Re: Cheap T5 fixtures

[conjuay]

Re: Cheap T5 fixtures

I went cheap on my T5 fixtures three years (or so) ago. They worked for my soft corals and some LPS, so all was well.

I'm at the start of the annual bulb replacing cycle and I decide to REALLY clean the fixtures.
I pull them apart and find 4 X T5 28W ballasts staring back at me.
I never noticed the fans running either- that because there aren't any. I guess you don't need fans when your running standard T5's and not H.O.

I'm quite annoyed.
And I can't blame anyone but me.
:angryfire:

 

[BigBoi5680]

That sucks! I was thinking about going a cheaper route myself, but I think I'll just shell out a little more now!

 

[BigBoi5680]

That sucks! I was thinking about going a cheaper route myself, but I think I'll just shell out a little more now!

 

[conjuay]

It really sucks for all the critters I tried to grow over the last three years only to have them either struggle or slowly go downhill.
In the last year I've avoided adding anything new; I thought my primary problem was water quality (large bio-load) but testing never showed anything really out of whack.
I never considered the source to be the lighting, I mean, 8 T5's over a 20 inch deep tank (100 long) should cover well enough. :reading:

I found the original cartons, the fixtures were shipped in cartons printed with "216Watts", so the problem originated at the Odyssea factory (opps, did I mention the name?) in China.

 

[mightymizz]

So, now Im confused. I bought a Current Nove Extreme Pro T5 light. Im assuming its 6x39watts fixture for a 36inch bulb.

Are you saying that maybe different companies put in lower wattage ballasts to save money?

Is this fixture what I thought it should be for HO t5 fixture?

 

[docstomper]

I bought a sun blaze 8 bulb 48" t5 and have had zero issues with it. No fans. I Have not found this to be an issue at all with bulb life or output.

I also just picked up a hydrofarm 6 bulb t5 48" for 75 bucks...

Individual reflectors that are mirror on both fixtures!!

Only downside... one Plug. I will be fixing this for about 7 dollars and a little effort this weekend!

What really makes the fixtures better other than fans? I dunno.

Both will be going on a 48x48x20 LeeMar cube!! Setup in the following weeks!!

Bulb changes will be expensive lol.