T5 HO- Catalina Aquarium

Woody_SoCal · 03/12/2007, 11:34 AM

I recently found what looks like a good deal on ebay for some T5 6 x 54 watt. Mfg. by Catalina Aquariums.
Here's a link to the auction- http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...1255&rd=1&rd=1
Does anyone have any input about these lights- good or bad?
I'm going to purchase something this week and want to make sure i'm not getting junk.

This is for my 55gal reef tank.

Thanks for any useful information you can give me.

Woody

luke33 · 03/12/2007, 02:26 PM

Woody, not good when compared to a quality t5 light. I know they look apealing because of the price, but i'd suggest an aquacentic or tek 4-6 bulb fixture. The individual reflectors are very important and catalina's are below par, also there bulb's and ballast's aren't to great either. Do you need a retro or fixture. If you are dead set on a retro, look at the t5 icecap retro's. They are a sure winner and have the best ballast's and reflector's for t5's.

David Grigor · 03/12/2007, 03:00 PM

If you research Catalina Aquariums on this board or any other board you will likely enough information regarding both quality and customer service.

I will just leave it at that and let you make your own judgements....

Woody_SoCal · 03/12/2007, 03:05 PM

Not what I was hoping to hear but I figured as much due to the price being less than half of the Ice Cap fixture.
Daaaaaaaaamn- buzz kill!.
Guess I may hold off on that for now.

Thanks for the help.

jpa0741 · 03/12/2007, 04:11 PM

I bought 2 bulb retro fixtures from them and have very happy so far. They do have individual reflectors. I did change some of the bulbs for better ones.

03/12/2007, 11:34 AM	#1
Woody_SoCal Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: So. Cal. Posts: 9	T5 HO- Catalina Aquarium I recently found what looks like a good deal on ebay for some T5 6 x 54 watt. Mfg. by Catalina Aquariums. Here's a link to the auction- http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...1255&rd=1&rd=1 Does anyone have any input about these lights- good or bad? I'm going to purchase something this week and want to make sure i'm not getting junk. This is for my 55gal reef tank. Thanks for any useful information you can give me. Woody

03/12/2007, 03:00 PM	#3
David Grigor Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Brooklyn Center, MN USA Posts: 4,951	If you research Catalina Aquariums on this board or any other board you will likely enough information regarding both quality and customer service. I will just leave it at that and let you make your own judgements.... __________________ Neptune Systems 2016 Marine Aquarium Hobbyist of the Year Current Tank Info: 180g mixed reef show tank

03/12/2007, 02:26 PM	#2
luke33 Moved On Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Indiana Posts: 8,375	Woody, not good when compared to a quality t5 light. I know they look apealing because of the price, but i'd suggest an aquacentic or tek 4-6 bulb fixture. The individual reflectors are very important and catalina's are below par, also there bulb's and ballast's aren't to great either. Do you need a retro or fixture. If you are dead set on a retro, look at the t5 icecap retro's. They are a sure winner and have the best ballast's and reflector's for t5's.

03/12/2007, 03:05 PM	#4
Woody_SoCal Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: So. Cal. Posts: 9	Not what I was hoping to hear but I figured as much due to the price being less than half of the Ice Cap fixture. Daaaaaaaaamn- buzz kill!. Guess I may hold off on that for now. Thanks for the help.

03/12/2007, 04:11 PM	#5
jpa0741 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: MI Posts: 1,392	I bought 2 bulb retro fixtures from them and have very happy so far. They do have individual reflectors. I did change some of the bulbs for better ones.