Cheap T5 Light set at Aquarama

[reef2]

Check it out at Aquarama, I got my 2 ft T5 set (1 white 12KK + 1 Blue with full casing) for only $45. I think 3 feet going for $58 only. I was told that they come with E-Ballest too. Both this set for my mushroom + fish tank. I must say that it is not as bright as Deltec or ATI, but it good enough for mushroom

[bwilly]

r u sure its T5..? do have a pic of it?

watts the wattage..? after onz for sometimes, is it hot?

[ai[k²]wan]

wah so many ppl looking better solve the mystery, if really 58 i kneel down to beg my dad liao

[sherman]

Bro,

You sure it is T5.The tube itself cost more than that.

Regards

Sherman

[nutx]

Check it out at Aquarama, I got my 2 ft T5 set (1 white 12KK + 1 Blue with full casing) for only $45. I think 3 feet going for $58 only. I was told that they come with E-Ballest too. Both this set for my mushroom + fish tank. I must say that it is not as bright as Deltec or ATI, but it good enough for mushroom

I think the T5 is not the same as those ATI or Arcardia, as this is the lowere watts type.

the 3ft is 21Watts instead of the 39Watts.

[SpiderOne]

my hse downstiar got 2ft 17 watt white T5 set for $17. U just get what u pay for

[piero]

It is true, I have their catalog at home. The brightness is not that great because of the wattage. 2ft is 20 watts, 3ft is 30W. The white tubes are rated at 12,000k and the blue tubes are rated at 17,000K.

Previously when I was using T5 tubes, I tried using Osram's T5 rated at 6000K although claimed to be useless by many, surprisingly possesses the same color temperature rating as ATI Sun Pro. This balanced with deltec's aquablue, gave me good overall whitish blue lighting over my tank. In terms of coralline algae, growth was good.

Anyway, since the light set is so cheap, just try it out and see how it goes, no harm right? Let us know the results in a few month's time.

[clowntrigger]

Those T5 they are selling are "True" in their diameter, but as in how the performance of the tube compare to the ATI or Deltec, I think in term of the wattage they produce, is already not a match at all. Here is more detail of Dymax being offer at Aquarama, the information can be found in their catalog

2ft 20Wx2

3ft 30Wx2

4ft 40Wx2

5ft 20Wx2 + 30Wx2

6ft 30Wx4

what I can think as a potentail is their casing, buy it as a second and remodify everything. I think the ballast inside cannot drive those ATI/Deltec tubes.

For your info on ATI/Deltec tubes only

2ft 24W

3ft 39W

4ft 54W

5ft 80W

[nutx]

Those T5 they are selling are "True" in their diameter, but as in how the performance of the tube compare to the ATI or Deltec, I think in term of the wattage they produce, is already not a match at all. Here is more detail of Dymax being offer at Aquarama, the information can be found in their catalog

2ft 20Wx2

3ft 30Wx2

4ft 40Wx2

5ft 20Wx2 + 30Wx2

6ft 30Wx4

what I can think as a potentail is their casing, buy it as a second and remodify everything. I think the ballast inside cannot drive those ATI/Deltec tubes.

For your info on ATI/Deltec tubes only

2ft 24W

3ft 39W

4ft 54W

5ft 80W

I've tried using the normal type of T5 for 3ft (rated 21W) and install a Arcardia T5 39W. it works.

Only concern is whether the 39W tube is underdrive....that is not use at the full brightness...need those electronic guru to explain.

[reef2]

i think the casing itself is worth the $$. its slim and nice. to use it for soft coral should be ok and cheap. of course it may not be suitable for hard corals and SPS !!

[SpiderOne]

I've tried using the normal type of T5 for 3ft (rated 21W) and install a Arcardia T5 39W. it works.

Only concern is whether the 39W tube is underdrive....that is not use at the full brightness...need those electronic guru to explain.

depends on the eballast..

[DeepBlue]

bought one...my fren selling.....hope enough for my zoos and mushroom tank...do I need to add more lights guys???

here's a pic

[sjsheng]

t5 sell so cheap huh...

i just get my DD t5 light for $320.. kaOz..

[FuEl]

Looks like normal FL to me..

[SpiderOne]

light reflection dun look so fantastic to me

[Octopuffy]

I've tried using the normal type of T5 for 3ft (rated 21W) and install a Arcardia T5 39W. it works.

Only concern is whether the 39W tube is underdrive....that is not use at the full brightness...need those electronic guru to explain.

Unscrew the casing and see the e-ballast inside.

It will print whether the ballast can support up to 39W for each side. If not, just change to a better e-ballast.

By the way, how much u paid for the arcadia t5 tubes? I was quoted $50 for the marine white in Aquarama.

[yazid]

If I'm not mistaken, I saw the 2 feet set sold at $35 at Luo Han shop at Upper Boon Keng Road. I think it is white & pink T5. But they don't sell white & actinic.

Probably white & actinic is $10 more.

[KingFish]

Those using T5s should be able to tell that its a lot dimmer than the established T5 tubes which are properly driven.

If I remember correctly, look into the brochure for the 3ft set, and it actually stated that it uses a 55w OSRAM QuickTronic eBallast, which technically means that its actually underdriving the 02 x30w tubes

IMHO, it is at most, a good buy for the casing, but you'll have to replace to eballast, tubes and reflector (if you intend to get the most out of the T5s)

[Nic a Jon]

Will buying 2 sets of the same lights give u 2 times the wattage n brightness

since they are being so reasonably priced rather than trying to replace the tubes to the Acadia / ATI?

[Nic a Jon]

Hi Rumor,

If u were to replace the eBallast, how do u go about doing it and do u have to get that is just nice or higher (wattage) then your replacement T% tubes?

[Octopuffy]

Hi Rumor,

If u were to replace the eBallast, how do u go about doing it and do u have to get that is just nice or higher (wattage) then your replacement T% tubes?

I dun tink you can find 1 tht is just nice. Get 1 tht is higher is ok.

[KingFish]

I believe its just a matter of rewiring, follow the electrical diagrams stated on the eballast casing to the detail.

To make it scalable, consider getting as close to the tube wattage as you can. Overdriving it a little is fine as long as its minute, otherwise the lifespan of the tubes will be reduced.

[Coral_ClamS]

yap look like normal FL even after a close up look at the pic! and output doesn't seem any difference frm normal FL lights... the actinic is producing a similar brightness as my $10 FL actinic for my fish only. dun think it's worthy but the ARCADIA LUMINAIRE should be much better!

[reef2]

forgive me, i have to disagree with the comments here. currently i am placing my Dymax T5 next to my FL (Coralife 6500K). its much brighter ! FL tube for 2 ft is just 15W and this T5 is 20W. so, its good for 2 footer actually.

[Nic a Jon]

Anyway I bought a 2ft Dymax on Sat, just noticed that the white tube no longer

working....that's faster than I expect . So what can I replace the tube with,

any suggestion?