Anyone using 2D T5 for Aquarium?

[limsteel]

I installed some new lights for my toilet and found them to be quite bright (Very bluish tint, 10,000K maybe). Marine guys can check this out.. Later I found these tube to be 38W...

Went to a shop and found the ballast was quite cheap (<$10) and The Ballast itself has a built in socket where the 2D tube fit in nicely. I bought a set of 21W 2D Tube and Ballast cheaper than a 55W PL Tube alone...

21W tube will be 142mm x 142mm,
28W, 38W and 55W, are all 204mm x 204mm

[richietay]

I suppose 2D tubes might not be useful(the structure of tube) as one prefer compact tubes. And generally people use PL or rather T5, and all are doing just as good.

[mordrake]

that shape is not going to give u a nice spread over the length of the tank. something FL/PL/T5 is very good for.

[limsteel]

Ah, this tube can be use for 1ft Cube High Light Nano tank. measuring at 20cm by 20cm it can fit nicely over a 1ft Nano. Where to find small high power light set... haha, can acheve ~6WPG

Incase of a larger tank, 4 x 2 x 2... Easily 8 of them can be mounted under a hood (if you have one) coverage will be the same... ~3WPG. The only thing is that the reflector will be a pain to find.

I am thinking of buying several sets (inclusive of standard light casing) for my 5 x 2 x 2 and mount them under the hood.

[mordrake]

reflector can go get from those hardware shops selling aluminium sheets.
interesting idea but concern would be whether the PAR/lumens are suitable for the plants / corals.

[AnA]

Thanks limsteel for sharing this lighting. Wondering the ballast is electronic? How is the heat produce compare to PL?

Went to a shop and found the ballast was quite cheap (<$10) and The Ballast itself has a built in socket where the 2D tube fit in nicely. I bought a set of 21W 2D Tube and Ballast cheaper than a 55W PL Tube alone...

[limsteel]

Ballast cover is made of plastic and is very light... so comfirm Electornic. Heat produce I can't tell. But this tube diameter is the same as PL light.