any user info about wavepoint T5 lighting systems?

[fcmatt]

Hey all.

I picked up a 24 inch Wavepoint T5 lighting system at my LFS. The price was right as I know
how much a higher end system costs. Here is a link to the unit so you can get a look at it.

http://www.wave-point.com/Lighting_folder/Fixture4LampMain.html

Basically I just want to know if anyone here has any first hand experience with it.

I brought it home and slapped it on a 26 bow tank that I am filling up with ro/di water
at the moment. I am leaving it on tonight for at least a few hours to see how it handles
the heat without any fans inside it. Naturally the light is silent which is a plus.
The bulbs look pretty darn nice color wise. The bulbs seem to be getting some good
reviews based on threads I have read over at reefcentral, par and color wise.

It only has one power plug so there is no control over groups of light which does not
bother me. This tank is in a room that has 4 windows and natural light handles the
dawn/dusk duties. Perhaps more people then I realize have their tanks in a bat cave (dark room)?

It has individual reflectors but I am unsure how to compare them to others without proper
test gear for light.

What bothers me about new product reviews at forums is that people often bash anything
that is not high end and considered the finest available. (ATI for example which is 3 times
the cost). Often they have never owned it and only saw it at a fish store for a short time
or repeat what they have read in the past which is not much due to the product being so
new. Also it tends to be just one or a handful of people spouting the same opinion in every
thread going back a year.

My main concern right now with this light is heat on the T5 bulbs lowering performance. It
is pretty well sealed but the body is made out of all aluminum. Pretty nice looking over all.

My next concern is in a 2 foot deep tank (26 bow) how low could I keep acropora? It seems
like there is enough light to put them anywhere in the tank. Would the color just pop I do not
know.

Perhaps I am forgetting something else and I will just post again if I recall anything. Naturally
I will report on how hot it gets and what not.

thanks for your time.

 

[Anonymous]

You've probably already made your decision... but we use one of these at the LFS where I work and I'd say it's a very good value. Certainly not the best, but you knew that. I'd say it's about equal in terms of quality as the more common Tek fixtures.

 

[fcmatt]

Well now that I had some time with the light I can say it is working out fine for me.
I have not put any acropora in this tank but plating montipora is showing good signs
at any level in the tank. I have 3 frags at different levels.

pocillopora is also doing quite well 4-5 inches from the bottom of this 24 inch tank.
mushrooms are happy and zoas are coloring up right on the bottom.

the heat issue may cause the bulbs to have to be replaced sooner them most people
do but I may modify the light to include some very quiet fan(s). But it never gets hot
to the touch. Just warmer then our normal body temp of course. Never hot like a light
bulb does when on for 4 hours. plus wavepoint bulbs seem to be much cheaper then
ATI for example so it may just be a wash in the end.

the color of the bulbs as a whole is very pleasant.

as expected i do not care about moonlights, timers, and multiple plugs. when the sun
rises the room gets enough light to give everything a chance to "wake" up and vice
versa. Not direct sunlight, fyi.

All in all, for under 200 dollars with pretty good bulbs I would recommend this to
others as long as they know exactly what they are getting. I really do not care for
the idea of spending big bucks on a 24 inch fixture that is pretty useless for upgrades
to larger tanks. Plus it coming with OK bulbs is a huge plus. Seems like many people
buy lighting and immediately replace the bulbs jacking up the cost... let alone legs
to stand it on the tank and a glass/plastic water shield.