T-5 lighting questions

[APFish]

Here is what I am considering. I have a catalog "GrowersSupply" that has a t-5 light with 6 lamps in it. Could I buy this and then get actual lamps from an aquarium supply and end up with the same thing? I could get the light for around $180 and haven't found anything in that neighborhood for pricing. All thoughts are welcome.

Rob

 

[crumbletop]

The two big questions I would have are is that lamp a T5 HO, and does it have individual parabolic reflectors for each bulb in the fixture. Good reflectors are critical for getting good light output. If it has good reflectors, and is a high output setup, then yes you could use the fixture with lamps for a reef. Another thing that you might also consider is if it has some kind of protection from splashing. If there isn't a cover for it, I think you really need waterproof endcaps. Otherwise, a plastic cover over the lights is what you would need. I can't remember who in the club had a fire twice with their light, but I think it was related to not having waterproof endcaps.

 

[mamagoose45]

CKreef was the one with the perpetual bad luck with T5 endcap fires...I'm not sure if he just had a run with bed endcaps or if it was indeed a waterproofing issue... Might shoot him a PM and see what he figured out with it all though.

 

[Kalied20]

I got a simular setup on my 90 with 6 54 watt bulbs. I love it. I have individual reflectors on each bulb and the endcaps are water proof. The only thing I will do different next time is spend a little more money and get an inclosed fixture. I have water proof end caps, but the cleaning of it every now and then takes forever.

 

[Lint_Licker]

The only thing you have to watch for with the T5HO's for green houses is they dont use lens to protect the bulbs from water splashing them. Other then that, they are the same thing.

Where do yall think lighting technology for reef aquariums come from??? ALL reef lighting has come from advancments in green houses cause corals may technically be animals, but they are REAL similar to plants. Metal halides have been used for decades in green houses, street lights and industrial lighting until one day somebody said "hey I bet that will work on my fish tank!".