ANybody use Finnex T-5 lights???????

crázy clowntang · 02/17/2007, 12:52 PM

I am looking to buy some t-5 lights but not to sure which one to get. If anybody uses Finnex t-5 please write your inputs. These lights seem affordable and they claim that they are decent lights. I saw them at www.premiumaquatics.com Thanks to all

klasiksb · 02/17/2007, 12:59 PM

I'm planning on it. You can add the Tek reflectors to these fixtures as well. There's a thread in the DIY forum about it.

Beenalongtime79 · 02/17/2007, 01:36 PM

Are the sunlight retrofit kits that much more expensive than the finnex T5s?

klasiksb · 02/17/2007, 02:06 PM

Yes, because you don't get the bulbs with the retro kits. Even though you don't get the best bulbs, there bulbs none the less and they'll get you buy until you can get better bulbs. Plus, if you don't want a canopy, a retro won't do you any good.

klasiksb · 02/17/2007, 02:22 PM

rufio, here's the break down.

A tek retro for 6x24w /no bulbs is $419

Finnex 6x24w /with bulbs is $275
6 tek reflectors is $100

So for $45 less (not including the 6 bulbs you'd need to buy for the tek retro to get it up and running), you could get the Finnex fixture.

For an 8 bulb unit, let's break that down.

$538 for 2 - 4x24w Tek Retros, no bulbs

$230 for 2 - 4x24w Finnex Fixtures with bulbs
$135 for 8 tek reflectors

That's $173 less going with the finnex over the tek (not including bulbs needed for the tek retros)

2 - 4x24w finnex fixtures with the tek reflector still comes in cheaper than a 6x24 tek retro.

I don't know if these numbers would be consistant with different lengths of fixtures, as the 4x24w finnex can be had for about $115 (a promo deal or something).

crázy clowntang · 02/18/2007, 09:52 PM

the only problem with finnex or the nova lights is that they seem not to have individual reflectors. Would that mean you dont get the same reflection as you do with individual reflectors?

cerolost · 02/18/2007, 10:05 PM

Can you put a link to the finnex thread with tek reflectors? Ican't seem to find it.

Beenalongtime79 · 02/19/2007, 07:39 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by klasiksb
rufio, here's the break down.

A tek retro for 6x24w /no bulbs is $419

Finnex 6x24w /with bulbs is $275
6 tek reflectors is $100

So for $45 less (not including the 6 bulbs you'd need to buy for the tek retro to get it up and running), you could get the Finnex fixture.

I looked up just your first calculation and there isn't a huge difference in price since the $419 dollars you quoted actually includes the bulbs here:

http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5_...unlight_Supply

So, in reality, for only 45 bucks more, you would get what is considered a much better T5 solution with individual reflectors and premium bulbs.

I'm not sure about your other calculations since I don't have time to track down each one, but they may be a little off as well.

Cheers,
John H.

Beenalongtime79 · 02/19/2007, 07:47 AM

Sorry, I once again looked at your numbers and they are all wrong since all the retrofit kits for the tek kits you mentioned (from reefgeek.com) include the bulbs with each purchase. The the difference is not huge, but starts getting larger as you start going to bigger kits... however not as large as you initially reported. The trouble of breaking the assembled finnex kits down and rewiring everything may not be worth it for some people.

If you go elsewhere, you can get the actual retrofit kits with no bulbs, but they usually just subtract the bulbs from the price so they are cheaper then you mentioned, but they don't include the bulbs.

So, you could in fact might be able to get cheap finnex bulbs and achieve the same results without cannibalizing the assembled units.

I hope that helps others out who are thinking of doing this, as I don't think the price difference is worth it because of all the additional labor you need to put into it.

Cheers,
John H.

klasiksb · 02/19/2007, 08:22 AM

Thanks Rufio, I wasn't aware that Reefgeek offers bulbs with the Retros, somehow I missed that.

Beenalongtime79 · 02/19/2007, 10:01 AM

No problem klasiksb.

I hope this helps in your decision on whether to use the finnex or tek retrofits. For me, the cost savings just wouldn't be worth the time and the uncertain knowledge of whether the bulbs were really any good. Also, don't forget that reefgeek offers to upgrade to icecap reflectors for only 2 bucks each.

For others, that might not be the case and they can go all out with the finnex.

klasiksb · 02/19/2007, 12:41 PM

Actually, i'm going with a Sunpod MH instead of the T-5's now.

Beenalongtime79 · 02/19/2007, 12:52 PM

Gotta love those glitter lines.... I too could never go completely T5, b/c I love glitter lines.

Now, if only those LEDs would come along faster...

