T5 option

redsnook · 07/15/2008, 09:23 AM

Getting my corner tank tomorrow and I want to buy the lighting soon. I am definitely going the T5 route, but am considering options. I really cant afford the fixtures with indiviual reflectors yet(upgrade later on). So for now these are my options:

1. 24" 4-24w fixture

2. 30" 4-24w fixture

3. 24" 2-24w fixture and
30" 2-24w fixture

Keeping in mind this is a corner tank,
I am thinking of option 3 because it will give me more even coverage over the tank, and because it will give me a better bulb to reflector ratio or am I mistaken on this? 2 bulbs per reflector has to be better than 4 right? the only thing that I dont like about option 3 is that i will have 2 fixtures on my tank and it wont look as nice with just 1. Price difference will be around $10-25, not a big deal.
Any input or suggestions are greatly appreciated, want to get some lights ordered soon....thanks

mray · 07/15/2008, 09:26 AM

How long is your tank? I would definitely get the one that can cover your entire tank.

redsnook · 07/15/2008, 09:57 AM

I was told the bow of tank is 34.5" meaning 30" is longest fixture I can get.....put 30" fixture up front and 24" behind closer to the corner

svynx · 07/15/2008, 10:34 AM

I'm not sure what your budget is, but the Nova Extreme and Nova Extreme Pro series is nice for the cost. I bought the 48" pro series for under $300, so the 24 and the 30 should (and i mean should) be less than that. Something to think of. Oh, they come with the individual reflectors and decent bulbs.

abulgin · 07/15/2008, 11:26 AM

This has individual reflectors http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewIt...roduct=CU01151

$10 cheaper here:

http://www.aquariasupply.com/Current...ures-s/333.htm

nikon187 · 07/15/2008, 12:02 PM

save your money and get a setup with individual reflectors, its a total waste of money to buy those fixtures if you are planning to upgrade.

redsnook · 07/15/2008, 12:04 PM

thanks for the link, the sundial looks like a good option, and price my wife might go for. (she is my budget)

I am still curious on the comparison though:
A 4 bulb fixture with one reflector compared to 2 2bulb fixtures(2 reflectors because of 2 different fixtures) of equal wattages.

Any input or comments on this?

jfgoldfire · 07/15/2008, 08:45 PM

I have the 24" Sundial over a 10g ADA tank and it works great. It's a little long on each end but I like having the built-in timers and fans. I have had no problems with it since I got it 6 months ago. I bought it at Marine Depot right after they first came out.

whitleyjb · 07/15/2008, 09:26 PM

IMO you need individual reflectors! I would spend a lttle extra now instead of upgrading later!

Show her the TOTM. It uses T5's with individual reflectors!

07/15/2008, 09:23 AM	#1
redsnook Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: lakeland, FL Posts: 48	T5 option Getting my corner tank tomorrow and I want to buy the lighting soon. I am definitely going the T5 route, but am considering options. I really cant afford the fixtures with indiviual reflectors yet(upgrade later on). So for now these are my options: 1. 24" 4-24w fixture 2. 30" 4-24w fixture 3. 24" 2-24w fixture and 30" 2-24w fixture Keeping in mind this is a corner tank, I am thinking of option 3 because it will give me more even coverage over the tank, and because it will give me a better bulb to reflector ratio or am I mistaken on this? 2 bulbs per reflector has to be better than 4 right? the only thing that I dont like about option 3 is that i will have 2 fixtures on my tank and it wont look as nice with just 1. Price difference will be around $10-25, not a big deal. Any input or suggestions are greatly appreciated, want to get some lights ordered soon....thanks

07/15/2008, 10:34 AM	#4
svynx Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Mt. Wolf, PA Posts: 974	I'm not sure what your budget is, but the Nova Extreme and Nova Extreme Pro series is nice for the cost. I bought the 48" pro series for under $300, so the 24 and the 30 should (and i mean should) be less than that. Something to think of. Oh, they come with the individual reflectors and decent bulbs. __________________ "What?!? Haven't you ever seen someone work on an engine with an axe before?" Mythbusters Current Tank Info: Biocube 29, Aurora puck LED

07/15/2008, 12:02 PM	#6
nikon187 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Edmonton Alberta Posts: 4,717	save your money and get a setup with individual reflectors, its a total waste of money to buy those fixtures if you are planning to upgrade. __________________ ----------------- Current Tanks: New 210 custom 84 x 24 x 24, 60g sump, SWC 250 extreme with bubble blaster 5000, 2 vortech mp40, 2 vortech mp10, 12 T5, Water blaster 5000, warner marine bio pellets, 60g clownfish cube, red carpet anemone with a 25g sump,SRO octopus 1000sss, 250w radium, lumenarc large.

07/15/2008, 09:26 AM	#2
mray Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 122	How long is your tank? I would definitely get the one that can cover your entire tank.

07/15/2008, 09:57 AM	#3
redsnook Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: lakeland, FL Posts: 48	I was told the bow of tank is 34.5" meaning 30" is longest fixture I can get.....put 30" fixture up front and 24" behind closer to the corner

07/15/2008, 11:26 AM	#5
abulgin Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 2,664	This has individual reflectors http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewIt...roduct=CU01151 $10 cheaper here: http://www.aquariasupply.com/Current...ures-s/333.htm

07/15/2008, 12:04 PM	#7
redsnook Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: lakeland, FL Posts: 48	thanks for the link, the sundial looks like a good option, and price my wife might go for. (she is my budget) I am still curious on the comparison though: A 4 bulb fixture with one reflector compared to 2 2bulb fixtures(2 reflectors because of 2 different fixtures) of equal wattages. Any input or comments on this?

07/15/2008, 08:45 PM	#8
jfgoldfire Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Sarasota, FL Posts: 70	I have the 24" Sundial over a 10g ADA tank and it works great. It's a little long on each end but I like having the built-in timers and fans. I have had no problems with it since I got it 6 months ago. I bought it at Marine Depot right after they first came out.

07/15/2008, 09:26 PM	#9
whitleyjb Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Huntersville, NC Posts: 116	IMO you need individual reflectors! I would spend a lttle extra now instead of upgrading later! Show her the TOTM. It uses T5's with individual reflectors!