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#51
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#52
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Grim tells it like it is. Last year the SEC was the strongest conference but overrated. This year they were just overrated. |
#53
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that sounds like a pretty good idea, when i have some time this week ill look into "hot rodding" the fixture as you put it Grim. id really like to get the most out of this fixture, at least get it to a more respectable level so maybe people will stop bashing them
it would be nice to put out some PAR number very close to a TEK light with the same bulb config.
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-Lewis |
#54
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also Grim, someone had suggested to me to use UVL super actinic bulbs when i upgrade. it wasnt a bulb that you recommended to me. whats your opinion on this bulb?
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-Lewis |
#55
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#56
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thanks DarG. im going to have to do some more reading up on T5 bulbs so i can get a better grasp of what theyre actually giving me. i thought the super actinic was a really "blue" bulb. im not sure if this is the right description, but ive seen some tanks that have a really blue look to them and i dont like it much. i prefer a crisp white with a blue tint to it. im not sure but i think this may be in the 14000K range?? i really have on other way to explain it than comparing the look to those xenon headlamps in newer model vehicles.
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-Lewis |
#57
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The pure actinic or super actinic bulbs are more of a purplish bulb than a blue. The ATI blue Plus, Giesemann actinic plus are blue bulbs. The Current USA bulbs that came with your fixture are probably the Current 460nm which they call or used to call "actinic" but they are actually blue. Current does have a 'true" actinic 420nm bulb as well. The blue bulbs have higher par than the actinic purple bulbs.
The ATI Aquablue bulbs are white with a slight blue tint. They are probably 11000K or 12000K. The next bluer bulb gets really blue like the blue plus. The only way anyone really gets to a color that they really like is by buying some of each of the bulbs and experimenting. But starting off with something that Grim recommends you cant go wrong. Then you can tweak from there if you want to adjust the color some. |
#58
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thanks for explaining that DarG, the whole T5 bulb thing makes more sense now. i wasnt sure of the colorations of the different bulbs. youre probably right that im just going to have to go with a good recommendation to start and then experiment from there until i find something i like and that works well. i just wanted to have a good idea of where i should be heading and what bulbs to look at.
thanks to both you and Grim for helping me learn so much about T5 lighting. ill definately be giving props to you guys once i get my tank running.
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-Lewis |
#59
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btw, i also have a build thread here
http://archive.reefcentral.com/forum...readid=1269511 i would appreciate any advice or tips you have for me as my build comes along as well. its nice to have someone of your and Grim's expertise tagging along and helping me out.
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-Lewis |
#60
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I don't think people are bashing them as much pointing out they shouldn't be considered in the same class as the Teks and such until current decides to use the right material in the reflectors at least. It's amazing how people think they can spend 150 bux for an E-bay fixture and have it perform like a 400 dollar fixture. Nothing wrong with the Novas for a tank that is less than 18" tall, over 18 inches and you got to be careful what you put lower down in the tank.
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Grim tells it like it is. Last year the SEC was the strongest conference but overrated. This year they were just overrated. |
#61
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#62
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"current decides to use the right material in the reflectors at least."
What is current using to make the reflectors from ? |
#63
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Grim you got a pm.
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#64
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Grim tells it like it is. Last year the SEC was the strongest conference but overrated. This year they were just overrated. |
#65
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Grim tells it like it is. Last year the SEC was the strongest conference but overrated. This year they were just overrated. |
#66
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And while reflectors may be more complicated, what Current did was better but not an honest attempt at good. You cant tell me that they cant have some company design them effective T5 reflectors. The problem is that they would have to change the housing to implement them. It's not that either comapny can't, they dont. And why should they, they are selling fixtures out the ears. Just about every LFS and every website sells Current. And most casual reefers think that TEK is the best you can buy. |
#67
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They could easily change the reflector material, material cost is the sticking point. The Tek fixture is also made with a stamped reflector, its just a better design and material.
For Tek to deal with the cooling issue within the fixture is a little harder because there really isn't room for fans. What they should do is put their name on some of those external fan arrays and either make them an option or include them with the fixtures.
__________________
Grim tells it like it is. Last year the SEC was the strongest conference but overrated. This year they were just overrated. |
#68
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Ok I have worked out with Grim to have this fixture tested. I am sending him my 48" fixture the same day I get it. I am really interested in seeing the numbers that these fixtures can put out. He is gonna test the stock bulbs then put in the bulbs of his choice and see what the difference is. Then the we all will just the just have the facts. Hope this will help everybody thinking about buying this light or another T-5 fixture.
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#69
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Kudos to Mo for ponying up the use of a brand new fixture, taking a shot for the team. Once this weather breaks offers of some frags or something for him wouldn't be out of line considering he's eating the shipping for this. I have some deluxe bubble algae I could send
__________________
Grim tells it like it is. Last year the SEC was the strongest conference but overrated. This year they were just overrated. |
#70
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Thats awesome that moprint is going to send you his fixture for testing. im really interested in getting some hard numbers. the funny thing is about a month ago i started a thread looking for someone who was willing to do some testing for me and i was going to loan them my light for a while since i wasnt using it abytime soon. i posted in the lighting forum as well as my regional forum but got no responses. i didnt plan on shipping the light to just anyone but if i knew you were willing to do this grim, i would have gladly shipped it to you. ill see if i cant dig up that thread later. i havent checked it in a good while. maybe after i do some cooling modifications down the road you could test mine and see if theres any significant difference.
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-Lewis |
#71
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i cant use the search right now but i believe the title of the thread was ''willing to loan out new light fixture for PAR testing''
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-Lewis |
#72
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Yeah, I am willing to test about anything, especially single malt scotch
I get so tied up in this thread I really don't browse the forum much anymore.
__________________
Grim tells it like it is. Last year the SEC was the strongest conference but overrated. This year they were just overrated. |
#73
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scotchy scotch scotch...here it goes down...down into my belly
you better be careful. if you spend too much time on this thread everyone over on the T5 Q&A thread will br freaking out thinkin you fell of the face of the earth.
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-Lewis |
#74
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so whats the news on the T5 test between the nova and the TEK??? I cant wait for the results, this will decide the decision for my lighting scenario. Will the 36" nova pro work on and 18" wide tank?
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#75
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im guessing the Nova and TEk will be very similar in performance, and the nova is about $150 cheaper. still waiting to see actual numbers though. i have my Nova over my 30g and it is 12" wide. theres definately enough light to go around. i dont think youll have any problems with an 18" wide tank. i would imagine that most everything youll want to keep under the light will at least be an inch or two away from the front and back glass, making your "living creature space" in the 14"-16" range.
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-Lewis |
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