New T5 Lights
 

Well I had my tank setup for about 5-6 weeks now and need lights, was originally looking at TEK Lights but really could't get them in the budget because it was $650-700 including legs, bulbs and shipping for the 6 bulb version. So then I looked into the Nova Extreme Pros, which recieved fair reviews but couldn't find anyone with them instock in Canada and to ship them form the states they wanted another $140 on top of the $370 price tag, and figured I would get into trouble when duty came around so again they worked out of my price range so then I finally came accross some lights from Catalina Aquarium (Here)

I actually bought them off a guy on Ebay here

Well I can Honestly say I'm impressed...

Bulbs may not be the greatest but more than adequate for now and I will get better bulbs when I need to, 6 bulbs with reflectors on each moonlights that are dimmable, and 3 plugs to contol everything1 = 2 T5's, 2 = 4 T5's, 3 = Moons.

Best part is it only cost $356 total after shipping, exchange, duty and taxes for everything!

Here are some pictures
http://www.denpaul.ca/SALT/newlight.JPG
http://www.denpaul.ca/SALT/newlight2.JPG
http://www.denpaul.ca/SALT/newlight3.JPG
http://www.denpaul.ca/SALT/newlight4.JPG
http://www.denpaul.ca/SALT/newlight5.JPG
http://www.denpaul.ca/SALT/newlight6.JPG
http://www.denpaul.ca/SALT/newlight7.JPG
http://www.denpaul.ca/SALT/newlight8.JPG
http://www.denpaul.ca/SALT/newlight9.JPG

Hope this is useful to anyone looking for lights on a tight budget.

TJ

Looks cool, I really like the built in moonlights.. I wish my Tek had that!

Yeah they seem to work well the moonlights are really nice.....

You can pick up sets on ebay to add them to the tek.....

The only problem with that is the tek has all six bulbs clustered together with no space in the middle for the moonlights :(

Hmm...The Cad39 has 2 built in moonlights with its own separate power source. I always thought it was too bright, never thought that they might be wired to be dimmable.

Is it just me or are those bulbs really close together. The tek and ice cap reflectors look wider, I believe they are about 2.5". How does that compare?

Yeah they are narrower but output seems pretty good. Very Bright and looks good from what I can see from other tanks I have looked at.

For the money I think they will be hard to beat.
I think with better bulbs they would even be better...

The dimable feature on the moons work well, I still have it turned right up, but may change that around...

I don't have them here at work but I would get about 13/4 for each reflector or so possible 2 but not 2.5....