T5 HO non-aquarium grow lights

[Ryan7]

Anyone use these types?

example:
http://www.growlights.ca/growlights/t5-ho-grow-lights.html

I was thinking about using a 8 bulb and retrofitting it for aquarium purposes.

Besides not being Aesthetically pleasing, not having water resistant end caps, and no separate control switches, what other cons? obvious pro is the price$$

[Ryanerickson]

Nothing wrong with them

[corallivore]

if they made an aquarium specific model, it would be identical to the hydropnic model, just 30-100 points better margin for them.

[tang daddy]

The downside is that the grow ones do not have fans installed but if they're going in a canopy then no one will see it anyways.. also the reflector is not German polished high grade aluminum rust proof, 30% more reflective..... something something something.

But as you mentioned above, no seperate switches, active cooling, dimming functions, high reflective, water resistant sockets.

[corallivore]

The downside is that the grow ones do not have fans installed but if they're going in a canopy then no one will see it anyways.. also the reflector is not German polished high grade aluminum rust proof, 30% more reflective..... something something something.

But as you mentioned above, no seperate switches, active cooling, dimming functions, high reflective, water resistant sockets.

You're comaring a higher end fixture to a basic one.

My tek fixtures had none of those options, other than the german reflectors and separate switches...which are all available on hydro models as well.

[originalozzyo]

I run a similar one on my tank. 6 lamp fixture with 4' bulbs. Has dual ballasts so you can have 4 and 2 lamps controlled independently. Bought it at my electrical supplier. Works great, these are industrial high bay fixtures meant to replace 400W pendants.

[tparsons]

I have used similar ones before many years ago and they work.
Bulbs burn out faster as they run hotter and the phosphors in sw don't seem to like this.
Ran a 10 lamp for a couple years, pulled it off and switched that tank to MH and had much better results and lower power consumption.
They work, but the results are not the best.

You you are on a budget, buy someones used mh fixture.
They sell super cheap and will work much better.

[Ryan7]

I'm ditching my MH's and leds and going back to T5's, save for a couple 100w led cannons I will use for supplemental blue.

I have a 6'x3' footprint to cover and can't justify the expense of aquarium sold T5 fixtures... the mark up is unreasonable.. and I would need several.. also it doesn't make sense to pay for features I don't need.

-tank is in-wall (so it doesn't need to look pretty)
-don't need separate switches, already have supplemental blue lighting

My plan was to modify grow light types with a splash guards and fans...

Besides the company I linked in first post, does anybody have any other recommendations for well-priced T5 grow lights? I thinking reflectors and price is the main factors I'm looking at..

[Ryanerickson]

http://i864.photobucket.com/albums/ab208/ryan_erickson/Screenshot_20161021-130843_zpsoq7vyhiz.png
Cheap fixtures work great with built in reflector, each has it own plug with switch or you can piggy back with provided cord.

[tang daddy]

Ryan I am running 2 of these in my 90 cube.... they are not cheap cost me $50 taxes in for the 36" with bulb and reflector at a grow shop off Bridgeport in Richmond they price matched John's plant factory which had the cheapest price around. Store is called Garden Effects, If you are going this route you may want to check to see if they have enough in stock. Alternatively you can order a 6 or 8 bulb fixture from eBay.com, probably a good idea to ship it to a U.S. Receiving facility to avoid heavy duties and clearing charges from the major couriers.
I use in/out parcel in point Roberts as it's closer to me than Blaine, only a 10 minute drive for you... you may want to register for an account online first then go in to sign a document for USPS so in future orders can be picked up automated, if you don't sign the agreement then you will have to go in when someone is working during the day and may sit through line ups at the border. I go at 11pm and usually no line ups.