The T5 Q&a Thread

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13800821#post13800821 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by swencel
Has anyone ever thought about installing fans on the Tech lights by cutting holes in the top of the unit or is that just a dumb idea.

Might work. Measure twice and cut once. Make sure the fans will fit above the reflectors.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13800834#post13800834 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by renogaw
Guess i should have posted here:

Ok... I'm ugrading my lights from PC's to t5's. Aquactinics was recommended by my reef club, and they seem to be a decent light. But for a 5 light setup with individual reflectors, i'd be looking at mid $400 plus tax and bulbs.

I went to the LFS listed as a vendor, and he said that he's selling a lot more Current USA's. the setup he suggested was a 6 bulb setup with individual reflectors and included the bulbs for upper $300's plus tax.

there's a setup on Ebay that has 8 lights, individual reflectors, bulbs, plus moonlights, and with the paypal promotion would only cost upper $200's..

so... i know you get what you pay for, and im not afraid to pay the extra money as long as it's worth it, so i'm just wondering what people's thoughts are. has anyone tried the t5's from ebay?


I have a 90 gallon tank.

The Nova Pro is OK but the Aquactinics TX 5 will spank it. The material and design used in the reflector makes a big difference. Aquactinics makes a 7 lamp unit called a constellation that is killer. They are looking at bringing one out with 6 lamps and a LED unit in the center that will give you shimmer lines like halides.

I wouldn't waste my money on the unbranded E-bay stuff.

 

[renogaw]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13800894#post13800894 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
The Nova Pro is OK but the Aquactinics TX 5 will spank it. The material and design used in the reflector makes a big difference. Aquactinics makes a 7 lamp unit called a constellation that is killer. They are looking at bringing one out with 6 lamps and a LED unit in the center that will give you shimmer lines like halides.

I wouldn't waste my money on the unbranded E-bay stuff.

Thanks

i was also suggested to get a TEK light from aquacaves. i'm sorta stuck around the $500 budget range or the constellation would be perfect.

i'm just nervous since the 90 is so deep that 5 bulbs won't do the trick. i've got 4x65w now with the pc's, so i'm just worried that i'd still have to keep all the corals at the top of the rock wall with 5x54

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13800908#post13800908 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by renogaw
Thanks

i was also suggested to get a TEK light from aquacaves. i'm sorta stuck around the $500 budget range or the constellation would be perfect.

i'm just nervous since the 90 is so deep that 5 bulbs won't do the trick. i've got 4x65w now with the pc's, so i'm just worried that i'd still have to keep all the corals at the top of the rock wall with 5x54

The 5 lamp unit will still put more light to the bottom than a 6 lamp Tek light. If you decide to get the tek pick up one of the Azoo clamp on fan arrays and mount it on the back of the tank so it blows across the side of the fixture at the center. It gives you a nice boost in output.

 

[Poseidon]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13799424#post13799424 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by hpglow
I wouldn't cover that up, it looks awsome! That fixture would be hot over a rimless tank.

How much did the aluminum cost you?

Thanks! It was $90 including shipping, from McMaster.

 

[kmacartney]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13797725#post13797725 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kmacartney
Does anyone else have problems with shrooms and zoas hiding from the T5's?

Anyone?

 

[renogaw]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13800997#post13800997 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
The 5 lamp unit will still put more light to the bottom than a 6 lamp Tek light. If you decide to get the tek pick up one of the Azoo clamp on fan arrays and mount it on the back of the tank so it blows across the side of the fixture at the center. It gives you a nice boost in output.

so, with the aquactinics would it be possible to have brains and such on the sand, and would it be a decent light for sps, clams, etc?

 

[aquaglobal]

Grim,
Great snswers! If I do decide to go the T5 24" retrofit kit for two bulbs for my 34 gallon reef and add just two bulbs to my existing two 55 watt T5/PC bulbs, what retrofit kit in this configuration do you recommened? Jsut want the most PAR for my money. You told me the UVL 75/25 bulb and I think a ATI super blue.
I thought all 24 inch 2 bulb retrofit kits where the same. After reading all this I am now getting leary that they are not.
Thank you
Thanks

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13792317#post13792317 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Enterprise
Hey Grim, just wanted to give an update. I was able to fit the IceCap ballasts into my DIY fixture that I had asked about a few pages ago. I have a total of 6 bulbs, on an IC660 and a 430, with the bulbs in this order:

Geismann Pure Actinic
Geismann Aquablue +
Geismann Pure Actinic
UVL 75/25
Geismann Aquablue +
Geismann Actinic +

Here are a few pictures of the project:

Neither the bulbs or ballasts get hot, I would describe them as warm to the touch, which I am very happy about!

Thank you for all your work and dedication!

Now that I have the thread caught up I have the time to drool over your fixture.

Notice a possible problem and a suggestion to make the airflow better.

1 It appears from the picture that one fan is blowing in and the other out. Maybe just a label placed on a different side but if not get them so they are both pulling air the same direction

2. Airflow. You want to make sure you are getting airflow near the ends of the lamps. WHat I would do is

If you sealed between the support brackets that hold the endcaps and the top of the fixture and then placed a sheet of aluminum on top of the brackets to create a separate chamber for the fans/ballasts you can direct the airflow where it needs to be. You would just need to drill a 3/8ths or so hole above each lamp between the end cap and reflector at each end you will direct the airflow where it will do the most good. The air would be pulled across the lamp ends up into the ballast chamber, across the ballasts and out the top, or backasswards if you have the fans blowing air in.

 

[swencel]

If the fan is sealed properly to the top of the unit would that be OK? There might be room for the fans in the light but the airflow would be restricted. I could get a trim piece built that would match the outside so I'm not concerned about looks.

