The T5 Q&a Thread

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<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9628429#post9628429 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Kb-smoker
What would give you more output[par]...

2x t5 54w with Parabolic reflectors or
1x t5 54w with a Tek Reflector.

The Tek reflector is parabolic.
 
What would be a 5 bulb compromise to get the same color as the following 6 bulb setup?:

Front
Blue Plus or Aquablue
SA
Aquasun
Aquablue or Blue Plus
3K
Blue Plus
 
Grim,

Sorry to ask the stupid question but I need a recommendation for a new setup.

I have a 210G (72"L X 24"D X 30"T) in-wall that will be lit primarily by (3) 250W 10K ReefOptix III Metal Halides. I wanted to supplement with with T-5 atinics but I've run into a roadblock finding 72" T-5's.

What setup would you recommend to suppliment the Metal Halides?
 
T5's are a different animals from other Fluorescents. Just like a VHO is different from a Normal Output. The IC overdrives a 54 watt lamp by just under 50%.
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Hi Grim,

Do you know of the burning rate? I've read some posted that T5 bulb can last upto 24 months. I don't have a measurement so trying to do an educated guess as when to change the bulb if I overdrive the 54w and 80w.

Thanx.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9595520#post9595520 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bigfruits
Hey JOSEPHLB, that was the combo i was gonna try. can you post a pic when you have some water and liverock in there or pm me with it?

cheers
-z

Ok.. here is the tank, full of water and rock. All lights currently on in this photo.

P1000526.jpg
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9628565#post9628565 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Kb-smoker
sorry i might single parabolic.

But i guess that answer my question....


Have you ever heard of Powerwrap Reflector?

I was looking at the new current usa MH/T5 unit. It say it uses these "new" reflectors.

http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merc...duct_Code=CU-USA01077&Category_Code=Current-H

It's hard to say. You can spot a poorly designed reflector if its flat. Some that look like they should do well dont because of the material.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9628515#post9628515 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Tom Foolery
This is a great thread. Thanks everyone who is sharing all of this information!

I have a couple of questions.

1) I am setting up a 72 Bow (48L x 18W x 22H). It is going to be an sps dominated tank. I was thinking about the Tek light 6 x 54 HO Limited Edition Fixture but after reading some other replies I have some doubts. There was also talk of several fixtures coming out in the near future that would be better than the Tek fixture.

Do you believe it would be worth it to wait for an upcomming fixture? If so, which one(s), and why do you think so?

2) I am also looking for a bulb combination that would maximize coral growth and (ideally) give off a nice blue hue, but not overpowering.


Thanks everyone for your help! :)

The ATI Power Module would be great if you can wait for it.

For lam ps try this
Front
Blue Plus
Super Actinic
UVL Aquasun
Aquiablue
GE 6500K Daylight
Blue Plus
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9628625#post9628625 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Saddler
What would be a 5 bulb compromise to get the same color as the following 6 bulb setup?:

Front
Blue Plus or Aquablue
SA
Aquasun
Aquablue or Blue Plus
3K
Blue Plus

Pull the 3K and use the Aquablue
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9629342#post9629342 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Ryan009
Grim,

Sorry to ask the stupid question but I need a recommendation for a new setup.

I have a 210G (72"L X 24"D X 30"T) in-wall that will be lit primarily by (3) 250W 10K ReefOptix III Metal Halides. I wanted to supplement with with T-5 atinics but I've run into a roadblock finding 72" T-5's.

What setup would you recommend to suppliment the Metal Halides?

Do a couple of these
http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merc...D&Product_Code=VIA-27136&Category_Code=Helios
http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merc...D&Product_Code=VIA-27235&Category_Code=Helios
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9629349#post9629349 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by vtrieu88
T5's are a different animals from other Fluorescents. Just like a VHO is different from a Normal Output. The IC overdrives a 54 watt lamp by just under 50%.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hi Grim,

Do you know of the burning rate? I've read some posted that T5 bulb can last upto 24 months. I don't have a measurement so trying to do an educated guess as when to change the bulb if I overdrive the 54w and 80w.

Thanx.

I would do a year.
 
TEK Retro and TV interference

TEK Retro and TV interference

I would like to thank Grim and all the others on this thread and site for all the help.
I installed a tek t5 2 X 54w setup and it messed up my tv. It did this when plugged into outlets in other rooms. My solution was to hook up the red, yellow, and white audio and video jacks I also hooked up the svideo jack. when I watch tv in aux1 mode with these wires there is no interference.
I am amazed at the light output of the two lamps and look forward to seeing what the ice caps will do.
 
thanks JOSEPHLB, looks great!

i spoke to Greg at ReefGeek and he told me this about the ATI sunpower that he will carry soon. (this is for a 36" unit)

"I don't have final pricing yet, but I expect the 4-bulb unit to sell for around $250 and the 6-bulb to sell for around $350."

