The T5 Q&a Thread

[AJtheReefer]

Would a LUX Meter be a useful tool to determine when is time to replace the bulbs?

 

[stevedola]

grim i finally received my aquatinics Tx5 fixture and I bought 5 bulbs for the light. where would you place them if the 2/4 slot are wired for actinics and 1/3/5 are overdriven on an IC660 ? list follows

1 UVLaquasun
1 3000k ge
2 ati blue plus
1 uvl super actinic


ty

 

[madimod]

i currently run 3 t5 bulbs w/ tek reflectors with a workhorse 5 ballest over my 29 gal about 6 inches over the water surface and want to add a fourth . what do you think that would be compareable to with a metal halide setup (i.e. 150 w or 175 w....

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10186633#post10186633 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by DrDNA
Okay Grim, one more question.... I was planning to set the fixture about 7" from the water surface. ATI says 20-29cm. Any reason to do differently?

4 to 6 inches is prime but you can go lower if you have a splash shield.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10187431#post10187431 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by AJtheReefer
Would a LUX Meter be a useful tool to determine when is time to replace the bulbs?

It would be OK. Not nearly as much as a PAR meter but it will help

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10187853#post10187853 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by stevedola
grim i finally received my aquatinics Tx5 fixture and I bought 5 bulbs for the light. where would you place them if the 2/4 slot are wired for actinics and 1/3/5 are overdriven on an IC660 ? list follows

1 UVLaquasun
1 3000k ge
2 ati blue plus
1 uvl super actinic


ty

Nothin is overdriven in that fixture.

Front
Blue Plus
GE 3000K
Super Actinic
Aquasun
Blue Plus

The 2 blue Plus and the Actinic will be your dusk/dawn.

 

[stevedola]

its modified aftermarket

 

[E-A-G-L-E-S]

How long should i be running my groups of T5's?

I switched from 2x400w reeflux 10k's on icecap ballasts in lumenmax 2 reflectors to 12x39w T5's overdriven by 3-icecap 660's in SLR's recently.

My lamps, as of this weekend will be:
2-UVL SA
2-UVL Aqua Sun
2-KZ Fiji Purple
6-ATI AquaBluespecial


My old photoperiod was:
11:00a.m. - actinics on(2x39w normally driven current T5 retro actinics)
1:00p.m. - halides on
10:00p.m. - halides off
11:30p.m. - actinics off


So......
1.What should be my photoperiod set-up now? *Remember I will have 3 sets of 4 lamps on three individual timers.
2.What, IYO, should be my lamp order?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10188235#post10188235 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by stevedola
its modified aftermarket

Ahhh, Steve understand now

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10188249#post10188249 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by E-A-G-L-E-S
How long should i be running my groups of T5's?

I switched from 2x400w reeflux 10k's on icecap ballasts in lumenmax 2 reflectors to 12x39w T5's overdriven by 3-icecap 660's in SLR's recently.

My lamps, as of this weekend will be:
2-UVL SA
2-UVL Aqua Sun
2-KZ Fiji Purple
6-ATI AquaBluespecial


My old photoperiod was:
11:00a.m. - actinics on(2x39w normally driven current T5 retro actinics)
1:00p.m. - halides on
10:00p.m. - halides off
11:30p.m. - actinics off


So......
1.What should be my photoperiod set-up now? *Remember I will have 3 sets of 4 lamps on three individual timers.
2.What, IYO, should be my lamp order?

I'd do 2 SA and 2 Purple on at 11AM of at 11PM
4 Aquablues on at 12PM of at 10PM
2 Aquablue/2 Aquasuns on at 1PM off at 9PM

 

[E-A-G-L-E-S]

Thanks Grim....is that the order front to back as well?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

For rows of lamps I would try this

Front
Aquablue
Fiji Purple
Super Actinic
Aquasun
Aquablue
Aquablue

 

[E-A-G-L-E-S]

Grim...moving the UVL SA's to row 2 from front(from row 3) made a big difference. do you think I may want to keep the UVL SA in row 2? The first three rows will not be altered, it's the back half that will be moved to fit the last row in the back.
Thanks again!

 

[stevedola]

I turned on my new lights tonight and all I can say is WOW. especially on those blue plus bulbs. My ricordeas look like lava. Everything looks great...unbelieveable in fact. Im more impressed than I thought Id be.

1 question...how long do youthink I should acclimate my system to the new lighting. Im coming from 2- 175w mh Aqua connect bulbs. Start at 3 hrs and increase by 1/2 hr duration each day until I reach my daily lighting sched>?

 

[Shultz]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10172561#post10172561 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Sorry guys, stuff came up and I havent had a chance to do the KZ lamps yet.

Hi m8,

Sorry to be a PITA, have you had a play with these bulbs yet?

Cheers, Shelton.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10189289#post10189289 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by E-A-G-L-E-S
Grim...moving the UVL SA's to row 2 from front(from row 3) made a big difference. do you think I may want to keep the UVL SA in row 2? The first three rows will not be altered, it's the back half that will be moved to fit the last row in the back.
Thanks again!

Just play and see what looks best to you. Wait till you spark up the Fiji Purples, wholly sacks of shivering sheep shat batman!

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10190696#post10190696 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Shultz
Hi m8,

Sorry to be a PITA, have you had a play with these bulbs yet?

Cheers, Shelton.

Yep. Drool, Drool, More testing to do but my initial impression is 5 skulls up.

 

[E-A-G-L-E-S]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10190711#post10190711 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Just play and see what looks best to you. Wait till you spark up the Fiji Purples, wholly sacks of shivering sheep shat batman!

That nice huh? Cool! Does it compare to any T5 or VHO lamp already out there that I'd be aware of?

 

[Dwarf Seahorses]

Any news on the KZ bulbs Grim?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10191360#post10191360 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by E-A-G-L-E-S
That nice huh? Cool! Does it compare to any T5 or VHO lamp already out there that I'd be aware of?

Sorta like a Aquablue on Steroids. Seems to have more of a violet hue where the Aquablue is of course blue.