ballasts and t5 5 bulb setup.

[fishypapas]

what kind of ballasts are used in the fixture?

i am assuming there are only 2 ballasts used, so oneis feeding 2 bulbs and the other 3.

how much light is lost to the addition of another bulb (3) on a single ballast?

can fixtures be picked up locally without a tax charge?

thanks,

fishyfather

[Aquactinics]

Fishyfather,
Thank you for your interest in Aquactinics. Our T5 fixtures use the workhorse ballasts to run the T5 lamps. Yes, there are two ballasts inside the fixture, one for lamps 1, 3, and 5 and the other for lamps 2 and 4.

I don't understand your question about how much light is lost to an addition of another bulb. Can you please explain your question?

Thank you,

Tom
Aquactinics
203-234-9286

[fishypapas]

arent the ballasts design to fire two bulbs?

if so wouldnt the 3 bulbs running on a single ballast lose some output as it is divided into three not two outputs?

im not an electrical engineer, just someone who likes to understand the inner workings of things.

just trying to figure out the ballast bulb ratio and why they were designed that way.

for example, if there is no loss in power with the 3 bulbs on a single ballast, why not design the fixture with 6 bulbs and make complete use of the potential power of each ballast.

thanks again,

phil

[nemo g]

tagging along...im looking at picking up a light this month, and just added aquactinics to my short list.

i am also curious as to the design. im sure theres a reason, id just like to understand what it is.

nG

[Aquactinics]

Phil,
Actually the workhorse ballasts can run up to four lamps ( depending on the wattage of the lamps and model of the workhorse ballast ). It this case one of the ballast can run 2x54W T5s and the other can run 4x54W T5s, but found it better to run 3x54W T5s. We could have gone with 6 lamps, but found it really wasn't needed and more so we wanted to keep the size of the fixture down.

You get the full power from the two ballasts for each of the 54W lamps.

Thank you,

Tom
Aquactinics

[nemo g]

Tom, have you ever "upgraded" one of the ballasts to an icecap? let say for 3 of the bulbs.

i am looking for a 36" unit, and like the 14k look, but as you know those blue bulbs dont produce as much par as the white or daylight bulbs. i would like to negate this with an icecap ballast to effectively over drive the blue bulbs.

any thoughts?

thanks

nG

[Aquactinics]

nG,
What size tank do you have and what type of corals are you looking to keep?

Our current T5 fixtures do not have room for an IceCap upgrade. We are however working with IceCap to come out with a new line of T5 fixtures featuring their ballasts, reflectors, and fans. It will be a few months before such a fixture is ready.

For a 14K look, I would go with 3 Ocean Pro ( or Aquablue+ ) and 2 Blue Pro actinic ( Actinic+ ). While the Blue Pro don't give as much PAR ( but still up there ) as the other T5 lamps, it still does all together give you a very intense light.

Thank you,

Tom
Aquactinics

[nemo g]

im in the process of upgrading and deciding between a 50 or 65g setup. i will be moving soon (months to a year) so that is a consideration.

as far as corals go, id like the option to house almost anything short of a clam. however, the focus will be on montis, zoos, ricordia.

but from what im told, it wont be long before im knee deep in acros, so id like the option just in case.

will the new systems be 6 bulb units (or other #) or will you retain the 5 bulb design?

nG

[nemo g]

thanks for the quick responses and explanations tom. now i just need to find loose change, and a bunch of it.

nG

[Aquactinics]

nG,
Our fixtures should do fine for those tanks. As for the new line of fixtures it will most likely start off being a 6 lamp design. In the next few months we will begin posting more details.

Thank you,

Tom
Aquactinics

[mikekman]

Nemo G, you will be satisfied with the aquactinics light.
Tom of Aquactinics offers excellent customer service and he makes a great product. You will like the look of the T5 fixture, its very nice and sleek.

Also I would recommend the D&D Aquablue +. Its rated as a 11k bulb and is very intense and gives out a white/blue look. Actually very nice looking.

Mike

[nemo g]

mike, any images of your tank? what are you keeping in it?

[mikekman]

Nemo G, I am keeping mostly sps, zoas, and rics for my 65 gallon. I do have some acans on the very bottom of the tank. My rics are also on the bottom because the T5 light is too intense for them. The sps are loving it.

I have aquablue + as well as Aquaz Sun Pro bulbs on my 36" T5 fixture. I will say, if I had to repick bulbs, I would choose and go all Aquablue +. The aquaz sun pro gives out like a yellowish color. The Aquablue+ gives a bluish white color which is very pleasant to look at.

I am very satisfied with the lights and I think you will like it as well. Because of the large fans, the fixture is warm to the touch after 6-7 hours of it on.

If you are thinking about getting a fixture, get the Aquablue + bulbs. You will not be dissappointed.

Mike