T5's question

SupaJSK · 08/02/2006, 11:45 PM

Are all t5 kits the same? I see a big price difference between the ones sold on like marinedepot and some of the ones I find one ebay. Is the basic light output the same (assuming the same K ratings)?

Like these...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...MEWA%3AIT&rd=1

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...MEWA%3AIT&rd=1

Thanks

gamer · 08/03/2006, 12:42 AM

imo, jebo = cheap crapola

reefgeek offers nice retrofits. -)

The Grim Reefer · 08/03/2006, 05:34 AM

The second one is slightly less worthless than the first. Stick with good systems. Ice Cap and Tek retros are the best. Current has a new nova retro out with individual reflectors. Individual relfectors for each lamp is very important.

jimsha · 08/03/2006, 06:42 AM

Hey Grim....whats your opinion on the Nova Retro? I just bought 3 sets of the 2x54 for my 90 AGA 48x18x24.

The Grim Reefer · 08/03/2006, 06:46 AM

Dunno, haven't ran one but they look OK. Current's blue lamp is pretty decent as far as looks and output but the daylight isnt impressive.

jimsha · 08/03/2006, 06:49 AM

The daylight that came with the one I bought is a 10,0000k.

The Grim Reefer · 08/03/2006, 06:54 AM

Yeah, they look a little dingey and dont really produce a lot of PAR compared to other daylight lamps. They are much closer to a GE6500 in looks than say an Aquablue or some of the other "white" lamps/

jimsha · 08/03/2006, 06:56 AM

Any suggestions on what to change the light out for?

blackie lawless · 08/03/2006, 07:03 AM

When it comes to T5's, stick to the good stuff. Like Grim said, individual reflectors are key!

Good Luck

The Grim Reefer · 08/03/2006, 07:07 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by jimsha
Any suggestions on what to change the light out for?

If you are running 6 lamps I assume 3 are blue. I would add a UVL Actinic White and a ATI aquablue to the 3 blues and one 10K lamp that came with it. Swapping out a blue with a UVL Super Actinic would be a good move to. If you decide you want a little more blue look you could ditch the last 10K instead.

jimsha · 08/03/2006, 07:10 AM

Thanks Grim...do you know of anyone who sells these bulbs at a good price?

The Grim Reefer · 08/03/2006, 07:23 AM

Reefgeek usually has the best prices. You can also check www.seedetc.com but I am not sure if they have UVL lamps yet.

jimsha · 08/03/2006, 07:26 AM

Thank you.

THEMANTISMAN · 08/04/2006, 07:33 PM

http://cgi.ebay.com/T5-HO-8-X-80-wat...QQcmdZViewItem
what about this light, it has the work horse ballast and individual reflectors, what do you think about this one Grim?

The Grim Reefer · 08/04/2006, 07:54 PM

Crap. The reflectors are not even close to decent. The build quality looks to be shoddy based on the sloppy mounting of the endcaps.

LSOC · 08/04/2006, 08:51 PM

Grim, what T-5 setup would you use for a 210 (72x24x30)? I was also thinking about those ebay ones, nobody makes a 6ft fixture? what bulb mix would you go with?

The Grim Reefer · 08/04/2006, 09:28 PM

www.aquactinics.com The make a good 72" T5 hood.

nemo g · 08/04/2006, 09:54 PM

from the pics ive seen, it looks like the nova extreme retro's reflectors are just another version of a pc reflector, with the same shape, nothing like a decently designed t5 reflector.

can anyone confirm or refute this?

LSOC · 08/04/2006, 10:59 PM

what about the aqua medic fixture that has 16 39watt t-5's, same price and the bulbs are included

The Grim Reefer · 08/05/2006, 07:24 AM

Havent seen the aquamedic fixtures but there lamps are not supposed to be the greatest. If the fixture has good reflectors it would be worth a look.

08/02/2006, 11:45 PM	#1
SupaJSK Registered Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 286	T5's question Are all t5 kits the same? I see a big price difference between the ones sold on like marinedepot and some of the ones I find one ebay. Is the basic light output the same (assuming the same K ratings)? Like these... http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...MEWA%3AIT&rd=1 http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...MEWA%3AIT&rd=1 Thanks

08/03/2006, 05:34 AM	#3
The Grim Reefer Ready for some NOBALL!!! Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Kingman Az Posts: 25,259	The second one is slightly less worthless than the first. Stick with good systems. Ice Cap and Tek retros are the best. Current has a new nova retro out with individual reflectors. Individual relfectors for each lamp is very important. __________________ America, the way it outta be! Current Tank Info: 120 Starphire with Illudium Q-288 Photon Regurgitator DIY LED lighting

