Ok....I need to upgrade (one of these days) from 2- T12 fixtures per shelf to 1 T-5 HO per shelf...
I'll need @ 25 fixtures. I like DEEP reflectors too. I def liked having 2 fixtures per shelf as I felt it gave me a "front" as well as a "Rear" light exposure to the vivs....
What's the prices....what model / company can you recommend ?
Phil that could be 2500 bucks easy for 25 fixtures of 48'' t5's. When I was buying them up for my plant racks I bought them from hydrowholsale.com. For the frog vivs I just used 2 dual t8 fixtures on every shelf. It was way cheaper and still more than enough light for my plants.
Michael
Yeah....I know it's gonna be huge bucks, that's why I'm "wading" into it with sticker shock info first. lol
I bought all those T-12 "Wally Mart" specials for $19.00 each....bulbs are @ $9.00 each as well.
Some day....
sunlight has a two bulb unit with SLR reflectors around $100 something each. It's gonna to be pricey.
www.premiumaquatics.com. Look under lighting....T5......sunlight
Try Hellolights.com They have retro fit kits for a reasonable price. If your going to go with T-5 and want the bang for your buck each bulb needs a reflector.
Here is one retro fit kit I had over my reef....
http://www.hellolights.com/48inch2x54t5retrofit.aspx
They don't carry grow lights for plants but in the end I think it would still be cheaper this route in the long run and each kit comes with high reflective reflectors for each bulb.
Philsuma Wrote:Yeah....I know it's gonna be huge bucks, that's why I'm "wading" into it with sticker shock info first. lol
I bought all those T-12 "Wally Mart" specials for $19.00 each....bulbs are @ $9.00 each as well.
Some day....
Were those the HO bulbs though? As you probably know... T5's come in regular out-put (NO = nominal output) as well. :o
They are approx. 40% less wattage and less lumens that the HO T5's.
Philsuma Wrote:Ok....I need to upgrade (one of these days) from 2- T12 fixtures per shelf to 1 T-5 HO per shelf...
I'll need @ 25 fixtures. I like DEEP reflectors too. I def liked having 2 fixtures per shelf as I felt it gave me a "front" as well as a "Rear" light exposure to the vivs....
What's the prices....what model / company can you recommend ?
**e-hem**
ummm....oh.... hi.....remember me? :roll:
deepblue, they are nice + easy to rack mount.
when u r ready, just e/m me.
:mrgreen:
http://www.LightYourReptiles.com
D3monic Wrote:Or you could just do one LED bar accross the tops... looking at 2800 ish if you did it that way http://www.lightyourreptiles.com/48cutrledlib.html if you did two bars well, you could kiss a small fortune goodbye
or "hello".
hock:
Seriously, you
would save $$ on electricity & it would even out.
They are nicest units out there. Best color light.
Silicone coated to protect from moisture.
NOTE: The price competition on those units
definitely benefits the consumer.
BTW. I am trying to get stuff direct from mainland China to offer other LED options. I will keep everyone posted.
他们有我的金钱，但是我有看单位。我耐心地等待。 :|
I was wondering the same thing. Why don't more people use T5HO bulbs on there tanks? You can get 18in to 60in or 72in bulbs. They last about a year. Give plenty of light for plants, very low heat and just an awesome bright light. I have a 4 bulb retro fit kit that i'm going to cut down to a 2 bulb fixture for my 55g viv. I'm a noob to this so maybe i'm wrong in thinking that way.
Rich's viewpoint got me thinking "less light".
that, and trying to avoid spending a grand or two for a medium sized frog room in the future.
I think High output is a little much now.
I hear ya there. I just have these laying around. I could always not use the reflectors. Then again I could just spend $30 on a walmart special too. lol
Whatever you use...make sure it doesn't throw too much heat. That's a killer, especially when your new to the hobby - too much heat.
Gotcha. I know I need to stay around 70 no higher than 75. Right?
75F is a good average target temp, yes. You can go 5 degrees higher for a little while, like maybe for "mid day" and then down to even 65 at night, but 75F is def a good "all round" temp to shoot for.
mid 70's is fine, but if you get up to 79-80 you're getting a little too close for comfort. Above 80 can cause problems for most species.
edit- beat me to it, Phil
Schreff, you're alive> Btw, did you just reply to a 14 month old post?