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  #101  
Old 10-04-2013, 02:57 PM
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Originally Posted by lastlight View Post
full spectrum means the same thing in LED and older tech? ya think?
I dunno, I would have assumed so. If you read the LED manufacturer's literature they show a spectral graph usually. The full spectrum units tend to have the "full" spread across the spectrum. Then the user is free to play with the amount of spectrum they want to throw out by infinitely adjusting each LED. At least that was my impression of how "full spectrum" LED units worked. I say we ask Steve. He'll know.
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  #102  
Old 10-04-2013, 03:04 PM
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Originally Posted by Aquattro View Post
That pretty much covers it
so what kind of MH you going to go with? got the T5s for your sunrise/ sunset, now you need to pick your real light.

Steve
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  #103  
Old 10-04-2013, 03:54 PM
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The people talking about MH am t5, I assume you're not referring to cheap Chinese models. eBay is swamped with those. Is there a huge difference between a Phoenix or Radium compared to a $12 dollar Chinese bulb? Same for the t5, how different can a cheap model be?

I've never owned MH an I've only seen one tank with them, an LFS that switched to fluval LED because it was cheaper than replacing a blown bulb and ballast.
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  #104  
Old 10-04-2013, 04:15 PM
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Originally Posted by AdamsB View Post
eBay is swamped with those. Is there a huge difference between a Phoenix or Radium compared to a $12 dollar Chinese bulb? Same for the t5, how different can a cheap model be?
There is quite a difference, but sometimes there isn't a difference, and here's why..

I tried out cheap eBay halides (14K) for a year back in 2011/2012. The bulbs were so cheap that I bought like 6 of them at once. I even went for the more expensive $30 eBays. For me that would have been two years worth of halides as I run 3x250 watts and change them yearly (typically). I discovered a few interesting things along the way. First off, when I got a good batch of bulbs, they were virtually indistinguishable from the more expensive bulbs. However, getting a good bulb proved to be the challenge. Out of 6 bulbs that I purchased from two different vendors on eBay, 1 of the bulbs only lasted a few months (like 3), before it crapped out. Another bulb appeared to be dirty (black coating on the bulb) that appeared as if it had been used previously. It had a 10K colour cast on it right out of the box even though I bought a 14K. With the 4 remaining (somewhat decent) bulbs, I discovered that they got exhausted much sooner than the typical 1 year that I got out of the more expensive bulbs. At around the 7 or 9 month mark I could tell that they had colour shifted dramatically towards the 10K. As a result, I ended up tossing the lot and going back to Phoenix bulbs. I have never had a problem with the more expensive brand name bulbs. Yes, I know, you get what you pay for. If you don't mind having to swap out the cheap eBay bulbs more often, or frequently getting a dud, then eBays are fine :-)

I think it comes down to quality control, as with anything that comes off of eBay from China. The more expensive brands tend to put more money and effort into quality control and will toss out batches that don't make the cut. The eBayers will snatch those garbaged bulbs up and sell them to you.
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  #105  
Old 10-04-2013, 06:03 PM
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Originally Posted by paddyob View Post
+1
+1, but it's like anything you get what you pay for, I have AI's and there great. I've tried the cheapie ones " ah no" ! If anyone here has ever had the pleasure if seeing Riches tank you would be a believer of Led's.
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  #106  
Old 10-04-2013, 07:13 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kien View Post
I like your attitude

Are you new to T5s? I don't recall hearing anyone say they bleached their corals from T5s. T5 light is so uniform, enveloping and smooth. It doesn't blast out light like LEDs and halides. The only sucky thing is having to replace all those bulbs. Some people replace T5s every 6 months
Ohhh kien..... Your enveloping and smooth
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  #107  
Old 10-04-2013, 07:17 PM
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Ohhh kien..... Your enveloping and smooth
That was just one time.. and i thought we agreed to keep it on the down low.
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  #108  
Old 10-04-2013, 07:23 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by StirCrazy View Post
so what kind of MH you going to go with? got the T5s for your sunrise/ sunset, now you need to pick your real light.

Steve
No, gonna try full T5. MH gives me to much humidity and rusts the lock on my front door, locking me out in the rain and then I'm not happy.
anyway, ya, power module 8 bulb fixture. Should be fun
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  #109  
Old 10-04-2013, 07:27 PM
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Originally Posted by Aquattro View Post
No, gonna try full T5. MH gives me to much humidity and rusts the lock on my front door, locking me out in the rain and then I'm not happy.
anyway, ya, power module 8 bulb fixture. Should be fun


(didn't want to use the big one!)
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  #110  
Old 10-04-2013, 08:03 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by typezero View Post
Ohhh kien..... Your enveloping and smooth
Quote:
Originally Posted by kien View Post
That was just one time.. and i thought we agreed to keep it on the down low.
And that's how you got Long's purple monster
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