The T5 Q&a Thread

[grandp10]

Grim were you still going to be testing a Solar Flare this weekend?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

You're killing me here Ballast or reflector, ballast or reflector.... Go for the better reflector, the TekII. They never wear out or go bad. I think it was the second link you posted. reefperfections.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9326108#post9326108 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tigga
So which one should I buy? From reef perfection or jlaquatics. I have no intention on buying from reefgeek

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9326412#post9326412 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by grandp10
Grim were you still going to be testing a Solar Flare this weekend?

I havent heard from Rob yet but I think he wants to wait until he fixes a fan problem he had with it. I will make sure the results end up here and in the IC forum once we do it.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9326357#post9326357 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jdellman
Hey Grim-

I previously ordered a FM Ultra Solaris based on your recommendation, but I put the order on hold after you posted your test results. I have been waiting to see if AO posts any response/explanation to the test results, but I have not seen anything, and the post about the ultrasolaris in AO's sponsor's section has mysteriously disappeared.

So, my question is, should I follow through with the order despite the results, or go with something else?

I have a 120 and was looking for an "easy" retro to put in a canopy. I'm not totally inept, so I can probably wire an easy retro, but liked the idea of a packaged system.

What would you recommend now? See what FM's response is, or go with something else. I am not in a hurry, as I am still setting up the tank.

Again, I appreciate the help.

Thanks,

I am supposed to have some reflectors from an ATI sunpower to test in a week or so. If you aren't in a big hurry that should answer some questions. The Sunpower is the same type of fixture as the UltraSolaris. If the reflectors perform equally I would see if you can get a price on the Sunpower from Reefgeek and go with whichever has the best pricing.

For the record I don't see where any post was removed in the AO forum. You had me nervous there for a minute

 

[tigga]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9326592#post9326592 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
You're killing me here Ballast or reflector, ballast or reflector.... Go for the better reflector, the TekII. They never wear out or go bad. I think it was the second link you posted. reefperfections.

alright thanks GRim

but final question here what is the best PAIR of bulbbs to buy for the 2x24W setup?

 

[lightning716]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9325792#post9325792 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
I would probably wait for the ATI powermodules to hit the states and hang a 6x54 watt unit over the tank. I would run 3 blue plus, 1 Aquablue, 1 Super Actinic and 1 Aquasun lamp to start.

Thanks for the reply Grimm... looks like you're a pretty popular and helpful guy around here. Any clues at when these might be available? If it won't be very soon what is a good fixture to go with that is currently available to us.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9327025#post9327025 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tigga
alright thanks GRim

but final question here what is the best PAIR of bulbbs to buy for the 2x24W setup?

Blue Plus and Aquablue

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9327705#post9327705 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by lightning716
Thanks for the reply Grimm... looks like you're a pretty popular and helpful guy around here. Any clues at when these might be available? If it won't be very soon what is a good fixture to go with that is currently available to us.

I don't even think Reefgeek knows for sure when the ATI will be available for sure. Of the fixtures available right now the Aquactinics Solar Flare would be the best. Aquarium Specialty from the sponsors page sells them.

 

[tigga]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9326592#post9326592 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
You're killing me here Ballast or reflector, ballast or reflector.... Go for the better reflector, the TekII. They never wear out or go bad. I think it was the second link you posted. reefperfections.

Hey Grim, iknow i'm killing you with all these questions but then again your a great guy,

You said that I should get the tek II beacuse of the reflectors. The reason why the workhorse is bad is because it overdrives the T5 bulbs shortening the life of the bulb.

Do the reflectors make that much of a difference compared to the original ones to outweigh the workhorse's overdriving problem?

 

[hahnmeister]

the workhorse doesnt overdrive... if anything it underdrives them. The problem with the WH7 is the starting mechanism.

 

[tigga]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9328281#post9328281 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by hahnmeister
the workhorse doesnt overdrive... if anything it underdrives them. The problem with the WH7 is the starting mechanism.

Whats wrong with the starting mechanism? Is it the rapid start that kills the bulb?

So should I just ditch the tek II and buy the originals that has the triad ballast?

 

[mikedege]

Hi Grim, and guys, Just got my new "2nd" tank setup, and lemme say 8X 48" T'5 is freaking extremely bright! OK, heres my problem. Based off of advice from Grim, on my 1st tank(36X20X20), we came up with the perfect bulb setup, that meets my taste.
it is:
Front
Superactinic
Geissman - midday
Ati- aquablue
Ati- Blueplus
back.

I just love the colors. But on my new "2nd" tank, it is a 48X24X24 with 2X Readyfit Teks in the front(Flip up canopy) and 6X retro Tek's with IC reflectors, and standard Tek(advance) ballasts. 6" off the water. So, i picked out some bulbs I thought would get me close to a "similar" color style to my 1st tank. But keep in mind SPS will be going in this tank.

front
Ati - Blue+
Geis - Midday
Ati - Aquablue
Superactinic
GE - 6500k
Aquasun
Geis - aquablue
Geis - Actininc +
back

I was way off, it is Soooooo bright, my eyes are still hurting from just looking at the sand bed! I guess this is a good thing, but i need help on picking the correct bulbs. (even if they're ones i do not currently own).

option 1.
8 bulbs setup, what would you recommend to get a more nuetral color(maybe leaning "slightly" to yellow and blues), and not as bright!!!? Right now it seems wayyyy too white.

option 2.
Remove the Tek ready fit, and go with 6 bulbs. When I turn those 2 off, its still verrrrrry bright. What 6 bulb setup would you recomend to get a more nuetral color?

Here are some picks of my existing setup, new lights and my new setup.

