The T5 Q&a Thread

[jamesdawson]

http://www.zeovitusa.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=ZUSA&Category_Code=RedSpec

James

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9739175#post9739175 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by PrangeWay
Hey Grim, I have an extra KZ Coralight and and extra KZ Coralilght Fiji if you want to test them (they have about 4-5 months of use on them so broken in nicely), I even have an extra shipping tube from some UVL SA's I just got from RG. PM me if you have time/desire to test them and I'll fire them over.

I personally really love the KZ Coralight, replaced my ATI AquaBlue's with them. My pink milli literally glows under them, I can't say enough for the spectrum they put out.

Also have you noticed that if you have to much blue in your bulb choice, the colors sortof get that bland effect ala phoenix 14k? It's wierd I moved from
KzF, Kz, Kz, Kz, Kz, KzF to
B+,Kz,KzF,Kz,KzF,SA and bam suddenly got that bland look so had so switch it around to
B+, Kz, Kz, KzF, Kz, SA (taking out one Fiji which is a blue/purple bulb) to get that bright, popping look back.


PW

Thanks for the offer, I'll PM you.

I know a 50/50 mix of blue plus/aquablues looks BLAAAAAHHH to me. Adding in a daylight makes a huge difference.

I don't like the really blue look but you wouldn't my current mix of lamps.

Front
Blue Plus
Blue Plus
Super Actinic
GE 3000K
Super Actinic
Blue Plus

I'll have to work on getting some pics of my puney corals. I have a couple of green acros that look quite cool. I have a orange Monti Cap that shifted color so it looks a little pinkish now. All the Zooos pop nicely too.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9741016#post9741016 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by neyugn0w01
I am currently using the aquascience 15k bulbs and the colors do not seem to pop and are not as nice as the ATi aquablue bulbs. I might just have to give the KZ bulbs a try. Anyone else out there using the Aquascience bulbs?

The AS Blue looks nice. The 15K could be good in the right mix but I wouldn't use it as a primary light.

 

[skydvr]

<aOriginally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
??? How are you going to overdrive using T5 ballasts

I'll be running a single bulb off a two bulb ballast by combining the outputs, unless what I've read is wrong.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9742926#post9742926 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by skydvr
I'll be running a single bulb off a two bulb ballast by combining the outputs, unless what I've read is wrong.

Not sure if that will actually overdrive the lamps or not. Interesting idea though.

 

[kwaters]

What is your opinion about the Nova's?? I have a 55 gal that is 20" deep. I want some LPS and softies, maybe an anenomie as a clown host.

This package offers forur 54w and 4 lunars. Plus cooling fans. It is well priced at $200.00.

It includes 460nm Actinic and 10000K's.

Thanks,

Kris

 

[TropTrea]

First off with 13" you would realy be cramming if you even find a 6 bulb unit that would fit.

It sounds like about your best deal, for starters. However for personal taste "I would think about swapping one 10,000K for a 6,500K and one of the 460nm for a 420nm. This should give you a little better coverage in both the photosynthesis red/yellow range as well as the high frequency range.

Dennis

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9743906#post9743906 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kwaters
What is your opinion about the Nova's?? I have a 55 gal that is 20" deep. I want some LPS and softies, maybe an anenomie as a clown host.

This package offers forur 54w and 4 lunars. Plus cooling fans. It is well priced at $200.00.

It includes 460nm Actinic and 10000K's.

Thanks,

Kris

 

[neyugn0w01]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9742684#post9742684 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
The AS Blue looks nice. The 15K could be good in the right mix but I wouldn't use it as a primary light.

It is a 6 light system.
Current set up: 3 aquasciene 15K, 2 Ati blue plus and 1 uri actinic
Possible Set up: 2 Ati aquablue, 1 aquascience, 2 Ati blue plus and 1 URI actinic

What do you think?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9748800#post9748800 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by neyugn0w01
It is a 6 light system.
Current set up: 3 aquasciene 15K, 2 Ati blue plus and 1 uri actinic
Possible Set up: 2 Ati aquablue, 1 aquascience, 2 Ati blue plus and 1 URI actinic

What do you think?

Id try 1 Aquablue 1 Aquascience special, 1 UVL Aquasun 1 UVL Super Actinic, 2 Blue Plus

 

[kwaters]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9748578#post9748578 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by TropTrea
First off with 13" you would realy be cramming if you even find a 6 bulb unit that would fit.

It sounds like about your best deal, for starters. However for personal taste "I would think about swapping one 10,000K for a 6,500K and one of the 460nm for a 420nm. This should give you a little better coverage in both the photosynthesis red/yellow range as well as the high frequency range.

Dennis

Thanks Dennis,

You are absolutely correct when it comes to the size. At 48" long, it runs about 7- 8" wide. The 8 bulb is 14" wide, and unless I suspend it above, obviously way to high. I am still trying to research bulbs. I would like to better understand their ouput.

