t5 brands

Newflavor · 05/28/2006, 08:18 PM

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 · 05/28/2006, 08:55 PM

save the extra money and get the tek light

beaker77 · 05/28/2006, 09:24 PM

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. DonÃ¢â‚¬â„¢t do what IÃ¢â‚¬â„¢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 youÃ¢â‚¬â„¢ll save money in the long run.

Justin74 · 05/28/2006, 10:46 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by beaker77

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

-Justin

moonpod · 05/29/2006, 12:26 AM

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 · 05/29/2006, 05:04 AM

Moonpod,

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

Thank you,

Tom
Aquactinics

Newflavor · 05/29/2006, 06:52 AM

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 · 05/29/2006, 07:20 AM

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

Aquactinics · 05/29/2006, 08:34 AM

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 · 05/29/2006, 10:54 AM

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

05/28/2006, 08:18 PM	#1
Newflavor Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Toronto Posts: 240	t5 brands 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

05/28/2006, 08:55 PM	#2
chadfarmer Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: ST Charles, MO far from nanook Posts: 11,045 Blog Entries: 1	save the extra money and get the tek light __________________ If you think you know the answer than ask 3 more people the question Current Tank Info: 200 Gal RR,ATB medium, 4 AI blue sol,230 LBS LIVE ROCK, no sand , 40 GAL sump, airstar1800, 3 tunze 6105 1- 6205 1-6305, Geo 818, profilux3ex with toys

05/28/2006, 09:24 PM	#3
beaker77 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Columbia, IL Posts: 754	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. DonÃ¢â‚¬â„¢t do what IÃ¢â‚¬â„¢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 youÃ¢â‚¬â„¢ll save money in the long run. __________________ Brian Current Tank Info: 93g Marineland Cube, 2X Ecotech MP40WesQD, Radion Gen 1, Reef Angel Controller, ART Sump, and NYOS 160 skimmer. 60g frag tank converted to shallow reef.

05/29/2006, 12:26 AM	#5
moonpod Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: B.H., Los Angeles Posts: 13,053	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. __________________ Excuses are just the nails for the house of failure. Current Tank Info: 32" Leemar starfire cube now empty and not quite so stinky

05/29/2006, 07:20 AM	#8
travisurfer Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Unknown Posts: 814	their site is www.aquactinics.com it looks like they only have a 49" and a 72" fixture for t5HO __________________ Travis Current Tank Info: 20H

05/29/2006, 05:04 AM	#6
Aquactinics Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: North Haven, CT Posts: 656	Moonpod, The reflectors on our T5 fixtures are of our own design. Thank you, Tom Aquactinics

05/29/2006, 06:52 AM	#7
Newflavor Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Toronto Posts: 240	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?

05/29/2006, 08:34 AM	#9
Aquactinics Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: North Haven, CT Posts: 656	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

05/29/2006, 10:54 AM	#10
Newflavor Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Toronto Posts: 240	K. Thank you very much I will be checking your website.