T5 lights - why (and which one)? - Page 2

danch · 01/26/2007, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by techreef
The TEK ballasts are much noisier than IC ballasts. It can be an issue because if your running your system off of an electrical circuit that is close to maxed out, or you have GFCI's installed (which you should) the TEK ballast may keep tripping your GFCI.

The SunlightSupply Tek Fixture and the 'retrofit' kit at reefgeek are listed as using a Triad ballast. The SunlightSupply 'ready fit' kit lists 'major brand electronic ballast.' Is it the Triad ballast that's an issue?

techreef · 01/26/2007, 01:19 PM

yes, i believe mine is a Triad. If you can find a picture, it's a very skinny and long ballast. I'd say about 1.5" wide by 1" tall by 14" long.

techreef · 01/26/2007, 01:21 PM

by comparison, my IC ballast is about the size of a brick, and comes with a U-shaped metal heat sink and the wiring connects to the ballast via a plug, instead of the individual wires going into push-in connectors, as they do on the Triad ballast.

LooseHip · 01/26/2007, 04:46 PM

Anyone have experience with these t5's

http://www.hellolights.com/t5horeki.html

$110.95 shipped!

Was thinking of doing this over my 46 gallon bow front tank!
currently I have 1x96 PC light and would like to see some more growth out of the corals...

Lydo · 01/26/2007, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by SpankinNew
If that were true, wouldn't it be better to simply add reflectors to PC lights?

Don't forget that T5 lights are much much cooler than PCs. After 6 hours of running, I can touch my t5's. I wouldn't dare to grab my PC's.

If you are to go with T5's which I do recomend, simply buy the ballast, reflector and encaps. Then you just have to put it in your canopy. It's much cheaper and the light output will be much much better.

NeveSSL · 01/26/2007, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by LooseHip
Anyone have experience with these t5's

http://www.hellolights.com/t5horeki.html

$110.95 shipped!

Was thinking of doing this over my 46 gallon bow front tank!
currently I have 1x96 PC light and would like to see some more growth out of the corals...

There are these, too: http://cgi.ebay.com/T5-HO-2-X-54-WAT...QQcmdZViewItem

$115 shipped with Ice Cap reflectors and Stucci endcaps.

No lamps on that one, but I think I would prefer that...

Brandon

mwwhite · 01/26/2007, 05:56 PM

Soaking this all in. I think I'm leaning towards the newer Current USA Nova Extreme with individual reflectors when available both because it'll fit in my canopy and it may not be quite as intense as Aquactinics or TEK. I'm an engineer and wouldn't have trouble with DIY, but don't need the aggravation.

bertoni - you mentioned that you didn't care for the color of the T5's. Can you elaborate? Yours is a particularly persuasive opinion for me.

mjm1969 · 01/26/2007, 06:22 PM

If you decide on the TEK try www.njreefsuppy.com I found the 6 bulb for $289.95. I'm thinking of the 8 bulb for my 120. At $329.95 the price isn't bad. I have also been hesitating, thinking I might wait till the Nova with the individual reflectors comes out. I don't need this much light at the moment but figured I could just run 4 of the bulbs till I need more. My tank is a FOWLR for the time being. I just don't want to have to upgrade my lighting later. Am I thinking along the correct lines???

sgallagher7 · 01/26/2007, 07:58 PM

I e-mailed the company directly. Got a very quick response from one of their reps. The site www.current-usa.com

01/26/2007, 05:56 PM	#32
mwwhite Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Land O Lakes, FL Posts: 690	Soaking this all in. I think I'm leaning towards the newer Current USA Nova Extreme with individual reflectors when available both because it'll fit in my canopy and it may not be quite as intense as Aquactinics or TEK. I'm an engineer and wouldn't have trouble with DIY, but don't need the aggravation. bertoni - you mentioned that you didn't care for the color of the T5's. Can you elaborate? Yours is a particularly persuasive opinion for me. __________________ gwen Current Tank Info: 150 Mixed reef (gone now)

01/26/2007, 06:22 PM	#33
mjm1969 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Wasilla, Alaska Posts: 99	If you decide on the TEK try www.njreefsuppy.com I found the 6 bulb for $289.95. I'm thinking of the 8 bulb for my 120. At $329.95 the price isn't bad. I have also been hesitating, thinking I might wait till the Nova with the individual reflectors comes out. I don't need this much light at the moment but figured I could just run 4 of the bulbs till I need more. My tank is a FOWLR for the time being. I just don't want to have to upgrade my lighting later. Am I thinking along the correct lines??? __________________ Michael Current Tank Info: 120RR FOWLR Awaiting release from storage

01/26/2007, 07:58 PM	#34
sgallagher7 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Arizona Posts: 621	I e-mailed the company directly. Got a very quick response from one of their reps. The site www.current-usa.com __________________ Going to the dentist or reef tank? Hmmmm....... Current Tank Info: 75 Gal. Mix reef, 20 Gal sump. Euroreef 80 Skimmer, Reefbreeder photon 48 LEDS, Gyre 150 powerhead, Auto Topoff

01/26/2007, 01:19 PM	#27
techreef Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Montclair, NJ Posts: 1,046	yes, i believe mine is a Triad. If you can find a picture, it's a very skinny and long ballast. I'd say about 1.5" wide by 1" tall by 14" long.

01/26/2007, 01:21 PM	#28
techreef Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Montclair, NJ Posts: 1,046	by comparison, my IC ballast is about the size of a brick, and comes with a U-shaped metal heat sink and the wiring connects to the ballast via a plug, instead of the individual wires going into push-in connectors, as they do on the Triad ballast.

01/26/2007, 04:46 PM	#29
LooseHip Foaming Conehead Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: CO Posts: 1,002	Anyone have experience with these t5's http://www.hellolights.com/t5horeki.html $110.95 shipped! Was thinking of doing this over my 46 gallon bow front tank! currently I have 1x96 PC light and would like to see some more growth out of the corals...