Cheap T5 Lighting Option

[JMetaxas]

Ran across this on Amazon. If you're interested in a low cost lighting option for a 4' tank, this is it !

 

[LiveWire]

Tidal Gardens did a video on those fixtures in 2016. And then an update in 2018. I believe they still use them in the greenhouse. I thought about trying one out on a system just to see how well it does.

 

[nereefpat]

It's an option, for sure. And you'd be up and running for a little over 200 bucks, assuming you don't want 4 x 6500K plant grow bulbs.

No shield is a bit of an issue for me. I'm sure the ballasts and reflectors aren't what they are in higher quality fixtures. And the heat from being a compact fixture with no fans would reduce life and performance.

All of that would add up to less performance. But, it is cheap, and would certainly work for some situations. I might actually favor that over black box type LEDs....again, in certain situations.