t5 lighting

jbeltmann · 03/22/2007, 05:33 PM

I would like to start off by officially introducing myself to your forum. I have spent much time gathering all of the great info everyone has contributed. Although I do have one question about lighting for my 42 hex that I couldn't find using the search function, which seems to be on a leave of absence, if you know what I mean. I am currently running a coralife 24" pc fixture with one 10k and one actinic. I was trying to find a single t5 kit with just one bulb and all I can find is something of a grow light. Does this fixture use a different ballast or can I just slap whatever bulb I want in there? Would I be better off just scrapping the pc for t5's. I was kind of hoping that I could just add to my current setup instead of starting over. Thanks in advance for any replies!

jbeltmann · 03/22/2007, 06:23 PM

bump

davocean · 03/22/2007, 06:32 PM

I think you'll be happier going w/ just T5's.
They are just such a better bulb than PC's.
More than one is better so you can get that color balance that works for you.
I just saw a cool LED strip light at Current that gives somewhat of a halide type shimmer as well.
That seems to be the main arguement of halide VS T5
I'm going to build a cube for my bedroom and that's what I'm going to go with.

jbeltmann · 03/22/2007, 08:44 PM

That is what I was worried about. If I have to upgrade what I have now I may just start another tank, say a 75RR. That would give me the ability to have a sump as well as better lighting. I was hoping I could justify adding a single t5 or maybe 2 t5 straddling the pc's. The pc's aren't bad but I was hoping to add on to what I have now. If I have to buy I whole t5 setup I would probably be inclined to do a 75rr with 4 t5's.

jobob · 03/22/2007, 09:33 PM

http://www.commodityaxis.com/ProductData.aspx?id=67
Maybe this will work, but I did read that it broke on someone in 2months. So not sure.

jbeltmann · 03/22/2007, 09:51 PM

Thanks jobob, I may end up trying that out as a cheap alternative. What do you think about these http://joshsfrogs.com/catalog/produc...roducts_id=355
Do you think I could slap an actinic or 10k bulb in there without any repercussions?

JCTewks · 03/22/2007, 10:21 PM

current makes(or use to) a nova t-5 retro that was just one bulb in a fixture with the ballast built in...it was only 14 watts, but one in between my 2 pc fixtures really helped with some coloration in a few corals. I don't know if that is still available, you might want to check it out.

jobob · 03/23/2007, 12:24 AM

yea but they dont have ind. reflectors and that is y t-5 lighting workd so good.

JCTewks · 03/23/2007, 01:32 AM

true..there are no reflectors in those, and they are NO.

The Grim Reefer · 03/23/2007, 03:15 AM

Premium Aquatics has some Helios Single T5 fixtures with a so-so reflector.

jbeltmann · 03/23/2007, 04:34 PM

Thanks for all the relpies. I checked my LFS for chits and grins for t5's and they had a coralife 2 24" fixture w/o bulbs for $52, which I didn't think was a bad price, but then again I don't know anything about t5's. If the reflectors on these fixtures aren't that great can you polish them with say flitz or some other polishing agent?

The Grim Reefer · 03/23/2007, 06:04 PM

The coralife is probably only normal output lamps too. 24" T5 HO's are 24 watts

jbeltmann · 03/23/2007, 06:42 PM

So basically the best bang for my buck would probably be the Helios single t5. My current pc lights are one 10k and one actinic. With that in mind, if I had to chose just one t5 bulb to go with, what would you recomend?

jbeltmann · 03/23/2007, 08:08 PM

Any advice for a single t5 bulb to go with 2 pc(actinic, 10k)?

The Grim Reefer · 03/23/2007, 09:26 PM

Superblue Helios is a sweet lamp.

jbeltmann · 03/23/2007, 10:05 PM

Thanks for the help Grim. I'll give that combo for a whirl. I am assuming you like a more blue color in your tank.

The Grim Reefer · 03/23/2007, 10:26 PM

Not too blue but enough to pop the colors.

Pez Vela · 03/23/2007, 10:44 PM

Hey Grim,

I have a T5 question and don't want to alter the course or hijack this thread. Can you email me? Thanks

peloncito@mac.com

03/22/2007, 05:33 PM	#1
jbeltmann Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: oconomowoc. wi Posts: 287	t5 lighting I would like to start off by officially introducing myself to your forum. I have spent much time gathering all of the great info everyone has contributed. Although I do have one question about lighting for my 42 hex that I couldn't find using the search function, which seems to be on a leave of absence, if you know what I mean. I am currently running a coralife 24" pc fixture with one 10k and one actinic. I was trying to find a single t5 kit with just one bulb and all I can find is something of a grow light. Does this fixture use a different ballast or can I just slap whatever bulb I want in there? Would I be better off just scrapping the pc for t5's. I was kind of hoping that I could just add to my current setup instead of starting over. Thanks in advance for any replies!

