The T5 Q&a Thread

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14987510#post14987510 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by corywilson
grim are you saying that the 4 overdriven and 4 standard is what you would recommend? also it looks like you are suggesting putting the 4 overdriven bulbs at the rear of the tank rather than in the middle, is this for any particular reason?

Place the overdriven set above wherever you are placing the high light stuff

 

[snaza]

Hey Grim,

I'm sure you've answered this before, so sorry, but what was the difference in PAR between the powermodul and sunpower? still cant decide if i should get 10bulb PM or 2 x 6bulb SP for my 60x32x20

cheers

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14987621#post14987621 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by snaza
Hey Grim,

I'm sure you've answered this before, so sorry, but what was the difference in PAR between the powermodul and sunpower? still cant decide if i should get 10bulb PM or 2 x 6bulb SP for my 60x32x20

cheers

They are going to be close in output. Really comes down to which one you like the look of better.

 

[cashman95]

Grim, this has probably been answered before, but I have a 5 day old newborn at home so going back and searching is not an option right now!!!!

Question: I want to supplement my Radium 250 with 2 t-5's, what do you think of the UVL Super Actinic bulbs? Would ATI's Blue + be a better choice?

I am looking for color and POP, however the Radiums are pretty blue already......

Thanks

 

[vangoghfish]

grim, can you give me any feedback on the 72" T5 HO 8 Lamp 6 Lunar Light System by Aquatic Life? Or anyone else?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14988030#post14988030 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by cashman95
Grim, this has probably been answered before, but I have a 5 day old newborn at home so going back and searching is not an option right now!!!!

Question: I want to supplement my Radium 250 with 2 t-5's, what do you think of the UVL Super Actinic bulbs? Would ATI's Blue + be a better choice?

I am looking for color and POP, however the Radiums are pretty blue already......

Thanks

Combination of super actinic and blue plus would be good.

 

[jasonkola]

Grim have you done any par testing of individual light reflectors to see which ones perform better? I have heard the icecap is one of the best but there are other good ones out there possibly better.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14988257#post14988257 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by vangoghfish
grim, can you give me any feedback on the 72" T5 HO 8 Lamp 6 Lunar Light System by Aquatic Life? Or anyone else?

Nothing on my end.

 

[Postal]

I have a great deal on getting some of the new Icepcap T5 bulbs. SO if you could only choose from their bulbs and could pick 4 to run off a 660 with individual reflectors, what would your bulb choice and order be? This will be on a 75g tank with mostly zoas and LPS with a few of the hardier SPS towards the top.

Thanks.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I am not aware of T5 lamps made by Ice Cap. Reflectors and ballasts etc. yes but not lamps. I would assume if they are putting their name on lamps they will be good.

 

[Postal]

They are going to be made by UVL using the same phosphors but with a stronger filament meant to be overdriven on their ballasts.

They will have 5 bulbs in 2, 3 and 4 ft sizes. The types are Reef Crest 10k, Midwater 12K, Deepwater 14K, Actinic 420nm, and Twilight 460nm.

Any thoughts on a combo of 4 bulbs from that list?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14988483#post14988483 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Postal
They are going to be made by UVL using the same phosphors but with a stronger filament meant to be overdriven on their ballasts.

They will have 5 bulbs in 2, 3 and 4 ft sizes. The types are Reef Crest 10k, Midwater 12K, Deepwater 14K, Actinic 420nm, and Twilight 460nm.

Any thoughts on a combo of 4 bulbs from that list?

Honestly without seeing them I would be guessing. The UVL lamps already supposedly were designed to hold up better to overdriving.

I Hope they are bringing out new versions of their lamps rather than rebranding the current UVL lamps.

 

[vangoghfish]

Adivce, or which fixture would be better, more reliable, and much of a difference, if I wanted to eventually go sps:
72" T5 HO 8 Lamp 6 Lunar Light System by Aquatic Life(( 8 x 39 Watt plus Lunar LED's, built in digital timer for dusk and dawn)
VS.
Nova Extreme Pro T5HO By Current USA with 12 bulbs( 12 x 39 Watt)

 

[60Cubed]

I have a standard wodd canopy except the sides are doors. Would I be able to mount 4 muffin fans blowing from the top straight down onto the bulbs and it be enough cooling for the T-5's?
Here is my canopy:

[/IMG]

Thanks in advance....... Lance

 

[cobra2326]

Will a sunpower put out more light than a comparable T5 HO (not VHO) retro from reefgeek? If so, why? Are they overdriven? Better reflectors (doesn't seem likely)? Possibly better cooling (can be resolved with proper cooling of the retro)?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14989293#post14989293 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by vangoghfish
Adivce, or which fixture would be better, more reliable, and much of a difference, if I wanted to eventually go sps:
72" T5 HO 8 Lamp 6 Lunar Light System by Aquatic Life(( 8 x 39 Watt plus Lunar LED's, built in digital timer for dusk and dawn)
VS.
Nova Extreme Pro T5HO By Current USA with 12 bulbs( 12 x 39 Watt)

If you want more than just a couple SPS on top of the rock the Aquactinics constellation.

Between those 2 I would go with the Nova.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14989608#post14989608 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 60Cubed
I have a standard wodd canopy except the sides are doors. Would I be able to mount 4 muffin fans blowing from the top straight down onto the bulbs and it be enough cooling for the T-5's?
Here is my canopy:

[/IMG]

Thanks in advance....... Lance

Place the fans so the are blowing down on the lamp ends and it should be fine.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14989978#post14989978 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by cobra2326
Will a sunpower put out more light than a comparable T5 HO (not VHO) retro from reefgeek? If so, why? Are they overdriven? Better reflectors (doesn't seem likely)? Possibly better cooling (can be resolved with proper cooling of the retro)?

Better reflectors and more precise cooling. Typically they do out perform a retro but part of that is the cooling scheme incorporates a splash shield so they can be place closer to the water than a retro.

 

[cobra2326]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14990488#post14990488 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Better reflectors and more precise cooling. Typically they do out perform a retro but part of that is the cooling scheme incorporates a splash shield so they can be place closer to the water than a retro.

Even better than the icecap SLRS? There isn't much I can do about that, but with correct cooling I should be able to get close.

In my research I've come across suggestions that different bulbs have different cooling needs. Most of what I've read suggests that cooling the bulb at the "label" (where the brand is stamped on the bulb?) is the best bet and that you should blow across the endcaps, not the length of the bulb. Is the different bulb claim true? What is the idea temp of the bulb that I should be aiming for?

 

[cobra2326]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14990488#post14990488 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
Better reflectors and more precise cooling. Typically they do out perform a retro but part of that is the cooling scheme incorporates a splash shield so they can be place closer to the water than a retro.

Even better than the icecap SLRS? There isn't much I can do about that, but with correct cooling I should be able to get close.

In my research I've come across suggestions that different bulbs have different cooling needs. Most of what I've read suggests that cooling the bulb at the "label" (where the brand is stamped on the bulb?) is the best bet and that you should blow across the endcaps, not the length of the bulb. Is the different bulb claim true? What is the idea temp of the bulb that I should be aiming for?