Advice needed on T5HO lighting

[dcwk]

I am looking for reliable T5HO lightings with black casing. Solite lights comes in black casing but is costly. Any advice?

For my 2ft cube and following the 2W per gallon rule, which is a better option, 2 sets of 2 X24 W or 1 set of 4 X24W

I know this posting should belong to equipment section but somehow I can't post it there. Can moderator help to move it?

Thanks in advance!

[valice]

Go straight for 4x24W.

There are reasons for the high costs.
One consideration is the individual parabolic reflectors. If you look at the other cheaper alternatives, they are without parabolic reflectors. Even the retrofits will come to near that pricing.

Plus, their design is good and allows easy maintainence of the tank with their flippable stand design.

Don't think there are any other brands with black casing already.

It is worthed the price and I am loving every bit of mine.

[Coyote66]

Go straight for 4x24W.

There are reasons for the high costs.
One consideration is the individual parabolic reflectors. If you look at the other cheaper alternatives, they are without parabolic reflectors. Even the retrofits will come to near that pricing.

Plus, their design is good and allows easy maintainence of the tank with their flippable stand design.

Don't think there are any other brands with black casing already.

It is worthed the price and I am loving every bit of mine.

agree
if financially permit better to get the 4X24watts

[ranmasatome]

If you want a good set of lights at a good price and you DON'T want to DIY, Then solite is your best bet. DIY-ing a set as good as the solite one will save you money but you must know what you're doing.
For this reason, Solite lights are not expensive, considering that they offer the buyer - 1 year warranty, INDIVIDUAL parabolic reflectors for EACH bulb, a resonable e-ballast, flippable stand for easy maintenance, Bulbs included and the sleek black casing with lots of nice holes for cooling. Where to find???
I almost bought a set myself but i am picky and i know my DIY..so made a better set but it took me DAAAAAARN LOOOOOOOONG to find the right casing and decide on the best positioning of the lights.
If it were me.. i will go for (2 x 24watts) x 2... reasoning is simple.. allows me flexibility of change and usage in the future..however, going this way will make it more expensive.. if budget is a major concern, then go for 4x 24watts as mentioned already.

[AA24]

hi .. for DIY.. where did you get your reflectors and the casing.. ??.. thanks..

[ranmasatome]

do a search in the forum.

[gummynut]

hi .. for DIY.. where did you get your reflectors and the casing.. ??.. thanks..

you can try DElightings for the parabolic reflectors. for the casing, air-con trunking is easily available from hardware shops. search for some DIY projects posted by some guys here to get some valuable information.

[gummynut]

.. I almost bought a set myself but i am picky and i know my DIY..so made a better set but it took me DAAAAAARN LOOOOOOOONG to find the right casing and decide on the best positioning of the lights....

so, have you completed your DIY project and came up with features better than what solite has to offer? care you share your DIY project?

[ranmasatome]

huh?? nothing much lor...
just used the spider M reflectors and also managed to use actual older light housings instead of the ugly looking air-con trunkings.
I must admit..the placement of the bulbs and constructing flexible mounts for the lightbulbs were the hardest part...
That aside.. lets stay on topic..

[sunnydaze]

Bro, borrow your thread. I am also looking at changing to T5. But the problem i am facing is i have an odd size tank, the Juwel Rio125. Its 80cm, between 2 & 3 ft . Thinking to refiting the existing Juwel light set. Anyone tried before?

[ah fat]

Bro, borrow your thread. I am also looking at changing to T5. But the problem i am facing is i have an odd size tank, the Juwel Rio125. Its 80cm, between 2 & 3 ft . Thinking to refiting the existing Juwel light set. Anyone tried before?

think it is possible. but you can only change the light set to 2 ft lights which will cause uneven spread in the light. if you buy a new 3ft set with adjustable stand will give u a more even spread in the lights.

[berlinjs]

l am also looking for light set 4xT5 for 3feet. not sure watts to use for plants, since heard solite many times around what price and where to find them?

[berlinjs]

just to add, some bros say better use 4ft lights for 3ft so light can overlap and cover more area!. or need to use better more $ lights?

[ah fat]

it is always advised to use bigger than your tank lights because the end of the lighttubes are usually darken. so a longer lightset will give a more even and better coverage. but that is when your space allows.

solite lightset are quite expensive. around 200 for a new set i think. not very sure. but the design allows easy maintenance and individual reflectors thus expensive.

[Ssur]

2 feet cube?

I suggest you get the 4X 24watt setup.

[sunnydaze]

think it is possible. but you can only change the light set to 2 ft lights which will cause uneven spread in the light. if you buy a new 3ft set with adjustable stand will give u a more even spread in the lights.

To use a 3 ft seems like a good idea.

[FishFan]

Hey all, could any of you point me to a website for the Solite lights? Thanks!