T5 Lighting

Canadian · #1 01-21-2009, 05:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lorenz0

I am actually planning on purchasing a par meter just to measure everything. Another big thing with t5's is what you are using to cool them. The cooler the bulbs are, the higher output your going to get.

This isn't true. If you cool a T5 lamp too much you drastically drop the output. Therefore attempting to add active cooling to a lower end T5 fixture is more complex than just blowing air over the lamps. Some lamps have cold spots at one end of the lamp and others don't - this changes the position where the air flow should be directed. The optimal operating temperature is somewhere around 115F (45 degrees C - see this reference: http://www.lighting.com/content.cfm?id=2071&page=/). Above or below that and you see degradation in lamp output and changes in ballast wattage draw --> poorer efficiency.

The biggest problem with respect to gaining even greater wide spread use of T5 lamps in reefkeeping is the general ignorance regarding output and optimizing color and PAR by changing numerous variables (reflector design, lamp choice, ballast choice, active cooling, etc.). MH tends to be the default because it has been around a long time (with good reason) and its application is fairly well understood. In North America we still don't have a good handle on what constitutes an ideal setup (hence seeing Sunlight Supply Tek lights being recommended over and over again despite their poor reflector design and lack of active cooling). And then there's that shimmer issue . . .

Powertec · #2 01-22-2009, 03:47 AM

Could the reflectors in the tek fixture be changed out to higher output individual reflectors that clip on?

JDigital · #3 01-22-2009, 05:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Powertec

Could the reflectors in the tek fixture be changed out to higher output individual reflectors that clip on?

The reflectors in Tek's are individual reflectors.

Canadian · #4 01-22-2009, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JDigital

The reflectors in Tek's are individual reflectors.

The reflectors in Tek lights aren't individual - they're a sheet of aluminum bent to form individual-like reflectors.

And I think what Powertec was asking is if the sheet of reflectors could be removed and the fixture retrofitted with higher quality individual clip-on reflectors like those made by IC or the smaller Aquactinics ones. I don't know how feasible it would be to fit another brand of reflector in a Tek light because each bent reflector is quite narrow compared to the individual reflectors sold by IC, Aquactinics, etc. Also, I don't know how much space there is above the lamps in the Tek light and the depth of various retrofit individual reflectors might be greater than that of those in the Tek fixtures.

sphelps · #5 01-22-2009, 06:30 PM

From my experience you can't beat the T5 and MH combo. Both have there advantages but combining them gives the best of both. I've tried all T5 and all Halide on my tank and in the end settled on both for best results. I was not a fan of the all T5 lighting on my larger tank however it works well for my smaller tank so I think the size and design of the tank is key to choosing optimal lighting.

I would also like to add that choosing lighting based on pictures is a bad idea. T5 tanks will always produce better pictures because of the softer more even light. In addition a camera has the ability to adjust WB and exposure which could alter the color, brightness and contrast.

lastlight · #6 01-22-2009, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sphelps

I would also like to add that choosing lighting based on pictures is a bad idea. T5 tanks will always produce better pictures because of the softer more even light. In addition a camera has the ability to adjust WB and exposure which could alter the color, brightness and contrast.

Not to mention nearly everyone here is viewing the pictures on non-calibrated monitors/screens. It's unreal how 'off' most of our screens truly are.