The T5 Q&a Thread

[gig]

hey grim, any comments on the TRU bulbs, I bought some cheap from hellolights for $10 for my auxillary tank (I have a used 6X39" T5 CAD fixture). Bought 3 10K and 3 actinics.

I acutally moved the 2 actnics to my main setup and took the aquasuns out to see the look. I think the best will be once I can swap out 1 of my superwhite UVL VHO bulbs for a superactinic.

SO now my setup is temporarily:

front

VHO - UVL SuperActinic
T5 - TRU Actinic
VHO - UVL Superwhite
T5 - UVL SuperActinic
VHO - Superwhite
VHO - SuperActinic

color is better, but I think the tank is still too white. Once the bulbs get old (6 mo for the VHO's) I plan on using 1 superwhite and 3 superactnics as you suggested. then a blue plus and an aquasun for the T5's.

 

[Porkibear]

Grim,

It seems like T5 might be out of my budget unless I get a used T5 retrofit, but I'll give it a shot. Currently, I'm runnng a 4X65W CF retrofit kit for a 55 gallon tank measuring 36"X18"X24". I just relocated my tank from my office to home, and I found that two of my CF bulbs are shot. I'm deciding whether I should replace all 4 of my CF bulbs, or try to find a decent used or new T5 setup for a little more than what it would cost me to replace my current CF bulbs.

I noticed you suggested to someone else's post for a 55 gallon to get the Aquatinic TX5, but brand new that's way out of my budget range. What would you suggest for my tank dimensions if budget was a concern?

 

[aaron7405]

I have a 55 g and I run 5 bulb with 2x IC 660 in my canoppy and I love it, but you can run 4 bulb with only 1 balast and will be plany too. IMHO

aaron

 

[Hades]

Most of the plain brown wrapper stuff sold on e-bay are POS.

I was looking at a light like this on ebay, seems very promising. You think this light is only a quick fix and not a long term solution for my lighting needs for a standard 55 gallon? I am not trying to argue, I just am doing as much homework as possible to make sure I get the most efficient light at the lowest price possible.

EBAY LIGHT

 

[darkcirca]

I don't trust off brand lighting, I've heard of too many issues. We purchased a lower end light for our 90 to begin with, a Nova Extreme. It ended up having ballast problems and who knows what else - which of course happened while we were away. Thankfully we were within the return period for Dr F&S so we just shipped it back. In the end we just forked the money over for the nicer light, and saved on other products (such as buying an Octopus Skimmer rather than a EuroReef or something nicer)...

I know you can ask Aquactinics if they have any blemish/dented units for sale, it would save some money..

 

[Hades]

What about systems like current T5's or others. I really don't want to spend more than $350 on the light fixture, not including bulbs, but I also don't want to sacrifice power. Also it doesnt look like the Aquatinics TX5 have any built in moon lights which means I would have to go out and rigs those up separately, another pain in my a**. Does anyone recommend any other lighting that is reliable, cost effective, and can support a 50 gallon SPS reef tank?

 

[darkcirca]

I wasn't thrilled about it not having moonlights to begin with, but got over that pretty quick. I never did add them, talked a lot about it, but just didn't care.

I'm not sure about the Nova Extreme higher end (http://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/prod/239339/product.web), but I know the one we had wasn't that great (http://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/group/10922/product.web).

Hopefully Grims will chime in with some suggestion. I know about having a tough time spending money. I'm a college student barely getting by, but have sacrificed other things to be able to afford exactly what I want. I guess I've finally learned, it's better to buy the nicer unit once, then to deal with the cheaper things many times...

 

[Hades]

lighting

lighting

yea thats where I am at too. I go to UF and my parents have me on a strict budget. I am getting a job up there, perhaps at the local fish store, to fund my aquarium obsession. If I keep looking for a T5 light at 5 lamps and 39 watts, that is not aquatinic, I should be able to find one the question is if it will be able to perform at the same level the aquatinic would or if it would be a lesser unit. I guess it would depend on the company and the fixture though. The high end NOVA extreme PRO looks good to me too. What is your opinion on this whole matter Grim?

