2ft t5 lightings-which brand is better??

[gerrard_boon]

hi fellow reefers,i'm thinking of upgrading my lightings from 2ft 2tube T5no lightings to 4 tube T5HO lighting... ani suggestions? juz to mention...i problerly can't use retrofit sets coz i'm placing the lighting veri near the water surface n i'm afraid of salts particles forming on the t5 tubes...the dymax starlite t5 seem to be veri economical....anione use it b4....hows the usage like...wat abt the other brands like solite n marco lightings...their pricing seems quie competitive too...pls advice

Thanks 4 the help, Bros!!

[Qxnviolet]

Hrmz, how much is the dymax T5? Have not tried that yet, but you might want to consider Solite. Im using a 3Ft version and have been pretty happy with the results so far. The construction and finish of the light set is real cool too.

[gerrard_boon]

its abt 170++...i think i cheapest i have seem til now.N yes i do agree that the construction and finish of the solite T5 is really cool.

[Qxnviolet]

its abt 170++...i think i cheapest i have seem til now.N yes i do agree that the construction and finish of the solite T5 is really cool.

Yup....maybe you can go to a LFS that carries both brands and compare them side by side? The solite should be abit more expensive i think.

[gerrard_boon]

thks for the help,bro...but also considering the performance after afew mths n reliablibilty of each each model...so ani user of dymax T5 can tell us more?

how abt macro lightings.?anyway Qxnviolet bro, the solite u r using,r the tubes using a separate reflector each..?thx

[Qxnviolet]

Erm, i'll go check it for you later.

[Qxnviolet]

Hi gerrad....the Solite comes with individual reflectors for each tube.

[gerrard_boon]

thx Qxnviolet bro for all yr help...i seen yr tank tread quite a few times...VERI NICE!!! anyway...back to main topic ani dymax or macro T5 lighting user can give us a review the performance n reliablilty of the respective product??

[Qxnviolet]

thx Qxnviolet bro for all yr help...i seen yr tank tread quite a few times...VERI NICE!!! anyway...back to main topic ani dymax or macro T5 lighting user can give us a review the performance n reliablilty of the respective product??

Hey, thanks for your compliment and hope you'll find the perfect light for your system~

[nakazoru]

Ever tot of using the icecap ballast with D-D tube.

Went to Reef Depot to see the demo. Wah cannot compare to any of the taiwanese brand.

For that short trip there, the icecap ballast fires 4 tube at lower intensity, slowly it increases the intensity.... the 4 tube of D-D will go very bright after a while, much brighter that what I use now. Ballast is external, so heat is outside the light fixture, more efficient on the chiller.

What it does is improve the intensity and lifespan of the T5 tube. The D-D true actinic tube brings out the coloration of the coral I believe you will not see with the regular actinic tube.

Icecap ballast alone is approx 300SGD, good investment on a long run.

[gerrard_boon]

thanx 4 the suggestions bro naka,but the pricerange a bit on the high side n while the ballest can support up to 440watts...i probably only 4 to 5 tubes of 24watts T5... seriously underdsing the ballest.....anyway bro naka,u kept a lot of clams,do u think 4 tubes T5 is enough 4 a crocea if i put it really close to the light source...let say 4+inchs....thx..

[Qxnviolet]

I have 2 clams under my 4 tube T5s too. They are fine till this moment of time.

[gerrard_boon]

r they croceas?do u put it near to the light source?do u think i can increase the intensity of the lighting if i change 1 of the actinic to white light?

[Qxnviolet]

r they croceas?do u put it near to the light source?do u think i can increase the intensity of the lighting if i change 1 of the actinic to white light?

Yup...they are croceas, they are about 1 1/2 FT away from my light source on my sandbed. Was assured that they would be ok when i bought the lights, till now...they have not shown any signs of deteriorating. How deep is your tank?

[jervismun]

Get some good T5 tubes... that's a must if you wanna go T5. Coz the watt/gal for T5 is quite borderline, so u must rely on better tubes. I heard ATI is the best (but very costly and hard to find)... D-D (Deltec) is not bad also, I'm using them now.

Remember don't "save a few bucks" on T5 tubes... just like running an underpower car... if you still go for the cheapest petrol in town... might as well take bus, lol.

[Altantis]

Get some good T5 tubes... that's a must if you wanna go T5. Coz the watt/gal for T5 is quite borderline, so u must rely on better tubes. I heard ATI is the best (but very costly and hard to find)... D-D (Deltec) is not bad also, I'm using them now.

Remember don't "save a few bucks" on T5 tubes... just like running an underpower car... if you still go for the cheapest petrol in town... might as well take bus, lol.

Hmm. Think I may sell off my NEW used T5s & add D-D from the very first day

[jervismun]

Hmm. Think I may sell off my NEW used T5s & add D-D from the very first day

Hehe that's what I did when I bought my Solite Type 3... once I receive the Solite, I posted at Pasar Malam to sell the tubes.

WTS: 2 150W 10000ºK FOC 2 T5 tubes (Aqualux brand)

So manage to sell it right away, no one interested in used tubes... unless dirt cheap. But if cheapo brand T5 tubes... gonna be hard to sell. I have to give mine as freebies.

[gerrard_boon]

erm...thanks fro the advise jervis...can i noe the price of d-d tubes?

[Altantis]

Aqualux cheapo???

[Altantis]

erm...thanks fro the advise jervis...can i noe the price of d-d tubes?

E.g.

D-D Actinic Plus T5 Tube - 24watts / 2 feet - $30

D-D Aquablue Plus T5 Tube - 24watts / 2 feet - $34

D-D Mid Day 6000 T5 Tube - 24watts / 2 feet - $27 ...etc

You want refer to http://www.reefdepot.com.sg/

[sky107line]

Get some good T5 tubes... that's a must if you wanna go T5. Coz the watt/gal for T5 is quite borderline, so u must rely on better tubes. I heard ATI is the best (but very costly and hard to find)... D-D (Deltec) is not bad also, I'm using them now.

Remember don't "save a few bucks" on T5 tubes... just like running an underpower car... if you still go for the cheapest petrol in town... might as well take bus, lol.

That was a good definition bro! I like that!