t5 brands

[Newflavor]

Hi,

I just want to ask if anyone knows the major differences between t5 lighting manufacturers. I know TEK is probably the best choice right now but I am looking for a cheaper alternative. I am looking at NOVA EXTREME right now and I jsut want to ask anyone here if this is a good brand? Also, can you guys recommend any other names I can trust? I am open to any suggestions. Thanks

 

[chadfarmer]

save the extra money and get the tek light

 

[beaker77]

I'm happy with Current-USA as a brand. I feel that their products are well put together with quality components. Right now I have 3 Current light fixtures and I've never had a problem with any of them.

Current made a huge mistake with the Nova Extreme fixtures when they didn't use individual reflectors. Individual reflectors are what make T5 lighting so intense. Light gets wasted when it reflects back into the bulb in a single reflector T5 setup. Individual reflectors reflect light around the bulb in many angles so that more of the light that is produced by the bulb is reflected back into the tank and not wasted.

All in all a T5 fixture without individual reflectors is basically a high priced power compact fixture.

Wait until you can afford the SLS Tek fixture which is the only individual reflector T5 fixture on the market that I know of. Donââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢t do what Iââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢ve done twice now and buy lighting to save money, it will come back to bit you in the long run. By buying a good fixture from the start youââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢ll save money in the long run.

 

[Justin74]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7456070#post7456070 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by beaker77


All in all a T5 fixture without individual reflectors is basically a high priced power compact fixture.

:thumbsup:

-Justin

 

[moonpod]

The obvious choice is the Teklight

I believe aquatinics makes an individual reflector unit, but I dunno if these are their own reflectors, icecaps, teks or what.

The ATI powermodule may be arriving in the US in the near future.

 

[Aquactinics]

Moonpod,

The reflectors on our T5 fixtures are of our own design.

Thank you,

Tom
Aquactinics

 

[Newflavor]

aquatinics,

How do you compare your product though to the Tek? Do you use parabolic reflector per unit? What kindof ballast you use and how much do you sell one with 6 lamps? I might end up buying from you. What is your store site?

 

[travisurfer]

their site is www.aquactinics.com
it looks like they only have a 49" and a 72" fixture for t5HO

 

[Aquactinics]

Newflavor,

It would be bias of me to compare our T5 fixtures to the Tek T5 fixtures. What I can say is that we use individual parabolic reflectors per T5 lamp. Our 5 lamp T5 fixtures are only 9.5" wide and 4.25" tall. Our 72" 14 lamp T5 fixture is 14" wide and 3" tall. We are currently using the workhorse ballasts to drive the T5s and been having very good luck with them. We currently have 36", 48" and 72" T5 fixtures along with our MH/T5 fixtures. So not to offend anyone, if you have any other direct questions you can ask them on our sponsor forum section here in RC.

Thank you,

Tom
Aquactinics

 

[Newflavor]

K. Thank you very much I will be checking your website.