T5 lights - WTB?

[ksarauer]

Where is a good place to buy T5 lights from? I'm looking for a 2 bulb retro kit 48".

FYI - I like Clownnut's setup/configeration ;) hint nint ;)

[spsick]

clearly
www.hellolights.com

I buy all my lights from there, they rock
I guess there's someone named dirk in the club that sells lights or something, but I don't know.

[epidemic]

try diyreef.com they are cheap

[David Grigor]

I second diyreef especially since you can upgrade to icecap reflectors for just a few bucks.

Hellolights don't carry the icecap reflectors.

[ksarauer]

I have an Icecap 660, should I use this or get a new ballast?

[clownnut]

reeftanksupply.com. great service. they will price match.
depend how many bulbs want want to control.

[David Grigor]

You can use. I have done both overdriven and non-overdriven. Non-overdriven done right with the best reflectors etc. for most all setups will more than suffice. When your really trying to push the upper limits of T5 abilities ( Ie: throwing a clam on the bottom of a deep tank ) it may be option. I didn't see enough performance improve gains ( coral coloration/growth ) to justify the added electricity etc. With Icecaps ballasts if your not cooling your bulbs properly will also have a greater impact on performance and bulb life. But same is also true with non-overdriven. Cooler you keep them, brighter they will run.

As a matter of fact, I have about 6 Icecaps sitting at home not being used because I now run T5s exclusively and really never saw the benefits of Icecap. You have some "Tim the toolman" hobbiest out there that like to grunt just because they can but really not going to be a huge gain when non-overdriven setup properly/optimally IME. Also I find it funny sometimes that people swear about overdriving the bulb but neglect to do some of the easy/cheap things that play as big of bigger role in overall light performance ( Ie: bulb distances, cooling the bulbs, reflector choices, bulb choices etc. etc. )

Also, while I can't necessarily proove but my experience some bulbs being overdriven to me actually change the peak of certain spectrums etc. that can have negative effects on some corals. I'd rather run them optimally at the designed wattage. Especiallly on a community tank with LPS/Softy as well as SPS/Acros, overdriving can have some negative effects on some corals.

[wkjames]

What does everyone think of this brand:

http://us.st11.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.com/I/lamps-now_1943_2167541

Price: $18.95
48"t5 HO 10,000k TRU


Description

Item Code: 4810TRU

• One of the only T5 lamps with 100% 10,000K Phosphors
• T5 diameter high output fluorescent lamp.
• The standard when people talk about "crisp white light.
• High intensity bulb simulating a bright, clear tropical day.
• Promotes the growth of zooxanthellae algae, essential for the growth and well being of all photosynthetic corals and invertebrates.
• A great quality lamp with a great price.

[David Grigor]

No experience with that brand. Really IMO, the cost savings isn't enough to jusfity when known quality bulbs run about $22. Is it worth a $4 saving per year per bulb ? If more was known about them and many having good sucess then I'd be game for even just a few dollar savings but not really worth the risk if you have no good data on what kind of results people have been getting with the bulb.