Miro 4 T5 Retro vs. Sunblaster Nano Tech

[Bryknicks]

I'm looking to add two t5's to supplement my Photon LED light. I had a t5 fixture on my last tank so I know how important a good reflector is. I'm trying to decide between these two lights and cannot make up my mind. Does anyone have any feedback on which they would choose. This decision is mostly based on the reflector as I can retrofit either option to work for my need. I see a lot of people have used both options and overall have good reviews.

 

[Dj City]

Bump!
I have the same question.

 

[Bryknicks]

I ended up going with the sunblaster nano tech. It seems like it really only depends on the use/installation. I don't have a hood so wanted a cleaner look that the sunblaster gives. It also seems like they have the better reflector which is truly what's needed when it comes to t5 lighting.

 

[Dj City]

I ended up going with the sunblaster nano tech. It seems like it really only depends on the use/installation. I don't have a hood so wanted a cleaner look that the sunblaster gives. It also seems like they have the better reflector which is truly what's needed when it comes to t5 lighting.

How good is the reflector?
How does it compare to an ATI fixture?

I never really ran T5's before so I don't really know the difference between good, so so and junk.

 

[Luucky13]

I can weigh in here. The Sunblaster is a very cheap fixture. I mean this in both ways! It's very cost effective, but I've had so many issues already with mine. Half the time the bulbs don't fire unless you hit the fixture, right out of the box. I think they have connection issues. I also have had one right out of the box that didn't work at all. And another that only lasted 3 months before refusing to work. Unfortunately the old saying "you get what you pay for" really appears true in this case. But, the ones that do work are a really nice option for cheap supplemental lighting. And you can link them together so you don't have to have multiple power cords.

As far as the reflector goes, it's pretty decent but I have also had nothing to compare it to. I don't think they would compare at all to an ATI reflector. But hard to judge as they are very different styles of fixtures.

 

[Bryknicks]

How good is the reflector?
How does it compare to an ATI fixture?

I never really ran T5's before so I don't really know the difference between good, so so and junk.

The reflector is good but can't compare them to an ATI fixture. This only comes as a single bulb unit while the ATI fixtures have multiple bulbs in them. If you are looking to supplement another light source, I would use this or the miro retro kit. If you are looking for a new light fixture I would use ATI.

 

[Dj City]

I have a Reefbreeders Photon 50 v2+. I also have 1 Reefbreeders Lumenbar High Octane UV)
I would be using the Sunblaster's as supplemental lighting alongside the LEDs.

I don't want lighting to be a limiting factor for me and I know T5 lights simply... work.

 

[Bryknicks]

I added mine to a photon V2. I used the brackets they sell to connect a lumen bar to them, which I would assume you already have. It made for a clean finish which is why I went with the sunblasters over the miro.

 

[Dj City]

Do you have a pic of how you did it?

My thought is to have the photon with the lumenbar to the front of the tank and a Sunblaster after that in the front along with another Sunblaster to the back of the tank.

 

[Bryknicks]

When I get home from work I'll upload a photo.

 

[Dj City]

Did you get a chance to take a pic?

 

[Bryknicks]

Sorry been busy with the holidays. I only have one hooked up right now because I had to do some maintenance to the back of the tank. The other was connected the same way on the back and there was only one power cord with the connector in between.

 

[Halo_003]

That’s pretty slick!

 

[Bryknicks]

That’s pretty slick!

Thanks! Very happy I chose these over the miro's as they have a much more finished look. I would have ended up building a canopy with the miro's and I did not want that look.