Anyone used/seen a Catalina Solar T5 setup?

Cathman · 10/21/2007, 02:41 PM

Looking to go T5 on my 90 gallon and came across the Catalina Solar T5 with remote control such as this one.

http://cgi.ebay.com/48-T5-SOLAR-REMO...QQcmdZViewItem

Anyone know how the reflectors are, quality of the fixture, etc? I already have a two bulb retro kit, and would like to get rid of the two 250w halides i have as heat has been an issue. Any help, experiences, thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

DarG · 10/21/2007, 03:05 PM

Well, they claim individual reflectors and I see clips on each of the bulbs. But, it is 6 bulbs and only 8 1/4" wide for the entire fixture. If it does have an individual reflector for each bulb they cant be very wide, maybe 1" wide each on a 5/8" diameter tube. That certianly isnt an optimized reflector by any stretch seeing how the SLR's are 2 1/2", TEK's around 3" even the generics are 2 1/8". No fan cooling apparently either and I see no splash shield but with no fans a lens would really hurt light output. But it is cheap and I'm sure it will work. It doesnt do anything that you couldnt do with seperate timers for each bulb pair if it were to have seperate power cords for each pair. But having that built in is a convienent feature and kinda cool.

So, it appears to be a cheap T5 fixture that does not optimize the T5's potential because of the lack of fan cooling and non-optimized reflectors. The ballasts are an unknown but it really doesnt cost much to make decent flourescent ballasts so they are probably ok. But if you need something on the cheap that provides light, it certainly is an option. One other thing is the 6500K bulbs. Those stock bulbs would work but would definitely have a yellow look, no real blue so you may want to grab some blue and / or actinic bulbs.

That's just what my impressions are from the pictures and limited description. It looks like one of the "you get what you pay for" fixtures. Not optimized but usable if you need something for relatively little money.

luke33 · 10/21/2007, 04:45 PM

Agreed with Dar on this one. This is the first time i've seen them offer this fixture with ind reflectors.....thats a shock to me. I'm pretty sure they run on workhorse ballasts which are decent, but for 6bulbs with Ind refl it is awfully slim.

Cathman · 10/21/2007, 09:32 PM

Anyone else? I just posted that link because....well i had it up on the puter lol. Anyway, there is a place that sells it with bulbs geared for tanks.....but i would probably still get some ATI bulbs for the output.

I guess my other option is to buy the stuff to run off an Icecap 660 i have here. I prefer not to overdrive, but it may be better for the deeper 90 tank. I currently have two for actinic supplementation to go with the 250w xm 10k i have on the tank.

Do you think 6 bulbs, with 4 being overdriven by the Icecap would be sufficient? I have mostly SPS, two clams, and some zoa's in the tank at the moment. Everything is great right now, just looking for something a little more efficient and easier on the tank temp.

luke33 · 10/21/2007, 10:07 PM

4x48" with IC overdriven the right bulb's plus 2x54W.....yea, that'll be plenty for anything.

Embowe · 10/22/2007, 02:10 PM

Ive been thinking of going with the 6 bulb version of the fixture you posted and still unsure if I should do it....

10/21/2007, 02:41 PM	#1
Cathman Super Ninja Reefer Join Date: May 2006 Location: Yep, Texas Posts: 142	Anyone used/seen a Catalina Solar T5 setup? Looking to go T5 on my 90 gallon and came across the Catalina Solar T5 with remote control such as this one. http://cgi.ebay.com/48-T5-SOLAR-REMO...QQcmdZViewItem Anyone know how the reflectors are, quality of the fixture, etc? I already have a two bulb retro kit, and would like to get rid of the two 250w halides i have as heat has been an issue. Any help, experiences, thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

10/21/2007, 03:05 PM	#2
DarG Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 5,515	Well, they claim individual reflectors and I see clips on each of the bulbs. But, it is 6 bulbs and only 8 1/4" wide for the entire fixture. If it does have an individual reflector for each bulb they cant be very wide, maybe 1" wide each on a 5/8" diameter tube. That certianly isnt an optimized reflector by any stretch seeing how the SLR's are 2 1/2", TEK's around 3" even the generics are 2 1/8". No fan cooling apparently either and I see no splash shield but with no fans a lens would really hurt light output. But it is cheap and I'm sure it will work. It doesnt do anything that you couldnt do with seperate timers for each bulb pair if it were to have seperate power cords for each pair. But having that built in is a convienent feature and kinda cool. So, it appears to be a cheap T5 fixture that does not optimize the T5's potential because of the lack of fan cooling and non-optimized reflectors. The ballasts are an unknown but it really doesnt cost much to make decent flourescent ballasts so they are probably ok. But if you need something on the cheap that provides light, it certainly is an option. One other thing is the 6500K bulbs. Those stock bulbs would work but would definitely have a yellow look, no real blue so you may want to grab some blue and / or actinic bulbs. That's just what my impressions are from the pictures and limited description. It looks like one of the "you get what you pay for" fixtures. Not optimized but usable if you need something for relatively little money.

10/21/2007, 04:45 PM	#3
luke33 Moved On Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Indiana Posts: 8,375	Agreed with Dar on this one. This is the first time i've seen them offer this fixture with ind reflectors.....thats a shock to me. I'm pretty sure they run on workhorse ballasts which are decent, but for 6bulbs with Ind refl it is awfully slim.

10/21/2007, 09:32 PM	#4
Cathman Super Ninja Reefer Join Date: May 2006 Location: Yep, Texas Posts: 142	Anyone else? I just posted that link because....well i had it up on the puter lol. Anyway, there is a place that sells it with bulbs geared for tanks.....but i would probably still get some ATI bulbs for the output. I guess my other option is to buy the stuff to run off an Icecap 660 i have here. I prefer not to overdrive, but it may be better for the deeper 90 tank. I currently have two for actinic supplementation to go with the 250w xm 10k i have on the tank. Do you think 6 bulbs, with 4 being overdriven by the Icecap would be sufficient? I have mostly SPS, two clams, and some zoa's in the tank at the moment. Everything is great right now, just looking for something a little more efficient and easier on the tank temp.

10/21/2007, 10:07 PM	#5
luke33 Moved On Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Indiana Posts: 8,375	4x48" with IC overdriven the right bulb's plus 2x54W.....yea, that'll be plenty for anything.

10/22/2007, 02:10 PM	#6
Embowe Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: South Jersey Posts: 331	Ive been thinking of going with the 6 bulb version of the fixture you posted and still unsure if I should do it....