T5s in 2018

[Sits Unafraid]

So the last time I bought T5's... Current Nova Extreme was the bomb.... (A year or two ago.)
Now when I type in T5 Lighting options I'm blown away by the cost and the options. As its not exactly something i've followed the evolution of over the past ten + years I feel really out of the loop. Perhaps this is not as much a specific question as me just waving a cane and pointing into the past.
What has transpired to make florescent lighting options what they are today?
More importantly, how does a $1,000 and up 4 bulb HO 48"fixture compare to my 6 bulb HO current fixture from several years ago.... assuming all my bulbs are newish...ahem.

 

[DSC reef]

We still have a current 6 bulb T5 system, lol. I still think it's a great fixture and would work just fine with new bulbs personally. ATI fixtures are amazing and are some of the best fixtures you can buy. The reflectors, cooling, etc, all play a role and overall quality as well.

 

[Velcro]

1000 and up for a four bulb must be an ati hybrid. Regular ATI sunpower fixtures are much cheaper and very sufficient. ATI has been the bomb for several years. The current nova isn’t even close.

 

[A. grandis]

ATI Sunpower has cooling system by fans that run the bulbs more efficiently and individual reflectors.. ~$600.00
Will last forever with proper maintenance.
https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/48-ati-sunpower-high-output-t5-light-fixture.html

 

[Sits Unafraid]

ATI Sunpower has cooling system by fans that run the bulbs more efficiently and individual reflectors.. ~$600.00
Will last forever with proper maintenance.
https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/48-ati-sunpower-high-output-t5-light-fixture.html

Nice little update to make note of. Thanks for the response.

1000 and up for a four bulb must be an ati hybrid. Regular ATI sunpower fixtures are much cheaper and very sufficient. ATI has been the bomb for several years. The current nova isn’t even close.

With a Soob for a profile, I cant just dismiss this as bias. haha.
Im sure modern T5s are leaps and bounds above in many ways. I guess thats what im trying to figure out.

 

[Velcro]

Nice little update to make note of. Thanks for the response.



With a Soob for a profile, I cant just dismiss this as bias. haha.
Im sure modern T5s are leaps and bounds above in many ways. I guess thats what im trying to figure out.

Watch the used market or post a wtb for a regular sunpower. You can get a sweet deal on used ATI fixtures.