Re: [APD] T5 lights, opinions on options

[Dennis Dietz <dennisdietz at verizon_net>]

The AH Supply are really the best for the bent tube PC's, which are 
generally T5's bent in half.  The problem is that the reflectors are 
best for bent tubes, but not best for straight tubes.  The AH reflectors 
for PC are really a best option given the situation.  For straight T5's, 
individual parabolic reflectors from Tek or Icecap are best.  IMO, going 
to T5 is only worth it if you are willing to buy a quality fixture with 
individual reflectors or individual reflectors for DIY parts.   
Alternately, Tek now has retrofit kits with reflectors, wires, ballasts, 
endcaps,etc. www.reefgeek.com and www.hellolights.cm both carry a 
descent selection of DIY stuff for T5 at reasonable prices.

One last nice thing about T5 which most people do not realize, they are 
a little shorter than T8/12 tubes.  This means you can actually fir  
"4'" T5 tube over your 55 gallon since it is only ~45", IIRC.  I 
remember the 39watt "3'" tubes were only 34" long.

Now, if someone would only come out with a ~28" tube to help those of us 
with 30" tanks.

Dennis

 Liz Wilhite wrote:
> Can anyone explain to me why T5 lights are or are not better than power
> compact fluorescents and why there is a move to T5 from people who are
> already running quality PC fixturs such as ones made from AH Supply kits?
>
> There is a small collection of plants that don't do particularly well with
> the 130 watts of PC lights over my 55G.  As I am making adjustments to that
> tank, one adjustment I am thinking of making is to swap out to a fixture I
> have on hand that will allow me to run 130w for the entire photoperiod with
> an additional 130 watts for a noon burst period.  Another option I am
> considering is to get an AH Supply reflector and put it in the current
> fixture (which happens to be a Current fixture of the Satellite variety) and
> see if that gives enough light boost to better grow some high light plants.
> Yet another option is to take the equipment I have available, purchase an AH
> Supply reflector and build a fixutre that holds T5s. (My assumption here,
> without thinking through all the details, is that those reflectors should
> work just fine with the smaller diameter T5s.)  Obviously, the free option
> is using the other fixture, but the other two are relatively low cost.
>
> Opinions appreciated.
>
>   

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