The T5 Q&a Thread

JohnL · #1 09/28/2006, 08:50 AM

This thread was automatically split due to performance issues. You can find the rest of the thread here: http://archive.reefcentral.com/forum...95#post8237895

The Grim Reefer · #2 09/28/2006, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Abengochea
quick question, I currently have 4x54 tek retro with ice cap reflectors. My bulb combination is 1 uvl super actinic, 1 uvl aquasun, and 2 ati blue+. Now ive played around with bulb combinations and it looks a little too much on the blue side. I was thinking of maybe ordering an ati aquablue special to replace one of the blue+ bulbs. I was wondering if u have seen the aquablues and if they are really blue or not. I dont want to add another aquasun since they have a pinkish cast to it and I like the tank being a little blue but not this much. what do u think?

The ATI Aquablue is white with a blue hue to it. To me the Geisemann Aquablue looks a little more white. There is also a UVL Actinic White that is also a 50/50 lamp that looks a tad pink too. I would maybe try one of the Aquablues in your case, If you are looking for a little whitter color either will do what you want. DON"T TRY ANOTHER AQUASUN, that would probably not be a good loos with a blueplus and SA.

horkn · #3 09/28/2006, 08:54 AM

Re: avatar

quote:Originally posted by Robert Patterso
" hey grim I know this is off topic but where do you guys find these avatars and how do you copy them to your profile. "

mine is pic of me and my Gf heading back to the trailer park after a shopping spree at walmart. Apparently you cant take the shopping carts home, or you get caught on chopper 4's camera.

Robert Patterso · #4 09/28/2006, 08:58 AM

[QUOTE]Originally posted by horkn
Re: avatar

quote:Originally posted by Robert Patterso
" hey grim I know this is off topic but where do you guys find these avatars and how do you copy them to your profile. "

mine is pic of me and my Gf heading back to the trailer park after a shopping spree at walmart. Apparently you cant take the shopping carts home, or you get caught on chopper 4's camera.

[/QUOTE

good one horkin

horkn · #5 09/28/2006, 09:20 AM

thanks.

i had to re post it on this split because the old thread got closed.. again...

see, it was worth my time to copy and paste it from the old thread

The Grim Reefer · #6 09/28/2006, 09:23 AM

WHat is this, 4 splits now? I went back to the original thread a couple weeks ago. I DID NOT EVEN START THIS BEAST!!! The originator hasn't posted in here since the first week or so

sarduci · #7 09/28/2006, 10:51 AM

He knew when to get out before the insanity started... =?)

*sigh*

Fish tanks got pushed back on delivery for some reason

Retro got pushed back on delivery for my stupidity

But, I do have several bulbs sitting in my basement.... Guess it's time to kick back, relax, and let the shipping companies do their thing.....

Bill Z · #8 09/28/2006, 02:22 PM

hay Grim I just got a 4x54 retro with the icecap reflectors. I have a 72 gal bow front.

can you arrange my bulbs for me?
front
Super Actinic--UVL
Aquablue------ATI
Aquablue------ATI
Blue Plus------ATI
back

and which ones should be duskdawn?

thanks

The Grim Reefer · #9 09/28/2006, 02:25 PM

Just how ya got it. Use the BP and SA for dusk/dawn

The Grim Reefer · #10 09/28/2006, 03:19 PM

Badpacket

The Helios endcaps don't mount. You need to mount the reflector so the lamp clips on the reflector hold the lamp.

Amphiprion · #11 09/28/2006, 04:32 PM

Hey Grim, did you ever get any data on overdriven lamps on icecap ballasts (with icecap reflectors)?

sarduci · #12 09/28/2006, 05:40 PM

What data are you looking for and for what size lamps?

The Grim Reefer · #13 09/28/2006, 06:21 PM

4 54 watt lamps are 35% brighter using like 29% more power using a 660 ballast. The PAR from a 4 lamp Ice Cap system was 183 at the shallow sandbed of a 23.5 tall 125

The Grim Reefer · #14 09/28/2006, 06:21 PM

4 54 watt lamps are 35% brighter using like 29% more power using a 660 ballast. The PAR from a 4 lamp Ice Cap system was 183 at the shallow sandbed of a 23.5 tall 125

cwal · #15 09/28/2006, 06:25 PM

Grim,

I bought a Aquactinics 36" 5 bulb fixture for my 58 gallon tank, the bulbs i got are as follows:

Front
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Aquasun
UVL Super Actinic
ATI Aquablue
Giesemann Actinic Plus (Reef Geeks was only had one ATI Blue Plus)

Currently I just have live rock in the tank, and it has a blue and kind of wash out color to it. the various color algae doesnt stand out. If I turn off the blue lights it looks better. If I wanted a more white look, which bulbs would you change and to what?

Thanks

Robert Patterso · #16 09/28/2006, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by The Grim Reefer
4 54 watt lamps are 35% brighter using like 29% more power using a 660 ballast. The PAR from a 4 lamp Ice Cap system was 183 at the shallow sandbed of a 23.5 tall 125

Grim, do you know what that would be say compared to a 250w 10k or 14k mh in lumenarc at the same depth? Or how many t5hos would it take to match the 250.

The Grim Reefer · #17 09/28/2006, 07:14 PM

Don't know about the Lumenarc on that particular tank.

Rayist or something like that (I can't keep all the screen names straight) did a reading over a 75 which is 20" tall I think. A 175 watt Iwasaki 15K (which has the PAR output of a 250 watt Phoenix lamp) pulled off 310 at the sand running in a Lumen Max.

hahnmeister · #18 09/28/2006, 11:38 PM

Grim, I cant remember where I saw it, but you were talking with someone about how the ATI fixtures had higher output because of better cooling (fans). What kind of numbers were there for improvement? Im considering active cooling for my Tek in that case...

The Grim Reefer · #19 09/28/2006, 11:44 PM

With the splash sheild in place PAR dropped from 160 or so down to 89.

My 5 lamp system in a very open canopy increased from like 130 up to 164 with a fan blowing on it. I would spect the Tek to be somewhere between the two.

horkn · #20 09/29/2006, 08:47 AM

hahn, the thread is called (((important t5ho info)))) or something like that.. by TGR

revclyburn · #21 09/29/2006, 08:57 AM

Horkn,

did the shopping cart ever get back to Walmart?

rev

flinster · #22 09/29/2006, 10:34 AM

I just recieced my TEK 6 light, 48" t5. I didn't get an acrylic shield by mistake. Can I get some acrylic from HD? What size will I need? Thanks!!

sarduci · #23 09/29/2006, 10:59 AM

Tempered glass might be a better choice for a splash guard.

horkn · #24 09/29/2006, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by revclyburn
Horkn,

did the shopping cart ever get back to Walmart?

rev

nope, I went down a street with a lot of tall trees that blocked the cameras from the helicopter, and we got away.

I then was able to hide it under my trailer home.

I might use it for my baby stroller.

LOL

Divetime · #25 09/29/2006, 01:29 PM

Are acrylic shields or tempered glass recommended for use with a T5 retrofit system? I don't have one currently but won't to make sure I have everything taken care of when I do upgrade. I was just planning on mounting it in my existing canopy & plugging it in.