It's all about the reflectors. A fixture with individual, high quality polished reflectors will out perform a lower end model any day. Also cooling is a big factor as well.
best 36" t5 for your $$$ (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter salmonizer
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It's all about the reflectors. A fixture with individual, high quality polished reflectors will out perform a lower end model any day. Also cooling is a big factor as well.
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salmonizer
Senior Member
if you go buy a cheap model wouldnt you be able to replace the reflectors and fans and be ahead rather than buying one thats done? or is it a special "reef" style reflector. not trying to get out of spending money just light technology is not in my area of experties haha. just looking for info and trying to educate myself
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joe651
Senior Member
I am wondering the same thing. My tank is 6' long so I am looking for two 36" light fixtures
Unlikely the cheap models that don't have reflectors the bulbs are usually close together and not tall enough to get a good parabolic reflectors over them. Your better off just building your own canopy housing for them and go with the retrofit.
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salmonizer
Senior Member
thanks DG for the advice
I've done that before and it was a waste of time. If you think about it, you buy the cheap fixture and then buy the quality parts. put the time into it= ugly fixture with expensive parts= the same price as a very nice unit. HTHs
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salmonizer
Senior Member
HTH's? again i am not saying this is what i want to do. sounds like the best option is to do a retro fit