The T5 Q&a Thread

[DjScibbity]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13008461#post13008461 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Current is comming out with better reflectors but I have no idea how they will stack up against the others. Judging by the picture I saw the new reflector might be in line with a Tek or at least close but I don't think it will match the Aquactinics. It's really going to depend on the material they use. Not sure when the new reflectors will be on the production models.

Grim, where are you getting this information? I called Current USA and spoke to a representative and she informed me that there was nothing planned as far as a new reflector or any changes planned for the Nova Pro. Not being one to settle on the first answer I get, I wrote an email to Current-USA and this is the response they sent me:

Dear Jay -

Thank you for contacting Current USA. We have no plans of releasing any
Nova Extremes with a separate reflector for each lamp. The individually
contoured reflectors are the only reflectors that we plan to offer with our
Nova fixtures. There are no plans at this time to come out with a new T5HO
fixture in the near fixture.

Sincerely,


Current-USA Customer Service
www.current-usa.com

Youre not the first person I have heard talk about new or improved reflectors on the Novas, Im just trying to figure out if this is an unfounded rumor or if Current USA is lying to me.

-JP

 

[98riv]

What can I use to clean dirty T5 Icecap reflectors? Can I use some polish to clean some of the tough spots? If so, what would be good to use?

Thanks.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13022250#post13022250 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by DjScibbity
Grim, where are you getting this information? I called Current USA and spoke to a representative and she informed me that there was nothing planned as far as a new reflector or any changes planned for the Nova Pro. Not being one to settle on the first answer I get, I wrote an email to Current-USA and this is the response they sent me:

Dear Jay -

Thank you for contacting Current USA. We have no plans of releasing any
Nova Extremes with a separate reflector for each lamp. The individually
contoured reflectors are the only reflectors that we plan to offer with our
Nova fixtures. There are no plans at this time to come out with a new T5HO
fixture in the near fixture.

Sincerely,


Current-USA Customer Service
www.current-usa.com

Youre not the first person I have heard talk about new or improved reflectors on the Novas, Im just trying to figure out if this is an unfounded rumor or if Current USA is lying to me.

-JP

They aren't individual but they are new and "improved"

They are on the recently shipped 2 lamp fixtures.

If you've seen the pro reflector the change should be obvious

I am not sure why you got the answers you did. These companies typically don't like to speculate on when a change or improvement to a product until it actually is into production to avoid being bombarded with "Are we there yet?"

Could be they just didn't understand your question or are out of the loop as far as the change goes.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13021355#post13021355 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kpk
Hey Grim what if my options are gieseman? Will the ATI's be aquablue plus and actinic plus?

Yes, Actinic Plus = Blue Plus and Aquablue whatever to Aquablue whatever

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13021692#post13021692 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jlemieux123
just got my new T5 fixture in last night and wow it's bright. I am afraid of bleaching out all my coral how should I aclimate my lighting? my light is mounted to my low profile canopy. I now have only half my lighting on

That works. Give it a week or so at 10 to 12 hours a day and then add in the other two an hour a day and every few days add another hour and just keep an eye on the critters.

 

[Gravesj1s]

Anyone no where I can get a ATI powermodule 4 bulb beside reefgeek?If not is their a fixture that is close to it? I definately dont want a retro.

 

[carlos_fb]

Grim,

I currently have a Tek 4x54 retrofit on my 60 gallon tank. Unfortutately this setup is not cuting it as my SPS are not doing well. I want to upgrade to 6 regular driven bulbs but I don't have space for them on my canopy so I am considering a fixture.

I was looking at the Tek 6x54 fixture, I like the fact that I can install an acrilyc shield on it and it would fit nicely on top of my tank.

What do you think of these fixtures? do you think it would be enough for my tank?

Thanks in advance!
Carlos

 

[Peter Eichler]

Any input on the UVL Actinic White 12,000k bulb? It dosn't seem to be mentioned much around here...

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13023697#post13023697 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Gravesj1s
Anyone no where I can get a ATI powermodule 4 bulb beside reefgeek?If not is their a fixture that is close to it? I definately dont want a retro.