Thanks for you opinion.

Kris

 

[neyugn0w01]

Don't have a aquasun handy, but did swap out a aquascience for 1 aquablue ATi and it looks much better. Will try another aquablue in place of the aquascience.

 

[Steve 926]

Refudge. lighting

Refudge. lighting

Hello Grim.

I have a 15 gl. sump that 1/3 of is a refudge. I would like to keep some ruble & chaeto in it, and I could use your opinion on a bulb choice for it.

Here is a list of choices that I have seen

1) - 2 X 9w 6700 F/Spectrum

2) - 1 X 9w actinic 03
+
1 X 9w 10,000 daylight

3) - 1 X 18w 50/50

4) - 24w 12,000

5) - 24w blue actinic

6) - 24w 50/50 actinic / 12,000

As Always,

Thanks For A Reply !


Steve (@^ 926


:smokin:

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I would do the 2 6700K's but make sure you don't let the algae get too thick, those 9 watt lamps arent going to push through half a foot of knappy algae

 

[BigEasy]

I use a 6500k and a 3k for a fuge. Works REALLY well.

 

[Steve 926]

Thanks To All :wave:

Steve (@^ 926


:smokin:

 

[db_triggerfish]

Does the TEK LIMITED EDITION reflector stain less?

Does the TEK LIMITED EDITION reflector stain less?

The Tek limited edition is using the same material as IC reflectors. Does the IC reflectors stain less than TEK.

FROM REEFGEEK WEBSITE:
Limited Edition Tek Light T5 fluorescent lighting system featuring individual parabolic reflectors for each bulb made from German-made 96% reflective aluminum (same material used on the IceCap SLR T5 reflectors) and a glossy dark blue finish. Fixture comes complete with built-in electronic ballasts, two power-cords and two on-off switches, and I-bolts with V-Hooks to suspend the unit. Fixture is wired with the 2 outside bulbs on one switch and the 4 middle bulbs on the other allowing for dawn and dusk control. Bulbs sold separately. Warranty: 1 year.

THANKS,

 

[jamesdawson]

Re: Does the TEK LIMITED EDITION reflector stain less?

Re: Does the TEK LIMITED EDITION reflector stain less?

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9756315#post9756315 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by db_triggerfish
The Tek limited edition is using the same material as IC reflectors. Does the IC reflectors stain less than TEK.



THANKS,

No, if anything its worse than the original Tek.

James

 

[tprize]

So I tried to read this thread, but after going back 4 splits ago I gave up. So my question is about this fixture, that a friend is looking at for his 55 Gallon
http://cgi.ebay.com/T5-HO-8-X-54-wa...4691621QQihZ015QQcategoryZ46314QQcmdZViewItem
It seems like a good setup, especially since it has individual reflectors.
Any information on this light would be greatly appreciated, mostly about quality of bulbs and build quality. Thanks in advance guys.

We are trying to stay around $350 for fixture before bulbs. So any other suggestions would be welcome

 

[Steve 926]

Re: Refudge. lighting

Re: Refudge. lighting

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9753585#post9753585 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Steve 926
Hello Grim.

I have a 15 gl. sump that 1/3 of is a refudge. I would like to keep some ruble & chaeto in it, and I could use your opinion on a bulb choice for it.

Here is a list of choices that I have seen

1) - 2 X 9w 6700 F/Spectrum

2) - 1 X 9w actinic 03
+
1 X 9w 10,000 daylight

3) - 1 X 18w 50/50

4) - 24w 12,000

5) - 24w blue actinic

6) - 24w 50/50 actinic / 12,000

As Always,

Thanks For A Reply !


Steve (@^ 926


:smokin:

Hi grim.

Thanks for your advice to use the 2 X 9 watt 6700k combo.
Can I also use any other combo
Will the 1 X 24 watt 10k / 12 k work also.
What do you recomend for a small fixture 12~13" long ?


As Always,

Thanks For A Reply

Steve (@^ 926

:smokin:

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9757246#post9757246 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tprize
So I tried to read this thread, but after going back 4 splits ago I gave up. So my question is about this fixture, that a friend is looking at for his 55 Gallon
http://cgi.ebay.com/T5-HO-8-X-54-wa...4691621QQihZ015QQcategoryZ46314QQcmdZViewItem
It seems like a good setup, especially since it has individual reflectors.
Any information on this light would be greatly appreciated, mostly about quality of bulbs and build quality. Thanks in advance guys.

We are trying to stay around $350 for fixture before bulbs. So any other suggestions would be welcome

Those are not a good fisture. Stick with Tek. a 4 lamp unit will give you enough light for most critters or get the Aquactinics 5 lamp fixture is you want clams and such.