The T5 Q&a Thread - Page 10

MSHUR · #**226** 10/12/2006, 01:37 PM

Guys,
I just got 3000k bulb from Reefgeek.com...$15...
I am going to install later today....

mike

BigEasy · #**227** 10/12/2006, 02:41 PM

Grim or those using the 3k bulbs:

1. How about a pic (before & after if possible)? Read the guy's blog you posted earlier, but he has not posted results after a few months use.
2. What are the other bulbs you are using? I saw a post a while back you have one in a 5 bulbs set up, Grim.
3. How long have you had the 3k in?
4. What are your thoughts on them?
5. Are they HO bulbs?

Steve

The Grim Reefer · #**228** 10/12/2006, 03:00 PM

My tank is a baby so it would be a bad example. I have a friend I will see about doing some shots on his. Also trying out a 5000K which is what I am running right now. This Phillips 5000K has that off white look the old GE daylight did.

reefman23 · #**229** 10/12/2006, 11:41 PM

Hey grim... what is the best way to ground a t5 ballast? The retro came with a power cord wth a ground wire.... I just attached the ground wire to the ballast case... is this right???

Jesse

The Grim Reefer · #**230** 10/13/2006, 12:50 AM

That is fine.

loweryster · #**231** 10/13/2006, 08:34 AM

Anyone know about the new 5000k Day bulb Greg over at RG is testing??? He claims it should have more output than the UVL day bulb.

R33f3r · #**232** 10/13/2006, 09:29 AM

Grim should have us some data on that 5k bulb.

Grim, which bulb really pops pinks, purples, oranges, and yellows best?

the 3k, 5k, 6k midday or aquasun? Thanks bro.

The Grim Reefer · #**233** 10/13/2006, 12:29 PM

3000K pop them really well. I;ll have PAR readings on the 5000K lamp today. It looks a lot like the old GE PAR monstor lamp did, slightly yellowish. A friend is running a 3000K lamp with an aquablue, 2 UVL Super actinics and 2 Blueplus. He swapped out the auqblue for the 5000K phillips lamp and loves the look so far.

My mix is 1 ATI Aquablue, 1 UVL Super Actinic, 1 Helios Super Blue, 1 ATI Blue Plus and the Phillips 5000K. It looks bright as hell with a slight blue tint. I'll post PAR on the lamp in a bit.

hahnmeister · #**234** 10/13/2006, 01:11 PM

Grim, do you have an opinion on these CoralVue HO units that Custom Aquaic is selling...???

Maybe you can help this guy here: http://archive.reefcentral.com/forum...67#post8334067

Hes wondering if the CoralVue twin bulb units are good, or if the retrofit from Geek is a better idea.

siskiou · #**235** 10/13/2006, 01:20 PM

I'm seeing quite a bit about T5s slowly bleaching coral colors.
Is it possible to avoid this by having the lights further away from the water surface?

Also, what bulbs would be good for a 120G (mixed softies, lps, sps) with an 8lamp Tek fixture?
I currently have 2 sctinic plus, one GE daylight, one 10k pci that I had in my previous 4 lamp fixture.
What should I add to achieve a nice whitish (leaning toward blue) look without overwhelming the corals with brightness?

The Grim Reefer · #**236** 10/13/2006, 01:48 PM

Siskiou

I would add a couple of UVL Super Actinics, 1 UVL Aquasun and a ATI Blue Plus.

siskiou · #**237** 10/13/2006, 01:56 PM

Thanks!

If I group the Super actinics and the actinic pluses on the outsides (one of each in the front and back slots), would this be a good choice for the dusk/dawn cycle?
And then have the GE daylight, Aquasun, 10k and Blue plus in the middle?

exoticaquatix · #**238** 10/13/2006, 02:14 PM

i just bought 2 2x54 watt quicktronic ballasts off ebay and i think i have a problem. the model number is QT 2x54/277PHO which obviously means they are 277 V input. can i even wire these on residential power? i know all the outlets in my apartment is 120 V but i think i might be moving into a house before i get my 120 set up. will i be able to use these or do i need to sell them and just buy a retro instead of trying to get things piece by piece on the cheap? i just got excited cause i got a deal on them and didnt do quite enough research. bonehead move, i know.