02/17/2007, 12:52 PM	#1
crázy clowntang Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: woodbridge, Virginia Posts: 179	ANybody use Finnex T-5 lights??????? I am looking to buy some t-5 lights but not to sure which one to get. If anybody uses Finnex t-5 please write your inputs. These lights seem affordable and they claim that they are decent lights. I saw them at www.premiumaquatics.com Thanks to all

02/17/2007, 12:59 PM	#2
klasiksb Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: wisconsin Posts: 1,281	I'm planning on it. You can add the Tek reflectors to these fixtures as well. There's a thread in the DIY forum about it. __________________ Just a girl looking to build a little piece of heaven on earth, without killing it!

02/17/2007, 02:06 PM	#4
klasiksb Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: wisconsin Posts: 1,281	Yes, because you don't get the bulbs with the retro kits. Even though you don't get the best bulbs, there bulbs none the less and they'll get you buy until you can get better bulbs. Plus, if you don't want a canopy, a retro won't do you any good. __________________ Just a girl looking to build a little piece of heaven on earth, without killing it!

02/17/2007, 02:22 PM	#5
klasiksb Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: wisconsin Posts: 1,281	rufio, here's the break down. A tek retro for 6x24w /no bulbs is $419 Finnex 6x24w /with bulbs is $275 6 tek reflectors is $100 So for $45 less (not including the 6 bulbs you'd need to buy for the tek retro to get it up and running), you could get the Finnex fixture. For an 8 bulb unit, let's break that down. $538 for 2 - 4x24w Tek Retros, no bulbs $230 for 2 - 4x24w Finnex Fixtures with bulbs $135 for 8 tek reflectors That's $173 less going with the finnex over the tek (not including bulbs needed for the tek retros) 2 - 4x24w finnex fixtures with the tek reflector still comes in cheaper than a 6x24 tek retro. I don't know if these numbers would be consistant with different lengths of fixtures, as the 4x24w finnex can be had for about $115 (a promo deal or something). __________________ Just a girl looking to build a little piece of heaven on earth, without killing it!

02/18/2007, 09:52 PM	#6
crázy clowntang Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: woodbridge, Virginia Posts: 179	the only problem with finnex or the nova lights is that they seem not to have individual reflectors. Would that mean you dont get the same reflection as you do with individual reflectors? __________________ JTCCB(jebo tuners club for cheap bastards)

02/17/2007, 01:36 PM	#3
Beenalongtime79 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Posts: 4,437	Are the sunlight retrofit kits that much more expensive than the finnex T5s?

02/18/2007, 10:05 PM	#7
cerolost Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 394	Can you put a link to the finnex thread with tek reflectors? Ican't seem to find it.

02/19/2007, 07:47 AM	#9
Beenalongtime79 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Posts: 4,437	Sorry, I once again looked at your numbers and they are all wrong since all the retrofit kits for the tek kits you mentioned (from reefgeek.com) include the bulbs with each purchase. The the difference is not huge, but starts getting larger as you start going to bigger kits... however not as large as you initially reported. The trouble of breaking the assembled finnex kits down and rewiring everything may not be worth it for some people. If you go elsewhere, you can get the actual retrofit kits with no bulbs, but they usually just subtract the bulbs from the price so they are cheaper then you mentioned, but they don't include the bulbs. So, you could in fact might be able to get cheap finnex bulbs and achieve the same results without cannibalizing the assembled units. I hope that helps others out who are thinking of doing this, as I don't think the price difference is worth it because of all the additional labor you need to put into it. Cheers, John H.

02/19/2007, 08:22 AM	#10
klasiksb Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: wisconsin Posts: 1,281	Thanks Rufio, I wasn't aware that Reefgeek offers bulbs with the Retros, somehow I missed that. __________________ Just a girl looking to build a little piece of heaven on earth, without killing it!

02/19/2007, 10:01 AM	#11
Beenalongtime79 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Posts: 4,437	No problem klasiksb. I hope this helps in your decision on whether to use the finnex or tek retrofits. For me, the cost savings just wouldn't be worth the time and the uncertain knowledge of whether the bulbs were really any good. Also, don't forget that reefgeek offers to upgrade to icecap reflectors for only 2 bucks each. For others, that might not be the case and they can go all out with the finnex.

02/19/2007, 12:41 PM	#12
klasiksb Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: wisconsin Posts: 1,281	Actually, i'm going with a Sunpod MH instead of the T-5's now. __________________ Just a girl looking to build a little piece of heaven on earth, without killing it!

02/19/2007, 12:52 PM	#13
Beenalongtime79 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Posts: 4,437	Gotta love those glitter lines.... I too could never go completely T5, b/c I love glitter lines. Now, if only those LEDs would come along faster...