The T5 Q&a Thread

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10178096#post10178096 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Zann
you know i think it is the same as alot of other things
theres only a few places that make the lamps and stuff
they might have the name on them but there made in one or two places.

just like lcd tvs theres like 3 places that make the guts and stuff for them so if you get a name brand that cost 1500.00 and the off brand that cost 900.00 you can bet the guts inside are made from the same place.
now it also depends on what the company wants like how many colors and pixels and such . so even thought they are made at the same place it depends on what the name brand company wants .

There are several manufacturers making T5's for aquariums.

China has a few including Helios
Narva makes Giesemann and Aquascience lamps
Sylvania Makes lamps for ATI
Osram is making lamps for Tunze
Not sure who UVL is using
Not sure who make Coralife, current, Tru, Aquamedics and Aquaz. I assume there are some Korean companies in the game. They make halides.

 

[Nanz]

Hi Grim !

Im setting up a 75gal reef and I need to fiqure out what light setup would be best. Anyone ever ask you that question? hehe.

The reef will have an Anemone, some corals and a clam.

I want to use T5 lights and thought about getting the Nova, 48' 8x54W fixture. Is that too much light for a 75? If that will work what bulbs would you suggest.

Please help if you can

Thanks.. Nanz

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Get a Aquactinics Constellation. The Nova wont put much of that light in the water due to the lack of reflectors. If the Constellationis out of your budget go with a Tek light.

 

[ron101]

I'm still having a hard time deciding what retrofit setup to use for a 90 gallon with some 'lower' light sps (millepora) placed near the top of the tank: 4xT5 or 6xT5? Std ballast or IceCap? Suggestions please.

 

[Nanz]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10178705#post10178705 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Get a Aquactinics Constellation. The Nova wont put much of that light in the water due to the lack of reflectors. If the Constellationis out of your budget go with a Tek light.

Thanks for the quick reply Grim.

Would the Tek 6 light fixture be enough light?
What bulbs would you suggest for the Tek Setup?

 

[Dorsia]

I am looking to put together a setup that sounds similar to Nanz’s and I am considering similar lighting options. I was hoping to follow up on your answer to him. If the constellation is out of my budget do you feel the Tek would be a better buy than the aquatinics TX5 and what is your reasoning?

Thanks in advance for your response Grim. I just wanted to state what an invaluable resource this thread has been. Myself and certainly others appreciate the time you put in.

Dorsia

 

[rs1831]

Is the 39W Super Actinic T5 HO Fluorescent kind of a grayish looking light? It doesn't seem like it adds much it anything to my lights. Could there be something wrong with this particular light bulb?

 

[shred5]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10179631#post10179631 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rs1831
Is the 39W Super Actinic T5 HO Fluorescent kind of a grayish looking light? It doesn't seem like it adds much it anything to my lights. Could there be something wrong with this particular light bulb?

If you mean the uvl super actinics? yea they are a dull blue almost like they are running at 1/2 brightness... Believe me if you turn off your other lights you will see what they do. you will see your corals fluoresce. Not to mention the par they add...

Dave

 

[rs1831]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10179835#post10179835 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by shred5
If you mean the uvl super actinics? yea they are a dull blue almost like they are running at 1/2 brightness... Believe me if you turn off your other lights you will see what they do. you will see your corals fluoresce. Not to mention the par they add...

Dave

Thanks.

 

[Zann]

Your right grim i was just useing a referance i guess more toward ballast
sence if you open them up they have alot of the same stuff inside made from the same company. but a differant name on the out side
the cheaper ballast have germany parts in them as do some of the more expencive ones do .
but who knows that there arent only a few companys making bulbs and others are putting there names on them .

if you ever heard of hows it made the program on discovery .
they have had a place that made lights but they dont just make them for one company they make them for alot of companys .
just put the name on them as they are ordered.

 

[Larry Waughon]

Hi Grim, I know very little about t5's, but am thinking of using them on a 120 gal sps dominated tank.(48"x24"x24") What would you recomend I use in a canopy that would replace 2-400 w metal halides? What is the life of a t-5 bulb? Thanks for the help. Larry

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10178779#post10178779 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ron101
I'm still having a hard time deciding what retrofit setup to use for a 90 gallon with some 'lower' light sps (millepora) placed near the top of the tank: 4xT5 or 6xT5? Std ballast or IceCap? Suggestions please.

