Looking for a t-5 fixture

Jackie Blue · 04/19/2009, 05:59 PM

I am looking to upgrade my lighting from PC's to T-5s. While browsing around I came across this fixture.

https://www.dtpetsupplies.com/catalo...oducts_id=7970

I have not been able to find any reviews about it I was wondering if anybody here had any input or suggestions.

Thanks in advance,

Jack

cich4fish · 04/19/2009, 07:09 PM

One problem I see is that it only has one cord.No way to set the bulbs to come on at different times with timers.I have a catalina 6 bulb t-5 and I love it.I found it on ebay,but they also sell them on thir site.
just my 2 cents.

Eric

Jackie Blue · 04/19/2009, 07:20 PM

Ya I saw that to but I am going to have a hard time justifying spending more money on a fixture just because I'll have to wake up and flip some switches.

mtb888 · 04/19/2009, 08:02 PM

I just got the AquaticLife 4x39 watt fixture and it is really cool. Has built in timers, 4 banks of blue LEDs for nightime viewing and dawn and dusk affects. Check it out its nice. For the 36" fixture it was $300.00 I know they make it for the 48" tanks as well. I am running it without the splash guard and it puts out a tone of light. One of my corals is acutally getting too much light.

cich4fish · 04/19/2009, 08:27 PM

I paid that or less for my fixture on ebay.Mine is also a 6 bulb unit w/8 led lights and 3 cords for customizing what lights come on and when.check them out.

Eric

Jackie Blue · 04/19/2009, 08:53 PM

I don't want to be limited by light at all in matters on what I can keep. I have a standard 75 gal tank. Will a 4 bulbed t5 fixture allow me to keep clams or do I need to bump up to a 5 bulbed T5. Catalina has a really cheap 4 bulbed fixture.

cich4fish · 04/19/2009, 08:58 PM

I would go with 6 bulb unit at least.With my unit I keep acros,monti's,softies and zoa's.I am currently looking for a maxima clam that is not going to cost me $100 with nice blue coloring.

Eric

Jackie Blue · 04/19/2009, 09:02 PM

Where did find you fixture, did you get it used off of ebay?

Rick55555 · 04/19/2009, 09:04 PM

I don't have experience with the fixture you posted but you may want to look into the following fixtures:

ATI Powermodule
ATI Sunpower
Aquatinics TX5
Tek T5

Rick

mtb888 · 04/19/2009, 09:14 PM

if you like that fixture I would call D & T Aquarium supplies and ask them if it has built in timers. If it only has one powercord, three power switches, and a mix of bulbs, it has a built in timers. I would doubt it if any company would put out a fixture without indpendent controls. There is just so much technology and fixtures are so competitive it would be ridiculous for all six bulbs to come on at once or have no capability for independent controls.

I learned after all my research that most quality T5 fixtures have contoured reflectors, some have flat and should be avoided. The only fixtures with true independent reflectors are retrofit kits. ATI, Teck, Aquaticlife, and Current all have contoured reflectors. These are one solid reflector that is bent around the bulbs to concentrate all the light into the tank. So if it has a contoured reflectors and is built well it should work great for all types of corals.

If you want to shop around more which I would suggest before deciding I would look at Tek, ATI, IceCap, Aquaticlife, Coralife and Current. These are the brands I have seen used in a ton of successful tanks.

cich4fish · 04/19/2009, 09:29 PM

Here is the link.I bought it from this same seller.When I received the light 1bulb was broken and the plastic cover on the led control box was cracked.I sent him an email and a couple of days later I received new bulb and a whole new led light set.Very impressed.

http://cgi.ebay.com/48-Aquarium-Ligh...A1%7C294%3A50a

04/19/2009, 05:59 PM	#1
Jackie Blue Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Elgin, IL Posts: 333	Looking for a t-5 fixture I am looking to upgrade my lighting from PC's to T-5s. While browsing around I came across this fixture. https://www.dtpetsupplies.com/catalo...oducts_id=7970 I have not been able to find any reviews about it I was wondering if anybody here had any input or suggestions. Thanks in advance, Jack __________________ How am I doing? Well I got ten fingers and toes. Current Tank Info: 120 Gallon. Custom made refugium sump 30 gallons.

