icedearth15324 Posted October 31, 2014 Share Posted October 31, 2014 Been trying to figure this out. i've been running LEDs on all my tanks, but I'm thinking about setting up my spare 20L as a frag/nem tank. But, I'm thinking about trying something a little different for this instead of using an LED fixture. I have never used T5s before, but I've heard they are a tried and true method. My question is about the different types of T5 fixtures, is there a difference? Will there be a difference between an expensive $200 T5 fixture compared to let's say this $70 fixture on ebay? Also, would this fixture be good enough for primarily nems, LPS, and maybe, easy SPS? Thanks Link to comment
CrazyEyes Posted October 31, 2014 Share Posted October 31, 2014 There is always going to be a difference between high end fixtures and cheaper ones. One thing you'll really want is individual reflectors, that alone makes or breaks a fixture IMO. Secondly, that fixture should do just fine over a 20g even for SPS. Get some good bulbs though. Link to comment
slowngreen Posted October 31, 2014 Share Posted October 31, 2014 I use a larger version of that setup and have very happy coral, have for 1.5years now. Like crazyeyes said though, get good bulbs. Those stock bulbs leave alot to be desired. Link to comment
ItsOnlyThai Posted October 31, 2014 Share Posted October 31, 2014 You're going to want individual parabolic reflectors and good bulbs (ATI or Giesemann) Link to comment
icedearth15324 Posted October 31, 2014 Author Share Posted October 31, 2014 There is always going to be a difference between high end fixtures and cheaper ones. One thing you'll really want is individual reflectors, that alone makes or breaks a fixture IMO. Secondly, that fixture should do just fine over a 20g even for SPS. Get some good bulbs though. So even though quality fixtures use individual reflectors, with such a small tank this fixture should do the job as long as I replace the bulbs with higher quality ones? Link to comment
jedimasterben Posted November 1, 2014 Share Posted November 1, 2014 A dual-lamp T5 fixture with high-quality reflectors will have nearly as much light as this shitty quad-lamp fixture while using twice as much power and making twice and much heat. Save your money and buy something at least decent the first time - otherwise you're going to spend more than you would if you did it right the first time. http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/showthread.php?t=184368 Notice that the ATI Sunpower, which has incredible reflectors, with only three lamps installed has nearly the same PAR output as the AquaticLife fixture, which has decent reflectors, with four lamps installed. tl;dr don't bother with the cheap shit. Link to comment
icedearth15324 Posted November 2, 2014 Author Share Posted November 2, 2014 A dual-lamp T5 fixture with high-quality reflectors will have nearly as much light as this shitty quad-lamp fixture while using twice as much power and making twice and much heat. Save your money and buy something at least decent the first time - otherwise you're going to spend more than you would if you did it right the first time. http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/showthread.php?t=184368 Notice that the ATI Sunpower, which has incredible reflectors, with only three lamps installed has nearly the same PAR output as the AquaticLife fixture, which has decent reflectors, with four lamps installed. tl;dr don't bother with the cheap shit. I normally don't bother with the cheap shit, but I'm not going to spend $150+ on a fixture for a frag tank that may or may not be used a ton. If I'm going to even spend over $100, I'd rather just get a D120 LED fixture. But I was interested in possibly doing a cheap T5 fixture just to give it a shot instead of using LEDs again. I understand that quality doesn't come cheap, but I am not looking for super high quality for this. Link to comment
slowngreen Posted November 2, 2014 Share Posted November 2, 2014 If you cant afford the top shelf stuff, there is options, This fixture looks to be one of those options. If its anything like mine, its a good setup and grows stuff very well. Of course being able to get "the best" would be nice, but it isnt always an option. Link to comment
gus6464 Posted November 2, 2014 Share Posted November 2, 2014 A good option is hydroponic fixtures. A quad 2ft T5 unit is $70. The ballasts are rapid start but nothing 2x $25 HEPs cant fix. Now you got yourself a quality unit for $120. Link to comment
jedimasterben Posted November 2, 2014 Share Posted November 2, 2014 Where are you finding HEP ballasts for $25? They start at $40 everywhere I've seen. Link to comment
Tamberav Posted November 2, 2014 Share Posted November 2, 2014 How about buying a used fixture? I got a great deal on a ATI this way with new bulbs and all. Link to comment
gus6464 Posted November 2, 2014 Share Posted November 2, 2014 Where are you finding HEP ballasts for $25? They start at $40 everywhere I've seen. http://m.ebay.com/itm/361096504346?_mwBanner=1 Link to comment
farkwar Posted November 2, 2014 Share Posted November 2, 2014 Description states T8. Is there a difference between T5 and T8 ballasts. I would assume so. Link to comment
icedearth15324 Posted November 2, 2014 Author Share Posted November 2, 2014 How about buying a used fixture? I got a great deal on a ATI this way with new bulbs and all. I've been looking for used fixtures, just haven't found any near me or for good prices yet. Link to comment
gus6464 Posted November 2, 2014 Share Posted November 2, 2014 Description states T8. Is there a difference between T5 and T8 ballasts. I would assume so. Its a universal ballast. Auto identifies the bulb. Supports 24/39W T5 as well as T8. It's the same exact ballast that comes with the LET Miro kits. Link to comment
farkwar Posted November 2, 2014 Share Posted November 2, 2014 I've been looking for used fixtures, just haven't found any near me or for good prices yet. Get Craigslist Pro app. Link to comment
plainrt Posted November 3, 2014 Share Posted November 3, 2014 Find a used tek fixture. Good bang for buck. Cheap stuff tends to have bad reflectors and cheap bulbs. Also have had some with not so great ballast. I tried many t5 fixtures and currently have ati dimmable that was worth every penny Link to comment
Tamberav Posted November 3, 2014 Share Posted November 3, 2014 I've been looking for used fixtures, just haven't found any near me or for good prices yet. I would also browse our hardware forums. That is where I got mine. It doesn't have to be local Link to comment
icedearth15324 Posted November 6, 2014 Author Share Posted November 6, 2014 I went to my LFS and he had a couple fixtures for pretty cheap that were used. I'm not 100% positive on the brand, but I trust him that they are good. The bulbs are good for another 3-4 months too. Got it for $60 from him. Link to comment
farkwar Posted November 7, 2014 Share Posted November 7, 2014 He bought the cheap ones He missed out on two good T5 sales, too. Link to comment
NorthGaHillbilly Posted November 7, 2014 Share Posted November 7, 2014 The coralife one would have fit the bill nicely Link to comment
farkwar Posted November 7, 2014 Share Posted November 7, 2014 Unless otherwise specifically noted, Coral Vue stuff is better quality than Coralife. They dont sell the cheap shit, generally. The 8x39 is a $500 fixture if it had the mounting leg kit. Without bulbs. There are dealers selling it for that now I with they had the 6 by, the 8 by is 20 inches wide. And the others at $100, im still trying to come up with excuses to buy them just out of pure advantageous greed. The coralife one would have fit the bill nicely Link to comment
Horerczy Posted November 7, 2014 Share Posted November 7, 2014 Unless otherwise specifically noted, Coral Vue stuff is better quality than Coralife. They dont sell the cheap shit, generally.The 8x39 is a $500 fixture if it had the mounting leg kit. Without bulbs.There are dealers selling it for that nowI with they had the 6 by, the 8 by is 20 inches wide.And the others at $100, im still trying to come up with excuses to buy them just out of pure advantageous greed. Get the 8 bulb you know you want to. what's a little light spill when the fixture has such a killer price? Link to comment
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