 

[Gravesj1s]

fixture

fixture

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13800834#post13800834 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by renogaw
Guess i should have posted here:

Ok... I'm ugrading my lights from PC's to t5's. Aquactinics was recommended by my reef club, and they seem to be a decent light. But for a 5 light setup with individual reflectors, i'd be looking at mid $400 plus tax and bulbs.

I went to the LFS listed as a vendor, and he said that he's selling a lot more Current USA's. the setup he suggested was a 6 bulb setup with individual reflectors and included the bulbs for upper $300's plus tax.

there's a setup on Ebay that has 8 lights, individual reflectors, bulbs, plus moonlights, and with the paypal promotion would only cost upper $200's..

so... i know you get what you pay for, and im not afraid to pay the extra money as long as it's worth it, so i'm just wondering what people's thoughts are. has anyone tried the t5's from ebay?


I have a 90 gallon tank.

Hi, what are your tank dimensions? Could you use a 4 bulb ATI power module? It has twice the output of the tek 6 bulb. It is also slightly ahead of the TX5 aquatinics 5 bulb fixture. Lastly I found going with the 4 bulb power module to be cheaper than the TX5.

ATI 48"-4 BULB :with bulbs and shipping -580.00
just thought you may want to consider.
-Graves

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13801119#post13801119 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kmacartney
Anyone?

Sorry. Keep seeing that and going to get back to you

Shrooms take a long time but they will adapt to the light. Most zoos should to.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13801139#post13801139 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by renogaw
so, with the aquactinics would it be possible to have brains and such on the sand, and would it be a decent light for sps, clams, etc?

Yeah. Clams would probably need to be up on the rocks at least a little (For Maximas and Croceas anyway) SPS anywhere in the upper half of the tank easily.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13801149#post13801149 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by aquaglobal
Grim,
Great snswers! If I do decide to go the T5 24" retrofit kit for two bulbs for my 34 gallon reef and add just two bulbs to my existing two 55 watt T5/PC bulbs, what retrofit kit in this configuration do you recommened? Jsut want the most PAR for my money. You told me the UVL 75/25 bulb and I think a ATI super blue.
I thought all 24 inch 2 bulb retrofit kits where the same. After reading all this I am now getting leary that they are not.
Thank you
Thanks

The Ice Cap HO T5 retrofit kit would be good. ATI Blue Plus and UVL 75/25 lamps.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13801226#post13801226 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by swencel
If the fan is sealed properly to the top of the unit would that be OK? There might be room for the fans in the light but the airflow would be restricted. I could get a trim piece built that would match the outside so I'm not concerned about looks.

That would be fine. I would probably seal off the cooling slots on the top side of the fixture as well.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Re: fixture

Re: fixture

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13801238#post13801238 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Gravesj1s
Hi, what are your tank dimensions? Could you use a 4 bulb ATI power module? It has twice the output of the tek 6 bulb. It is also slightly ahead of the TX5 aquatinics 5 bulb fixture. Lastly I found going with the 4 bulb power module to be cheaper than the TX5.

ATI 48"-4 BULB :with bulbs and shipping -580.00
just thought you may want to consider.
-Graves

Not a bad option either

 

[aquaglobal]

Thank you Grim!

 

[chad508]

finally got my lights installed. i went with 2 icecap retros. i am running in this order:
blue+
aquasun
blue+
75/25
blue+
aquasun
blue+
75/25

i fill that the lamps blend well but would like it a tad bit bluer. i tried a uri attinic but made no difference. would a aquablue in the mix help out are should i just add in a few more blue+. i did plan to add a ge 6500 to the mix but was shipped a uri attinic white instead. i found this bulb not to my likings at all.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13801439#post13801439 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by chad508
finally got my lights installed. i went with 2 icecap retros. i am running in this order:
blue+
aquasun
blue+
75/25
blue+
aquasun
blue+
75/25

i fill that the lamps blend well but would like it a tad bit bluer. i tried a uri attinic but made no difference. would a aquablue in the mix help out are should i just add in a few more blue+. i did plan to add a ge 6500 to the mix but was shipped a uri attinic white instead. i found this bulb not to my likings at all.

Do a Blue Plus in place of a 75/25

 

[Poseidon]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13801218#post13801218 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Now that I have the thread caught up I have the time to drool over your fixture.

Notice a possible problem and a suggestion to make the airflow better.

1 It appears from the picture that one fan is blowing in and the other out. Maybe just a label placed on a different side but if not get them so they are both pulling air the same direction

2. Airflow. You want to make sure you are getting airflow near the ends of the lamps. WHat I would do is

If you sealed between the support brackets that hold the endcaps and the top of the fixture and then placed a sheet of aluminum on top of the brackets to create a separate chamber for the fans/ballasts you can direct the airflow where it needs to be. You would just need to drill a 3/8ths or so hole above each lamp between the end cap and reflector at each end you will direct the airflow where it will do the most good. The air would be pulled across the lamp ends up into the ballast chamber, across the ballasts and out the top, or backasswards if you have the fans blowing air in.

Thanks Grim, I appreciate the input.

Both fans are blowing out, the "Stealth" fan has stickers on both sides.

I have been thinking of getting more airflow to the endcaps myself. I think I follow your idea, but to be honest you lost me a little. I was thinking about adding a splash shield, in the form of a thin acrylic sheet. I believe this shield would force air to be drawn in from the endcaps, and over the length of the bulbs before being exhausted from the center. Do you think this would work? Trying to create the chamber above the reflectors would be a real trick, as there is not much space between the end of the fixture and the endcaps, plus there is not a lot of room for a way to attach that piece of Al.