The T5 Q&a Thread

[Todd March]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14372899#post14372899 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bbl_nk
...I think us T5 nuts are gluttons for punishement...but its so much fun figuring out the puzzle..

Ain't that the cotton pickin' truth, Brian... I am thrilled with my coral colors, but still haven't found a bulb array with my T5's that is perfect for my eyes; with 2 Fijis and 2 Super Actinics, there is a certian chalky actinic violet-pink effect that often bugs me. I tried some new (and old) combinations today, pulling out some bulbs currently in retirementâ€"75/25, Pro Color, 1 more Aquablueâ€"and in the end I went back to my old standby with the Fijis/actinics/Blue+'s. The color's are just too good all around across the board/spectrum. The Fiji's are amazing bulbs for greens, blues, purples and pinks, I really like them, but they are rich, and even with 10 bulbs, 2 are a LOT...! And it'll be a cold day in hell before I give up my Super Actinics...

The puzzle goes on....! Next up for me is to try at least one KZ New Gen 14K, the bluest "white" bulb out there. Hopefully it can help cut some of the actinic chalkiness without too much of the color washout even 1 additional Aquablue in my array gives my tank...

P.S. I'm originally from Los Banos, where my parents still live... Are there good LFS's in Modesto? I know Fresno has a couple...

 

[divewsharks]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14376236#post14376236 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Todd March
Reefgeek should have them soon. They're not around yet...

Patience, grasshopper... lol...!

Reefgeek already has them, mine arrived earlier today. There was a pre-order list.

 

[snaza]

pics please. and par readings if you can do them

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I don't remember if I posted PAR numbers here or not but with 6 Aquablues the Sunpower pulled off from 350 to 375 on the sand in my tank.

 

[Todd March]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14376677#post14376677 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
I don't remember if I posted PAR numbers here or not but with 6 Aquablues the Sunpower pulled off from 350 to 375 on the sand in my tank.

How high is your tank, Grim, and how far above water are your lights...?

 

[divewsharks]

I'm actually looking to buy a Apogee Quantam (PAR) meter so that I can compare it to my TX5.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Light was about 1 1/2" above the water, sensor right at 17 inches below the water line.

All these numbers were under the same conditions. The Constellation was checked with a dirty splash shield. The Tek and Sfigiloi were both also 1 1/2" above the water with no splash shields which isnt practical because the salt spray would ruin the fixtures pretty quick.

Sunpower
After being on 16 hours straight 375

Retest after doing all the same fixtures using the same 6 lamps was around 350


Tek light

258 after 4 hours

With fan 319

Splash shield and fan 238

Sfigiloi after 4 hours 202. 223 w/ Fan Would probably do a little better with internal fan unit

Aquactinics Constellation 268 w/shield, 289 without shield.

Nova 8x54 174

 

[divewsharks]

What would you approximate the gain in performance for the Constellation with a clean splash shield?

 

[snaza]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14376699#post14376699 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Light was about 1 1/2" above the water, sensor right at 17 inches below the water line.

All these numbers were under the same conditions. The Constellation was checked with a dirty splash shield. The Tek and Sfigiloi were both also 1 1/2" above the water with no splash shields which isnt practical because the salt spray would ruin the fixtures pretty quick.

Sunpower
After being on 16 hours straight 375

Retest after doing all the same fixtures using the same 6 lamps was around 350


Tek light

258 after 4 hours

With fan 319

Splash shield and fan 238

Sfigiloi after 4 hours 202. 223 w/ Fan Would probably do a little better with internal fan unit

Aquactinics Constellation 268 w/shield, 289 without shield.

Nova 8x54 174

Is that tek 6 or 8 bulbs. If its 6 bulbs then the TEK with a fan is great value.

 

[DFason]

I ordered my Sunpower fixture a couple days ago and should be here Tues. I will post pictures when it arrives!

-Dave

 

[MarcB]

Burning out bulbs

Burning out bulbs

The main reason I needed new bulbs was that one of mine burnt out. I figured I would upgrade while I was replacing it.

Here's my issue on that:

When I first got the light, two bulbs went bad fast. Current had be check the bank with known good bulbs, and the good bulbs worked. They replaced the bulbs, but now one of the new bulbs in the same bank that failed before has failed also.

Current said that shipped bulbs have a higher failure rate due to stress issues from shipping. I am concerned about a possible bad ballast or something.

Is it just bad luck? I did not know the think about putting the labels at the same end, can that be it, or should I look for a more serious problem with the fixture itself?

Thanks.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14376757#post14376757 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by divewsharks
What would you approximate the gain in performance for the Constellation with a clean splash shield?

Probably about half way between the 268 and 289. It wasn't really dirty but smeared, if you've ever cleaned acrylic you know what I am talking about.

I also have new fans on the way for the constellation. The ones on it have become very noisy. The people at Aquactinics say that is not normal on their fixtures and after thinking about it when this fixture was new I could hear the air rushing out of the fixture but not the fans so it's possible the fans are not doing the right job, I'll have to do a before and after once the fans arrive.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14376796#post14376796 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by snaza
Is that tek 6 or 8 bulbs. If its 6 bulbs then the TEK with a fan is great value.

