WTBE: 24" or 30" 4 x T5 Fixture

Runner · Jun 21, 2011

WTB: 24" or 30" 4 x T5 Fixture

WTBE = WTB Eventually :bigsmile:

I am planning to set up one of my empty 20G tanks as a frag tank (the other 20G tank I got from Janie will be a gerbil cage, I fear). I need a good light for it, but it will be a month or so before I have enough cash to actually buy one. Does anybody here have a T5HO 4-bulb fixture that would fit a 20G long and that they might want to part with in the near future?

Thanks.

Engloid · Jun 21, 2011

I just might, but not sure. I was using it to grow pyhtoplankton, but may consider another light source. You know the light, since you used it before. I'm just not sure I can get out of it what it would take to replace it down the road if I decide I want a light for a frag tank or something like that. If you're interested, think on it and let me know what you think it's worth.

cee · Jun 21, 2011

Less than $70 on ebay for a 4-bulb fixture all the time...

Engloid · Jun 21, 2011

cee said:
Less than $70 on ebay for a 4-bulb fixture all the time...

Might be a better bet than mine, cause I don't think I'd sell for that.

macclellan · Jun 21, 2011

I have a 4x 36" Nova fixture that I've been using on my 20L that I may sell if I can't find a way to gut it and fit the reflectors & endcaps etc. as a psuedo-retrofit for the canopy on my 40B. I can't beat $70, (nor would I use a $70 firestarter, I mean light fixture, lol). I was going to ask $100 for it if I sold it.

Engloid · Jun 21, 2011

macclellan said:
I have a 4x 36" Nova fixture that I've been using on my 20L that I may sell if I can't find a way to gut it and fit the reflectors & endcaps etc. as a psuedo-retrofit for the canopy on my 40B. I can't beat $70, (nor would I use a $70 firestarter, I mean light fixture, lol). I was going to ask $100 for it if I sold it.

Good point on the firestarter comment. I work in industry and I see all kinds of products from overseas, and the differences in them. Many people think that, because something has a UL emblem on it that it's safe....but the reality of it is that if you're a Chinese engineer and are told to copy a light fixture, you will copy all the emblems, logos, etc.

For example: The little auto -darkening welding hoods at Harbor Freight cost about $25. My welding hood was about $350. Both have the ANSI spec numbers on them. However, the chinese company that made the HF model probably doesn't even know what ANSI is or means....they just copied it. I've talked to guys that wear those cheap point of sale hoods, and they complain that their eyes hurt after a few hours welding. duh!! haha!!

I think if I were to buy a cheap light off ebay or something, I'd check it out and make sure that the wires were sized appropriately, attached securely, etc...prior to useage. I could see them undersizing the wires to save a buck or two.

copper · Jun 22, 2011

I paid $65 on EB for that fixture you looked at for me last year. Aside from the one socket that I broke by dropping it, it's still going strong and no fire. My friend in Fl just had a fire caused by an ATI fixture, so paying more isn't always a guarantee.

cee · Jun 22, 2011

They're all made in China.

macclellan · Jun 22, 2011

Yep, there are no guarantees, but we can play the odds (I wear a seatbelt to reduce my risk of a fatal car crash, but could still die). I had an ebay fishneedit fixture smolder on me and have read enough stories about jebos... that's not happening again.

Not everything made in china is the same (low) quality. Not all are made in china. Some of the better stuff is made in america, like teks and catalina aquariums. I have a CA fixture, I took it apart and what I saw inspired confidence.

Runner · Jun 25, 2011

Wow. Glad to see so much response. I would expect to pay around $100 for a Nova or similar fixture provided the bulbs had some life left to them. New bulbs are about $60 and new fixtures with bulbs are between $190 and $240 at DFS. My finances have been set back a bit with the power outage and resulting counter-measure expenses, though. It may be about 6 weeks before I can buy anything like this now.

EDIT: I saw a few of the $70 (shipped!) "firestarters" on Ebay.