Is Dymax T5 light good choice

**Rokerites** · 5th Oct 2006, 14:41

I am a newbe to this community. So please bear with me if I ask stupid questions.
Recently, want to start a new planted tank (2 feet only) , was told T5 are better than PL and was told that Dymax's T5 are pretty decent. May I ask all the more experience members here , what they think of it? thanks

**Cacatuoides** · 5th Oct 2006, 16:27

Dymax's T5s are only normal output...I suggest you go for high-output T5s...

you can try Solite's T5, nice sleek outer casing, individual reflector.....heat given out is to the minimum even when I on it for 10hrs...

**eddyq** · 5th Oct 2006, 21:17

For a beginner, I think Dymax T5 is a good choice. I started with a PL lightings no problem also. It depend on what plants you want in your tank.

**BFG** · 5th Oct 2006, 21:44

Welcome to AQ Rockerites!

If you are looking at T5 for your lighting need, make sure that it is a HO type( High Output ). For your info, HO ( High Output ) T5 light tube comes in the following wattage-

24w is for 2ft T5 HO light tube,
39w is for 3ft T5 HO light tube,
54w is for 4ft T5 HO light tube,
80w is for 5ft T5 HO light tube.

To take advantage of the intense lighting coming from such light tube, you should use a parabolic reflector for every light tube you would use. This reflector is by far the best for T5 light tube and will reflect most of the lights downward where you want them.

Hope this helps!

**aquarius** · 6th Oct 2006, 01:52

Heard from a LFS that Dymax is made in china, so the quality may not be so good.

**Rokerites** · 6th Oct 2006, 03:09

Originally Posted by Cacatuoides

Dymax's T5s are only normal output...I suggest you go for high-output T5s...

you can try Solite's T5, nice sleek outer casing, individual reflector.....heat given out is to the minimum even when I on it for 10hrs...

An aqurium shop that I approach was telling me it came with High output too, if only normal output available, I definitely wouldn't consider it.

So where is SoliteT5 made in ? Are they expensive?

Thanks for the pointers from everyone. Keep the advices coming thanks.

**eddyq** · 6th Oct 2006, 09:49

I can safely say that Solite T5 HO is more dearer than Dymax.

**Justikanz** · 6th Oct 2006, 16:42

Dymax has T5HO tubes/sets. Just make sure you got it right in the first place.

I have some initial problems with my Dymax T5 set... The stand is difficult to fix up and then I have problems with my T5 sockets melting and a ballast problem. But then I find the Dymx dealer very helpful and extremely flexible in helping me with my problems. I have to give them a big

for their effort...

**Cacatuoides** · 6th Oct 2006, 18:41

Solite is made in taiwan I think....so far i'm very happy with my set... tank is bubbling like a bottle of champagne....

More info on the lightset..note that the promotion price is long over already...
http://www.aquaticquotient.com/forum...ad.php?t=17588

**Rokerites** · 7th Oct 2006, 01:21

Originally Posted by Justikanz

Dymax has T5HO tubes/sets. Just make sure you got it right in the first place.

I have some initial problems with my Dymax T5 set... The stand is difficult to fix up and then I have problems with my T5 sockets melting and a ballast problem. But then I find the Dymx dealer very helpful and extremely flexible in helping me with my problems. I have to give them a big

for their effort...

Wah !!! That seems to be a lot of problems to me. I am having 2nd thought of getting them now

. So how did they help you? replaced your set FOC? Wonder if their quality has improved since.....

By the way, how many twin tube set would I need for a 2 feet tank?

Sorry for so many question asked

**michael lai** · 7th Oct 2006, 09:28

Hi Rokerites,
That is a isolated incident, I think it would be unfair to state that Dymax T5 sulks. My opinion is for that price range, it is a good buy in terms of design, built and usage. Actually, alot of the brands now are quite good so don't really have to limit yourself to those 2 brands. Understand what you need and not what the 'market' tells you.

To answer your question, it's one or get a 3 tube set.

**michael lai** · 7th Oct 2006, 09:41

Originally Posted by uklau

Be aware of people replacing the components (ballast or tubes) of the full lighting set. Even thought DIY lighting is more expensive & more troublesome, you can always trust that it is of the quality you wanted.

Hi UKlau,
That statement would be very irresponsible if you are refering to Justikanz's statement. PS: DIY is only more expensive when you pay someone to do it for you.

Reason: The replacement was done by a valid distributor and your statement is contradicting that.

