The T5 Q&a Thread
- Thread starter JohnL
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The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
sandbed. 17.5" below water surface with lights about 21/2" above that
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
8 overdriven T5's will be brighter than 6/
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
front
Blue
Actinic
Fiji Purple
Sun Pro
Blue
Aquablue
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
Vinager will do as well as anything.
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
I would do a lamp per week. Aint no way that is going to cause any shock. You could do one every couple days and be fine most likely
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
As long as you place the high light critters in the upper half of the tank you will be fine.
Front
Blue Plus
UVL Aquasun
Blue Plus
Actinic
Aquablue
UVL 75/25
Blue Plus
Grim, have you ever tried the Aquamedic T5 bulbs? I know their MH bulbs are supposed to be pretty good. I just hooked up an AB 20k over my other tank. I was given the bulb to test it out and see what I think. It's pretty blue and a lot dimmer than my old 10k. I also have 4 24w T5's over that tank. I am running blue plus and actinics in it now. I never noticed them doing much with the 10k bulb hooked up. I just think it was overpowering the blue T5's. But now that I have this new 20k MH, I do notice them. They are making the blue bulb even bluer. I want to try putting two actinics and two 10k T5's in there to compinsate. My LFS only has the Aquamedic 10k bulb in a 24w. They carry Giessemann as well, but not in 24w. I just ordered a bunch of bulbs so I don't want to have to order again if I can help it, lol. So are the aquamedics any good? Atleast good enough to supplement my 250w MH? Thanks again.
PS I still don't even know if I should keep the 20k AB hooked up. It's just so much dimmer than my 10k. I don't want to punish my corals for wanting more of a blue look, lol. I'm hoping that the 10k T5's will compensate enough.
PS I still don't even know if I should keep the 20k AB hooked up. It's just so much dimmer than my 10k. I don't want to punish my corals for wanting more of a blue look, lol. I'm hoping that the 10k T5's will compensate enough.
shackscs
Super Premier Member
Looking for 20" HO-T5 options
Looking for 20" HO-T5 options
I am contemplating a OC 30 cube or the Current Solana 34 cube. I want to avoid MH as a choice and wanted to stay with the T5 such as the 4 I have on my 65 reef tank.
I am keeping softies and possibly a clam placed on high on some rocks.
Is there any one who makes a 4 or 6 bulb 20" fixture that would do either of these tanks proud?
Looking for 20" HO-T5 options
I am contemplating a OC 30 cube or the Current Solana 34 cube. I want to avoid MH as a choice and wanted to stay with the T5 such as the 4 I have on my 65 reef tank.
I am keeping softies and possibly a clam placed on high on some rocks.
Is there any one who makes a 4 or 6 bulb 20" fixture that would do either of these tanks proud?
I think a more important question is whether there are any good quality 20 inch T5HO bulbs out. You can always retrofit a 20 inch fixture but it won't do you any good if there are no decent bulbs out there. My impression is that there isn't as of now but maybe others know of some.
rickburdeniuk
New member
95°F - activly cooling a retrofit
95°F - activly cooling a retrofit
Hi Grim, I found this nifty graph that says t5's were designed to provide maximum light output at an "ambient temperature" of 35°C (95°F), but still produce 80% of the rated lumens at 55°C or 131°F:
http://www.thelightedge.com/technology/tempperformance.html
With that graph and dreams of a actively cooled retrofit in my head I want to follow up on a question and discussion posted in another thread (which Oliver from ATI posted some related info in):
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1013083&perpage=25&pagenumber=12
Someone mentioned hook up a temp sensor to a remote fan and have it come on at 96f and off at 94f. Can you confirm that 95F "ambient temperature" is the temp of the bulb surface, reflector, or the air near the bulb?
Have any other posters tried to create an active cooling system with their retrofits making use of this figure or the data Oliver posted?
95°F - activly cooling a retrofit
Hi Grim, I found this nifty graph that says t5's were designed to provide maximum light output at an "ambient temperature" of 35°C (95°F), but still produce 80% of the rated lumens at 55°C or 131°F:
http://www.thelightedge.com/technology/tempperformance.html
With that graph and dreams of a actively cooled retrofit in my head I want to follow up on a question and discussion posted in another thread (which Oliver from ATI posted some related info in):
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1013083&perpage=25&pagenumber=12
Someone mentioned hook up a temp sensor to a remote fan and have it come on at 96f and off at 94f. Can you confirm that 95F "ambient temperature" is the temp of the bulb surface, reflector, or the air near the bulb?
Have any other posters tried to create an active cooling system with their retrofits making use of this figure or the data Oliver posted?
Reefbound1
New member
I now have these bulbs that you recommended and the colors do look a little better but I will have to wait and see what happens over the next couple of months because everything was washed out from the last bulbs.... There is also another positive.... dont know how or why but there is now a light shimmer effect that wasnt there before. it doesnt extend very far into the tank but its definitely visible to about 8 inches into the tank,very cool,and again thanks for the reply.
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