08/03/2006, 06:46 AM	#5
The Grim Reefer Ready for some NOBALL!!! Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Kingman Az Posts: 25,259	Dunno, haven't ran one but they look OK. Current's blue lamp is pretty decent as far as looks and output but the daylight isnt impressive. __________________ America, the way it outta be! Current Tank Info: 120 Starphire with Illudium Q-288 Photon Regurgitator DIY LED lighting

08/03/2006, 06:54 AM	#7
The Grim Reefer Ready for some NOBALL!!! Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Kingman Az Posts: 25,259	Yeah, they look a little dingey and dont really produce a lot of PAR compared to other daylight lamps. They are much closer to a GE6500 in looks than say an Aquablue or some of the other "white" lamps/ __________________ America, the way it outta be! Current Tank Info: 120 Starphire with Illudium Q-288 Photon Regurgitator DIY LED lighting

08/03/2006, 07:23 AM	#12
The Grim Reefer Ready for some NOBALL!!! Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Kingman Az Posts: 25,259	Reefgeek usually has the best prices. You can also check www.seedetc.com but I am not sure if they have UVL lamps yet. __________________ America, the way it outta be! Current Tank Info: 120 Starphire with Illudium Q-288 Photon Regurgitator DIY LED lighting

08/03/2006, 12:42 AM	#2
gamer Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: nor cal Posts: 37	imo, jebo = cheap crapola reefgeek offers nice retrofits. -)

08/03/2006, 06:42 AM	#4
jimsha Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Apopka, FL Posts: 130	Hey Grim....whats your opinion on the Nova Retro? I just bought 3 sets of the 2x54 for my 90 AGA 48x18x24.

08/03/2006, 06:49 AM	#6
jimsha Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Apopka, FL Posts: 130	The daylight that came with the one I bought is a 10,0000k.

08/03/2006, 06:56 AM	#8
jimsha Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Apopka, FL Posts: 130	Any suggestions on what to change the light out for?

08/03/2006, 07:03 AM	#9
blackie lawless Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Naples, FL Posts: 283	When it comes to T5's, stick to the good stuff. Like Grim said, individual reflectors are key! Good Luck

08/03/2006, 07:10 AM	#11
jimsha Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Apopka, FL Posts: 130	Thanks Grim...do you know of anyone who sells these bulbs at a good price?

08/03/2006, 07:26 AM	#13
jimsha Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Apopka, FL Posts: 130	Thank you.

08/04/2006, 07:33 PM	#14
THEMANTISMAN Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio Posts: 54	http://cgi.ebay.com/T5-HO-8-X-80-wat...QQcmdZViewItem what about this light, it has the work horse ballast and individual reflectors, what do you think about this one Grim?

08/04/2006, 07:54 PM	#15
The Grim Reefer Ready for some NOBALL!!! Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Kingman Az Posts: 25,259	Crap. The reflectors are not even close to decent. The build quality looks to be shoddy based on the sloppy mounting of the endcaps. __________________ America, the way it outta be! Current Tank Info: 120 Starphire with Illudium Q-288 Photon Regurgitator DIY LED lighting

08/04/2006, 08:51 PM	#16
LSOC Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 29	Grim, what T-5 setup would you use for a 210 (72x24x30)? I was also thinking about those ebay ones, nobody makes a 6ft fixture? what bulb mix would you go with?

08/04/2006, 09:28 PM	#17
The Grim Reefer Ready for some NOBALL!!! Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Kingman Az Posts: 25,259	www.aquactinics.com The make a good 72" T5 hood. __________________ America, the way it outta be! Current Tank Info: 120 Starphire with Illudium Q-288 Photon Regurgitator DIY LED lighting

08/04/2006, 09:54 PM	#18
nemo g Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: west side iz da best Posts: 1,039	from the pics ive seen, it looks like the nova extreme retro's reflectors are just another version of a pc reflector, with the same shape, nothing like a decently designed t5 reflector. can anyone confirm or refute this? __________________ nG Current Tank Info: tis da bestest tank eva

08/04/2006, 10:59 PM	#19
LSOC Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 29	what about the aqua medic fixture that has 16 39watt t-5's, same price and the bulbs are included

08/05/2006, 07:24 AM	#20
The Grim Reefer Ready for some NOBALL!!! Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Kingman Az Posts: 25,259	Havent seen the aquamedic fixtures but there lamps are not supposed to be the greatest. If the fixture has good reflectors it would be worth a look. __________________ America, the way it outta be! Current Tank Info: 120 Starphire with Illudium Q-288 Photon Regurgitator DIY LED lighting