T5 HO non-aquarium grow lights

[Ryan7]

Anyone use these types?

example:
http://www.growlights.ca/growlights/...ow-lights.html

I was thinking about using a 8 bulb and retrofitting it for aquarium purposes.

Besides not being Aesthetically pleasing, not having water resistant end caps, and no separate control switches, what other cons? obvious pro is the price$$

[Ryanerickson]

Nothing wrong with them

[corallivore]

if they made an aquarium specific model, it would be identical to the hydropnic model, just 30-100 points better margin for them.

[tang daddy]

The downside is that the grow ones do not have fans installed but if they're going in a canopy then no one will see it anyways.. also the reflector is not German polished high grade aluminum rust proof, 30% more reflective..... something something something.

But as you mentioned above, no seperate switches, active cooling, dimming functions, high reflective, water resistant sockets.

[corallivore]

Originally Posted by tang daddy

The downside is that the grow ones do not have fans installed but if they're going in a canopy then no one will see it anyways.. also the reflector is not German polished high grade aluminum rust proof, 30% more reflective..... something something something.

But as you mentioned above, no seperate switches, active cooling, dimming functions, high reflective, water resistant sockets.

You're comaring a higher end fixture to a basic one.

My tek fixtures had none of those options, other than the german reflectors and separate switches...which are all available on hydro models as well.

[originalozzyo]

I run a similar one on my tank. 6 lamp fixture with 4' bulbs. Has dual ballasts so you can have 4 and 2 lamps controlled independently. Bought it at my electrical supplier. Works great, these are industrial high bay fixtures meant to replace 400W pendants.