T5HO Fixtures.. suggestions and questions

[DracoKat]

I am thinking in the near future, I'd like to upgrade my Coralife 4-bulb fixture to a 6 or 8 bulb.

I am trying to keep on the budget.. and I came across this fixture:
https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/48-sun-blaze-t5-ho-lighting-fixture-sunlight-supply.html
What do you guys think? Description says for FW planted, but review says for reef?

Any suggestions for 6 or 8 bulb fixture that's not going to break my bank? I'd prefer it to have legs to sit on my tank rather to hang up. No hood here either.

 

[scuzy]

The ATI fixtures are the standard to beat. I would save for one of those

 

[Potatohead]

Used ATI. No question.

 

[DracoKat]

ha, yea at the moment ATI is out of my budget. but it's something I can save up for

 

[scuzy]

I would just save up why buy something twice?

 

[DracoKat]

good point @scuzy !

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

I have not found for several years a lot of t5 fixture over 4 tubes that are tank mounted.

Fwiw and t5 vho will work. You'll just wind up swapping tubes to marine.
So if that's a good one with good control jump on it. IMO.

I'm spoiled now. I hate anything I need a wall timer for. Lol.

 

[glagunda]

I am thinking in the near future, I'd like to upgrade my Coralife 4-bulb fixture to a 6 or 8 bulb.

I am trying to keep on the budget.. and I came across this fixture:
https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/48-sun-blaze-t5-ho-lighting-fixture-sunlight-supply.html
What do you guys think? Description says for FW planted, but review says for reef?

Any suggestions for 6 or 8 bulb fixture that's not going to break my bank? I'd prefer it to have legs to sit on my tank rather to hang up. No hood here either.

Bought fixture on Amazon T5 8 BULB for less that 130$ works great. even put DIY fans on them. Currently using ATI bulbs.

 

[DracoKat]

I have not found for several years a lot of t5 fixture over 4 tubes that are tank mounted.

Fwiw and t5 vho will work. You'll just wind up swapping tubes to marine.
So if that's a good one with good control jump on it. IMO.

I'm spoiled now. I hate anything I need a wall timer for. Lol.

Fwiw? I am having a dumb moment, lol.

The reason why I chose Coralife to start with is the fact it sits on the tank with legs. I am hoping whatever I get, I can somehow add legs to it if it doesn't come with.

 

[DracoKat]

Bought fixture on Amazon T5 8 BULB for less that 130$ works great. even put DIY fans on them. Currently using ATI bulbs.

Do you have a photo? what fixture is it?

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Fwiw? I am having a dumb moment, lol.

The reason why I chose Coralife to start with is the fact it sits on the tank with legs. I am hoping whatever I get, I can somehow add legs to it if it doesn't come with.

Lol. I'll be Clearer (finished my coffee) Folks do buy homedepot t5 fixtures and they do work great.
No frills.

Bought fixture on Amazon T5 8 BULB for less that 130$ works great. even put DIY fans on them. Currently using ATI bulbs.

I'd like to see that one too.

 

[DracoKat]

Lol. I'll be Clearer (finished my coffee) Folks do buy homedepot t5 fixtures and they do work great.
No frills.

that was going to be my next question, lol. I am finding cheaper fixtures out there that's not aquarium related and wanted to see if its OK to use those and figure out a way to add legs. Of course I'd get one that has the covering on it to protect it from water

any reason to avoid them?

 

[DracoKat]

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Hydro-Cr...scent-Grow-Light-Fixture-B360100100/302611411

like this one for example?

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Yup. Exactly. The down fall imo, all on and all off.
Single wall timer.

If you have an excellent diy er , you can seperate the ballasts into circuits. But.....

 

[DracoKat]

would it be a major problem to have all on/off at the same time? that's pretty much what my current one is.. I have the SBar on a shorter schedule in between

Maybe I'll get two 4-bulb fixtures and have one go on, then the other?

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

No, not really. It's old school. Big MH snap on in the morning.

You could.... if you find the right fixture use the s bar first and last and then use the singe or double plug t5. Make your own hybred basically.

 

[DracoKat]

hmm hmm hmm.. lots of food for thought. Thanks, @saltyfilmfolks ! I am going to see if I can see the home depot fixture in person and see if I can mount legs or something

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Yup, keep thinking and shopping.
And above all safety. Personally , I'm a pretty terrible carpenter.

 

[Xclusive Reef]

Why not wait for the Aquaticlife 4 bulb t5 fixture ? for 300 bucks can't go wrong and the option you will have are endless.

 

[DracoKat]

Why not wait for the Aquaticlife 4 bulb t5 fixture ? for 300 bucks can't go wrong and the option you will have are endless.

I presently have a 4-bulb fixture. I want to upgrade to 6, preferably 8 bulb