Any Mid-Range T5 Fixtures?

Esper · 12/06/2018, 10:37 AM

There seems to be a gap in the market between super cheap (Odyssea, Coralife, Sunblaze) and super expensive (ATI, Giessman) T5 light fixtures. I already have a good retrofit kit with ATI ballasts and new bulbs, but I’m not very crafty and my DIY fixtures leave a lot to be desired.

Anyone know any good mid-range fixtures? Looking specifically for a 24” long 4-bulb fixture that is 10” wide or less, so as to fit my 20g long (that is 12” wide).

cody6766 · 12/06/2018, 04:26 PM

A Tek light will run you about $225. They're great lights and have been growing coal in many tanks for many years

tom obrecht · 12/06/2018, 05:01 PM

I’m not sure there is much in between. I have used fixtures from Sunlight Supply in numerous applications. Although not ATI level they are priced right and maybe worth a look.

bblumberg · 12/06/2018, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Esper

There seems to be a gap in the market between super cheap (Odyssea, Coralife, Sunblaze) and super expensive (ATI, Giessman) T5 light fixtures. I already have a good retrofit kit with ATI ballasts and new bulbs, but I’m not very crafty and my DIY fixtures leave a lot to be desired.

Anyone know any good mid-range fixtures? Looking specifically for a 24” long 4-bulb fixture that is 10” wide or less, so as to fit my 20g long (that is 12” wide).

For 24" or 48" fixtures you can get horticultural lights relatively inexpensively. Search T-5 and horticultural light on Google and Amazon. I picked up a 48" 4-bulb fixture for my FW discus tank for less than $200.

manateemark · 12/08/2018, 08:17 PM

I hadn’t realized this before you mentioning it. I personally don’t see all of the hype that these high end fixtures are able to provide that the cheaper fixtures can’t do. Is one really igniting the gassed inside the tube brighter?

Pslreefer · 12/08/2018, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by manateemark

I hadn’t realized this before you mentioning it. I personally don’t see all of the hype that these high end fixtures are able to provide that the cheaper fixtures can’t do. Is one really igniting the gassed inside the tube brighter?

It’s the cooling system that separates the high end from the low end. And of course better materials and hype

solitude127 · 12/10/2018, 04:31 PM

Take a look at AquaticLife fixtures. I would consider those mid range

12/06/2018, 10:37 AM	#1
Esper Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Colorado Posts: 83	Any Mid-Range T5 Fixtures? There seems to be a gap in the market between super cheap (Odyssea, Coralife, Sunblaze) and super expensive (ATI, Giessman) T5 light fixtures. I already have a good retrofit kit with ATI ballasts and new bulbs, but I’m not very crafty and my DIY fixtures leave a lot to be desired. Anyone know any good mid-range fixtures? Looking specifically for a 24” long 4-bulb fixture that is 10” wide or less, so as to fit my 20g long (that is 12” wide). __________________ always learning

12/06/2018, 04:26 PM	#2
cody6766 Super Best Friends! Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: OKC, OK Posts: 3,772	A Tek light will run you about $225. They're great lights and have been growing coal in many tanks for many years __________________ "The moral is the chosen, not the forced; the understood, not the obeyed. The moral is the rational, and reason accepts no commandments." - John Galt Current Tank Info: Cadlights 60G Arisan II mixed reef with 2x MP40s and 24" ATI

12/06/2018, 05:01 PM	#3
tom obrecht Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: WI Posts: 3,014	I’m not sure there is much in between. I have used fixtures from Sunlight Supply in numerous applications. Although not ATI level they are priced right and maybe worth a look. __________________ Reef keeping is where Murphy's Law and your bank account collide!! TOTM May 2006

12/10/2018, 04:31 PM	#7
solitude127 Proud user of IO Salt! Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Torrance, CA Posts: 9,136	Take a look at AquaticLife fixtures. I would consider those mid range __________________ Mike <)))>{ <)))>{ <)))>{ <)))>{ ReefKeeping.com TOTM Nov 2012 Socalireefs Featured Reef Oct 2011 Current Tank Info: 603020, 8x54 ATI Powermodule, ReefBrite XHO, ATB Elegance 200, Aquamaxx CTech CaRx, Ecotech Vortechs, Apex Controls, WM Ecobak powered. RedSea Reefer 170, MP10, Apex Jr, Ecotech Radion XR15, Aquamaxx WS-1

12/08/2018, 08:17 PM	#5
manateemark Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 52	I hadn’t realized this before you mentioning it. I personally don’t see all of the hype that these high end fixtures are able to provide that the cheaper fixtures can’t do. Is one really igniting the gassed inside the tube brighter?