6 lamp unit. You dont need to overdrive unles you plan to move up to acros and stuff.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

front
Blue Plus
Super Actinc
GE3000K or UVL Aquasun
Blue plus
Fresh plus
Aquablue

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10178786#post10178786 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Nanz
Thanks for the quick reply Grim.

Would the Tek 6 light fixture be enough light?
What bulbs would you suggest for the Tek Setup?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10183483#post10183483 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by pioneer
Hi Grim, I know very little about t5's, but am thinking of using them on a 120 gal sps dominated tank.(48"x24"x24") What would you recomend I use in a canopy that would replace 2-400 w metal halides? What is the life of a t-5 bulb? Thanks for the help. Larry

Aquactinics solar flare. Lamps should go a year easy, some maybe 18 months.

 

[Nanz]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10183637#post10183637 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
front
Blue Plus
Super Actinc
GE3000K or UVL Aquasun
Blue plus
Fresh plus
Aquablue

Hi Grim...

I searched for those bulb names but could only find the following bulbs under Tek lights.

T5 Giesemann POWERCHROME Pure Actinic 420nm 54watt
T5 Giesemann POWERCHROME Aquablue Plus + 15k 54watt
T5 Giesemann PowerChrome midday 54 Watt
T5 Giesemann POWERCHROME Actinic Plus + 22k 54watt T5

is Pure Actinic the super actinic?
is the Midday the same as GE3000k or Fresh plus?

I'm sorry I don't understand. please help

Im not sure where to find the bulbs you mentioned.

 

[shred5]

what is the fresh plus? I do not think I have seen that lamp anywhere?

Dave

 

[Larry Waughon]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10183646#post10183646 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Aquactinics solar flare. Lamps should go a year easy, some maybe 18 months.

Thanks for the fast response, could I go with the ice cap retro with 8 lights and 3 ballast over my 120.If this set up looks good what lights would you use and in what order?
Thanks Larry

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10184183#post10184183 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by shred5
what is the fresh plus? I do not think I have seen that lamp anywhere?

Dave

Blue Plus Dont know how the hell I typed fresh

Sorry bout that

 

[HecticDialectic]

whoops... missed this T5 thread... seems like a better place than the T5 par thread to get some answers

So I'm trying to finish up plans for lighting a 29G (30x12x18) and want to do all out SPS. I wanted to use a 660 for 4 bulbs (I was thinking -high- light intensity), but am concerned about the sudden "light shock" the corals may receive when the lights turn on. Does anyone think this is a real concern or is the dawn/dusk effect just more for visual appeal?

And also, instead, I was thinking of perhaps overdriving two lamps and having two lamps normal (I don't particularly want to spend $500, but $380 might be reasonable ) . If I went this route, lets say I used an ati blueplus, uvl aquasun, uvl superactinic, and an ati aquablue. What do you think would be the best ones to overdrive? Would there be any certain advantage other than visual appeal?

Any other thoughts or points to ponder?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10184123#post10184123 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Nanz
Hi Grim...

I searched for those bulb names but could only find the following bulbs under Tek lights.

T5 Giesemann POWERCHROME Pure Actinic 420nm 54watt
T5 Giesemann POWERCHROME Aquablue Plus + 15k 54watt
T5 Giesemann PowerChrome midday 54 Watt
T5 Giesemann POWERCHROME Actinic Plus + 22k 54watt T5

is Pure Actinic the super actinic?
is the Midday the same as GE3000k or Fresh plus?

I'm sorry I don't understand. please help

Im not sure where to find the bulbs you mentioned.

Reefgeek carrys all the lamps

ATI makes the Blue Plus and Aquablue.

UVL makes Aquasun, Super Actinic and Actinic white (which I think sucks)

Giesemann make Actinic plus which is about the same as a blue plus with less output, Aquablue which again is about the same as the ATI but has a little less output, Midday and Pure Actinic

GE makes a lot of lamps, 6500K 3000K and several in between.