So yesterday I come home to find my apartment smelling slightly of something burning and my metal halide lights are not on. Upon further inspection I find that the power cord had melted the timer it was plugged into and the on/off switch on the ballast is permanently stuck in the on position. I removed the timer and plugged the cord into a power strip and it still works but the cord gets hot after about 5 minutes so I'm afraid to use it anymore. I am now only using the two 65 w power compacts in the fixture which is only about 30% of the original output (I was using 2 x 150W MH's).
As much as I love metal halide lighting (for the look, intensity and bulb life and cost) I am looking for a more energy efficent alternative for my 60" W x 16" D x 20" T planted tank. I was just looking at T-5 HO fixtures but they all seem to be for reef tanks and include higher Kelvin and actinic bulbs. I also don't know what the average life of these bulbs are and how much they cost to replace. I would probably want at least a 6 bulb (54w x 6) fixture or maybe 8 bulbs x 54W since I've been running at 430 watts.
Does anyone have any input or experience on T-5 HO lighting? Does anyone have any 48" or 60" fixtures of any type they would like to sell? Wilfred? Tom??
Also, people always tell me that metal halide lights use a lot of electricity but how are T-5, PC's or other bulbs more energy efficient if the wattage is the same or are they?
> From: sfjoyboy <sfjoy...@yahoo.com>
> Subject: detritus: I need a new or used light fixture ASAP!
> To: detritus@googlegroups.com
> Date: Wednesday, September 23, 2009, 8:00 PM
> So yesterday I come home to find my apartment smelling
> slightly of > something burning and my metal halide lights are not on.
> Upon further > inspection I find that the power cord had melted the
> timer it was plugged > into and the on/off switch on the ballast is
> permanently stuck in the on > position. I removed the timer and plugged the cord into a
> power strip and it > still works but the cord gets hot after about 5 minutes so
> I'm afraid to use it > anymore. I am now only using the two 65 w power compacts in
> the fixture which is > only about 30% of the original output (I was using 2 x
> 150W MH's).
>
> As much as I love metal halide lighting (for the look,
> intensity and bulb > life and cost) I am looking for a more
> energy efficent alternative for > my 60" W x 16" D x 20" T planted
> tank. I was just looking at T-5 HO > fixtures but they all seem to be for reef tanks and include
> higher Kelvin and > actinic bulbs. I also don't know what the average life
> of these bulbs are and > how much they cost to replace. I would probably want at
> least a 6 bulb (54w x 6) > fixture or maybe 8 bulbs x 54W since I've been running
> at 430 watts.
>
> Does anyone have any input or experience on T-5 HO
> lighting? Does anyone > have any 48" or 60" fixtures of any
> type they would like to sell? Wilfred? > Tom?? >
> Also, people always tell me that metal halide lights
> use a lot of > electricity but how are T-5, PC's or other bulbs more
> energy efficient if the > wattage is the same or are they?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Doug
> From: sfjoyboy <sfjoy...@yahoo.com>
> Subject: detritus: I need a new or used light fixture ASAP!
> To: detritus@googlegroups.com
> Date: Wednesday, September 23, 2009, 8:00 PM
> So yesterday I come home to find my apartment smelling
> slightly of > something burning and my metal halide lights are not on.
> Upon further > inspection I find that the power cord had melted the
> timer it was plugged > into and the on/off switch on the ballast is
> permanently stuck in the on > position. I removed the timer and plugged the cord into a
> power strip and it > still works but the cord gets hot after about 5 minutes so
> I'm afraid to use it > anymore. I am now only using the two 65 w power compacts in
> the fixture which is > only about 30% of the original output (I was using 2 x
> 150W MH's).
>
> As much as I love metal halide lighting (for the look,
> intensity and bulb > life and cost) I am looking for a more
> energy efficent alternative for > my 60" W x 16" D x 20" T planted
> tank. I was just looking at T-5 HO > fixtures but they all seem to be for reef tanks and include
> higher Kelvin and > actinic bulbs. I also don't know what the average life
> of these bulbs are and > how much they cost to replace. I would probably want at
> least a 6 bulb (54w x 6) > fixture or maybe 8 bulbs x 54W since I've been running
> at 430 watts.
