T5 Starter Units What One?

[Dan-CR4]

I have just built my own cabinet for a tank I will be getting in a couple of weeks and want to order the light starter units, I two double units of 39w so it gives me 4 39w T5 lamps. I have seen two units one is the Arcadia Twin 39w at £46.00 and the other is the Hagen Glo Twin T5 at £36.00. What are your views on these units, is there any alternatives to these two. Is there a major difference in the two? being that theres a £10 price difference on each unit

 

[scotty]

I have just built my own cabinet for a tank I will be getting in a couple of weeks and want to order the light starter units, I two double units of 39w so it gives me 4 39w T5 lamps. I have seen two units one is the Arcadia Twin 39w at £46.00 and the other is the Hagen Glo Twin T5 at £36.00. What are your views on these units, is there any alternatives to these two. Is there a major difference in the two? being that theres a £10 price difference on each unit

here is the arcadia one slightly cheaper also you will get another 5% discount

My link

scott

 

[Dan-CR4]

here is the arcadia one slightly cheaper also you will get another 5% discount

My link

scott

thanks scott for the link.

Still not sure on what one to go with, are they the same quality just need some peoples input on what they use and how they find them.

 

[Tizer]

I use the Arcadia 2 x 54W starter and i've had no problems at all with it. Its quite nice because i can screw the whole unit into the lid on my tank so if i ever need to take it off, the whol lots comes with it. I also put some trunking into the lid to hide all the wires. You get a good length of wire on the unit to get the tube ends where you want them. Gets my vote, and you reminded me to get another Warehouse Aquatics is where i got my last one too. Very quick delivery.

i got my tubes from here:

http/www.iquaticsonline.co.uk/t5-fluorescents.html

Tropical 54W jobs, buy 2 get one free, always good to have a spare

 

[scotty]

did you ever decide on which starter unit to buy?

 

[balajake]

Can i just ask some questions as im' planning to get a custom tank later in the year and have no clue about lighting units etc.

http/www.warehouse-aquatics.co.uk/aquatics/aquarium-lighting/high-output-t5-fluorescent-tubes/arcadia-electronic-controller-2-x-24-39w-t5.html


sorry if these sound like stupid questions but i literally know nothing.


this unit is for 2 lighting tubes and will screw directly into the hood of the tank, plug in and away you go ?



can you use reflectors in conjunction with this unit ?


can i use any length tube with this unit as long as its the same wattage ?


do i need to buy anything else for that unit other than bulbs ?


sorry for hijacking but i really don't want to spend money i dont have to on an overly expensive unit.

 

[Tizer]

Can i just ask some questions as im' planning to get a custom tank later in the year and have no clue about lighting units etc.

http/www.warehouse-aquatics.co.uk/aquatics/aquarium-lighting/high-output-t5-fluorescent-tubes/arcadia-electronic-controller-2-x-24-39w-t5.html


sorry if these sound like stupid questions but i literally know nothing.


this unit is for 2 lighting tubes and will screw directly into the hood of the tank, plug in and away you go ?



can you use reflectors in conjunction with this unit ?


can i use any length tube with this unit as long as its the same wattage ?


do i need to buy anything else for that unit other than bulbs ?


sorry for hijacking but i really don't want to spend money i dont have to on an overly expensive unit.

It comes with plastic brackets that screw into a wooden hood, or alternative ones which can fit plastic hoods.

Simply wire up a tube either end then slot them into the brackets you attached to the hood.

Thats it, job done. As long as its the same Wattage, and the thinner T5 tube, it should be fine.

 

[balajake]

Can i just ask some questions as im' planning to get a custom tank later in the year and have no clue about lighting units etc.

http/www.warehouse-aquatics.co.uk/aquatics/aquarium-lighting/high-output-t5-fluorescent-tubes/arcadia-electronic-controller-2-x-24-39w-t5.html


sorry if these sound like stupid questions but i literally know nothing.


this unit is for 2 lighting tubes and will screw directly into the hood of the tank, plug in and away you go ?



can you use reflectors in conjunction with this unit ?


can i use any length tube with this unit as long as its the same wattage ?


do i need to buy anything else for that unit other than bulbs ?


sorry for hijacking but i really don't want to spend money i dont have to on an overly expensive unit.

It comes with plastic brackets that screw into a wooden hood, or alternative ones which can fit plastic hoods.

Simply wire up a tube either end then slot them into the brackets you attached to the hood.

Thats it, job done. As long as its the same Wattage, and the thinner T5 tube, it should be fine.

thanks for the info