Anyone have this fixture?

here it is SUN BLAZE T-5, 48" Light Fixture 4 x 54W lamps by Sunlight Supply* - AquaCave its a really great price and I am just curious. How would it be compared to a TEK 4x54w for example?

 

Definitely not as good, doesn't have individual parabolic reflectors that I can see. That's the real benefit of using T-5's in the first place.

 

I bought a cheaper fixture when I started in the hobby and later I learned about the features of other fixtures that were a bit more money and regretted buying the cheaper one.

Here are some things you want (or at least that I want) on a T5 fixture: individual reflectors, programability (with a panel to program it or various cables to control actinic, daylight or moonlights through timers), lunar lights, cooling fans built in the fixture, since this will make the fixture run cooler and it will help to not raise your water temp too much.

Seek for customer support reviews and customer reviews.



Sent from my phone using my two opposable digits

 

Here are the technical facts.

Tek Light reflectors are made from 95% reflective German aluminum, it has 15 parabolic bends per bulb.

Sunblaze reflectors are made from 82-84% reflective Chinese aluminum (same as most other non-European made T5 fixtures), it has 9 parabolic bends per bulb.

You can expect 10-15% more output from the Tek. The biggest difference is that the housing of the sunblaze housing is made from painted steel that will rust over time. It was designed for horticulture not aquariums with salt water environments.

 

Will it work...sure...but you get what you pay for...I use Tek reflectors over all my holding/grow out tanks...they are awesome...Tek reflectors and ATI bulbs and you can keep any high light animal you want.

 

The picture is a bit misleading for this item; it doesn't look to illustrate a 4 bulb fixture.

May not matter a great deal considering you seem to know the technical specs, etc. already... Just makes me feel :-/ when the pics aren't accurate...

 

A buddy of mine has one of these over a frag tank. It puts out light, just no where near where his tek light puts out. also 6 months in, the corners are starting to rust.

 

if you are looking into t5s the tek lights by sunlight supply are very good, or powermodules are nice also, just look for a reputable manufacturer

 

i used to have an ati powermodule over my 40 breeder.. best t5 fixture i have used... worth every penny