Ryan S April 9, 2012 April 9, 2012 Does anyone have a 36" T5 Retrofit Reflector, like this? What is the actual length of the reflector with end caps? 36"+? Or less?
trockafella April 9, 2012 April 9, 2012 Reflectors are normally 34" long, theyre not connected to the end caps, reflectors clip on to the bulb,.
Ryan S April 9, 2012 Author April 9, 2012 Reflectors are normally 34" long, theyre not connected to the end caps, reflectors clip on to the bulb,. So a 36" retrofit would be 34" + end caps for length?
trockafella April 9, 2012 April 9, 2012 You need to get the length of the bulb, the end caps attach to it. If length is an issue the refelctor shouldnt be the concern, Ive never seen one longer than the bulb.? Are you adding T5's to your system.?
Ryan S April 9, 2012 Author April 9, 2012 You need to get the length of the bulb, the end caps attach to it. If length is an issue the refelctor shouldnt be the concern, Ive never seen one longer than the bulb.? Are you adding T5's to your system.? After the disappointing radion par results... I am. I don't doubt that radions are awesome. But on a 27" deep tank... A 250w MH wouldn't cut it either. I'd need a 400w MH to get the proper penetration... I am not sure a 39w T5 would even penetrate the depth? Because the canopy is so shallow, I couldn't fit those photon cannons inside, but that's the sort of power I think I need. Andy had a friend of his build the 9" extension for the stand... I wonder if he could add height to the canopy... I'd probably grab a lumenarc & a 400w 20k MH for the tank then?
trockafella April 9, 2012 April 9, 2012 ChrisTran used to have T5's on his tank and it grew corals better than 98% of people in this club. But again, its not just the lights, its all the other factors as well..
surf&turf April 9, 2012 April 9, 2012 ChrisTran used to have T5's on his tank and it grew corals better than 98% of people in this club. But again, its not just the lights, its all the other factors as well.. +1 Beautiful system!!
Ryan S April 9, 2012 Author April 9, 2012 ChrisTran used to have T5's on his tank and it grew corals better than 98% of people in this club. But again, its not just the lights, its all the other factors as well.. Right now he is running radions with T5s. That might be the easiest/best option for me as well. Looking at the photo below, I think I could add 1 or 2 T5s to the left, middle, and right, of the radions (if the 39w T5s will fit): Or a third radion like this: hmmm...
trockafella April 9, 2012 April 9, 2012 Sorry in advance.... But.. I find it soooo funny that people need to add T5's to there super LEDs (not just you ryan).. All this chatter about how far superior these lights are and yet this is the end result. Do you know what I add to my T5s.? Nothing bc there awesome enough already. I get a big smile everytime I read about someone doing it. Sorry LED guys.. Wait, no im not.
BowieReefer84 April 9, 2012 April 9, 2012 Sorry in advance.... But.. I find it soooo funny that people need to add T5's to there super LEDs (not just you ryan).. All this chatter about how far superior these lights are and yet this is the end result. Do you know what I add to my T5s.? Nothing bc there awesome enough already. I get a big smile everytime I read about someone doing it. Sorry LED guys.. Wait, no im not. You only add LED's to your T5's... Wait, isn't that the same thing as adding T5's to LED's? Either way hold off for now Ryan. Mark your calander for 3 months, and at that time decide what to do. The investment into another radion or T5's is not going to be cheap, and is not necessary at this time imo.
trockafella April 9, 2012 April 9, 2012 Mine was built that way from the company . There technically just lunar lights. There only 1 watt each.
