The T5 Q&a Thread

[JohnL]

This thread was automatically split due to performance issues. You can find the rest of the thread here: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?postid=9941270#post9941270

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9940221#post9940221 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kmacartney
Do any of the experts have an opinion of this light?

http://hellolights.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWCATS&Category=719

Looks like a Tek light fixture

 

[The Grim Reefer]

"I was wondering if anyone had heard of this and if it is possible . . .

Can you take a CF setup - switch out the endcaps to T5s and use the same CF ballasts? If so, what will the energy usage be? The ballast size or the bulb size? i.e. could i convert a 4x96W to a 4x54W HO and only use the 4x54 W of energy. any thoughts or insight would be greatly appreciated. Thanks"

I dunno, a 96 watt ballast might actually overdrive a T5 a ways. If anyone has old PC ballasts laying about I could give it a shot and see what the performance is. Sounds like another fun experiment.

 

[r2odie]

I have ordered two 48" Aquactinics Constellation 7-bulb fixtures for my 8 ft. 240.
Grim,
I ordered the bulbs you suggested:
front
ATI Blue Plus T5HO
UVL Uri Super Actinic
UVL Uri Aquasun 10,000K
Blue Plus
GE 6500K Daylight
Blue Plus
12000K ATI Aquablue Special T5HO

and today I found out this information
It has three separate switches / power cords. One switch for rows 1, 4, & 7, another for rows 3 & 5, and the last for rows 2 & 6. This fixture has two 120mm fans located on the top of the fixture. One fan goes on with switch 1 and the other for switch two.

So my question is should I use the same bulb configuration or not and what times should I have each set of rows come on.
Thank you.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

The wiring configuration is why I listed the lamps in those positions.

2&6 for dusk dawn with an actinic and blue plus
1,4 &7 early and late daylight with 2 blue plus and 1 Aquablue.
3&5 bright midday light with daylight and sun lamps.

I'd run the Dusk/dawn pair 12 hours, the early/late daylight for 10 hours and the midday 6~8 hours

 

[r2odie]

Thanks Grim! Nice to know I can come here with lighting questions and get a knowledgeable answer. Can't wait for the fixtures to get here and the tank to get set up!

 

[kmacartney]

Hellolights has Tek fixtures also. This one has a different brand name.

 

[wharfrat48]

Fan/Cooling question

Fan/Cooling question

I think I know the answer, but just to make sure... I am DIY'ing a hanging T5 fixture and want to make sure I place the fans in the right position. My first thought was to place them in the top blowing out of the canopy to assist the heat rising from the lights and tank (ballast will not be in the canopy). But after some reading of this thread I'm thinking the best position would be on the back side of the canopy, blowing from the outside onto the endcaps at both ends of the canopy (2 fans). Does that sound right?

Thanks

 

[The Grim Reefer]

If you can have the fans drawing air out the top of the fixture so the air is drawn across the ballasts it seems to do a better job, otherwise going across the endcaps works well.

 

[dphins]

Can you put those two together and get better performance? Have the fans on top at the end caps blowing out?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

It isn't too hard to over cool the lamps and hurt performance. As long as you are causing air to move past the lamps you will keep the lamps at the preferred temp.

 

[wharfrat48]

My ballasts will be located remote from the canopy (unless you think this is bad). Do I need to have a fan to cool them as well ((1) IC 660 (2) standard T5)?

Maybe 2 fans positioned in the top of the canopy over the endcaps blowing out, and a fan blowing directly on the ballasts located on my DIY electrical "grid"?

Thanks again

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Cooling the ballasts couldn't hurt.

 

[Bunkerbean]

Grim,

I got the Tek retro like you suggested. I was wondering it says they are 80 Watt 60" bulbs, and I have read that IC overdrives the bulbs. So I was curious how much. Like 2x?

Also, I got on of the IC 3" fans. I am not sure that is going to be enough airflow for the 60". Should I get another 3" and have them on both sides of my hood?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Yeah, have a fan blowing down the ends near the endcaps.

The IC runs the 80 watt lamps around 100 watts.

 

[Bunkerbean]

Appreciate it.

 

[nightOwl]

Hello All,
I have a question I have an IC 660 and I currently have 4 x 48" 54W T5s on it. I was wondering if I can can upgrade to 80W bulbs or would that be over kill. I switched out my other two T5 actinic for some VHO...the T5 just did not compare as far as really making things glow. I have this sitting over a 90 gal tank. The ballast is rated to take it but just wanted to make sure.

So its front to back

VHO super actinic
Blue Plus
Miday Sun
AquaSun
Blue Plus
VHO super actinic


Thanks,

Henry

 

[The Grim Reefer]

You can only run 3 of the 5 foot 80 watt lamps on the 660.

 

[frodo16]

Ok i think i am dumb but i just thought i would check. I was at the LFS today trying to get some 36inch 54watt T5HO for this retro kit i bought that is ment for a 48 which i have changed my mind and will putting this on the 30L grow out tank. So i measured my T5 bulbs that came with the kit and they were 46inches. I measured the 48 inch bulbs at the LFS and they are right at 48.....This 36inch setup will be going in a canopy that is made to fit my 30L. So if i get bulbs that are 36inch will they be to long or am i just special? I also measured the kit assemblied and it measure 48 1/2 so does it give you a smaller bulb with retros to rit canopies? I am so confused.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

The Helios T5 lamps can be odd lengths but generally speaking the "36" lamp will be like 34" The actual length of T5s is shorter than the advertised length.