"The SunPower fixtures feature built-in individual parabolic silver-coated reflectors, acrylic lens and active cooling (fans). No legs, but the fixture can be set directly on top of the tank."


im sorry if this info has already been posted, i couldnt find it anywhere.

cheers
-z
 
T-5 life expectancy

T-5 life expectancy

Has anyone done any testing with a lux meter to see how T-5s hold up over time? Such as on a month to month basis? I'd be interested to know what (if any) the measurable rate of decline per month is on normally driven T-5s.

I originally entered this thread, probably around page 6 or 7 maybe? last August. I've been running my T-5s, mainly ATIs for 11 and 12 hours a day, every day for 8 months now. A couple inches of them on the ends are getting pretty dark with no light coming out of them.

They still seem to be burning reasonably bright. I have wiped the salt splash off of them a few times and cleaned the reflectors. One cleaning just recently.

I guess my question is..., to me they look bright, but I'm wondering how much they may have lost over 8 months? I'm wondering how much spectrum I may have lost.

I recently bought a very dark blue/green acro frag with green polyps. Since I've gotten it, it's completely changed color. It was under VHOs and is now under T-5s for the last month and a half. It's turned a light purple color with brighter tips and the polyps are almost transparent, although they don't extend very much.

I'm wondering if I have too much light on it or if I'm losing light now which may cause this?
 
Hi Grim,

I have the 48" 4 bulb Nova Extreme. Mine sits 4" from the water surface. So far I like it. My corals and fish (tank in general) have nice color and my corals are growing. I'm new so I don't have a lot to compare to. lol!
http://www.current-usa.com/novaextreme.html

My question is... How can I improve this fixture? I've seen the retro kits but I would have to drop down to 2 bulbs and I don't want to do that. Can I switch out my bulbs for better/stronger ones? If so, what do you suggest? I would like to try to keep a few acros or monti caps eventually. I would put them at the tops of my LR to fill in some empty spots. I've seen many people here on RC have done so successfully w/ T5.

Thanks :)
 
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Re: T-5 life expectancy

Re: T-5 life expectancy

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9633056#post9633056 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by vessxpress1
Has anyone done any testing with a lux meter to see how T-5s hold up over time? Such as on a month to month basis? I'd be interested to know what (if any) the measurable rate of decline per month is on normally driven T-5s.

I originally entered this thread, probably around page 6 or 7 maybe? last August. I've been running my T-5s, mainly ATIs for 11 and 12 hours a day, every day for 8 months now. A couple inches of them on the ends are getting pretty dark with no light coming out of them.

They still seem to be burning reasonably bright. I have wiped the salt splash off of them a few times and cleaned the reflectors. One cleaning just recently.

I guess my question is..., to me they look bright, but I'm wondering how much they may have lost over 8 months? I'm wondering how much spectrum I may have lost.

I recently bought a very dark blue/green acro frag with green polyps. Since I've gotten it, it's completely changed color. It was under VHOs and is now under T-5s for the last month and a half. It's turned a light purple color with brighter tips and the polyps are almost transparent, although they don't extend very much.

I'm wondering if I have too much light on it or if I'm losing light now which may cause this?

you should be able to ge a year out of the lamps easy. Overdriven I had an aquablue lamp I tested against a new one and at 14 months it had better than 80% of the output.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9633148#post9633148 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by FLReefGirl
Hi Grim,

I have the 48" 4 bulb Nova Extreme. Mine sits 4" from the water surface. So far I like it. My corals and fish (tank in general) have nice color and my corals are growing. I'm new so I don't have a lot to compare to. lol!
http://www.current-usa.com/novaextreme.html

My question is... How can I improve this fixture? I've seen the retro kits but I would have to drop down to 2 bulbs and I don't want to do that. Can I switch out my bulbs for better/stronger ones? If so, what do you suggest? I would like to try to keep a few acros or monti caps eventually. I would put them at the tops of my LR to fill in some empty spots. I've seen many people here on RC have done so successfully w/ T5.

Thanks :)

For 4 lamps I would try this

Front
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Super Actinic
UVL Aquasun
ATI Blue Plus
 
Wow! That really surprises me. Thanks for the info. Well, I guess I'll go for my 12 months and spring for a new set at that point. It'll be nice to get the new set and be able to play around with the old ones to see different lighting schemes.

Thanks a lot!
 
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