Ryan S April 9, 2012 Author April 9, 2012 Sorry in advance.... But.. I find it soooo funny that people need to add T5's to there super LEDs (not just you ryan).. All this chatter about how far superior these lights are and yet this is the end result. Do you know what I add to my T5s.? Nothing bc there awesome enough already. I get a big smile everytime I read about someone doing it. Sorry LED guys.. Wait, no im not. Well, in all fairness, it depends on the tank the LEDs are on. If you DIY LEDs over a 29g biocube, you don't need any supplements (A. Byrnes tank is awesome). If you have 2 radions over a 55g or 75g tank, again, you're fine. But when you have an awkward sized 36"x36" tank, that's 27" deep, it's a different story. Your tank for example, would be fine with 2 radions alone - which, coincidentally, I may have 2 for sale in the near future. *cough* I've read multiple articles like this one, that state T5s are only for tanks 24" or less in depth. (Same as a 250w MH). I don't want a 400w MH. I don't want the heat issues for starters. But if it's the only light that will truly punch down to the bottom of the tank... I wonder if something like this would work. Either way hold off for now Ryan. Mark your calander for 3 months, and at that time decide what to do. The investment into another radion or T5's is not going to be cheap, and is not necessary at this time imo. I'm with ya. I'm just thinking out loud right now. I'm far from needing better lighting for my tank at this point. But I want to weigh my options in case I need to start saving more money. On RC a few folks have said 4 radions is what I need. (that's simply not an option. I won't spent $2500 on lights).
trockafella April 9, 2012 April 9, 2012 Keep coughing. My lights work great, no updates, no glitches, nothing but T5 awesomeness.
BowieReefer84 April 9, 2012 April 9, 2012 Mine was built that way from the company . There technically just lunar lights. There only 1 watt each. I was joking...
Ryan S April 9, 2012 Author April 9, 2012 Keep coughing. My lights work great, no updates, no glitches, nothing but T5 awesomeness. My tank would be radion awesomeness if it was only 12" deep too.
trockafella April 9, 2012 April 9, 2012 I was joking... I wasnt joking Mike.! This is serious LED business.!
trockafella April 9, 2012 April 9, 2012 My tank would be radion awesomeness if it was only 12" deep too. Wanna trade tanks.?
ChrisTran April 9, 2012 April 9, 2012 Mark your calander for 3 months, and at that time decide what to do. The investment into another radion or T5's is not going to be cheap, and is not necessary at this time imo. +1 I am trying different lighting options to see what is best. Radions alone is not the best IMO; especially for 27" height tanks. It also depends on what you are keeping and placement of your corals. As of now, i have found the best color with Radions + 2 FijiPurples + 2 SuperPlues. I will give it a month to see how my corals react to this lighting. I would have to agree with Travis that T5 is a proven light source for keeping healthy SPS and clams; even on the sandbed of a 27" deep. However Radion has its own advantages.
firecrackerbob April 9, 2012 April 9, 2012 But.. I find it soooo funny that people need to add T5's to there super LEDs (not just you ryan).. All this chatter about how far superior these lights are and yet this is the end result. Do you know what I add to my T5s.? Nothing bc there awesome enough already. I get a big smile everytime I read about someone doing it. Sorry LED guys.. Wait, no im not. HA!!!! thats great!! I needed a good laugh today. thanks... TOTALY agree... LEDs are great- for me to p00p on(triumph comic dog anyone?)
Ryan S April 9, 2012 Author April 9, 2012 Keep coughing. My lights work great, no updates, no glitches, nothing but T5 awesomeness. Maybe that's the solution. I could get a 40g breeder. 2 radions would rock that. Hmmm... a potential downgrade coming in the future...
trockafella April 9, 2012 April 9, 2012 Maybe that's the solution. I could get a 40g breeder. 2 radions would rock that. Hmmm... a potential downgrade coming in the future... Keep your tank, its nice and you would regret it later. I used to have a 150 and sold it bc I got frustrated with it, I have always regreted that. Though I like my new tank a lot. Give it time and see how it grows in. Read up on what SPS needs more/less light and place your corals accordingly. Maybe you could alter your aquascape in some areas and make it taller. Lots of compromises out there..
trockafella April 9, 2012 April 9, 2012 But.. I find it soooo funny that people need to add T5's to there super LEDs (not just you ryan).. All this chatter about how far superior these lights are and yet this is the end result. Do you know what I add to my T5s.? Nothing bc there awesome enough already. I get a big smile everytime I read about someone doing it. Sorry LED guys.. Wait, no im not. HA!!!! thats great!! I needed a good laugh today. thanks... TOTALY agree... LEDs are great- for me to p00p on(triumph comic dog anyone?) Glad I could help.!
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