T5 lighting units

cowcio · #1 12/22/2007, 03:59 AM

I'm putting together another tank and I'd like to try a T5 lighting unit.

Right now a 36", 6 bulb, TEK unit is my first choice. The price of this unit with bulbs is going to be $467 at that good ol' place in Vermillion.

I noticed that eBay had a 36" 8 bulb unit for $299 with moonlights. That includes everything the bulbs, ballasts, individual reflectors, etc. and a 5 YEAR WARRANTY!
Has anybody heard anything about these, or better yet, used them?
My guess is that it is something like th Odyssea lighting units... but if they're comparable to the TEK, than why not get more light for less cash?

I'm one of those, "If the deal seems too good to be true, it probably is", types. So I don't expect this cheap light to be nearly as good... but with a 5 year warranty along with it, they must believe in the product.

Any thoughts or comments are welcomed.

pgolnick · #2 12/22/2007, 08:27 AM

Is there a link or name with the lights? I bought a pair of T5 24" two lamp off a guy on e-bay. This was for a frag tank. The fixture not bad. The lamps were a brand I never heard of. One relector for the unit. Better then the PC I had before.
http://cgi.ebay.com/New-T5ho-t5-ho-2...QQcmdZViewItem
HTH
Phil

cowcio · #3 12/22/2007, 01:03 PM

Unit in a hood

Retrofit

cowcio · #4 12/22/2007, 01:05 PM

They both say they have individual reflectors and come with a 5 year warranty.

The TEK light only has a 1 year warranty. BUT, my guess is the TEK reflectors are better, but who knows.

SPStoner · #5 12/22/2007, 01:19 PM

If you read that listing carefully, only the ballast has a 5 year warranty. No mention of warranty on the fixture itself.

HTH

Tony

cowcio · #6 12/22/2007, 01:59 PM

Yes, that's true. What could go wrong with the rest of the fixture though? Perhaps the wiring would get messed up, reflectors may fall apart, a switch could stop working?

If the ballast works, I can always buy new bulbs, right?

My main concern is the the individual reflectors will not be of the same quality AND how much that would matter...

MJAnderson · #7 12/24/2007, 10:21 AM

Well I have seen some figures comparing the new Current Nova Extreme individual reflectors and the one Icecap uses and the Icecap increases output by about 20%. It's hard to judge the fixture becuase he doesn't say who makes the ballast or the reflectors. I'm a tad skeptical since my Aquactinics fixture is 9" wide and has only 5 bulbs and those are in a parabolic setting and somehow he has 8 bulbs and refelctors in a 9" wide fixture laying flat?

looking at the cost, if this 8 bulb gives as much light as the 6 bulb Tek and you get moonlights, the $270 you save will more than make up for the extra bulbs replacement cost and electricty.

GSMguy · #8 12/24/2007, 01:46 PM

ATI FTW, The tek has reflectors that stain easily and if you use the acrylic sheild they bulbs get so hot they decrease output and lifetime drasticly,

T5s need Active cooling IMO

GSMguy · #9 12/24/2007, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by cowcio
They both say they have individual reflectors and come with a 5 year warranty.

The TEK light only has a 1 year warranty. BUT, my guess is the TEK reflectors are better, but who knows.

Tek reflectors are better but stain easily the Current unit has cooling though....

cmador · #10 12/24/2007, 02:50 PM

I've been using the Aquactnicis TX5 fixture for about three weeks, now. Other than the fan being a bit loud, so far I like it.