T-5 Lighting ... brands, not tech info.

DarG · 03/31/2007, 07:35 PM

I see many references to the TEK T-5 fixtures. What are the advantages, if any, over the Current USA T-5 fixtures?

GSMguy · 03/31/2007, 07:47 PM

the tek has individual parabolic reflectors increasing output be 2 to 3 times over allowing t5 to compete with MH

the current does not have reflectors and therefore poor output also the bulbs from current are junk compared to the ati and uvl bulbs available for the tek

the tek is also the bottom of the barrell for good t5s there are a few that are much better including ATI, aquatinics,fauna marin, and others that are much better than the tek even

sasscuba · 03/31/2007, 07:50 PM

Go with the aquatinics...I love mine!

DarG · 03/31/2007, 08:16 PM

Thanks for the replies but the Current does have a reflector. Wouldn't the better lamps run in the Current as well?

GSMguy · 03/31/2007, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DarG
Thanks for the replies but the Current does have a reflector. Wouldn't the better lamps run in the Current as well?

yes but it doesnt have the reflectors that make t5 desirable

you cant compare the Current to the others

DarG · 03/31/2007, 08:31 PM

I got it now. The individual reflectors for each lamp.

OK, Thanks.

slowride · 03/31/2007, 08:55 PM

What about this fixture?

http://www.hellolights.com/244lamp.html

I am looking for a lighting upgrade from my 65x2 PC, that I can carry over to my next tank. What is the word on that HL one?

GSMguy · 03/31/2007, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by slowride
What about this fixture?

http://www.hellolights.com/244lamp.html

I am looking for a lighting upgrade from my 65x2 PC, that I can carry over to my next tank. What is the word on that HL one?

looks about the same as a tek wont beat the aquatinics but its new so only one way to find out
'
definetly better than a pc fixture

slowride · 03/31/2007, 09:29 PM

Does aquatinics come in a 24"? I need that.

GSMguy · 03/31/2007, 09:31 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by slowride
Does aquatinics come in a 24"? I need that.

nope not yet the 24 inch aquatinics is coming soon i am waiting for that

slowride · 03/31/2007, 09:37 PM

Damn...I might just try this, as I can't really wait. That link includes bulbs too, so it looks like a pretty decent deal.

Does T5 need to be spaced off the tank? My PC isn't and the water is about 2-3" below.

Sorry for the mini-hijack as well

GSMguy · 03/31/2007, 09:39 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by slowride
Damn...I might just try this, as I can't really wait. That link includes bulbs too, so it looks like a pretty decent deal.

Does T5 need to be spaced off the tank? My PC isn't and the water is about 2-3" below.

Sorry for the mini-hijack as well

the 10k bulbs are not good for colors the TRU bulbs are no good go with the blue plus and pure actinics and one or two of the 10ks

slowride · 03/31/2007, 09:48 PM

Shoot, it looks like the included bulbs are just that, and any changes are + money for extra bulbs. I don' t need 6-8 bulbs total, so I might be doing some more looking.

DarG · 04/01/2007, 08:22 AM

Another question.

So, who makes these lamps that aren't any good? The Current USA Branded lamps are obviously made by someone for Current and are supposed to be of poor quality and the TRU lamps are not supposed to be any good. I'm sure there are others. I'm curious as to actually how many manufacturers are making specialty T-5 HO lamps and who are companies like Current and TRU having make their lower quality lamps?

Has there been any testing done to compare the different manufacturers lamps for quality? Which I guess would mean accuracy of claimed spectrum, durability, drift, lumen output and whatever else.

Any links to more information related to testing or quality of the different brands or anything else related would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

GSMguy · 04/01/2007, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by DarG
Another question.

So, who makes these lamps that aren't any good? The Current USA Branded lamps are obviously made by someone for Current and are supposed to be of poor quality and the TRU lamps are not supposed to be any good. I'm sure there are others. I'm curious as to actually how many manufacturers are making specialty T-5 HO lamps and who are companies like Current and TRU having make their lower quality lamps?

Has there been any testing done to compare the different manufacturers lamps for quality? Which I guess would mean accuracy of claimed spectrum, durability, drift, lumen output and whatever else.

