Rjohn Posted August 27, 2009 Share Posted August 27, 2009 My new T5 light finally got delivered and I installed it about 15 minutes ago. I am still working on the digital timer entries. In the T5, I have 2 10,000K's and 2 Actinic 03's. I must say the tank is much brighter and quite a bit "bluer" than it was with the CF bulbs. The CF bulbs were 8 months old and needing to be replaced, I think. Now if I can just get the built-in digital timer squared away, I will be happy, at least for today. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
subsea Posted August 27, 2009 Share Posted August 27, 2009 Ric, I hope you enjoy the T5. While I am satisfied overall with the T5, I must say I hoped for more flourescense from the Actinic T5. Maybe I do not have the right bulb manufacture. I just ordered a different blue from "Current" Jury is still out. Pat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rjohn Posted August 27, 2009 Author Share Posted August 27, 2009 I noticed somewhere that the T5 lights are rated for 20,000 hours. How often does everyone have to replace their T5's? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robb in Austin Posted August 27, 2009 Share Posted August 27, 2009 I've read anywhere from 6 months to 18 months. I just replaced two of mine that burnt out after ~18months. I don't know that I could see any difference in brightness, but I used a different brand lamp so it's not directly comparable. I would stay away from the Current brand lamps as they don't put out much PAR. Stick with Giesemann, ATI, KZ, GE, or UVL. Aquatek has the G-mann and some KZ in stock. I've not found anyone else stocking T5 lamps in town. I order mine from DIYreef and have always gotten good prices and great service. Reekgeek is another on line vendor with a great reputation. See here for more info: http://tfivetesting.googlepages.com/ and their thread on RC if you have 4009823 hours to read through it all; http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1677547 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mhart032 Posted August 28, 2009 Share Posted August 28, 2009 i like my Giesemann actinics but i didnt like the midday to yellow. i went with GLO 6.7k instead more white but im just running 1 with 3 actinics in my 4 t5 setup been thinking about going all t5 running 10 all togeather. i have seen good results from them on ATXryans tank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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