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Post by speedyron on Dec 15, 2013 15:29:07 GMT -5
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Post by Tucker on Dec 15, 2013 15:39:52 GMT -5
#1 it's t5. Seems like a good unit, no idea on how long the bulbs will last before they need replacement. The hobby is definitely going in the direction of led. However there is nothing wrong with t5 other than replacement of bulbs and power usage. They put off a good spectrum and can grow most anything depending on placement.
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Post by speedyron on Dec 15, 2013 15:46:24 GMT -5
i just dont have the money for the leds at the moment. I will most likely upgrade in time, perhaps when i need new light bulbs. i heard they are good for about a year. with buying the overflow boxes, skimmer, pumps, and RO unit, and the light, this is quite a spendy hobby
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Post by jasonandsarah on Dec 16, 2013 5:52:41 GMT -5
What size is your tank? What kind of coal are you planning on keeping?
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Post by jess on Dec 16, 2013 6:51:29 GMT -5
You can grow pretty much anything with t5. You could always pick up a led stunner strip for some color pop. That was the only thing I hated about t5 is the color always seemed so bland.
Sent from my HTC ONE
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Post by jasonandsarah on Dec 16, 2013 10:20:26 GMT -5
The light isn't bland if you get ati bulbs! I'm sure there's other great bulbs but ati bulbs are all I wanted in my light fixture before I switched! Great color and growth! I miss them over my led's allot! I have contemplated turning down my led's and putting 2 t5's on the back of my tank.
1 -true actinic ati bulb
2-purple plus ati bulb
3-coral plus ati bulb
4-10k bulb
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NateG
Full Member
Posts: 222
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Post by NateG on Dec 22, 2013 18:29:23 GMT -5
UVL are excellent t5s for the money. The 454 actinic was my favorite. We have a bunch of those t5 fixtures in the shop. They don't have crap for cooling so they run very hot. The hottest running t5s I've seen that are not overdriven. The bulbs on them, are unfortunately, junk. I wouldn't give them much more than 8 months on the optimistic side. You might be able to get 10 months with a descent bulb. But the heat reeeally cuts down on their lifespan. Thing is with t5s is that they run most efficiently at a specific temp. I believe its 97 deg? Aquactinics did a lot of research in the matter. Their fixtures are pricey...but BOSS.
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Post by speedyron on Dec 22, 2013 19:35:57 GMT -5
this unit has cooling fan
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Post by speedyron on Jan 1, 2014 18:31:33 GMT -5
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Post by jasonandsarah on Jan 2, 2014 7:16:25 GMT -5
I know cheap sounds so much better but with t5 bulbs it's the difference maker between good light and not so good light! The cheaper bulbs will probably only last you 6-8 months and some really good bulbs will last you 12+ months so in the end it's not much different in price I personally used a few different bulbs and configurations before finding the ati bulbs and colors I wanted but when I did the results were amazing and my tank loved it. And easy aquariums had ati bulbs and they take frags and fish on trade so you can save even more that way!!!! Just my opinion.
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Post by jasonandsarah on Jan 2, 2014 7:19:10 GMT -5
And in a different note your anemones and corals may be opening up more because there reaching for light extending to try and get the maximum amount of light witch sometimes (not always) means they're getting less light then they did before? What kind of light did you have before?
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Post by speedyron on Jan 2, 2014 19:48:51 GMT -5
50/50
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Post by jasonandsarah on Jan 3, 2014 7:16:22 GMT -5
Is that compact fluorescent? Never used them before so I wasn't sure?
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fragfreaks
Sponsor
Great Frags at Great Prices!!!
Posts: 542 
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Post by fragfreaks on Jan 3, 2014 12:33:34 GMT -5
The light isn't bland if you get ati bulbs! I'm sure there's other great bulbs but ati bulbs are all I wanted in my light fixture before I switched! Great color and growth! I miss them over my led's allot! I have contemplated turning down my led's and putting 2 t5's on the back of my tank. 1 -true actinic ati bulb 2-purple plus ati bulb 3-coral plus ati bulb 4-10k bulb +1 on this one. If using T5 nothing compares to ATI bulbs. |
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