04/19/2009, 07:09 PM	#2
cich4fish Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: orlando Posts: 216	light One problem I see is that it only has one cord.No way to set the bulbs to come on at different times with timers.I have a catalina 6 bulb t-5 and I love it.I found it on ebay,but they also sell them on thir site. just my 2 cents. Eric

04/19/2009, 07:20 PM	#3
Jackie Blue Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Elgin, IL Posts: 333	Ya I saw that to but I am going to have a hard time justifying spending more money on a fixture just because I'll have to wake up and flip some switches. __________________ How am I doing? Well I got ten fingers and toes. Current Tank Info: 120 Gallon. Custom made refugium sump 30 gallons.

04/19/2009, 08:02 PM	#4
mtb888 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Bay City, Michigan Posts: 55	I just got the AquaticLife 4x39 watt fixture and it is really cool. Has built in timers, 4 banks of blue LEDs for nightime viewing and dawn and dusk affects. Check it out its nice. For the 36" fixture it was $300.00 I know they make it for the 48" tanks as well. I am running it without the splash guard and it puts out a tone of light. One of my corals is acutally getting too much light. __________________ mtb888 Current Tank Info: 40 gallon breeder, 4x39 watts T5 fixture, Aqua C-Remora Protein Simmer, Hagen hang on filtration, soft & lps, cleaning crew, 50 lbs of mixed live rock, occelaris clownfish, royal gramma, bared goby, scooter blennie, cleaner shrimp,

04/19/2009, 08:53 PM	#6
Jackie Blue Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Elgin, IL Posts: 333	I don't want to be limited by light at all in matters on what I can keep. I have a standard 75 gal tank. Will a 4 bulbed t5 fixture allow me to keep clams or do I need to bump up to a 5 bulbed T5. Catalina has a really cheap 4 bulbed fixture. __________________ How am I doing? Well I got ten fingers and toes. Current Tank Info: 120 Gallon. Custom made refugium sump 30 gallons.

04/19/2009, 08:27 PM	#5
cich4fish Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: orlando Posts: 216	I paid that or less for my fixture on ebay.Mine is also a 6 bulb unit w/8 led lights and 3 cords for customizing what lights come on and when.check them out. Eric

04/19/2009, 08:58 PM	#7
cich4fish Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: orlando Posts: 216	I would go with 6 bulb unit at least.With my unit I keep acros,monti's,softies and zoa's.I am currently looking for a maxima clam that is not going to cost me $100 with nice blue coloring. Eric

04/19/2009, 09:02 PM	#8
Jackie Blue Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Elgin, IL Posts: 333	Where did find you fixture, did you get it used off of ebay? __________________ How am I doing? Well I got ten fingers and toes. Current Tank Info: 120 Gallon. Custom made refugium sump 30 gallons.

04/19/2009, 09:04 PM	#9
Rick55555 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 469	I don't have experience with the fixture you posted but you may want to look into the following fixtures: ATI Powermodule ATI Sunpower Aquatinics TX5 Tek T5 Rick

04/19/2009, 09:14 PM	#10
mtb888 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Bay City, Michigan Posts: 55	if you like that fixture I would call D & T Aquarium supplies and ask them if it has built in timers. If it only has one powercord, three power switches, and a mix of bulbs, it has a built in timers. I would doubt it if any company would put out a fixture without indpendent controls. There is just so much technology and fixtures are so competitive it would be ridiculous for all six bulbs to come on at once or have no capability for independent controls. I learned after all my research that most quality T5 fixtures have contoured reflectors, some have flat and should be avoided. The only fixtures with true independent reflectors are retrofit kits. ATI, Teck, Aquaticlife, and Current all have contoured reflectors. These are one solid reflector that is bent around the bulbs to concentrate all the light into the tank. So if it has a contoured reflectors and is built well it should work great for all types of corals. If you want to shop around more which I would suggest before deciding I would look at Tek, ATI, IceCap, Aquaticlife, Coralife and Current. These are the brands I have seen used in a ton of successful tanks. __________________ mtb888 Current Tank Info: 40 gallon breeder, 4x39 watts T5 fixture, Aqua C-Remora Protein Simmer, Hagen hang on filtration, soft & lps, cleaning crew, 50 lbs of mixed live rock, occelaris clownfish, royal gramma, bared goby, scooter blennie, cleaner shrimp,

04/19/2009, 09:29 PM	#11
cich4fish Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: orlando Posts: 216	Here is the link.I bought it from this same seller.When I received the light 1bulb was broken and the plastic cover on the led control box was cracked.I sent him an email and a couple of days later I received new bulb and a whole new led light set.Very impressed. http://cgi.ebay.com/48-Aquarium-Ligh...A1%7C294%3A50a