03/22/2007, 06:32 PM	#3
davocean Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 14,655	I think you'll be happier going w/ just T5's. They are just such a better bulb than PC's. More than one is better so you can get that color balance that works for you. I just saw a cool LED strip light at Current that gives somewhat of a halide type shimmer as well. That seems to be the main arguement of halide VS T5 I'm going to build a cube for my bedroom and that's what I'm going to go with. __________________ There's a fine line between owning your tank and your tank owning you! Current Tank Info: SCA 120g RR Starfire, Tunze silence 1073.02 return, 40g sump w/ fuge, SWC Extreme 160 cone skimmer,Geismann reflexx 4xT5, 2x Panorama Pro LED strips, Vortech MP40QD

03/23/2007, 03:15 AM	#10
The Grim Reefer Ready for some NOBALL!!! Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Kingman Az Posts: 25,259	Premium Aquatics has some Helios Single T5 fixtures with a so-so reflector. __________________ America, the way it outta be! Current Tank Info: 120 Starphire with Illudium Q-288 Photon Regurgitator DIY LED lighting

03/23/2007, 06:04 PM	#12
The Grim Reefer Ready for some NOBALL!!! Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Kingman Az Posts: 25,259	The coralife is probably only normal output lamps too. 24" T5 HO's are 24 watts __________________ America, the way it outta be! Current Tank Info: 120 Starphire with Illudium Q-288 Photon Regurgitator DIY LED lighting

03/23/2007, 09:26 PM	#15
The Grim Reefer Ready for some NOBALL!!! Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Kingman Az Posts: 25,259	Superblue Helios is a sweet lamp. __________________ America, the way it outta be! Current Tank Info: 120 Starphire with Illudium Q-288 Photon Regurgitator DIY LED lighting

03/22/2007, 06:23 PM	#2
jbeltmann Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: oconomowoc. wi Posts: 287	bump

03/22/2007, 08:44 PM	#4
jbeltmann Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: oconomowoc. wi Posts: 287	That is what I was worried about. If I have to upgrade what I have now I may just start another tank, say a 75RR. That would give me the ability to have a sump as well as better lighting. I was hoping I could justify adding a single t5 or maybe 2 t5 straddling the pc's. The pc's aren't bad but I was hoping to add on to what I have now. If I have to buy I whole t5 setup I would probably be inclined to do a 75rr with 4 t5's.

03/22/2007, 09:33 PM	#5
jobob Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: wilkes-barre,pa Posts: 194	http://www.commodityaxis.com/ProductData.aspx?id=67 Maybe this will work, but I did read that it broke on someone in 2months. So not sure.

03/22/2007, 09:51 PM	#6
jbeltmann Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: oconomowoc. wi Posts: 287	Thanks jobob, I may end up trying that out as a cheap alternative. What do you think about these http://joshsfrogs.com/catalog/produc...roducts_id=355 Do you think I could slap an actinic or 10k bulb in there without any repercussions?

03/22/2007, 10:21 PM	#7
JCTewks Moved On Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Wilmington, Ohio Posts: 3,040	current makes(or use to) a nova t-5 retro that was just one bulb in a fixture with the ballast built in...it was only 14 watts, but one in between my 2 pc fixtures really helped with some coloration in a few corals. I don't know if that is still available, you might want to check it out.

03/23/2007, 12:24 AM	#8
jobob Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: wilkes-barre,pa Posts: 194	yea but they dont have ind. reflectors and that is y t-5 lighting workd so good.

03/23/2007, 01:32 AM	#9
JCTewks Moved On Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Wilmington, Ohio Posts: 3,040	true..there are no reflectors in those, and they are NO.

03/23/2007, 04:34 PM	#11
jbeltmann Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: oconomowoc. wi Posts: 287	Thanks for all the relpies. I checked my LFS for chits and grins for t5's and they had a coralife 2 24" fixture w/o bulbs for $52, which I didn't think was a bad price, but then again I don't know anything about t5's. If the reflectors on these fixtures aren't that great can you polish them with say flitz or some other polishing agent?

03/23/2007, 06:42 PM	#13
jbeltmann Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: oconomowoc. wi Posts: 287	So basically the best bang for my buck would probably be the Helios single t5. My current pc lights are one 10k and one actinic. With that in mind, if I had to chose just one t5 bulb to go with, what would you recomend?

03/23/2007, 08:08 PM	#14
jbeltmann Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: oconomowoc. wi Posts: 287	Any advice for a single t5 bulb to go with 2 pc(actinic, 10k)?

03/23/2007, 10:05 PM	#16
jbeltmann Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: oconomowoc. wi Posts: 287	Thanks for the help Grim. I'll give that combo for a whirl. I am assuming you like a more blue color in your tank.

03/23/2007, 10:26 PM	#17
The Grim Reefer Ready for some NOBALL!!! Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Kingman Az Posts: 25,259	Not too blue but enough to pop the colors. __________________ America, the way it outta be! Current Tank Info: 120 Starphire with Illudium Q-288 Photon Regurgitator DIY LED lighting

03/23/2007, 10:44 PM	#18
Pez Vela Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Northern, CA Posts: 469	Hey Grim, I have a T5 question and don't want to alter the course or hijack this thread. Can you email me? Thanks peloncito@mac.com