Thats a 6 lamp Tek but keep in mind that was with no splash shield an inch and a half above the water. The thing wouldn't last very long running that low to the water. Raising it a few inches is going to bring it back below 300. Still not a bad deal but I like having a splash shield.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Re: Burning out bulbs

Re: Burning out bulbs

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14377087#post14377087 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by MarcB
The main reason I needed new bulbs was that one of mine burnt out. I figured I would upgrade while I was replacing it.

Here's my issue on that:

When I first got the light, two bulbs went bad fast. Current had be check the bank with known good bulbs, and the good bulbs worked. They replaced the bulbs, but now one of the new bulbs in the same bank that failed before has failed also.

Current said that shipped bulbs have a higher failure rate due to stress issues from shipping. I am concerned about a possible bad ballast or something.

Is it just bad luck? I did not know the think about putting the labels at the same end, can that be it, or should I look for a more serious problem with the fixture itself?

Thanks.

In 6 years of running, testing and playing with T5 lamps the only one I ever had fail was a phillips 5100K I smoked when I arced one of the ballast wires. All Lamps are shipped so I am not sure what they are talking about. Breakage is an issue but as far as internal component breaking or becoming damaged to the point of the lamp failing? Dunno.

 

[Flightpipe]

Shameless bump for a confused t5 user. Still working through this whole thread.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14372109#post14372109 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Flightpipe
I have a 8 bulb nova extreme t5ho fixture 48" it has one large reflector. I have this on my 75g I am trying to run lps sps and a couple clams. Right now I have 4-10k's and 4- 460 nm actinic and its about time to look at new bulbs these are about 8 months in.

What would be a good set up for this fixture and my needs?
Where is the best place to buy the bulbs?
There is alot to read in this thread and i am still working on it where can I learn more about these bulbs and lights?

 

[bbl_nk]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14376305#post14376305 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Todd March
Ain't that the cotton pickin' truth, Brian... I am thrilled with my coral colors, but still haven't found a bulb array with my T5's that is perfect for my eyes; with 2 Fijis and 2 Super Actinics, there is a certian chalky actinic violet-pink effect that often bugs me. I tried some new (and old) combinations today, pulling out some bulbs currently in retirementâ€"75/25, Pro Color, 1 more Aquablueâ€"and in the end I went back to my old standby with the Fijis/actinics/Blue+'s. The color's are just too good all around across the board/spectrum. The Fiji's are amazing bulbs for greens, blues, purples and pinks, I really like them, but they are rich, and even with 10 bulbs, 2 are a LOT...! And it'll be a cold day in hell before I give up my Super Actinics...

The puzzle goes on....! Next up for me is to try at least one KZ New Gen 14K, the bluest "white" bulb out there. Hopefully it can help cut some of the actinic chalkiness without too much of the color washout even 1 additional Aquablue in my array gives my tank...

P.S. I'm originally from Los Banos, where my parents still live... Are there good LFS's in Modesto? I know Fresno has a couple...

You are so right about what is good for your eyes. Its a fine balance between what is pleasing to us and how we want our light color overall and what makes the corals look good.

I'm going to look folks with the T5's in the area to be able to discuss and compare and see more of but I figure this set wil get me going through and then over the next 9 mo's or so I can see more T5 in action and start stocking up my "collection."

Let me know how that KZ goes when you get it. I think having a straight 14K would be pretty sweet and would love to see the augmentation effect w/other "specialty" bulbs.

There is an OK LFS here in modesto. Great dry good prices, poor but improving livestock conditions. There is one good one in Stockton (30 in drive) and a great one in Lodi (45 min drive -- well worth the drive). Plus being only 1 1/2 hours from Sacto and Bay Area, there are PLENTY worth the trip to see

PS -- I used to live in San Diego and wonder why I'm up here all teh time LOL...I miss the Ocean

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Originally posted by Flightpipe
I have a 8 bulb nova extreme t5ho fixture 48" it has one large reflector. I have this on my 75g I am trying to run lps sps and a couple clams. Right now I have 4-10k's and 4- 460 nm actinic and its about time to look at new bulbs these are about 8 months in.

What would be a good set up for this fixture and my needs?
Where is the best place to buy the bulbs?
There is alot to read in this thread and i am still working on it where can I learn more about these bulbs and lights?


Do 1 GE 6500K Daylight, 1 UVL Aquasun, 3 ATI Blue Plus and 3 ATI Aquablues.

Place the lamps so all the blue plus and 1 aquablues are on your dusk/dawn circuit.

 

[KJAhp098]

Hey Grim, I have the 48" outer orbit fixture with 2 x 250w pheonix 14k halides and I'm looking to replace the t-5 bulbs that are about 1 1/2 years old. Which 4 bulbs do you recommend? Thanks!

 

[divewsharks]

Where does the KZ Fiji fall as far PAR performance?
Right now, on the Sunpower I'm running:
blue+
aquablue
blue+
aquasun
aquablue
blue+

and looking to experiment.

 

[Doc_B]

I have a 120gal. How are T5's for growing acros?