Let there be light

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Ken's Fish has a dandy sale price on 48" Dual T5 freshwater fixtures - 10,000K/6700K separate switches 56W total output combo with moonlights for $59. I just bought three and they're "the bomb". Initial concern that they might not throw enough lumens vanished immediately as even with just the one 6700K bulb switched on over a 55 it looks great. These are not high-output (which would basically double the light output/wattage at twice the price) but they are sweet. Prices for shorter fixture lengths aren't as correspondingly inexpensive so I passed on those but have had really good results with DeepBlue T5s (non-HO) of all lengths growing plants.

No legs on these, designed to mount flush on top (are extendable wire supports to hook onto either side of the tank frame) and the moonlights are hot-wired to the single plug, i.e., they stay on unless the unit is unplugged or set to a timer but that's the only design flaw I can see.

I only buy new stuff if it strikes me as a great deal for something really cool that meets my rigorous if occasionally capricious aesthetic criteria so thought I'd share.

http://www.kensfish.com/product3977.html

 

[Wblaze]

I have these lights. They are pretty sweet

 

[londonloco]

That is a great price.....I have this 48" over my newly set (2 months maybe) up Malawi 75g, pfs with root tabs. Tho when I add it to my cart it's 65$, what's up with that, Ken doesn't like me? I paid 75$ delivered to my door off of Amazon, Seacorals if I remember correctly was the vendor.

Seem to slowwlly grow anubias and java fern (windelov) ok, hygro angustifolia is throwing out some new leaves, the unnamed crypt is alive, but hasn't thrown off any youngins yet. Just added some pennywort yesterday. Fish are still very small, so they haven't bothered the plants at all yet....keeping my fingers crossed.

Like you said, the only thing I don't like about the fixture is if it is on a timer (all my lights are) the moonlights won't stay on when the timer shuts off. Kinda sucks, but it is what it is. Other than that, I like the fixtures a lot.

 

[Beeman]

I put the same light on my 90. Looks great! Was also concerned at first that it wouldn't be enough light. But especially for a SA tank, you can't beat it.

 

[Andrewtfw]

That is a great price. I have a few of the ho fixtures from deep blue and love them, though I'm not thrilled with the bulbs it comes with.

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Do tell

Would very much like to hear about your experience with/views on sweetwater T5 bulbs.

 

[rich_one]

Sam actually mentioned this to me at the meeting... superb deal! Thanks for sharing, Sam. I defintely plan to get a couple more of these myself!

-Rich

 

[samsmobb]

Any one got any pictures of it on their tank or a quick run through of it on video?
Can't seem to find it out of box :/