Any links to more information related to testing or quality of the different brands or anything else related would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

yes grimreefer has tested the "quality bulbs" for PAR

i dont have the link

slowride · 04/01/2007, 11:34 AM

After looking for the comparison thread, I found this:http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...5&pagenumber=1

Lots to read, but great info.

This too, which shows a few bulbs:

http://www.aquariumpros.ca/forums/sh...?postid=226945

hahnmeister · 04/01/2007, 12:47 PM

Top brands include...
Giesemann
ATI
UVL
AquaScience/Fauna Marin
Korallen Zucht
and the GE 6500K/3000K

03/31/2007, 07:35 PM	#1
DarG Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 5,515	T-5 Lighting ... brands, not tech info. I see many references to the TEK T-5 fixtures. What are the advantages, if any, over the Current USA T-5 fixtures?

03/31/2007, 07:47 PM	#2
GSMguy Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Northern New Mexico Posts: 17,420	the tek has individual parabolic reflectors increasing output be 2 to 3 times over allowing t5 to compete with MH the current does not have reflectors and therefore poor output also the bulbs from current are junk compared to the ati and uvl bulbs available for the tek the tek is also the bottom of the barrell for good t5s there are a few that are much better including ATI, aquatinics,fauna marin, and others that are much better than the tek even __________________ Nick. Conehead. Shallow Reef club. Current Tank Info: 48"x27"x14" Envision Acrylic rimless, 6x39w ATi Sunpower, Custom ATB Deluxe Skimmer, 4x tunze nano stream,ATB flowstar 1500, ACJR, Tunze osmolator.

03/31/2007, 07:50 PM	#3
sasscuba Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Owasso, Oklahoma Posts: 990	Go with the aquatinics...I love mine!

03/31/2007, 08:16 PM	#4
DarG Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 5,515	Thanks for the replies but the Current does have a reflector. Wouldn't the better lamps run in the Current as well?

03/31/2007, 08:31 PM	#6
DarG Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 5,515	I got it now. The individual reflectors for each lamp. OK, Thanks.

03/31/2007, 08:55 PM	#7
slowride Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 95	What about this fixture? http://www.hellolights.com/244lamp.html I am looking for a lighting upgrade from my 65x2 PC, that I can carry over to my next tank. What is the word on that HL one?

03/31/2007, 09:29 PM	#9
slowride Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 95	Does aquatinics come in a 24"? I need that.

03/31/2007, 09:37 PM	#11
slowride Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 95	Damn...I might just try this, as I can't really wait. That link includes bulbs too, so it looks like a pretty decent deal. Does T5 need to be spaced off the tank? My PC isn't and the water is about 2-3" below. Sorry for the mini-hijack as well

03/31/2007, 09:48 PM	#13
slowride Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 95	Shoot, it looks like the included bulbs are just that, and any changes are + money for extra bulbs. I don' t need 6-8 bulbs total, so I might be doing some more looking.

04/01/2007, 08:22 AM	#14
DarG Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 5,515	Another question. So, who makes these lamps that aren't any good? The Current USA Branded lamps are obviously made by someone for Current and are supposed to be of poor quality and the TRU lamps are not supposed to be any good. I'm sure there are others. I'm curious as to actually how many manufacturers are making specialty T-5 HO lamps and who are companies like Current and TRU having make their lower quality lamps? Has there been any testing done to compare the different manufacturers lamps for quality? Which I guess would mean accuracy of claimed spectrum, durability, drift, lumen output and whatever else. Any links to more information related to testing or quality of the different brands or anything else related would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

04/01/2007, 11:34 AM	#16
slowride Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 95	After looking for the comparison thread, I found this:http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...5&pagenumber=1 Lots to read, but great info. This too, which shows a few bulbs: http://www.aquariumpros.ca/forums/sh...?postid=226945

04/01/2007, 12:47 PM	#17
hahnmeister Moved On Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Brew City, WI Posts: 10,156	Top brands include... Giesemann ATI UVL AquaScience/Fauna Marin Korallen Zucht and the GE 6500K/3000K