Considering T5, question on fixtures

[Pathsreef]

I'm currently running a pair of Kessil A360's on my 425xl, and have had several issues with them over the past year and it has turned me off on the LED's for future use. Ive been looking at T5's and given the nature of this hobby, everything has gotten rather expensive these days. Ive been looking at hydroponic T5 fixtures as they are a fraction of the cost. Does anyone have any experience with any of these fixtures and can you make any recommendations? Advice on this is much appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[AllSignsPointToFish]

How many are you looking to add? You can add some DIY fixtures fairly inexpensively:

SHOP - Lighting - T5 Aquarium Lighting - T5 Retro Kits - AquaCave.com | AquaCave

aqua cave premium SHOP - Lighting - T5 Aquarium Lighting - T5 Retro Kits - AquaCave.com

www.aquacave.com

I added two 60" T5s to my Kessils 2-3 years back.

 

[tehmadreefer]

If you want quality but cheap, go with the T5 kits on brs or marindepot and build your own fixture.

 

[Pathsreef]

AllSignsPointToFish,

I'm looking to replace the LED's with T5's, Im thinking 6-8 bulbs for the fixture.

 

[TheOne]

4 DIY 60" t5's and 4 a360we's. Par is close to the actual sun. I think 1,000,000,000,000,000,000,000. This is running at 15% so I don't go blind looking at it.

 

[AllSignsPointToFish]

AllSignsPointToFish,

I'm looking to replace the LED's with T5's, Im thinking 6-8 bulbs for the fixture.

Do you have a canopy or will the lights be suspended?

 

[x2uranium]

I run T5 amazon grow lights I added xho actinics other than that I replaced the ballasts I run an 8x48” unit it was cheap and does a good job. Nice reflectors as well. Also I believe this is about my 14th month on these bulbs lol. Actually growth is cranking lately. Therefor you don’t have to go so crazy on changing the bulbs because they are not cheap when your replacing a lot of them as well as rip energy compared to an led.

 

[Pathsreef]

Do you have a canopy or will the lights be suspended?

I'm gonna DIY a mount from t-slot alum.

 

[Pathsreef]

I run T5 amazon grow lights I added xho actinics other than that I replaced the ballasts I run an 8x48” unit it was cheap and does a good job. Nice reflectors as well. Also I believe this is about my 14th month on these bulbs lol. Actually growth is cranking lately. Therefor you don’t have to go so crazy on changing the bulbs because they are not cheap when your replacing a lot of them as well as rip energy compared to an led.

What did you replace the ballasts to?

 

[AllSignsPointToFish]

I'm gonna DIY a mount from t-slot alum.

Gotcha. I was actually thinking about changing my Kessils out for ReefBreeders Photon V2s. They claim you can mount those on T-slotted aluminum, but they're LEDs.

You should easily be able to rig the Miro DIY kits onto a t-slot aluminum chassis.

 

[jda]

I got a pair of Hydroponics T5s units and they are 75-80% of the output of a SunPower with the same bulbs - tested in my home with Apogee 510.. Ballast changes are easy and you can still probably save some money. In the end, they are not as high of build, so expect some rust earlier than a ATI. The hydroponics fixtures are wider and don't look as nice, but either of them did have individual reflectors.

Have you looked to find a used Sunpower? If you have some time, they pop up with regularity in the for-sale forum.

 

[Pathsreef]

I got a pair of Hydroponics T5s units and they are 75-80% of the output of a SunPower with the same bulbs - tested in my home with Apogee 510.. Ballast changes are easy and you can still probably save some money. In the end, they are not as high of build, so expect some rust earlier than a ATI. The hydroponics fixtures are wider and don't look as nice, but either of them did have individual reflectors.

Have you looked to find a used Sunpower? If you have some time, they pop up with regularity in the for-sale forum.

I will keep an eye on that, didn't even know there was a for sale section here. thanks for the info!