Existing:

New tank:

New lights:

Youve really helped me out in the past, and any help you could give me now would be truely appreciated.

Thanks alot.
Mike

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9328308#post9328308 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tigga
Whats wrong with the starting mechanism? Is it the rapid start that kills the bulb?

So should I just ditch the tek II and buy the originals that has the triad ballast?

It is open to debate just how much the workhorse hurts the lamp life. When it starts the lamp it blows a tiny bit of material off the electrodes inside the lamp. If you go for the better ballast you know you get less performance out of the reflector. If you jump on the good reflectors you MIGHT have worse ballast performance. Crap shoot either way. If you upgrade to a bigger tank you know you could use the reflectors with an Ice Cap ballast and have a very good combination.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9328383#post9328383 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mikedege
Hi Grim, and guys, Just got my new "2nd" tank setup, and lemme say 8X 48" T'5 is freaking extremely bright! OK, heres my problem. Based off of advice from Grim, on my 1st tank(36X20X20), we came up with the perfect bulb setup, that meets my taste.
it is:
Front
Superactinic
Geissman - midday
Ati- aquablue
Ati- Blueplus
back.

I just love the colors. But on my new "2nd" tank, it is a 48X24X24 with 2X Readyfit Teks in the front(Flip up canopy) and 6X retro Tek's with IC reflectors, and standard Tek(advance) ballasts. 6" off the water. So, i picked out some bulbs I thought would get me close to a "similar" color style to my 1st tank. But keep in mind SPS will be going in this tank.


I was way off, it is Soooooo bright, my eyes are still hurting from just looking at the sand bed! I guess this is a good thing, but i need help on picking the correct bulbs. (even if they're ones i do not currently own).

option 1.
8 bulbs setup, what would you recommend to get a more nuetral color(maybe leaning "slightly" to yellow and blues), and not as bright!!!? Right now it seems wayyyy too white.

option 2.
Remove the Tek ready fit, and go with 6 bulbs. When I turn those 2 off, its still verrrrrry bright. What 6 bulb setup would you recomend to get a more nuetral color?

Here are some picks of my existing setup, new lights and my new setup.

Existing:

New tank:

New lights:

Youve really helped me out in the past, and any help you could give me now would be truely appreciated.

Thanks alot.
Mike

Try this, Lose the GE and add a second Super Actinic and change lamp positions. Grab another blue plus too. If it still looks to bright put the blue plus in where the cent most Aquablue is.

front
Ati - Blue plus
Superactinic
Geis - Midday
Ati - Aquablue
Super Actinic
Aquasun
aquablue
Blue Plus
back

Option Z

Front
Removed
Removed
Blue Plus
Super Actinic
Midday
ATI Aquablue
Aquasun or GE
Actinic Plus

 

[mikedege]

Thanks, ill give it a try.

-Mike

 

[tigga]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9328487#post9328487 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
It is open to debate just how much the workhorse hurts the lamp life. When it starts the lamp it blows a tiny bit of material off the electrodes inside the lamp. If you go for the better ballast you know you get less performance out of the reflector. If you jump on the good reflectors you MIGHT have worse ballast performance. Crap shoot either way. If you upgrade to a bigger tank you know you could use the reflectors with an Ice Cap ballast and have a very good combination.

Okay I guess Ill go for the Tek II system with the good reflectors hoping for the best with the workhorse ballast. Seeing that many people actually do use the WH ballast with their T5 and say that they do fine gives that feeling that everything will be okay

 

[stevebla]

run t5 on current usa pc ballast

run t5 on current usa pc ballast

I have a sun pac current usa pc ballast model 1561 55/65 2-lamp ic
will they run 54w t5??

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Don't know. Sorry

 

[Atrus]

4 bulb selection for 75 gal ?

4 bulb selection for 75 gal ?

I have a 75 gal 48" L 18" W tank with T5 retrofit with 4 bulbs, Icecap reflectors and driven by Icecap 660.

Decided to replace my original bulbs which I had for about a year with new bulbs and a different mix of bulbs (with input from this thread - so thank you) as follows:

Old: 1 Geissman Actinic and GE Midday 6000K 2 Geissman AquaBlue+

New: ATI Blue Plus ,UVL SuperActinic, UVL Aquasun and
ATI 12000K Aquablue Special

I was surprised how Blue the overall look is with the new bulbs and also the intensity seems lower. I assume the lower intensity is related to the lower visual sensitivity for blue colors.

The previous bulbs had a very white appearance. The current set-up looks like tanks with Metal Halides that I have seen. The preference for a particular look is subjective, perhaps I'll get used to it with time.

My questions are:
1. Is my new bulb mix reasonable ?
2. What should be bulb order. The New list above indicates order back to front
3. If I wanted to move toward a "whiter" look what bulb changes would accomplish that most easily.

Current Coral: Frogspawn, Torch, lobophyllia, some zoos, Green Slimer, Pocillopora, Montipora, Crocea Clam - trending toward more SPS

 

[tigga]

Okay this is seriously annoying me but I found this site that sells a 24" 2x24W retorfit kit from ARC

Here is the spec:

2x T5 Waterproof End Cap Pairs
2x T5 Standoff Pairs
2x Icecap T5 Reflectors
2x 24" T5 HO ARC Lamps(Choice of 10,000K or Actinics Plus)
1x Workhorse 3 Ballast
1x 10 Feet Wire
1x Wire Caps
1x 3 Prong Plug

It has icecap reflectors. Arent they better than tek ones


Here is a link: http://aquariacanada.com/osCommerce/product_info.php?cPath=1_74_89_91&products_id=1799