Aquactinics Tx5 is going to be close to it in performance.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13024785#post13024785 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by carlos_fb
Grim,

I currently have a Tek 4x54 retrofit on my 60 gallon tank. Unfortutately this setup is not cuting it as my SPS are not doing well. I want to upgrade to 6 regular driven bulbs but I don't have space for them on my canopy so I am considering a fixture.

I was looking at the Tek 6x54 fixture, I like the fact that I can install an acrilyc shield on it and it would fit nicely on top of my tank.

What do you think of these fixtures? do you think it would be enough for my tank?

Thanks in advance!
Carlos

Once you install the shield it kills the light output because of the increased heat.

Aquactinics TX5 would be a better choice.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13025097#post13025097 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Peter Eichler
Any input on the UVL Actinic White 12,000k bulb? It dosn't seem to be mentioned much around here...

There's a reason for that

Kinda a goofy looking lamp. Would probably be good for warming up the look of a blue plus aquablue mix of lamps.

 

[carlos_fb]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13026530#post13026530 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Once you install the shield it kills the light output because of the increased heat.

Aquactinics TX5 would be a better choice.

Ok then I won't install the shield. What makes the Aquactinics TX5 better over 6 bulbs on the Tek?

As I mentioned before, 4 bullbs is not enough for my tank right now.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13026696#post13026696 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by carlos_fb
Ok then I won't install the shield. What makes the Aquactinics TX5 better over 6 bulbs on the Tek?

As I mentioned before, 4 bullbs is not enough for my tank right now.

The aquactinics has better reflectors and active cooling. You can sit them right on the tank frame without causing temp issue and having the lamps that low provides a nice additional PAR increase.

 

[carlos_fb]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13026784#post13026784 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
The aquactinics has better reflectors and active cooling. You can sit them right on the tank frame without causing temp issue and having the lamps that low provides a nice additional PAR increase.

I currently have 4 x 54 TEK retrofit with SLR reflectors extremely close to the water surface and it is not enough. That is why I am concerned that only 1 more bulb would not be enough. I could probably add the active cooling feature with some little fans on each side just like the Aquactinics.

What do you think?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13026811#post13026811 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by carlos_fb
I currently have 4 x 54 TEK retrofit with SLR reflectors extremely close to the water surface and it is not enough. That is why I am concerned that only 1 more bulb would not be enough. I could probably add the active cooling feature with some little fans on each side just like the Aquactinics.

What do you think?

K, I was thinking Tek Light. You can still place the TX 5 closer to the water.

You could add small fans at one end of the Tek. Maybe on of the Azoo fan arrays would work. Just have it blow into the end vents on one side of the teklight.

 

[unbreakable]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13004214#post13004214 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Do 3 ATI Blue Plus or Giesemann Actinic Plus, 1 UVL Super Actinic, 1 UVL Aquasun and 1 either Giesemann or ATI Aquablue.

thank you!

 

[gig]

Hey Grim on a 72" retro setup it makes sense to have fans on one side right? not on both ends blowing into each other I guess???

 

[carlos_fb]

I will definitely try to add some fans on the sides.

This was the configuration that you suggested before to get enough par for SPS, that would also pop pinks and green and at the same time would have a purple tint to it.

Blue Plus
Super Actinic
Aquasun
Blue Plus
Pro Color
Blue Plus

Should still get the same bulbs or do you have a better suggestion?

 

[raynist]

Hey Grim,

If you remember, what bulbs did you use on the ATI fixture that you tested a year or two ago when it hit 300 at the sand bed in 17 inches of water? Just wondering as I have a 4x39 unit that has a UVL SA, 2 ATI Blue + and and Aqua Blue plus. I know this is not the hot setup for par as I am more interested in color, but I am getting about half of that at the sandbed. The fixture is about 5-6 inches off of the water.

Thanks!!!!
Ray

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13027755#post13027755 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by gig
Hey Grim on a 72" retro setup it makes sense to have fans on one side right? not on both ends blowing into each other I guess???

I'd have a fan blowing in from the back at each ind to cool the lamp ends at the endcaps