Vivosun T5 fixture after one year.

[SilvermistInc]

So after a year of owning this fixture, I decided to do a cleaning and a basic review.

It's been one year now. I have had nothing but good experiences with this fixture. It's cheap, accepts ATI bulbs no problem, and is otherwise pretty solid. But one thing I've noticed while performing a teardown on the fixture (in order to give it a good cleaning) is the risk of corrosion is REAL. The bulb closest to my ATO has noticeable copper corrosion where the bulb plugs in. Meanwhile, all the bulbs had some layer of salt creep on them that was easily cleaned, and also didn't seem to affect performance. Meanwhile the reflectors also had salt splashes on them. However both of these were easily fixed with a simple wet paper towel.

Bottom line is, would I use this again and recommend it? Yes. Absolutely. You save $400 by getting this fixture instead of an ATI Sunpower, and you get the same performance out of it. All this fixture really needs is either a splash shield, or rubber gaskets to cover the lightbulb-plug-thingies.

 

[DavidinGA]

So after a year of owning this fixture, I decided to do a cleaning and a basic review.

It's been one year now. I have had nothing but good experiences with this fixture. It's cheap, accepts ATI bulbs no problem, and is otherwise pretty solid. But one thing I've noticed while performing a teardown on the fixture (in order to give it a good cleaning) is the risk of corrosion is REAL. The bulb closest to my ATO has noticeable copper corrosion where the bulb plugs in. Meanwhile, all the bulbs had some layer of salt creep on them that was easily cleaned, and also didn't seem to affect performance. Meanwhile the reflectors also had salt splashes on them. However both of these were easily fixed with a simple wet paper towel.

Bottom line is, would I use this again and recommend it? Yes. Absolutely. You save $400 by getting this fixture instead of an ATI Sunpower, and you get the same performance out of it. All this fixture really needs is either a splash shield, or rubber gaskets to cover the lightbulb-plug-thingies.

Thanks for the feedback. I've been considering getting one myself. How high off the water are you running the unit?

 

[Lbrdsoxfan]

So after a year of owning this fixture, I decided to do a cleaning and a basic review.

It's been one year now. I have had nothing but good experiences with this fixture. It's cheap, accepts ATI bulbs no problem, and is otherwise pretty solid. But one thing I've noticed while performing a teardown on the fixture (in order to give it a good cleaning) is the risk of corrosion is REAL. The bulb closest to my ATO has noticeable copper corrosion where the bulb plugs in. Meanwhile, all the bulbs had some layer of salt creep on them that was easily cleaned, and also didn't seem to affect performance. Meanwhile the reflectors also had salt splashes on them. However both of these were easily fixed with a simple wet paper towel.

Bottom line is, would I use this again and recommend it? Yes. Absolutely. You save $400 by getting this fixture instead of an ATI Sunpower, and you get the same performance out of it. All this fixture really needs is either a splash shield, or rubber gaskets to cover the lightbulb-plug-thingies.

I ran one myself for a bit, I was happy with it, then I switched to the waterproof bulb ends for that reason. Had some rot that was preventing a bulb from igniting.

 

[SilvermistInc]

Thanks for the feedback. I've been considering getting one myself. How high off the water are you running the unit?

A solid 8 inches or so

 

[SilvermistInc]

I ran one myself for a bit, I was happy with it, then I switched to the waterproof bulb ends for that reason. Had some rot that was preventing a bulb from igniting.

Do you know if there's a way for me to DIY those ends on the fixture?

 

[Lbrdsoxfan]

You can try, but it looked a little tight since the waterproof tombstones are huge. I ended up going a different direction. I bought let reflectors and dimmable ballast and hung everything in my canopy

Old vivosun:

Current diy:

The wiring was a mess, but that's cleaned up now. 9" canopy, so lights sit 7"-8" above the water.

 

[SilvermistInc]

You can try, but it looked a little tight since the waterproof tombstones are huge. I ended up going a different direction. I bought let reflectors and dimmable ballast and hung everything in my canopy

Old vivosun:

Current diy:

The wiring was a mess, but that's cleaned up now. 9" canopy, so lights sit 7"-8" above the water.

dang that's a sexy light. Got a DIY source on how to do this?

