Getting a great deal on a 8 X 54 watt (432 watt total) light fixture with shipping and legs included for $300 (brand new), comes with reflector, black aluminum housing, vents, my concern is that the fixture does not have fans. How hot or lack of do these T5's run and without the fans on T5's should I be concerned with wiring in the unit burning etc... Just not too familiar with T5's and concerned about safety or maybe these T5's run cool? Any feedback on T5's would be helpful. FYI :The unit will be mounted on tank with legs (raised app.5") from glass canopy and open to the air (no wood canopy). LMK.
T5 lighting question
- Thread starter 150reef
- Start date
- Location
- Marine Park
What kind of fixture is it? Maybe with a no name Chinese fixture I'd be concerned due to lack of UL listing. The lamps don't get hot enough to do damage to wiring but I'd be weary of a no name fixture. The reason you want to keep heat from building up around the lamps is that the heat will:
1. Cause the spectrum to shift
2. Cause the output to drop
3. Shorten the life of the bulb.
Only the third is a long term issue the first two are short term. There's some threads on RC that show par dropping through the floor on T5s but if you blow a fan on them the PAR shoots back up. They say it is a delicate balance, you don't want fans blowing on it but you want them to get some fresh air to keep heat from building up.
1. Cause the spectrum to shift
2. Cause the output to drop
3. Shorten the life of the bulb.
Only the third is a long term issue the first two are short term. There's some threads on RC that show par dropping through the floor on T5s but if you blow a fan on them the PAR shoots back up. They say it is a delicate balance, you don't want fans blowing on it but you want them to get some fresh air to keep heat from building up.
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- Location
- North Jerzy
T5
whos the manufacter?
whos the manufacter?
- Location
- Marine Park
http://www.aquauniverse.com/compone...product_id,1053/option,com_phpshop/Itemid,31/
If it's like this the reflectors aren't parabolic. I'd pass on it.
I'd look into a retro or an aquatinics fixture, at the very least a tek. If you do go with the Aquauniverse fixture please let us know how you like it and take pics.
If it's like this the reflectors aren't parabolic. I'd pass on it.
I'd look into a retro or an aquatinics fixture, at the very least a tek. If you do go with the Aquauniverse fixture please let us know how you like it and take pics.
Right website, but wrong fixture. Its not the retro kit. Its under the Hood section, then select T5. Although when you read the details it indicates in comes with two fans, it doesnt. But all other details from what I have been told are accurate. LMK what you think of that fixture.
Hey fritz for what its worth, I took your advise and been researching skimmers and after much thought I'm gonna go with an ATI bubblemaster 250. Gonna place a sizeable order with premium aquatics this weekend (thier customer service and prices are excellent). Taking it slow wanna do this 150 FOLWR tank right the first time.
- Location
- Marine Park
Then order then Bubblemaster 200 
The 250 is too big for a tank your size and you won't be happy with it, trust me.
That fixture looks a lot like my aquatinics fixture except is much cheaper! I like that you can add in moonlights as well, mine doesn't have that
Make sure it has some kind of shield as those endcaps aren't waterproof plus it's easier to clean a shield than to clean your reflectors. It looks good, I would order the 3 switch model with fans, with legs and with moonlights. If you order it write a review for the site, I'm curious how it is in person. It looks like a great deal.
The 250 is too big for a tank your size and you won't be happy with it, trust me.
That fixture looks a lot like my aquatinics fixture except is much cheaper! I like that you can add in moonlights as well, mine doesn't have that
Make sure it has some kind of shield as those endcaps aren't waterproof plus it's easier to clean a shield than to clean your reflectors. It looks good, I would order the 3 switch model with fans, with legs and with moonlights. If you order it write a review for the site, I'm curious how it is in person. It looks like a great deal.
Then order then Bubblemaster 200
The 250 is too big for a tank your size and you won't be happy with it, trust me.
That fixture looks a lot like my aquatinics fixture except is much cheaper! I like that you can add in moonlights as well, mine doesn't have that
Make sure it has some kind of shield as those endcaps aren't waterproof plus it's easier to clean a shield than to clean your reflectors. It looks good, I would order the 3 switch model with fans, with legs and with moonlights. If you order it write a review for the site, I'm curious how it is in person. It looks like a great deal.
Gonna go with the BM 250 as I will eventually have a heavy bio load.
Dont believe it comes with a shield but it will be raised app. 5" off tank top
and will be shielded by a glass canopy.
- Location
- Marine Park
You should be cool but check with them anyway. In order for the fans to be effective the fixture must be enclosed. If the bottom of the fixture is open the fans will pull air from closest to them rather than the far other side of the fixture, thereby pulling that air across the bulbs.
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This company used to have these lights on ebay. I remember when I was looking to get a T5 setup and ran across this fixture on ebay. They had alot of bad hits on their ratings.
I have no personal experience with them so I can't really tell you if they are good or not. If you do purchase one I too would be interested in seeing a review on them.
I have no personal experience with them so I can't really tell you if they are good or not. If you do purchase one I too would be interested in seeing a review on them.
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