com/product_info.php?cPath=25&products_id=65

 

[vtrieu88]

Where is a good place to order 72" t5 bulbs? Can you share the link where you order your t5 bulbs? Thank!

 

[mephy]

Hi guys... After a week of reading this thread and being late for work every morning,
I'm thinking of getting the Aquactinics Tx5 fixture. Does anybody think its possible to upgrade/change the ballast on it?

I beleive its a workhorse and i confirmed it with Aquactinics here

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&postid=9348809#post9348809

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9346183#post9346183 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Spiffyguy
Has anyone tried the Cadlight T5 fixture?

http://www.cadlights.com/product_info.php?cPath=25&products_id=65

I wouldn't use them. No reflectors. You could put together a system using Normal Output lamps with good reflectors and end up with better light in the tank.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9348358#post9348358 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by vtrieu88
Where is a good place to order 72" t5 bulbs? Can you share the link where you order your t5 bulbs? Thank!

www.premiumaquatics.com is the only place I know of that sells the Helios 71" lamp.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9348892#post9348892 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mephy
Hi guys... After a week of reading this thread and being late for work every morning,
I'm thinking of getting the Aquactinics Tx5 fixture. Does anybody think its possible to upgrade/change the ballast on it?

I beleive its a workhorse and i confirmed it with Aquactinics here

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&postid=9348809#post9348809

You can do anything. The problem you would have is finding a ballast to run just 1 lamp or 3 lamps. It would be easy to remote wire a IC 660 to the fixture. Reefgeek may be stocking the 4 lamp Triad ballasts. You could put one of those in there and leave the smaller WH ballast in to drive 1 lamp.

 

[ChiiBear]

Hi mephy:

Hope this link helps!

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1007910

 

[mephy]

Cool.. thanks chiibear! that answers a lot of questions

Hmm i wasnt going for icecaps... just something else besides the workhorse. But the Icecaps upgrade would be nice

 

[entice59]

so i got my bulbs
1 54W 12000K Aquablue Special
2 54W Blue Plus
1 54W 10000K AquaSun
1 54W Super Actinic T5

i got an extra blue plus just incase i didnt like the look

for a 4 bulb tek light setup what would you guys recommend me configure it? like what kind of combinations are your personal favorites?

right now i have it at
front
aqua blue spec
blue plus
aqua sun
blue plus