reefgeek84 Posted September 9, 2006 Share Posted September 9, 2006 I posted this in the lighting forum, but it may be relevant here: These are on an unshielded Tek light with the following bulb combo from front to back: UV Lighting Super Actinic D&D Blue Plus D&D Aqua Blue D&D Aqua Blue D&D Aqua Blue UV Lighting Super Actinic These lights are about on average 6 months old. The Iwasaki is housed in a Lumenarc 2 fixture using an Icecap 175w electronic Ballast and the bulb is about 2 months old. I took measurements at several points in the tank and on the rocks with the t-5 lights and the Iwasaki 15k 175w light mounted on my 75g SPS tank. Here are the results based on my Apogee Quantum meter calibrated for electric lights: The Tek lights are 4 inches from the water level (lowest it can be with mounting legs), the Iwasaki is 8 inches Directly under lights at surface, above water Tek - 650 Iwasaki - 1730 Directly under lights, just under water level Tek - 410 Iwasaki - 1120 Halfway down tank on rocks Tek - 170 Iwasaki - 450 Bottom of tank - Barebottom Tek - 125 Iwasaki - 310 I think the bottom of the tank measurement is pretty much in line with what Grim tested, I think his was around 135 or so, but I have no sand in my tank so I am probably down 2 inches or so further than his test was. Also notice that the shield on the Tek light reduced the light by about 20 percent based on my readings from last night. ---Ray So that is the important part from the post...it looks like the Halide owns the t-5's..input. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H20cooled Posted September 9, 2006 Share Posted September 9, 2006 The thing is Brandon those Iwasaki bulbs have very good output, but it is only one bulb. The only thing that it proves is that bulb kicks butt, and it actually blows aways some of the 250w bulbs too. There are a TON of factors that will change these numbers (i.e. reflectors, bulbs, ballast, cooling, etc...) so one test like this is NOT definative proof that MH owns T5. I would love to see that test with different 175w mh bulbs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H20cooled Posted September 9, 2006 Share Posted September 9, 2006 And another think I just noticed in this test is he used one of the best MH reflectors out there, but for the T5 he did not use the best and I'm not even sure if it is the single bulb reflectors... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reefgeek84 Posted September 9, 2006 Author Share Posted September 9, 2006 Thanks rich!!! I was hoping you would chime in on this! It still looks like I am going t-5... Something else I just read is that most MH ballasts are made with a ton of copper, and copper prices are about to go through the roof, so MH may not be a reasonable option here soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H20cooled Posted September 9, 2006 Share Posted September 9, 2006 I'll tell you what I just finished setting up my new T5's over my tank and WOW it is very bright, so far I'm very impressed with the lighting. For the record it is: 8x 54w bulbs overdriven to 82 watts (656 watts total) 8x Icecap SLR reflectors. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H20cooled Posted September 9, 2006 Share Posted September 9, 2006 Here is a picture of the tank with the lights on... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CCR Posted September 9, 2006 Share Posted September 9, 2006 I know for a fact that the MH ballast's are going up in price because of the increase of raw materials. I have never tried t-5. All my lighting is MH 400w 15k XM. plus tanks are 30" deep. I don'rt know enought about the lighting, at this time, to make a change, on my acros, millies etc. and further more,it would be on a net tank 6x29x24 so I'm not even sure how to do it. When i get my tank, and not for a bit yet, I want to do all the things I have learned, didn't do, would have done. I would like to see established tanks, with different lighting, other than MH, that have been up and running for a year, to show grouth and color. Also with that time period. The tank would be established and settled. New tanks, new lighting, both take time to settle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H20cooled Posted September 9, 2006 Share Posted September 9, 2006 This thread is HUGE but it is a very good representation of what is possible with a T5 ONLY lighting system... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CCR Posted September 9, 2006 Share Posted September 9, 2006 This thread is HUGE but it is a very good representation of what is possible with a T5 ONLY lighting system... Will not link!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reefin' Posted September 9, 2006 Share Posted September 9, 2006 works for me...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
