Is this a good T5 setup?

I wouldn't purchase this light. It doesn't appear to have individual reflectors.

You can get this light instead. It has individual reflectors and is a much better light fixture for only a little over $100 more. Plus, you get to pick your own bulbs out of some of the best bulb selections (ATI, UV) there are.

http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5_Fluorescent/Sunlight_Supply/Tek_Light_Fixtures/36_inch__Tek_Light:_6-39W_T5_High-Output_Fixture_with_Bulbs_by_Sunlight_Supply

You money would be far better spent on this light fixture. Trust me!!!!

Frank
 
I wouldn't purchase this light. It doesn't appear to have individual reflectors.

You can get this light instead. It has individual reflectors and is a much better light fixture for only a little over $100 more. Plus, you get to pick your own bulbs out of some of the best bulb selections (ATI, UV) there are.

http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5_Fluorescent/Sunlight_Supply/Tek_Light_Fixtures/36_inch__Tek_Light:_6-39W_T5_High-Output_Fixture_with_Bulbs_by_Sunlight_Supply

You money would be far better spent on this light fixture. Trust me!!!!

Frank
 
It says it has individual reflectors but I am sure the quality isnt as good as reef geeks lights. I have been using a $120 192watt ebay PC light on my tank for about 7-8 months and my corals are doing fine. Lots of people dislike the cheap ebay type lights but many people have good experiences with them. Of course if you can send the extra money go with the reef geek lighting.
 
I would not buy any T-5 fixture that does not have a fan in it. The output of T-5 bulbs is greatly enhanced by its temperature being maintained in a certain range. I have seen the stats and its it a very significant degradation of the light output. Maybe 35%? ( I just dont remember and dont want to go search on RC to find it. ).

Current USA makes a fixtures that has fans that is pretty cheap, and another one that has individual reflectors and fans that costs a bit more.
 
The Current Nova Extreme Pro is definitely an upgrade over its predacessor... however Current models are no match to the TEK lights. If you are worried about fans, buy a small fan. But unless you are over driving them with an ice cap ballast, you really don't need a fan on a T5 light fixture.
 
the cost of lighting for reef aquariums is insanely high priced! These things must be marked up 300%. I know it isnt a cheap hobby but why are light fixtures so much $$$$? Especially when you get into the 4' and 6' long fixtures.
 
@FranktheTank wrote:
The Current Nova Extreme Pro is definitely an upgrade over its predacessor... however Current models are no match to the TEK lights. If you are worried about fans said:
I agree you don't need fans if there not over driven...
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you really don't need a fan on a T5 light fixture. said:
Well I am positive that Grim, a guru on T-5 lighting on Reef Central says exactly the opposite. He once ran a test with non cooled fixture, cooled fixture and a shielded fixture and by far the least light output was from the non cooled fixture. In fact at one manufacturer modified their fixture to put fans in, after what he came up with. I am not going to dig thru the old posts to find it, just know that you can search on Reef Central for this and find some very interesting stuff.

I can tell you that if I switch off my fans on my T-5s, that I sometimes get flickering and other symptoms that never appear if the fans are on while the lights are lit.
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gmax,

What kind of T5 light fixture do you have?
Is it in a canopy?

If (and I am) was going to put a T5 light in a canopy, I would use a fan. Especially if I was over driving them (which I will be).
 
I have two Current USA Nova Extreme fixtures side by side over the top of my 55. Not in a canopy and they have their own ballast so they are not overdriven.
 
Thanks for all the responses ...

I do have a question: What is overdriving? I'm assuming this is something similar to overclocking the cpu?
 
Overdriving is the term used to describe using a ballast rated for a higher output than the bulb being used. Quite often HQI ballast which were designed for double ended MH bulbs are used on mogel ended bulbs which is described as being overdriven.

For T-5s, I think you would find Ice Cap ballasts may overdrive your bulbs to some degree. More light ( brighter) but the tradeoff is a reduction in the life span of the bulbs.
 
Gary,

I know your talking about cooling the coldspot, but from what I've read it seems as long as the bulb isn't being over ran the coldspot shouldn't need cooling due to the temp being in the appropriate range.

I'm not saying there's anything wrong by using a fan just don't think it's need unless you're in a closed environment or overdriving... :D

My TEK light (no fan) runs super cool and the bulbs don't get hot at all.
 
Bill

While my T-5 are way cooler than the VHOs I used to have, they still run pretty warm. You can touch them and not immediately get a 2nd degree burn, but hot enough to be discomforting. With a fan even.

I am only going on what I read on Reef Central from Grim Reefer, who has spent way more time on these than I. He thinks the bulbs need to be cooled to get maximum output. I am willing to bet he is right, since he seems knowledgable and has done tests with and without.

If you dont use a fan, you may be able to operate your lights fine. But I would say that it is likely that you are not getting maximum output.
 
Here's a little video for some of you that my not know what were talking about. :D
T5HO.jpg
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http://www.holophane.com/polar/polar.htm

I am only going on what I read on Reef Central from Grim Reefer said:
I agree... :D If someone packs 6 to 8 bulbs in a canopy/fixture I totally agree with the fan stuff, but if someone just has 4 lamps in an open environment I don't think it's needed. Just my opinon... :D

Note:
If I remember right those tests results would vary depending on room temp.
Click to expand...
 
@blide wrote:
http://www.holophane.com/polar/polar.htm said:
Now if only Lighting manufacturers will take a hint from this so we can have some more powerful setups stacking the lights this way rather them side by side. Seriously when you only have 10" to work with on the top of the tank, most of the time, independent reflectors are going to be out of the question if you want more then 4 bulbs.

Heck if you can find me a 30" long fixture with 4+ bulbs that is within 10" wide I would flip out.
Click to expand...
 
http://www.specialty-lights.com/new-wave-t5.html

i am going to go with these might want to check them out also
 
I second the light fixtures from ReefGeek. Mine are great. Individual reflectors retrofitted into my canopy, with computer fans turned on in the summer. Works great.

Peter...
 
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