 

[Lbrdsoxfan]

Lol, here is some parts listings!

1x white, green, purple.

2x 460 nm strips

4x pairs of standoffs

4x Pairs

2x ballast (dimmable ballast optional)

4x reflectors.

Assemble, lol.

 

[SilvermistInc]

Thank you sir!

 

[Lbrdsoxfan]

Thank you sir!

No prob, YMMV, but I'm happy with the setup! I sourced a few things from different places, but that's the gist of it. I think all in when I set it up in June, it was right at around 300 bucks for it, minus T5 bulbs.

 

[ReefinIt]

I also use a cheap hydro t5 fixture. I used it on my planted tank before I switched back to reef. I was going to get a hybrid led/t5 fixture, but now I’m considering just getting new hydro t5 fixture with more bulbs. You can get a 8 bulb hydro fixture for less than $200 vs $1500 for the hybrid fixture with leds. I feel the hydro fixture will outperform the hybrid for a fraction of the cost.

 

[DavidinGA]

Lol, here is some parts listings!

1x white, green, purple.

2x 460 nm strips

4x pairs of standoffs

4x Pairs

2x ballast (dimmable ballast optional)

4x reflectors.

Assemble, lol.

How does that ballast compare to ATI's ballasts (HEP brand)?

...and that guy listing on eBay has "used" ballasts; is that what you got?

 

[rwreef]

I've owned a Vivosun fixture for a couple years now and have noticed zero corrosion in my fixture. I've taken it down/moved a few times for cleaning etc. Solid light fixture. I recently bought another for my son's tank.

 

[monkeyCmonkeyDo]

I was told to use a light coating of vegetable oil on my reflectors and components after I clean them to prevent corrosion. I have yet to do that but I run a 8 bulb tek light. 54wx48".
Right on. Nice lights all.
D

 

[Lbrdsoxfan]

How does that ballast compare to ATI's ballasts (HEP brand)?

...and that guy listing on eBay has "used" ballasts; is that what you got?

Eh, almost all the ballasts are made in China, anymore, sooooo I have no opinion besides that.

Hep brand fwiw is no worse that jobber contractor brand. I used to buy Philips branded t5 ballast as needed on any other fixture, Easier to walk into a electrical supply house or your local GOOD hardware store versus ordering from ATI or whoever made the fixture and paying the markup.

I've used Robertson dimmable ballast for years in aquarium and home applications. Yes I bought them used as this started as a diy experiment, since I wasn't sure I'd like it also dimmable ballast aren't cheap due to crappy availability! I bought two of the 2x bulb ballast plus a spare and at this point wouldn't hesitate to buy from that seller again.

 

[monkeyCmonkeyDo]

What's the bulb life expectensy on dimmable vs. Non?
D

 

[piranhaman00]

Wow I just received one of these to try out! I used ATI in the past but switched to all leds , now I’m switching back and found these fixtures for so much cheaper. The only thing is these aren’t actively cooled so the bulbs won’t be as efficient or last as long. I also liked the two plugs on ati for “ramping”.

Glad to see good reviews! I went with a 4 bulb with some RB strips I have but thinking of just going 8 bulb and no led, only issue with that is no ramping which I enjoy for viewing.

 

[Lbrdsoxfan]

What's the bulb life expectensy on dimmable vs. Non?
D

Supposed to be negligible in terms of hours (months of use). Full power break in is key.

 

[Lbrdsoxfan]

Wow I just received one of these to try out! I used ATI in the past but switched to all leds , now I’m switching back and found these fixtures for so much cheaper. The only thing is these aren’t actively cooled so the bulbs won’t be as efficient or last as long. I also liked the two plugs on ati for “ramping”.

Glad to see good reviews! I went with a 4 bulb with some RB strips I have but thinking of just going 8 bulb and no led, only issue with that is no ramping which I enjoy for viewing.

Only could of, would of, should of was getting AliE dimmable led strips. I bought them before the dimmable was available. Been waiting for these to die, but I don't think they will.

 

[monkeyCmonkeyDo]

I change my bulbs out once a yr. Or when they start to burn out. Loose 1 ect. By than I'm sure the Kelvin temp has shifted to mostly red but eh. Lol.
D800w