got my T5 lights today, now I have questions

[pontius]

I got my T5 lights today, 324 watts. upgraded from 110 watts power compact. both were 50/50 daylight/actinic. now my questions.....
1. should I run the new lights the same amount of time that the pc lights were running? I had them running for 13 hours a day. the T5s have 2 cords (one controls 4 bulbs, one controls 2) but I won't be able to get a second timer until this weekend.
2. do I need to use the legs that came with the new lights? the lights are approximately 3 inches above the water and there is a glass cover between the lights and the water, so do I need the legs for additional height? if so, how in hell do I put them on? there are no instructions whatsoever. they did however throw in 2 sets of legs if anyone needs some.
3. will these lights raise the temp of the water? the water has been at a constant 81 degrees and the room temperature is 76.
4. do you think these lights are better than what I had? the tank appears to be a lot brighter, but not as much blue tint.
that's all for now, thanks.

 

[blitz99]

whatcha gonna do with the PC lights? i am looking for a light upgrade so i can keep one stinking anemone...

 

[pontius]

I may be interested in selling, but to be honest, I doubt the 110 is enough for an anemone. the power compacts are 2 months old, cost $150 (yeah, I think I paid too much). it's got 2 50/50 bulbs in it, and 2 regular daylights bulbs (the ones that actually came with it). if I don't sell, I will probably use on a freshwater tank. I thought about adding it in some way to the T5s, but I don't think it'll work.

 

[blitz99]

i am shocked by the cost of all the lights out there... i cannot buy a new light for 200 bucks.. i only have a 40 gallon tank with two strips on top... 40 watts baby!!!
so i keep my eyes open for a deal...

 

[autopilot]

I think I have about the same lights as you. Its 6 54 wett bulbs. I got off ----. It just sits on the top of my tank, no legs, I didn't get any. :nope:

 

[pontius]

well, if you absolutely want the legs, send me your address and I'll give them to you. do you think they're needed though? do you think the lights heat your water?

 

[autopilot]

I am ok without the legs, thanks for the offer. It seems to be fine, I have had my lights for about 3 months now without any problems.

 

[pontius]

do you keep any corals or anemones? how do you have your lights arranged from front to back? thanks.

 

[autopilot]

I have a few mushrooms, some zoos, green star polyps, finger leather and a BTA. All of which seem to be going good. The zoos are spreading all over and the finger leather keep growing bigger and bigger, the GSP totally covers the rock its on. The BTA seems to be doing good I feed it krill a couple times a week and my clown loves it alot. I wasn't really sure have to arrange the lights. I just have everyother light different.

 

[pontius]

well, guess what? the two bulbs that are controlled by the same switch have already blown. it's not the bulbs, it's the ballast or whatever controls the lights, because the bulbs still work. I'm pissed. I've emailed the seller, I don't know. the whole fixture was EXTREMELY hot to the touch, and up close it smelled like a toaster oven. is yours hot? the ---- auction listing said that it runs cool. I'm mad. I waited 3 weeks for this company to send these lights and they're already screwed up.

 

[autopilot]

if i touch the aluminum part its hot enough to burn my hand. I had one light go out of me when I first got it. They sent me a new one which got broke on shipping. I told them again and then sent me out another one which I am using now.

 

[nero]

Pontius
what company did you buy your lights from? i just got some yesterday and set them up... they seem to be working fine, but just want to know if i bought them from they same place you did. thanks.

 

[reefraff]

Bummer about the lights failing. Did your fixture come with fans? I run a retro kit with 6 five foot lamps in a six foot canopy and my water will get up around 83 degrees with two ice cap fans running. These don't get hot like PCs but they are toasty.

 

[pontius]

the name of the ---- seller is Aquariumlights. I believe they are a pet supply liquidator in California. I got a response on the email last night, but have to call them today Cal time.
as far as I know, the lights don't have a fan. the ---- listing said the lights run cool and don't need a fan or chiller. they felt very hot to me. the pc lights I have don't run hot at all.

 

[cowpoke]

Well Pontius
I owe you
I was going to jump on those same lights, well the 8'sx54, from the same source.
I will wait and see how they treat you.
With that much wattage I was going to use the legs for circulation to keep the ballasts cool, I did not know you could run right on your cover.
Thanks for taking one for the team, I hope they treat you well.
I will be watching this thread to see
Have fun
Take care
Cowpoke

 

[the josey wales]

sounds like a bad lighting fixtue to me, I'd return it if I were you.
I have 4x54 and need to suspend approx. 6" above my tank, to avoid excessive heating of water.
it shouldn't smell like a tosteroven
when you do get your system running, I would "light aclimate" by hitting them with 2 (110w) then 4 (220w) then all six.
btw I have found my system to be much happier at 78 degrees than 81.

 

[soondubu]

got lights from the same seller!
i paid 600 for the 2x 250 mh and 4x54 t5's.
the fixture and casing is cool to touch.
te bulbs get hot.
the mh is very very hot.
came with fans, and when i talked to the guys, they said all of their hoods come with fans....
got the legs and put them on too...
they forgot to include the moon lights so i called them, and they were very pleasant, will ship them today.
overall, the lights are great!

 

[pontius]

I talked to the guy yesterday and he was supposed to call me back today to work something out. and he didn't call. I am calling him tomorrow and I am going to get something done. I'll let you know.

 

[pontius]

thank God, this episode is over (hopefully, knock on wood).
finally got the lights back today, almost two months after mailing them back to be fixed. I had to call them numerous times to get them to finally send them. he promised he would throw in some extra bulbs for the trouble.....he sent 2 extras: one was busted in half and one was already blown. basically, I like the lights 100% more than my pc lights, but I would absolutely not recommend this seller to anyone.
I have a glass cover on my tank and originally had the lights directly on the cover. could it be that it got to hot and caused the ballast to blow? I now have the legs on, but I don't like it. it is too strong a light to the eye, that high off the aquarium. do you think I'd be ok just sitting it on top the tank (with the glass top)?

 

[reefraff]

Assuming these are the ---- knockoff t5's I'd keep them off the glass just a bit. They cram too many lamps in that fixture to begin with so any thing you can do to help cool them is a good thing. I know of one guy who pulled the ballasts out and mounted them on the side of his stand.