>
> Does anyone have any input or experience on T-5 HO
> lighting? Does anyone > have any 48" or 60" fixtures of any
> type they would like to sell? Wilfred? > Tom?? >
> Also, people always tell me that metal halide lights
> use a lot of > electricity but how are T-5, PC's or other bulbs more
> energy efficient if the > wattage is the same or are they?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Doug
On Wed, Sep 23, 2009 at 9:44 PM, Thomas Barr <tcb...@yahoo.com> wrote:
> Giesemann powerchrome and aquaflora are good for plants.
> --- On Wed, 9/23/09, sfjoyboy <sfjoy...@yahoo.com> wrote:
>> From: sfjoyboy <sfjoy...@yahoo.com>
>> Subject: detritus: I need a new or used light fixture ASAP!
>> To: detritus@googlegroups.com
>> Date: Wednesday, September 23, 2009, 8:00 PM
>> So yesterday I come home to find my apartment smelling
>> slightly of
>> something burning and my metal halide lights are not on.
>> Upon further
>> inspection I find that the power cord had melted the
>> timer it was plugged
>> into and the on/off switch on the ballast is
>> permanently stuck in the on
>> position. I removed the timer and plugged the cord into a
>> power strip and it
>> still works but the cord gets hot after about 5 minutes so
>> I'm afraid to use it
>> anymore. I am now only using the two 65 w power compacts in
>> the fixture which is
>> only about 30% of the original output (I was using 2 x
>> 150W MH's).
>> As much as I love metal halide lighting (for the look,
>> intensity and bulb
>> life and cost) I am looking for a more
>> energy efficent alternative for
>> my 60" W x 16" D x 20" T planted
>> tank. I was just looking at T-5 HO
>> fixtures but they all seem to be for reef tanks and include
>> higher Kelvin and
>> actinic bulbs. I also don't know what the average life
>> of these bulbs are and
>> how much they cost to replace. I would probably want at
>> least a 6 bulb (54w x 6)
>> fixture or maybe 8 bulbs x 54W since I've been running
>> at 430 watts.
>> Does anyone have any input or experience on T-5 HO
>> lighting? Does anyone
>> have any 48" or 60" fixtures of any
>> type they would like to sell? Wilfred?
>> Tom??
>> Also, people always tell me that metal halide lights
>> use a lot of
>> electricity but how are T-5, PC's or other bulbs more
>> energy efficient if the
>> wattage is the same or are they?
the problems with t 50 is the ballast go bad after while. i got the t50 and my ballast is fried got 2 brand new bulbs 48" fixture. i need to find a ballast.
--- On Wed, 9/23/09, jason stone <jasonst...@gmail.com> wrote:
From: jason stone <jasonst...@gmail.com>
Subject: detritus: Re: I need a new or used light fixture ASAP!
To: detritus@googlegroups.com
Date: Wednesday, September 23, 2009, 9:48 PM
On Wed, Sep 23, 2009 at 9:44 PM, Thomas Barr <tcb...@yahoo.com> wrote:
> Giesemann powerchrome and aquaflora are good for plants.
> --- On Wed, 9/23/09, sfjoyboy <sfjoy...@yahoo.com> wrote:
>> From: sfjoyboy <sfjoy...@yahoo.com>
>> Subject: detritus: I need a new or used light fixture ASAP!
>> To: detritus@googlegroups.com
>> Date: Wednesday, September 23, 2009, 8:00 PM
>> So yesterday I come home to find my apartment smelling
>> slightly of
>> something burning and my metal halide lights are not on.
>> Upon further
>> inspection I find that the power cord had melted the
>> timer it was plugged
>> into and the on/off switch on the ballast is
>> permanently stuck in the on
>> position. I removed the timer and plugged the cord into a
>> power strip and it
>> still works but the cord gets hot after about 5 minutes so
>> I'm afraid to use it
>> anymore. I am now only using the two 65 w power compacts in
>> the fixture which is
>> only about 30% of the original output (I was using 2 x
>> 150W MH's).
>> As much as I love metal halide lighting (for the look,
>> intensity and bulb
>> life and cost) I am looking for a more
>> energy efficent alternative for
>> my 60" W x 16" D x 20" T planted
>> tank. I was just looking at T-5 HO
>> fixtures but they all seem to be for reef tanks and include
>> higher Kelvin and
>> actinic bulbs. I also don't know what the average life
>> of these bulbs are and
>> how much they cost to replace. I would probably want at
>> least a 6 bulb (54w x 6)
>> fixture or maybe 8 bulbs x 54W since I've been running
>> at 430 watts.
>> Does anyone have any input or experience on T-5 HO
>> lighting? Does anyone
>> have any 48" or 60" fixtures of any
>> type they would like to sell? Wilfred?
>> Tom??
>> Also, people always tell me that metal halide lights
>> use a lot of
>> electricity but how are T-5, PC's or other bulbs more
>> energy efficient if the
>> wattage is the same or are they?
try doctors'and foster or pet solution they do have sales on light fixture
--- On Wed, 9/23/09, sfjoyboy <sfjoy...@yahoo.com> wrote:
From: sfjoyboy <sfjoy...@yahoo.com>
Subject: detritus: I need a new or used light fixture ASAP!
To: detritus@googlegroups.com
Date: Wednesday, September 23, 2009, 8:00 PM
So yesterday I come home to find my apartment smelling slightly of something burning and my metal halide lights are not on. Upon further inspection I find that the power cord had melted the timer it was plugged into and the on/off switch on the ballast is permanently stuck in the on position. I removed the timer and plugged the cord into a power strip and it still works but the cord gets hot after about 5 minutes so I'm afraid to use it anymore. I am now only using the two 65 w power compacts in the fixture which is only about 30% of the original output (I was using 2 x 150W MH's).
As much as I love metal halide lighting (for the look, intensity and bulb life and cost) I am looking for a more energy efficent alternative for my 60" W x 16" D x 20" T planted tank. I was just looking at T-5 HO fixtures but they all seem to be for reef tanks and include higher Kelvin and actinic bulbs. I also don't know what the average life of these bulbs are and how much they cost to replace. I would probably want at least a 6 bulb (54w x 6) fixture or maybe 8 bulbs x 54W since I've been running at 430 watts.
Does anyone have any input or experience on T-5 HO lighting? Does anyone have any 48" or 60" fixtures of any type they would like to sell? Wilfred? Tom??
Also, people always tell me that metal halide lights use a lot of electricity but how are T-5, PC's or other bulbs more energy efficient if the wattage is the same or are they?
----- Original Message ----- From: "Thomas Barr" <tcb...@yahoo.com>
To: <detritus@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Wednesday, September 23, 2009 9:44 PM
Subject: detritus: Re: I need a new or used light fixture ASAP!
Giesemann powerchrome and aquaflora are good for plants.
--- On Wed, 9/23/09, sfjoyboy <sfjoy...@yahoo.com> wrote:
> From: sfjoyboy <sfjoy...@yahoo.com>
> Subject: detritus: I need a new or used light fixture ASAP!
> To: detritus@googlegroups.com
> Date: Wednesday, September 23, 2009, 8:00 PM
> So yesterday I come home to find my apartment smelling
> slightly of
> something burning and my metal halide lights are not on.
> Upon further
> inspection I find that the power cord had melted the
> timer it was plugged
> into and the on/off switch on the ballast is
> permanently stuck in the on
> position. I removed the timer and plugged the cord into a
> power strip and it
> still works but the cord gets hot after about 5 minutes so
> I'm afraid to use it
> anymore. I am now only using the two 65 w power compacts in
> the fixture which is
> only about 30% of the original output (I was using 2 x
> 150W MH's).
> As much as I love metal halide lighting (for the look,
> intensity and bulb
> life and cost) I am looking for a more
> energy efficent alternative for
> my 60" W x 16" D x 20" T planted
> tank. I was just looking at T-5 HO
> fixtures but they all seem to be for reef tanks and include
> higher Kelvin and
> actinic bulbs. I also don't know what the average life
> of these bulbs are and
> how much they cost to replace. I would probably want at
> least a 6 bulb (54w x 6)
> fixture or maybe 8 bulbs x 54W since I've been running
> at 430 watts.
> Does anyone have any input or experience on T-5 HO
> lighting? Does anyone
> have any 48" or 60" fixtures of any
> type they would like to sell? Wilfred?
> Tom??
> Also, people always tell me that metal halide lights
> use a lot of
> electricity but how are T-5, PC's or other bulbs more
> energy efficient if the
> wattage is the same or are they?
from what i've read, compact lighting is the most energy efficient form of quality lighting for your tank. however, i'm sure there's some subjective opinion in that.
it's amazing how much this hobby cost in utility and supply. over the past 2 years i've shut down 3 long running tanks using non-special lighting and the usual heater and filters. to my surprise my monthly pge dropped from 120 to 70 buxs on average, which adds up to about 600 buxs a year. i hate to add up the other costs... water, tank supplies, and food.
----- Original Message ----- From: sfjoyboy To: detritus@googlegroups.com Sent: Wednesday, September 23, 2009 8:00 PM
Subject: detritus: I need a new or used light fixture ASAP!
So yesterday I come home to find my apartment smelling slightly of something burning and my metal halide lights are not on. Upon further inspection I find that the power cord had melted the timer it was plugged into and the on/off switch on the ballast is permanently stuck in the on position. I removed the timer and plugged the cord into a power strip and it still works but the cord gets hot after about 5 minutes so I'm afraid to use it anymore. I am now only using the two 65 w power compacts in the fixture which is only about 30% of the original output (I was using 2 x 150W MH's).
As much as I love metal halide lighting (for the look, intensity and bulb life and cost) I am looking for a more energy efficent alternative for my 60" W x 16" D x 20" T planted tank. I was just looking at T-5 HO fixtures but they all seem to be for reef tanks and include higher Kelvin and actinic bulbs. I also don't know what the average life of these bulbs are and how much they cost to replace. I would probably want at least a 6 bulb (54w x 6) fixture or maybe 8 bulbs x 54W since I've been running at 430 watts.
Does anyone have any input or experience on T-5 HO lighting? Does anyone have any 48" or 60" fixtures of any type they would like to sell? Wilfred? Tom??
Also, people always tell me that metal halide lights use a lot of electricity but how are T-5, PC's or other bulbs more energy efficient if the wattage is the same or are they?
Well....if you buy the cheap junk, I suppose, the Tek and other fixtures cost more, but seem to last. Catalina make some decent T5's, not sure about the stuff personally, but the folks on line seem to like them.
Cheap, but not junk.
Giesemann bulbs are nice, they run about 18-22$ on line, you just need to look around.
Also, you only need about 1.5W-1.8 gal for the T5's for any planted tank.
There is NO plant I cannot easily grow at that range.
Regards, Tom Barr
--- On Wed, 9/23/09, joseph de silva <jdesilva0...@yahoo.com> wrote:
> From: joseph de silva <jdesilva0...@yahoo.com>
> Subject: detritus: Re: I need a new or used light fixture ASAP!
> To: detritus@googlegroups.com
> Date: Wednesday, September 23, 2009, 10:31 PM
> the
> problems with t 50 is the ballast go bad after while. i
> got the t50 and my ballast is fried got 2 brand new bulbs
> 48" fixture. i need to find a ballast.
> --- On Wed, 9/23/09, jason
> stone <jasonst...@gmail.com> wrote:
> From: jason stone <jasonst...@gmail.com>
> Subject: detritus: Re: I need a new or used light fixture
> ASAP!
> To: detritus@googlegroups.com
> Date: Wednesday, September 23, 2009, 9:48 PM
> Tom
> Have LEDs made any inroads in planted tanks yet?
> On Wed, Sep 23, 2009 at 9:44 PM, Thomas Barr <tcb...@yahoo.com>
> wrote:
> > Giesemann powerchrome and aquaflora are
> good for plants.
> > --- On Wed, 9/23/09, sfjoyboy <sfjoy...@yahoo.com>
> wrote:
> >> From: sfjoyboy <sfjoy...@yahoo.com>
> >> Subject: detritus: I need a new or used
> light fixture ASAP!
> >> To: detritus@googlegroups.com
> >> Date: Wednesday, September 23, 2009, 8:00 PM
> >> So yesterday I come home to find my apartment
> smelling
> >> slightly of
> >> something burning and my metal halide lights are
> not on.
> >> Upon further
> >> inspection I find that the power cord had
> melted the
> >> timer it was plugged
> >> into and the on/off switch on the ballast is
> >> permanently stuck in the on
> >> position. I removed the timer and plugged the cord
> into a
> >> power strip and it
> >> still works but the cord gets hot after about 5
> minutes so
> >> I'm afraid to use it
> >> anymore. I am now only using the two 65 w power
> compacts in
> >> the fixture which is
> >> only about 30% of the original output (I
> was using 2 x
> >> 150W MH's).
> >> As much as I love metal halide lighting (for the
> look,
> >> intensity and bulb
> >> life and cost) I am looking for a more
> >> energy efficent alternative for
> >> my 60" W x 16" D x 20" T
> planted
> >> tank. I was just looking at T-5 HO
> >> fixtures but they all seem to be for reef tanks
> and include
> >> higher Kelvin and
> >> actinic bulbs. I also don't know what the
> average life
> >> of these bulbs are and
> >> how much they cost to replace. I would probably
> want at
> >> least a 6 bulb (54w x 6)
> >> fixture or maybe 8 bulbs x 54W since I've been
> running
> >> at 430 watts.
> >> Does anyone have any input or experience on T-5
> HO
> >> lighting? Does anyone
> >> have any 48" or 60" fixtures of any
> >> type they would like to
> sell? Wilfred?
> >> Tom??
> >> Also, people always tell me that metal halide
> lights
> >> use a lot of
> >> electricity but how are T-5, PC's or other
> bulbs more
> >> energy efficient if the
> >> wattage is the same or are they?
DIY mostly, The cost is insanely high still, I'd expect them to drop in pricing over the next few years. There are some that are cheap, some kinda of junky, some that are decent, but you have to DIY to save any $ really.
Electricity cost do not really outweigh the fixture cost, but there is a lot of potential if the fixture cost decline, say at least 50-70%.
There are some really good T5 fixtures, but because there are cheapo knock offs, many go for the cheapest T5 and then add 4 or more watts a gal(Fine for reef, but not for plants).
Better off using a much better brand, better bulbs and using less wattage. Quality is worth more than quantity IME.
Still, LED's have made some inroads. They sell these cheaper LED 24-36-48" bulbs that are like T8 FL's you just snap in, 50-100$ each. Simple solution and not bad price.
I have not made any light PAR meter measurements with them, I know several folks have measured their systems and DIY's, but I have not seen much there yet.
T5's keep me pretty happy. If I want some shimmer, HQI......but even that is rare for me.
Regards, Tom Barr
--- On Wed, 9/23/09, jason stone <jasonst...@gmail.com> wrote:
> From: jason stone <jasonst...@gmail.com> > Subject: detritus: Re: I need a new or used light fixture ASAP! > To: detritus@googlegroups.com > Date: Wednesday, September 23, 2009, 9:48 PM
> Tom
> Have LEDs made any inroads in planted tanks yet?
I ended up with a Tek 4 x 48 (216 W) fixture with 2 Giesemann powerchrome daylights and 2 aquaflora's. My plants are responding dramitically after only 4 days. What suprises me is that my tank looks as bright if not brighter than when I was running twice the wattage with two 150W MH's and two 65 W PC's (430W total!) Of course those bulbs were probably 2 years old. Maybe the "German reflector" in the Tek fixture does make the bulbs "3x brighter" like the box says.
Anyway, thanks for the tips and if you happen to come across a cheap source for Giesemann powerchrome and aquaflora bulbs please let me know. I think the cheapest ones I found were like $22-$25, the aquafloras being a bit more. How long do these bulbs last anyway?
In case anyone is interested I paid $403 for this set up including the bulbs. Shipping was free from Aquacave.com. Definitely happy with my purchase.
..From: "Thomas Barr" <tcb...@yahoo.com>
To: <detritus@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Thursday, September 24, 2009 7:57 AM
Subject: detritus: Re: I need a new or used light fixture ASAP!
Well....if you buy the cheap junk, I suppose, the Tek and other fixtures cost more, but seem to last. Catalina make some decent T5's, not sure about the stuff personally, but the folks on line seem to like them.
Cheap, but not junk.
Giesemann bulbs are nice, they run about 18-22$ on line, you just need to look around.
Also, you only need about 1.5W-1.8 gal for the T5's for any planted tank.
There is NO plant I cannot easily grow at that range.
Regards,
Tom Barr
--- On Wed, 9/23/09, joseph de silva <jdesilva0...@yahoo.com> wrote:
> From: joseph de silva <jdesilva0...@yahoo.com>
> Subject: detritus: Re: I need a new or used light fixture ASAP!
> To: detritus@googlegroups.com
> Date: Wednesday, September 23, 2009, 10:31 PM
> the
> problems with t 50 is the ballast go bad after while. i
> got the t50 and my ballast is fried got 2 brand new bulbs
> 48" fixture. i need to find a ballast.
> --- On Wed, 9/23/09, jason
> stone <jasonst...@gmail.com> wrote:
> From: jason stone <jasonst...@gmail.com>
> Subject: detritus: Re: I need a new or used light fixture
> ASAP!
> To: detritus@googlegroups.com
> Date: Wednesday, September 23, 2009, 9:48 PM
> Tom
> Have LEDs made any inroads in planted tanks yet?
> On Wed, Sep 23, 2009 at 9:44 PM, Thomas Barr <tcb...@yahoo.com>
> wrote:
> > Giesemann powerchrome and aquaflora are
> good for plants.
> > --- On Wed, 9/23/09, sfjoyboy <sfjoy...@yahoo.com>
> wrote:
> >> From: sfjoyboy <sfjoy...@yahoo.com>
> >> Subject: detritus: I need a new or used
> light fixture ASAP!
> >> To: detritus@googlegroups.com
> >> Date: Wednesday, September 23, 2009, 8:00 PM
> >> So yesterday I come home to find my apartment
> smelling
> >> slightly of
> >> something burning and my metal halide lights are
> not on.
> >> Upon further
> >> inspection I find that the power cord had
> melted the
> >> timer it was plugged
> >> into and the on/off switch on the ballast is
> >> permanently stuck in the on
> >> position. I removed the timer and plugged the cord
> into a
> >> power strip and it
> >> still works but the cord gets hot after about 5
> minutes so
> >> I'm afraid to use it
> >> anymore. I am now only using the two 65 w power
> compacts in
> >> the fixture which is
> >> only about 30% of the original output (I
> was using 2 x
> >> 150W MH's).
> >> As much as I love metal halide lighting (for the
> look,
> >> intensity and bulb
> >> life and cost) I am looking for a more
> >> energy efficent alternative for
> >> my 60" W x 16" D x 20" T
> planted
> >> tank. I was just looking at T-5 HO
> >> fixtures but they all seem to be for reef tanks
> and include
> >> higher Kelvin and
> >> actinic bulbs. I also don't know what the
> average life
> >> of these bulbs are and
> >> how much they cost to replace. I would probably
> want at
> >> least a 6 bulb (54w x 6)
> >> fixture or maybe 8 bulbs x 54W since I've been
> running
> >> at 430 watts.
> >> Does anyone have any input or experience on T-5
> HO
> >> lighting? Does anyone
> >> have any 48" or 60" fixtures of any
> >> type they would like to
> sell? Wilfred?
> >> Tom??
> >> Also, people always tell me that metal halide
> lights
> >> use a lot of
> >> electricity but how are T-5, PC's or other
> bulbs more
> >> energy efficient if the
> >> wattage is the same or are they?
|
