T5 lighting

[vickit447]

Hi All, I’m looking for a T5 fixture with individual reflectors. The only one I’ve found is the Current USA Nova Sundial. Are there any others? Also, do you really need the individual reflectors?

Thanks,

Vicki

[95accord]

Hagen Glo T5HO has nice set-up. thats what i have.

http://www.hagen.com/canada/english/...htProg2_EN.cfm

i have the 48 2x54....built in polished aluminum reflector

[flinka]

Try www.aquactinics.com - an RC Sponsor.

I have their 48" TX-5 fixture and am very happy with it.

And from everything I read, the individual reflectors are a must as they greatly increase the output to your tank.

[faded1004]

reefgeek has some also? i got my reflectors from them when i setup my retro kit...

www.reefgeek.com

supposedly they help with output of the light coming down to the tank... my case, i just used them cause i didn't want a huge reflector... i am using the icecap reflector? i forget... can't complain...

but in your case... i think the individual relfectors are usually there to make the unit thinner? cause the parabolic is smaller if you put ones for each bulb and not the whole setup?

there are alot of people with t5 fixtures in this area... and i remember seeing a brand called "tek"? look in to those if you got time also...

[Kalied20]

all of those are good recommendations. I have a self built fixture that I used six 54 watt T5's for my 90 gallon. the individual reflectors are a must on T5's. It great increases the light that makes it to your tank.

[luke33]

As stated above individual reflectors are what make t5's nice. Check out the ati s at reefgeek, the tek's, the aquacintics are nice but they just made a price hike for no reason from 100-300bux. The icecap retro's are excellent and the tek's are decent as well.

[Nereaga]

Originally posted by flinka
Try www.aquactinics.com - an RC Sponsor.

I have their 48" TX-5 fixture and am very happy with it.

And from everything I read, the individual reflectors are a must as they greatly increase the output to your tank.

Not to thread jack!

Do you by chance have a picture of your lights and your tank? I was looking at those fixtures aswell. What bulb combo do you run? Thanks in advance!

Brad

[flinka]

Brad,

Here are some pics. I made a homemade frame to hang the lights as my tank is viewable from three sides (front, back and side).

Bulbs:
1 x 54W UVL Super Actinic 420nm
1 x 54W ATI Blue Plus T5HO
2 x 54W 12000K ATI Aquablue Special T5HO
1 x 54W UVL Aquasun 10,000k

Mitch

[Nereaga]

Very Nice look to the fixture. Thank you very much!

Nice tank BTW!

Brad

[jabis96]

try catalinaaquarium.com they have a larg selection of t-5 lighting

[ganjero]

Originally posted by jabis96
try catalinaaquarium.com they have a larg selection of t-5 lighting

Dont even take a look there, their prices are way too high for what they sell. They use the worst ballasts out there, really cheap bulbs and reflectors (not even individual reflectors). It will be a total waste of money. You can get a TEK for about the same price.

[ganjero]

.

[vickit447]

Hey thanks for all the information. It really helped.

[sgarron]

check these out.

http://www.aquacave.com/searchresult...CategoryID=546

[CruzinKim]

The only time you don't need individual reflectors is a fish only tank. If you don't buy a fixture with the inidividual reflectors, you limited yourself tremedously and if you decide to turn a fish only tank to a mix reef tank, you will end up spending money again.

Next question will be, do I buy a fixture with active cooling or passive cooling? More confusion.

[Reef Sponger]

I know a lot of hobbyist like to build their own lighting, so the DIY retrofit kits are great for that and save a lot of money. If you're not a DIYer, like I'm not, I'll go with the SLS Teklight, you won't be disappointed.