 

[urville]

Often your paying for two or three things here and thats the reflectors and the ballast, and possibly fans.

I dont how Grim feels about them, but I know Catalina's arent the most horrible things to ever happen, and you can often get them cheaper from mango on ebay. I know ATI and Aquactinics are the best for power and par from what I have read.

I have to agree with everyone else, believe me if you skimp now, you will pay more later. You may as well hold tight to your money, buckle down hard against impatience, and buy something pricier now. You'll spend less in the long run.

 

[Hades]

Where can you find a website that sells ATI lamp?

 

[mrbigshot]

i bought my ati bulbs from reefgeek but there also available at diyreef but there shipping is higher.

if you order less than 4 bulbs from reef geek there is a 3 dollar surcharge.

 

[Hades]

I think I am going to go with a TEK light. Here is the link LINK
Anyone have experience with TEK lights as compared to Aquatinics?

 

[aaron7405]

Reefgeek carries the ATI Power modules

 

[urville]

I heard... heard that TEK lights are the best bang for the buck over at the reeflounge. I cant personally say, because I dont know.

 

[Hades]

After many, and I mean many, hours of searching the TEK lights do look the most promising and I know I have heard good things about them. Anyone with personal experience?

 

[superstein61]

Hades - if you are going to spend $275 shipped on that ebay light - get the Nova Extreme Pro for only $25 more on ebay

http://cgi.ebay.com/Current-USA-36-...ryZ46314QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

or for $292 at petmountain.com

If you get it at ebay - follow the instructions at the link below - and you can get 25% cash back from Microsoft (live search) on your purchase in 60 days. Just make sure to follow the instructions in the second post exactly:

http://www.fatwallet.com/forums/hot-deals/838081/

I recently purchased the 48" Nova Extreme Pro on ebay from JC Aquatics like this and will be receiving some $70+ cash back - making my net cost cheaper than anywhere

You will be far better off than buying the unbranded lights you linked to

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13045396#post13045396 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Hades
I was looking at a light like this on ebay, seems very promising. You think this light is only a quick fix and not a long term solution for my lighting needs for a standard 55 gallon? I am not trying to argue, I just am doing as much homework as possible to make sure I get the most efficient light at the lowest price possible.

EBAY LIGHT

 

[serum153]

? Setting up my cousins 90 which he will have lps, clams, maybe sps.I was thinking of a 4 bulb vho icecap retro like I have on my 75 and later adding a 2x54 ho retro when he decides to dip into sps. Will the vho 4 bulb keep a clam or 2 happy until he adds the other 2 later on?

Grim Said - Be fine, just don't run a actinic in the mix until the next 2 lamps are added.

Next ? So the bulb combo should be different then my 75?
I am running
Blue+
Super Actinic
Aquasun
Blue+

What should the combo be for the 90?

 

[Hades]

Yea that would be friggin cheap but I have not heard anything fabulous about the nova extreme pro T5 lights from anyone.

 

[superstein61]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13048100#post13048100 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Hades
Yea that would be friggin cheap but I have not heard anything fabulous about the nova extreme pro T5 lights from anyone.

If you do a search of the forums here, you will find lots of folks happy with their Nova Extreme Pro. Its the best "budget" T5 out. Of course if you want to spend more, there are better. All a matter of personal preference,

 

[WrasseAttack!]

I'm currently running a 6 x 54 watt Tek light over my 75g and it's worked out awesome with great growth and color to my corals(softies, anemones, lps, clam and some sps).

I'm upgrading to a standard 120 gallon and would like to keep the Tek hood, would that work if I kept the sps and clam high up in the tank or should I go to 2 x 175 watt Metal Halides?

If I can keep the Tek 6 bulb, what are some good bulbs that will provide enough light, good growth and a nice blue white(14k) color? I'll be buying from Reefgeek.

ty