-nick

R33f3r · #**239** 10/13/2006, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by siskiou
I'm seeing quite a bit about T5s slowly bleaching coral colors.
Is it possible to avoid this by having the lights further away from the water surface?

Yes, I run mine about 3-4 inches off the water and I have a bb tank and some corals have still bleached. I just run shorter photo period times (8 hrs).

banditfl · #**240** 10/13/2006, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by exoticaquatix
i just bought 2 2x54 watt quicktronic ballasts off ebay and i think i have a problem. the model number is QT 2x54/277PHO which obviously means they are 277 V input. can i even wire these on residential power? i know all the outlets in my apartment is 120 V but i think i might be moving into a house before i get my 120 set up. will i be able to use these or do i need to sell them and just buy a retro instead of trying to get things piece by piece on the cheap? i just got excited cause i got a deal on them and didnt do quite enough research. bonehead move, i know.
-nick

There is no way to operate these ballasts on residential power. the best you can get on residential is 240v (what the dryer and AC use).

loweryster · #**241** 10/13/2006, 03:22 PM

And wouldn't a dryer be 3 phase?? I'm sure that ballast only has one hot leg (277v). Who makes the ballast, quicktronic??

edit found it ,Sylvania

try these guys
http://www.atlantalightbulbs.com/

I just bought 2 T5 ballast from them @ $40 each

DrBDC · #**242** 10/13/2006, 04:57 PM

Many 240 items are listed at other voltages. When I installed my xray machine due to calibration of output legal issues, we had to determine the actual line voltage and it came out 240something. Then according to that, I had to have a certain voltage regulator/transformer unit to match.

It only mattered in operation due to the output not whether it would physically work or not. In a lighting application it wouldn't be as critical. i.e. many 250 watt ballasts will put out around 300-350 watts.

banditfl · #**243** 10/13/2006, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by loweryster
And wouldn't a dryer be 3 phase?? I'm sure that ballast only has one hot leg (277v).

277v comes from connecting phase of 480v 3 phase and neutral. 480 3 phase in only available to Commercial Buildings.

loweryster · #**244** 10/13/2006, 07:34 PM

Thanks for clarifying that for me, phase wasn't the correct word. So I guess this ballast would be useless, unless like you said it was used in a commercial environment with 480v.

The Grim Reefer · #**245** 10/13/2006, 08:32 PM

Should be good

Quote:

Originally posted by siskiou
Thanks!

If I group the Super actinics and the actinic pluses on the outsides (one of each in the front and back slots), would this be a good choice for the dusk/dawn cycle?
And then have the GE daylight, Aquasun, 10k and Blue plus in the middle?

mcclandy · #**246** 10/14/2006, 04:00 PM

this question is probably a change of pace.... but i am wondering about arrangement of my T5's. I have a 29 gallon aquarium (29") long. I also have 4 24w T5 bulbs to mount in the hood. I was wondering if i should stack them in a column in the middle, or offset each lamp from the outmost edges so there is coverage all the way to the edges? Know what i mean..... ? or should i stagger them just a couple inches in the middle so i can achieve maximum light in the middle of the tank without neglecting the right and left sides of the tank.

I am using the following bulbs: DD aquablue+, DD pure actinic, DD actinic+, and GE 6500 starcoat. Any suggestions for lamp arrangement while i am at it?

The Grim Reefer · #**247** 10/14/2006, 04:05 PM

I wouldnt bother staggering them. You will have good coverage.

Front
Actinic Plus
Pure Actinic
GE
Aquablue

Good place to start

mcclandy · #**248** 10/14/2006, 04:10 PM

Thanks for your time Grim

ambaratur · #**249** 10/14/2006, 05:24 PM

Hey Mr. Reefer...

I am about to buy a couple IceCap retro T5 kits from ReefGeek. I want to get 5 bulbs total and was thinking of the following configurations:

(the black bars represent the braces in my 125 gallon tank)

I was thinking I would go with the staggered configuration.
Do you think this setup will be too blue?

Thanks for your input

Amb

hahnmeister · #**250** 10/14/2006, 11:20 PM

Thats fine, should give you a 12,000K look. You could even swap one of the aquablues for another 6500K if you want more light.