impur Posted September 9, 2006 Share Posted September 9, 2006 I'm switching to T5 as well. I like having more flexibility with the spectrums, less heat, less power part of them. But i'll miss the shimmer lines of MH. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CCR Posted September 10, 2006 Share Posted September 10, 2006 works for me...... Yea RC. A no no for me. I guess I don't get along with errigent mods!!!!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CCR Posted September 10, 2006 Share Posted September 10, 2006 So what is the conclusion. What bulb, how many, 6' wide 24 F to B Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H20cooled Posted September 10, 2006 Share Posted September 10, 2006 If you are going with high light corals (SPS etc) then get as many bulbs over your tank as you can fit. If you want to take it another step get the Icecap 660 ballast and overdrive the bulbs, it will take a 54w bulb and run it up to 82w. But you will need to add fans to the canopy you keep the bulbs cool. I'm absolutly amazed with mine so far, I put my corals into my tank tonight and WOW it is really bright and the colors I'm getting with the corals are stunning. The crazy thing is its bright all the way down to the faux sand bed and my tank is 26" deep. Now I'm worried that I might have to much light, only time will tell though... Rich Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SnowboardKid26 Posted September 10, 2006 Share Posted September 10, 2006 Hey rich, are you happy with the color of the actinics? I've been considering using T-5's to supplement my halides on my new tank, but I've only read bad things in connection with the actinic color. Ive been reading that most people arn't happy with the color, or the "flourecing effect (sp?)" of the t-5s. If you are liking the color, what brand of actinics are you using? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
impur Posted September 10, 2006 Share Posted September 10, 2006 Rich what combo of bulbs u using? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H20cooled Posted September 11, 2006 Share Posted September 11, 2006 I'm very happy with the new UV Super Actinics I think they look great. The bulbs are: 3x UV Super Actinic 2x GE 6500 Daylight 1x UV Aqua Sun 10k 1x UV Actinic White 12k 1x Giesmann Aquablue 11k Rich Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CCR Posted September 11, 2006 Share Posted September 11, 2006 I'm very happy with the new UV Super Actinics I think they look great. The bulbs are: 3x UV Super Actinic 2x GE 6500 Daylight 1x UV Aqua Sun 10k 1x UV Actinic White 12k 1x Giesmann Aquablue 11k Rich WOW that's quite the mix!!!!! I like the color of my 15k 400wt.xm. I would even go to 20k when I change. Hmmmm Just goin o have to see your tank for my self:D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reefgeek84 Posted September 11, 2006 Author Share Posted September 11, 2006 So are the water proof end caps worth the extra money? I mean it is 8 bucks more per pair, on 8 lights, that is an extra 64 bucks....So does it matter? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R-3 Posted September 11, 2006 Share Posted September 11, 2006 Definately get the waterproof endcaps. If ya dont Ill just say I told ya so later. Later Ryan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SnowboardKid26 Posted September 11, 2006 Share Posted September 11, 2006 Do you think that 2x 250w Venture 10K bulbs, and 4 t-5 lamps would do the trick over a 72g bow front SPS tank that is 22" deep? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
siskiou Posted September 11, 2006 Share Posted September 11, 2006 Definately get the waterproof endcaps. If ya dont Ill just say I told ya so later. Later Ryan Can you add these to a Tek fixture? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reefgeek84 Posted September 11, 2006 Author Share Posted September 11, 2006 Can you add these to a Tek fixture? either the tek fixture has them already or they are not need on this fixture...the waterproof end caps seemed to only be used for retro applications. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R-3 Posted September 11, 2006 Share Posted September 11, 2006 Tek lights use the cheaper "tombstone" endcaps. That was one of the things i really didnt like about my Tek light. Also no they cant be added to the Teklights. Later Ryan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.