48" T-5's for the whole frog room ?

[Philsuma]

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 ?

[Michael Lawrence]

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

[Philsuma]

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....

[dtfleming]

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

[Azurel]

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.

[D3monic]

Never used or seen these in action... googled results. http://www.horticulturesource.com/hydro ... ab2c1c8c7e

[Venutus1]

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.

[Venutus1]

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]

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

[Venutus1]

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。 :|

[schreff]

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.

[Philsuma]

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.

[schreff]

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

[Philsuma]

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.

[schreff]

Gotcha. I know I need to stay around 70 no higher than 75. Right?

[Philsuma]

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.

[tclipse]

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]

Ok cool. Thanks guys.

[cbreon]

Schreff, you're alive> Btw, did you just reply to a 14 month old post?