Cheap T5 fixtures
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joseserrano
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joseserrano
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Yes, ppl have successfully done so in the past.
A. grandis
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If you want good you can't go cheap.
Better spend a bit more money and get the ATI Sunpower, which isn't that expensive anyway.
It's a matter of quality and efficiency. The cooling system helps your bulbs to last longer. The reflectors are great! My fixture is working for 10+ years!!! That's what you get.
Better spend a bit more money and get the ATI Sunpower, which isn't that expensive anyway.
It's a matter of quality and efficiency. The cooling system helps your bulbs to last longer. The reflectors are great! My fixture is working for 10+ years!!! That's what you get.
I have a similar one over a fuge. It is about 85% of what an ATI is, output wise (kinda hard to measure). They are fine solution. I do not think that these would be a decade-long light, like an ATI or Giesemann, but they also do not come with that pricetag.
Pntbll687
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You can find a relatively cheap fixture on eBay or Amazon, and just switch it the bulbs for ATI ones
I will say the reflectors in the ATI fixtures are much better. Most of the cheap fixtures are marketed toward plants, and more than likely mounted a greater distance away without any lots of light, or light "spill" away from the intended target.
I have a cheap t5 fixture over my 20 long, and if it's none any higher than about 6in above the water the light illuminates allot more than the tank.
I will say the reflectors in the ATI fixtures are much better. Most of the cheap fixtures are marketed toward plants, and more than likely mounted a greater distance away without any lots of light, or light "spill" away from the intended target.
I have a cheap t5 fixture over my 20 long, and if it's none any higher than about 6in above the water the light illuminates allot more than the tank.
I have 2 sun blaster 48 inch fixtures (got from amazon) that I use to supplement my LEDs. I have a canopy so i needed something that I could attach to that space. I have them running 2 ATI coral blue plus bulbs. Ive had sps for a few months, montis are growing great, acros are forming a base so there is some growth so far.
Greybeard
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With the popularity of LED's, I've seen lots of T5 fixtures for sale used.
For example, I bought a used TEK 8 bulb fixture. Nice reflectors, excellent condition. I replaced the ballasts with new ATI ballasts, installed new ATI bulbs, and was able to light my 30" x 60" reef for about $300. Looks great, plenty of light, I've got no complaints.
Ballasts, sockets, and bulbs are all reasonable. Even reflectors are available for a reasonable cost. If you're building a canopy to hide it, a DIY solution would seem an attractive option.
I have an Odyssea 24" x 2 bulb fixture, cheap off of Amazon, lighting my refugeum. About all I can say for it is this... it works. The build quality is very cheap. I won't be buying any more Odyssea fixtures, or recommending them to others. For one thing, there's no UL listing... I'm more than a bit hesitant to have a non UL listed appliance running on a timer, over water, in a space where it is rarely observed. I'm probably going to be replacing it soon.
For example, I bought a used TEK 8 bulb fixture. Nice reflectors, excellent condition. I replaced the ballasts with new ATI ballasts, installed new ATI bulbs, and was able to light my 30" x 60" reef for about $300. Looks great, plenty of light, I've got no complaints.
Ballasts, sockets, and bulbs are all reasonable. Even reflectors are available for a reasonable cost. If you're building a canopy to hide it, a DIY solution would seem an attractive option.
I have an Odyssea 24" x 2 bulb fixture, cheap off of Amazon, lighting my refugeum. About all I can say for it is this... it works. The build quality is very cheap. I won't be buying any more Odyssea fixtures, or recommending them to others. For one thing, there's no UL listing... I'm more than a bit hesitant to have a non UL listed appliance running on a timer, over water, in a space where it is rarely observed. I'm probably going to be replacing it soon.
https://www.amazon.com/Odyssea-Time...053086&sprefix=odysea+t&sr=8-1&ref=mp_s_a_1_1
This is what I think I have decided on, going to change the bulbs out once I move in a couple of months.
This is what I think I have decided on, going to change the bulbs out once I move in a couple of months.
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A. grandis
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My friend had an Odyssea that got on fire!! ;Wideyed He actually saw the smoke coming out of it and unplugged. Very scary!
I told him to invest on an ATI before he got that fixture and he said "nah, this one has a timer and it's so much cheaper"...
Try to find an used ATI, like Greybeard said. The TekLight was another decent inexpensive option.
Maybe at your local reef club?
I told him to invest on an ATI before he got that fixture and he said "nah, this one has a timer and it's so much cheaper"...
Try to find an used ATI, like Greybeard said. The TekLight was another decent inexpensive option.
Maybe at your local reef club?
thatmanMIKEson
Reefing ain't easy$
The shadow must be an eclipse..I have 2 sun blaster 48 inch fixtures (got from amazon) that I use to supplement my LEDs. I have a canopy so i needed something that I could attach to that space. I have them running 2 ATI coral blue plus bulbs. Ive had sps for a few months, montis are growing great, acros are forming a base so there is some growth so far.
