Want to get T5 light

[drperetz]

Russ, Ronen, thanx for you exact explanation of t5 light fixtures and their advetage over pcz. I finally got it through my thick head that if spend ,more $$$ on t5 i will get my $$$ worth by getting more output from the t5 wattage cause they fit more lights into the fixture. Now can some 1 sugest a fixture because i found 1 on ebay dont have the link( i am at work with a crazy firewall) for about $320 with 39watt X 8 lamps. now what i am thinking is that will it be too much for my skinny tank or there is never too much light?They also sell 39watt X 6 lamps for about 250 + fees, fees fees.
I laso have a problem cause the fixture is for hanging purposes only and the legs are about $50- $70 on ebay. Is there a do it ur self thread about how to make your own legs for the t5 fixtures?
Thanx for your time!!!

 

[aaron23]

dont buy fixtures on ebay.

 

[drperetz]

???

dont buy fixtures on ebay.

y not??

 

[joseney21]

they tend to be cheap. not the best materials, ballasts, bulbs or reflectors, all of which are pretty important for that type of lighting.

you end up spending more changing out the cheap bulbs and reflectors for good ones than what you would've spent buying a top of the line fixture...

just my take on it

 

[drperetz]

can some 1 advise

Can some 1 advise me a fixture that contains close to the best products and will benifit me the longest time....:scratchch

 

[Dmitry]

I found this web-site to be really great for T5s. I got mine (48'') from there; great prices and the shipping, for some reason, came out to something like $4.00. Not sure if that was a mistake or what.... But they were also very helpful when I had questions about the fixture once I got it.

www.seedsetc.com

 

[drperetz]

.... good site

Thanx dude really cool site.

 

[Quang]

Here's a thread from before about T-5s. Might contain some answers for questions you have already or will have in the future. Key to T-5, which Russ (masterswimmer) can testify, is having individual parabolic reflectors for each bulb. Bulb color and such is up to you.

http://www.manhattanreefs.com/forum...ourescent-lighting-thread.html?highlight=t-5s

 

[DEEPWATER]

I found this web-site to be really great for T5s. I got mine (48'') from there; great prices and the shipping, for some reason, came out to something like $4.00. Not sure if that was a mistake or what.... But they were also very helpful when I had questions about the fixture once I got it.

www.seedsetc.com

I can match and beat any of his prices :usa1:

 

[fritz]

If you're going to use T5s you should use an Icecap ballast and individual Icecap reflectors for each bulb. Also you want to use the GE starcoat mixed with some Geisman bulbs to ballance out how yellow the GE 6,500 k bulb is.

Most of the data that I've seen (PAR wise) was tested with overdriven bulbs (on an icecap ballast) and also using the icecap reflector. I don't know if the SLR reflector (I think that's what TEK uses) is the same I haven't seen them.

Lots of people get their T5 fixtures from www.reefgeek.com I got mine from www.diyreef.com they were very inexpensive and I mounted the endcaps to 1x3s from Home depot. You can make a box out of 1x6 and then nail the 1x3s to the top. This will give you a very inexpensive but good looking canopy. Plus by spacing the 1x3s out you'll allow the heat to disipate wich is SUPER IMPORTANT when using T5s.

The Grim Reefer and a few others have some EXTENSIVE info on T5s over on reefcentral.com and again all the data that they show is using a GE starcoat on an Icecap with an Icecap reflector. With that combination you get more par per watt then you do with Metal Halide. An icecap 660 running 4 54 Watt T5s (according to Grim) runs at about 303 Watts. The Par at 21 inches under that setup was better then with 250 watt MH bulbs. (I know it sounds like crazy talk) I have seen some other PAR readings using the Geisman Actinic Plus which puts out a very white light and also has very good par.

When people talk about T5 the above is what they mean, not a Nova fixture. I've also heard that Tek lights are the "true" T5s but I haven't seen any actual Par testing done with a Tek fixture. From what I understand they are fantastic fixtures but I haven't seen any data on what kind of Par they put out. You should keep that in mind when shopping for a T5 fixture (especially on e-bay). They are not all created alike. Most people like:
1 GE Starcoat 6,500 k
2 Geisman Actinic Plus 11,000 k
1 Geisman True Actinc (not even close to "true" but that's what they call it, PAR on this one sucks and it's just to balance color)

I personally find the above combo to be a little too blue. Tonight I'm going to try:
2 GE Starcoats
1 Actinic Plus
1 True Actinic

I'll let you know how it goes.

Oh i found a link showing the Par using different ballasts http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=724967&highlight=reflector

 

[Reefer420]

What size are you looking for? I have a 24" Sunlight Supply Teklight fixture I might be selling at some point soon...

 

[joseney21]

I found this web-site to be really great for T5s. I got mine (48'') from there; great prices and the shipping, for some reason, came out to something like $4.00.
www.seedsetc.com

remember though, these prices are without bulbs. bulbs run from $20-$30 EACH

 

[masterswimmer]

drperetz, nice talking to you tonight.

I think you're up to speed on my thoughts about T5's.

Russ

 

[fritz]

What are your thoughts?
(GE Starcoat bulbs are about $12 each)

 

[masterswimmer]

What are your thoughts?
(GE Starcoat bulbs are about $12 each)

I received 6 - 6500k bulbs with my TEK light. I wound up getting rid of all of them. I used one in my configuration and it was too yellow.

I now use all 6 D & D brand bulbs.
Two each of the following:
- Actinic +
- Aqua Blue +
- Pure Actinic

I played with many combinations over the course of 2+ years running this tank. This is the one that finally met MY approval. Everyones taste will vary regarding lighting. I prefer the bluer end. I get good growth and good color.

swimmer

 

[fritz]

I prefer the bluer end. I get good growth and good color.

swimmer

Nice, I thought that the bluer end would sacrafice growth. Good to know. I haven't seen D&D brand bulbs. The Geisman Aquablue Plus are nice. They produce a bright white light with a blue tint (11,000 k they claim). The Par is supposed to be the same as the daylight bulbs.

 

[masterswimmer]

D & D previously known as ATI.

The D & D aquablue + is also a 60/40 bulb (60% 11K & 40% actinic)

swimmer

 

[drperetz]

Thanx every 1!:fish: