Hi,
I was wondering if anyone has used the
AquaSun T5-HO Double Light Linear Fluorescent fixtures from ZooMed?
They are surprisingly inexpensive ($50 for the 24" one) but not currently in stock at the larger online retailers.
Unlike some of the earlier, similarly-priced T5 fixtures (like the thin Coralife ones, not the Aqualight HO, but the "regular" T-5), these seem to have a decent reflector area. I looked into those smaller ones awhile back, but those really cram the lamps into a small area, losing a lot of light to re-strike.
Anyhow, these looked like they might have a decent reflector, but I couldn't find a picture of the underside to see. I stopped in to an aquarium store, and was surprised to see one, and the box was already opened.
The reflector looks decent, but BOTH lamps are in a single, wide reflector - the individual bulbs/lamps don't each have their own reflector.
Anyone want to chime in on how much of a compromise in efficiency and usable light this is going to be? With the thinner diameter of T-5's, I'm sure this minimizes the re-strike, but I was surprised to see two lamps sharing one reflector. I *think* the Hagen Aqua-Glo does this as well in their dual HO-T5 fixture, but I haven't seen those in person.
Thanks very much!
-Jane
I was wondering if anyone has used the
AquaSun T5-HO Double Light Linear Fluorescent fixtures from ZooMed?
They are surprisingly inexpensive ($50 for the 24" one) but not currently in stock at the larger online retailers.
Unlike some of the earlier, similarly-priced T5 fixtures (like the thin Coralife ones, not the Aqualight HO, but the "regular" T-5), these seem to have a decent reflector area. I looked into those smaller ones awhile back, but those really cram the lamps into a small area, losing a lot of light to re-strike.
Anyhow, these looked like they might have a decent reflector, but I couldn't find a picture of the underside to see. I stopped in to an aquarium store, and was surprised to see one, and the box was already opened.
The reflector looks decent, but BOTH lamps are in a single, wide reflector - the individual bulbs/lamps don't each have their own reflector.
Anyone want to chime in on how much of a compromise in efficiency and usable light this is going to be? With the thinner diameter of T-5's, I'm sure this minimizes the re-strike, but I was surprised to see two lamps sharing one reflector. I *think* the Hagen Aqua-Glo does this as well in their dual HO-T5 fixture, but I haven't seen those in person.
Thanks very much!
-Jane
