Dymax T5 Starlight vs Solite T5

[Rokerites]

Currently weighing up the option to purchase a T5 set for my 2 ft planted tank.
Heard a lot of good comments about the Solite, however its price is way higher than that of Dymax. Can the more experience members out there share their take on this,
Mind sharing possitive and negative of the two brands T5. Any good and bad experience to share?
What would you go for if in my shoes. Please do not ask me to go for ATI cos its really out of me league
Thanks in advance

[gummynut]

care to share what's the price range like / the price difference between the 2 lights?

[yappeyap]

Hi,

i reckon its more important what the lightset can offer in terms of performance such as light spectrum,depth of light penatration, effectiveness of reflector, types of tube used, duration/life of tube, cost of tubes, ease of replacement outlook, workmanship and etc.
I agree some lightset can be really expensive (ATI lightset) and there's good reason why these was so, in item of certain quality it can offer while other can't.

Do extensive reasearch in the web search all the sites available understand the lightset you desire and the effect you want out of it and what it can offer you at the afforable price

Btw, i brought Solite Type 3 MH150Wx2 + T5 54Wx2, for a certain result . Detail? You can mns me!

[valice]

I am not sure of Dymax's reflectors. But I can say is that Solite comes with individual parabolic reflectors (not M-spider though) which is important to T5's ability to penetrate the water column.

Correct me if I am wrong, but Dymax is NO and not HO? Light tubes are not an issue since you can change the light tubes yourself.

EBallast of the Solite is American but assembled in China (I just did a replacement last night myself to Osram, so I am 100% sure of this). Need those who have used Dymax to comment on the ballast.

If Dymax is confirmed HO, then the only advantage I see the Solite over the Dymax is the individual reflectors and the chic black aluminium casing.

[Cacatuoides]

I will go for Solite....its design and components are way better than dymax!!!

[gummynut]

hi there, seems like you have been considering your choice of lights for a while already. IMO,

DYMAX T5, reasonably cheap reliability questionable (no offence) although you're entitled to good product service

Solite, quality so far so good, no complains yet more expensive

for me, my preliminary choice is solite, for peace of mind. the complains about parts melting scared me. i still don't know about the price difference yet.

but i have bought none of them, because i DIY my 3ft T5 set. CHEAPO!! but eventually might cost more than any solite or dymax. haven't calculated my cost yet because i choose not to know (play ignorant). i'm afraid i can't handle the truth.

[valice]

For DIY, the most expensive part of the purchase is the ballast. Depending on what ballast you get, the price can vary alot...

Moreover, for retrofit sets or DIY set, there isn't the protection of the casing to prevent water spillage when doing water top-ups... That's the reason why I did not choose retrofits when I made my purchase.

However, ranmasatome had succeeded in using 2 tube FL lightsets and refit them into T5s as certain casings are wide enough to hold the two reflectors.

[Justikanz]

I have both Dymax and Solite T5s...

My personal opinion...

Dymax - Cheap but initially you might run into some problems with the sockets and ballast. However, that said, I think they have very good after sales service. And their products are more easily available.

Solite - More expensive but so far I have no *touch wood* problems with the set at all. The set looks sleek and blended with my tank well with teh black colouration. I find that their sales point is a little inconvenient and I had not seen their products available in LFSs...

[XnSdVd]

Pics of the 2? I'm interested in the aesthetics...

[valice]

Solite - More expensive but so far I have no *touch wood* problems with the set at all. The set looks sleek and blended with my tank well with teh black colouration. I find that their sales point is a little inconvenient and I had not seen their products available in LFSs...

Seems like only the marine shops carry this product. Another place which I have seen is Irwana Aquarium... Which is the same place as APP lar...

But fixing the light set should something happen is relatively easy... If you know what's the problem.

Pics of the 2? I'm interested in the aesthetics...

If you are doing your 2ft cube, I suggest you got for 4 tubes instead of 2 tubes... Picture of 4 tube set is in the gallery...

[Rokerites]

hi there, seems like you have been considering your choice of lights for a while already. IMO,

DYMAX T5, reasonably cheap reliability questionable (no offence) although you're entitled to good product service

Solite, quality so far so good, no complains yet more expensive

for me, my preliminary choice is solite, for peace of mind. the complains about parts melting scared me. i still don't know about the price difference yet.

but i have bought none of them, because i DIY my 3ft T5 set. CHEAPO!! but eventually might cost more than any solite or dymax. haven't calculated my cost yet because i choose not to know (play ignorant). i'm afraid i can't handle the truth.

Yes you're right. Have been considering for a while.
Have to be careful cos I am not home often. In fact, when my wife and kid are at work or school, basically there is no one at home.
definely not want to take risk in term of safety ( short-circuit, part melting down etc)

The best price I got for Solite was $2** whereas Dymax for $ 12* , hence the difference is big. Reliability, performance and price has to strike a balance to me

[Rokerites]

I have both Dymax and Solite T5s...

My personal opinion...

Dymax - Cheap but initially you might run into some problems with the sockets and ballast. However, that said, I think they have very good after sales service. And their products are more easily available.

Solite - More expensive but so far I have no *touch wood* problems with the set at all. The set looks sleek and blended with my tank well with teh black colouration. I find that their sales point is a little inconvenient and I had not seen their products available in LFSs...

Thanks for the feedback. Looks like everyone seems to be recomendind Solite in term of performance and reliability. Looks very much ,I will bear with the more expensive price for the performance and the peace of mind.

[Rokerites]

Pics of the 2? I'm interested in the aesthetics...

picture of the two are available if you do a search on google....

Aesthetically, both are nice in their own way.

Solite is in sleek black, Dymax in alloy silver colour.

[Cacatuoides]

$2**??? I bought mine at $1** only.....you're looking at te dual tube set or four tubes set? you can pm me regarding me the exact pricing...

[gummynut]

hi rokerites,

i suggest that you go for your 2ft 2x24W Solite, since it is American Standards approved and has CE (as claimed by AquaMarin), quality should be fine. but you would have to change the tubes to 6500K-8000k to suit it for planted tanks.
Some bros here are generally pleased with their solite and no complains about the quality yet.

[gummynut]

hi Rokerites,
***you must factor in the costs for tubes change into your budget as well.

[valice]

The two tube is definitely 1xx after factoring the tubes replacement...
The 4 tubes one then is 2xx... I have both...

But in your post, you are referring to the 4 tubes or 2 tubes?

[Rokerites]

The two tube is definitely 1xx after factoring the tubes replacement...
The 4 tubes one then is 2xx... I have both...

But in your post, you are referring to the 4 tubes or 2 tubes?

I am looking at the 4 x 24W set.

Love the look of it over the 2 x 24W because its thinner structure and the feature that it can be swing back for tank maintainence.

Another feature that struck me is its top grills design ( believe that its more effective in discipating and cooling down the set) - Correct me if I am wrong.

[XnSdVd]

Has anyone considered something from Delightings? Local brand, local manufacturer, Parabolic reflectors, T5HO, Osram ballast... i think...

[valice]

DE lightings is retrofit... So no casing one...