Ebay T5 Lights. What Do You Think?

[chief hill]

http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&id=121593292127&alt=web
Now I've been running the China d120 leds for a couple years and they still work great.
But I need your opinions as I'm considering moving to t5. Obviously this is no ATI fixture. But I would drop in ATI bulbs. Realistically speaking a florescent fixture is a ballast and decent reflectors. So would this work? I just don't want to blow the bank in a really expensive T5 fixture. But want to try them instead of LED. Like most things today this is a made in China product. But aluminum body with timer, blue leds, acrylic cover over bulbs.

Anyone ever see or use anything like these?

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[reeferkeeper420]

Looks like theyd do the trick..id just look into seeing if they have any fans built in, or else youll have to figure out a way to keep the fixture cool so you dont burn out any ballasts and what not. I had a chinese t5 and when it was on it got sooo hot you couldnt even touch the damn thing. I swear i could of cooked a steak on the top of it haha. Then i switched to a ATI fixture and ill never look back t5 wise, although with everyone switching to LEDs ive been debating on jumping on the bandwagon to try something different. I just dont know if i can afford buying new fixtures to cover a 72" tank that is sps dominated...or will be after i fix my algae issue lol. Decisions decisions lol

 

[chief hill]

Looks like theyd do the trick..id just look into seeing if they have any fans built in, or else youll have to figure out a way to keep the fixture cool so you dont burn out any ballasts and what not. I had a chinese t5 and when it was on it got sooo hot you couldnt even touch the damn thing. I swear i could of cooked a steak on the top of it haha. Then i switched to a ATI fixture and ill never look back t5 wise, although with everyone switching to LEDs ive been debating on jumping on the bandwagon to try something different. I just dont know if i can afford buying new fixtures to cover a 72" tank that is sps dominated...or will be after i fix my algae issue lol. Decisions decisions lol

I find that if you do go led with sps it's probably best to go with a high end fixture. And yes this t5 has fans.

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[Quartapound]

Looks like theyd do the trick..id just look into seeing if they have any fans built in, or else youll have to figure out a way to keep the fixture cool so you dont burn out any ballasts and what not. I had a chinese t5 and when it was on it got sooo hot you couldnt even touch the damn thing. I swear i could of cooked a steak on the top of it haha. Then i switched to a ATI fixture and ill never look back t5 wise, although with everyone switching to LEDs ive been debating on jumping on the bandwagon to try something different. I just dont know if i can afford buying new fixtures to cover a 72" tank that is sps dominated...or will be after i fix my algae issue lol. Decisions decisions lol

I don't want to highjack... I'd recommend if you do go LED don't get rid of your T5's. BRS just did a whole series on lighting, a combination of 2 tech seems to be the best way to go.. (IMO). I just added T5 to my LED setup... there's a huge transition back to T5 from LED because of the better colouration/diffuse lighting... this might be negated on very expensive LED fixtures, LED is sweet to have for the added 'pop' though.. lots to debate! food for thought.

 

[Seggsy]

This debate is not settling my unsettled T5/LED mind!

 

[Kjay]

Fishit has a t5 setup I think forsale and he local

 

[reeferkeeper420]

I was definately considering the T5/led combo, i dont really think i could give up my t5s...i just hate bulb replacement costs every 8months.

 

[Fishit]

Lol I just sold my extra tek 5 light yesterday to a guy switching back from a Keslas he purchased the kesla and been having problems with his tank he ran a kesla and 2 Chinese LEDs fixture and made the jump back to the good old t5s

 

[Fishit]

But to be 100 % honest with you if your running canopy make your own light they have the exact t5 ballast my tek runs at menards in the us for 20$ ea that will run 2 bulbs and the 4 bulb ballast is around 30$ then all you need is the sockets witch they also sell get a good set of ati bulbs and you'll probably come out way cheaper than the China light for a 100% better light need fans run to princess auto they have a bunch for dirt cheep nice little pc fans

 

[MrHermit85]

Don't forget he will need some reflectors too.
There are also these retro kits available.

http://www.incredibleaquarium.com/i...uct_info&cPath=30_52_130_242&products_id=3054

Personally I am not a fan of eBay electronics. I would rather just keep an eye on the boards and wait for a nice quality fixture to come up used. IMO

 

[AdInfinitum]

There is a fair bit of difference in ballast outputs as well...the electronics in the better fixtures and the LET retrofit kits have far better output than workhorse type. Quality individual reflectors are what made t5 competetive with halide.

IMO LED/t5 is hard to beat...

 

[chief hill]

Don't forget he will need some reflectors too.
There are also these retro kits available.

http://www.incredibleaquarium.com/i...uct_info&cPath=30_52_130_242&products_id=3054

Personally I am not a fan of eBay electronics. I would rather just keep an eye on the boards and wait for a nice quality fixture to come up used. IMO

To go with a 6 bulb retro I'd still be at over 350 and still have to buy bulbs. So that's not a big gain.

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[Fishit]

If you get the China light you will need to put good bulbs in it regardless and like somebody methioned the ballast suck in those anyways I would not ways your money just find a used light or build your own and get the bulb combo you want

 

[chief hill]

If you get the China light you will need to put good bulbs in it regardless and like somebody methioned the ballast suck in those anyways I would not ways your money just find a used light or build your own and get the bulb combo you want

Yea I'm keeping my eye open for someone selling a better fixture locally. No huge rush. Someone here will eventually have something.

 

[Fishit]

For sure with the amount of guys that switched to led they should be everywhere

 

[Kman]

A few months ago I added 4 T5 to my LED lights and I used the Micro-4 60" 80 watt on my 180. They come with electronic ballast and reflectors that you attach to the T5 light itself and are very adjustable. Just select the length you need for your tank. They work great if you have a canopy or something to attach them to.

I ran just LED for the last few years and they work great by themselves. As I had no color or growth issues I just wanted more out of my lights and I have always been a fan of mixed lighting. After I added the T5 my growth exploded. (As expected with the extra 320 watts) I have run T5 and MH combo for over 20 years so I am familiar with the growth and color they produce. Like AdInfinitum said the combo of LED and T5 are hard to beat. They take something that works great and makes it better.


http://www.reefsupplies.ca/online-store/LET-60-2x80W-Miro-4-T5-High-Output-Retrofit-Kit.html