**Rokerites** · 8th Oct 2006, 00:35

Originally Posted by michael lai

Hi Rokerites,
That is a isolated incident, I think it would be unfair to state that Dymax T5 sulks. My opinion is for that price range, it is a good buy in terms of design, built and usage. Actually, alot of the brands now are quite good so don't really have to limit yourself to those 2 brands. Understand what you need and not what the 'market' tells you.

To answer your question, it's one or get a 3 tube set.

So for the similar price range, what other makes of T5 would you recommend I should take a look at?

Would 2 sets of Twin tube T5 be an overkill for a 2 feet tank?

Lastly , is it advisable to use a combo of a twin tube T5 (HO) and a Single tube PL 36w?

**Rokerites** · 8th Oct 2006, 00:42

Originally Posted by michael lai

Hi Rokerites,
That is a isolated incident, I think it would be unfair to state that Dymax T5 sulks. My opinion is for that price range, it is a good buy in terms of design, built and usage. Actually, alot of the brands now are quite good so don't really have to limit yourself to those 2 brands. Understand what you need and not what the 'market' tells you.

To answer your question, it's one or get a 3 tube set.

So, for a similar price range, what other makes of T5 would you recommend I should take a look at?

Would 2 sets of twin tube T5 be an overkill for a 2 feet tank?

Lastly, would it be advisable to use a combo of 1 set of twin tube T5 (HO) and 1 set of single tube PL (36w) - I currently have?

Thanks in advance

**gummynut** · 8th Oct 2006, 01:58

Originally Posted by michael lai

...DIY is only more expensive when you pay someone to do it for you.

IMO, DIY could be more expensive too if you did not plan / estimate right.. once you have started off, there is no turning back. There are risks in DIY that you must factor in. The end results may be sucks or better than expected. may also ends up in total failure or success. A great success is when the DIY costs just a fraction of the commercial ones and functions 100x better. It all depend on your project planning, management and execution.

also, DIY = do it yourself. if you pay someone else to do it for you, then it is DIBO = do it by others

Originally Posted by uklau

...DIY lighting is more expensive & more troublesome, you can always trust that it is of the quality you wanted.

Unless that you really know what you are doing, like having the correct & secure wiring, right equipment setup or so, it is likely that your DIY may go wrong and the quality drops. it could be worse, like equipment damage or electrocution. What you have created is not guaranteed to be what you have originally conceived. Remember Frankenstein?

Again, in DIY, risks are involved.

**Justikanz** · 8th Oct 2006, 02:22

Originally Posted by Rokerites

Wah !!! That seems to be a lot of problems to me. I am having 2nd thought of getting them now

. So how did they help you? replaced your set FOC? Wonder if their quality has improved since.....

I was informed that there were some problems with the batch of T5HOs that I bought.

Anyway, the guys are professional and they try to cater to my schedule, even able to repair in a working day's time. I have no complains of their service.

Originally Posted by michael lai

Hi UKlau,
That statement would be very irresponsible if you are refering to Justikanz's statement. PS: DIY is only more expensive when you pay someone to do it for you.

Reason: The replacement was done by a valid distributor and your statement is contradicting that.

Yes, Michael, the replacement was dome by the distributor and the set was able to perform better after the replacement.

**troyz** · 8th Oct 2006, 16:44

[QUOTE=BFG;210588]Welcome to AQ Rockerites!

If you are looking at T5 for your lighting need, make sure that it is a HO type( High Output ). For your info, HO ( High Output ) T5 light tube comes in the following wattage-

24w is for 2ft T5 HO light tube,
39w is for 3ft T5 HO light tube,
54w is for 4ft T5 HO light tube,
80w is for 5ft T5 HO light tube.

To take advantage of the intense lighting coming from such light tube, you should use a parabolic reflector for every light tube you would use. This reflector is by far the best for T5 light tube and will reflect most of the lights downward where you want them.
HI bro , where can i get Parabolic reflector , needed it for my 4ft n how much does it cost...thanks

**BFG** · 8th Oct 2006, 19:29

There's a few sponsor here in this forum that sells them. Give them a ring!

**TS168** · 8th Oct 2006, 20:15

If you need a better T5 Lighting set? you might want to take a look at Delighting one

http://www.delightings.com/index.cfm?GPID=15

Anyone can comment on this one? i think it very bright. :P

**Rokerites** · 9th Oct 2006, 01:00

Originally Posted by TS168

If you need a better T5 Lighting set? you might want to take a look at Delighting one

http://www.delightings.com/index.cfm?GPID=15

Anyone can comment on this one? i think it very bright. :P

Yah, thanks for the recommendation. They definitely looks good

But the price is alittle high though. I will check them out latter this month.

I think it would be wise to start with one set of T5 (HO) intially , I guess then

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