The T5 Q&a Thread

[jamesdawson]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9607022#post9607022 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Half would be an exageration. The Tek has about 30% less output than a Aquactinics running the same lamps.

Sorry guys,

When I wrote Aquactinics I meant the Aquatinics made and IC powered Solar Flare. I think Grim had some preliminary testing data that showed that it in fact has the highest Par of any fixture tested yet.
Well more than twice that of a Tek!

James

 

[jamesdawson]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9606700#post9606700 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by brandon0350
wouldnt 2 3 foot reflectors be to long for my 60" tank? would i cut them down? or use a 3 foot and a 2 foot?

You don't have to cut them down guys, you just overlap by 1 foot.

Works like a charm!

James

 

[Saddler]

Any guesses as to how the limited edition's redesigned reflectors compare with the Tek II. I know they're not as good, but how much worse are they? Are they worse/better than the fauna marina reflectors?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

The new Tek reflectors were delayed. They cut them too long and the dealers had to ship them back. I wouldn't assume they can't be as good as Ice Cap but i did hear they were big. The Fauna Marin reflectors are nothing all that special from what I've seen so far.

 

[jamesdawson]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9609667#post9609667 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Saddler
Any guesses as to how the limited edition's redesigned reflectors compare with the Tek II. I know they're not as good, but how much worse are they? Are they worse/better than the fauna marina reflectors?

Teklight reflectors are a poor design. They are basically a straight V reflector for each bulb and are one piece for the entire fixture. They are also not very wide (less than 2 inches). The LE Teklight's is exactly the same as the regular except its made out of MiroSilver which is shiny and slightly more reflective. Unfortunately, it stains even easier then the regular Teklight reflector.

Buyer Beware!

I highly reccomend waiting for the ATI SunPower if possible as it will have double the Par at roughly the same price as a Teklight.

Grim is talking below about the new Tek 2 reflector which is a retro (and a rip-off of Ice Caps SLR IMHO).

James

 

[The Grim Reefer]

The Tek light had two versions of the reflectors. The one I had here was the newer style (Not the LE) and the reflector design wasn't much different than the retro.

 

[chrisd4421]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9612501#post9612501 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jamesdawson


I highly reccomend waiting for the ATI SunPower if possible as it will have double the Par at roughly the same price as a Teklight.

DO we have an ETA of when this is going to hit the US Market? I am all ready to assemble the new tank but if this is only a few weeks away, I will hold off on my lighting purchase.

Chris

 

[jcr6479]

I am currently running a 250w xm10k se on an icecap ballast, which has a spike at 420nm according to Sanjay's site. In order to get the best colors from my sps, should I supplement with 420nm (UVL SA) or 450nm (ATI Blue +)? I have already decided to go with t5 as opposed to vho due to space limitations.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9613234#post9613234 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by chrisd4421
DO we have an ETA of when this is going to hit the US Market? I am all ready to assemble the new tank but if this is only a few weeks away, I will hold off on my lighting purchase.

Chris

Talk to Greg at reefgeek

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9613385#post9613385 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jcr6479
I am currently running a 250w xm10k se on an icecap ballast, which has a spike at 420nm according to Sanjay's site. In order to get the best colors from my sps, should I supplement with 420nm (UVL SA) or 450nm (ATI Blue +)? I have already decided to go with t5 as opposed to vho due to space limitations.

I would use a Blue Plus and a Super Actinic T5. Best of both worlds. If it has to be one I would do the blue plus

 

[jcr6479]

Grim, I have a lumenmax 2 reflector so I can put a t5 in front and back. should I put the blue plus in the back (over the rockwork) and the UVL SA in front (to provide floresence for the green and yellow), or just go blue plus in front and back?


Also, the t5s will be approx. 12 inches off the water. Will they still penetrate to my coral?

 

[Roland Jacques]

this seems like a dumb question, but ive read so many advertivements im not sure of the reflector facts any more.

Generally, how much Par differance between no reflector and icecap parabolic refector on a t-5 lamp?

Or between a flat reflector and and a Parabolic IC reflector?

 

[vanillagorila]

I don't know the par differance, but everyone on here says either use the icecap refector or don't get t5s at all.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9615766#post9615766 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jcr6479
Grim, I have a lumenmax 2 reflector so I can put a t5 in front and back. should I put the blue plus in the back (over the rockwork) and the UVL SA in front (to provide floresence for the green and yellow), or just go blue plus in front and back?


Also, the t5s will be approx. 12 inches off the water. Will they still penetrate to my coral?

Try it both ways and see which you think is better.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9615888#post9615888 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Roland Jacques
this seems like a dumb question, but ive read so many advertivements im not sure of the reflector facts any more.

Generally, how much Par differance between no reflector and icecap parabolic refector on a t-5 lamp?

Or between a flat reflector and and a Parabolic IC reflector?

The IC reflector will about double the light reaching the tank

 

[Roland Jacques]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9616755#post9616755 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
The IC reflector will about double the light reaching the tank

thanks grim,

 

[pammy]

What's available now for 24" 4 bulb T5 with built in fans.

What's available now for 24" 4 bulb T5 with built in fans.

Hey All. Is there a 4 bulb 24" T5 fixture WITH built in fans, that's available now? Seems there's either a wait for a new fixture coming out, or the existing fixtures I've seen don't have built in fans and I don't really want to be hooking fans to keep the light cool This will be going on a open, rimless tank
(Elos) 30.5" x 19" x 19" and I'll be housing softies and fish.
Seems there must be a choice out there. What did people buy before the announcement of the ATI Powermodule and the Aquatinics 5 Bulb 24" T5 ?

If I don't have the choice other than to wait a couple months for the ATI Powermodule....If I get my live rock before the lights....how long is it ok to have the live rock in a tank and cycling without lights, without losing any of the micro life etc?

(woops....I did a "new thread" instead of "reply to", so I apologize for the duplicate thread. I tried to delete the original but it wouldn't let me).

Thanks so much!
Pam

 

[chrismhaase]

Grim... I am about to start a 90 reef. I am going to have sps, lps and softies. I was thinking of the Tek 5 - 8x54w. Is this plenty? O yeah it is a standard 48x18deepx 24 tall. Thanks,

 

[chrismhaase]

o yeah, what bulbs should I use? I like the blue mix a little more.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Re: What's available now for 24" 4 bulb T5 with built in fans.

Re: What's available now for 24" 4 bulb T5 with built in fans.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9624449#post9624449 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by pammy
Hey All. Is there a 4 bulb 24" T5 fixture WITH built in fans, that's available now? Seems there's either a wait for a new fixture coming out, or the existing fixtures I've seen don't have built in fans and I don't really want to be hooking fans to keep the light cool This will be going on a open, rimless tank
(Elos) 30.5" x 19" x 19" and I'll be housing softies and fish.
Seems there must be a choice out there. What did people buy before the announcement of the ATI Powermodule and the Aquatinics 5 Bulb 24" T5 ?

If I don't have the choice other than to wait a couple months for the ATI Powermodule....If I get my live rock before the lights....how long is it ok to have the live rock in a tank and cycling without lights, without losing any of the micro life etc?

(woops....I did a "new thread" instead of "reply to", so I apologize for the duplicate thread. I tried to delete the original but it wouldn't let me).

Thanks so much!
Pam

It wont hurt a thing to leave the rock in the dark as long as there are no coral hitchickers. You might even be able to score a deal on rock from a tank with an algae problem. A couple months in a dark tank will allow the algae to die off and the rock to mature. The only downside is the coraline on the rock will also die off but it will come back fast once you get your lights.