2 24w t5 lighting not bright enough

randt122 · 03/22/2007, 11:28 PM

I recently bought an AquaMedic Oceanlight 250w mh +2 24w t5. It currently has one 14k 250w mh bulb and 2 24w Actinic +. When I first turn on mh and then turn on the t5s, I don't notice a big dfference in color. I thought t5 would make the lighting a little bluer but it looks the same. Is this normal?

dc_909 · 03/22/2007, 11:47 PM

Do they have individual reflectors?

thriceanangel · 03/23/2007, 07:28 PM

I'd imagine that because its a T5 MH combo that they do have individual reflectors, unless they are both on the same side. What DC 909 is getting at is the fact that T5 brightness is directly related to the quality of the reflector. And the reality is that 2 24w T5's aren't even coming close to competing with 250w of intense MH light. If you want bluer light use a more blue MH light, orr add some more t5's, but for actinic you can't beat VHO.

Entropy · 03/23/2007, 08:04 PM

How long have you been running the unit? MH bulbs take at least 100 hour to burn in before you see the true color. If you have gone that long yet, give it some time, the MH may blue up a bit. I also agree on the individual reflector issue for the T5's, but as mentioned 2x24w T5's are not going to make much of a dent against a 250w halide.

randt122 · 03/23/2007, 08:33 PM

That's what I figured. I bought the fixture used and was worried about the t5 ballast being faulty, not making even a slight difference when turned on with mh. I'm thinking of retofitting IC reflectors and upgrading the ballast to IC 430. I'll post a couple of b4 and after pics. I also heard that the actinic bulbs lose their intensity after 3-4 months. I'll probably order a couple of blue + bulbs to try them out. Thanks all.

03/22/2007, 11:28 PM	#1
randt122 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Cambridge, MA Posts: 113	2 24w t5 lighting not bright enough I recently bought an AquaMedic Oceanlight 250w mh +2 24w t5. It currently has one 14k 250w mh bulb and 2 24w Actinic +. When I first turn on mh and then turn on the t5s, I don't notice a big dfference in color. I thought t5 would make the lighting a little bluer but it looks the same. Is this normal?

03/23/2007, 08:04 PM	#4
Entropy Texas Reefer Join Date: May 2003 Location: Round Rock, TX Posts: 13,656	How long have you been running the unit? MH bulbs take at least 100 hour to burn in before you see the true color. If you have gone that long yet, give it some time, the MH may blue up a bit. I also agree on the individual reflector issue for the T5's, but as mentioned 2x24w T5's are not going to make much of a dent against a 250w halide. __________________ Rich Overton 150G cube FOWLR, 30g sump, ReefKeeperII, 3x Koralia 1400's, QuiteOne 3000, Reef Octopus DNWB150, 4x 30w Par38 LED. Current Tank Info: 36x36x27 150g

03/22/2007, 11:47 PM	#2
dc_909 Moved On Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Murrieta, CA Posts: 3,260	Do they have individual reflectors?

03/23/2007, 07:28 PM	#3
thriceanangel Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: South Livonia, NY Posts: 1,729	I'd imagine that because its a T5 MH combo that they do have individual reflectors, unless they are both on the same side. What DC 909 is getting at is the fact that T5 brightness is directly related to the quality of the reflector. And the reality is that 2 24w T5's aren't even coming close to competing with 250w of intense MH light. If you want bluer light use a more blue MH light, orr add some more t5's, but for actinic you can't beat VHO.

03/23/2007, 08:33 PM	#5
randt122 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Cambridge, MA Posts: 113	That's what I figured. I bought the fixture used and was worried about the t5 ballast being faulty, not making even a slight difference when turned on with mh. I'm thinking of retofitting IC reflectors and upgrading the ballast to IC 430. I'll post a couple of b4 and after pics. I also heard that the actinic bulbs lose their intensity after 3-4 months. I'll probably order a couple of blue + bulbs to try them out. Thanks all.