any similar products?

[jonny5]

http://www.aquatraders.com/48-inch-4...e-p/52325p.htm
I really like the set up of t5 bulbs with LED's and a built in timer but from odyssea makes cheap products and I was wondering if anyone knows of other similar products that are better quality but not insanely priced.

[Cliff]

Your going to have to pay for a good quality fixture. Buying a used one from someone might be a better option for you

I have a AquaticLife T5HO fixture with the features you are talking about. They are mostly avalable in 4 bulb fixtures which is every high lighting levels in most set-ups. There are two bulb fixture out there as well but harder to find used ones.

Just keep in mind these fixtures are more commonly used on marine set-ups. If you find a good used one, you might have to replace the bulbs to fresh water bulbs.

http://www.aquaticlife.com/products/286

[Aeonflame]

I use an odyssea fixture and have no issues with it. Their ballasts have improved in recent years. Keep in mind that the bulbs they ship with are not the best.

[Goes to 11!]

Despite their past rep/issues - I have heard Odyssea has improved, No direct exp to offer though. [Some above though :-D]

products that are better quality but not insanely priced.

Buying lighting can involve a compromise wrt your priorities between Price, Quality & Availability... Pick any two.

[jonny5]

ah very true, well I don't even really want 4 bulb ballast. All I need is two t5's and the moonlight LED's with a built in timer. I will search a little more on the internet. I am finding tons of different companys with 4 bulb units but finding the smaller duel is proving difficult.

[Cliff]

Have you considered a regular two bulb T5HO fixture on a timer and the below moon lights on a different timer.

http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/revi...ct=357&cat=500

I had my 90 gallon set-up like that for a while and it worked great

[jonny5]

after cruising internet and amazon some more I though off doing a separate moonlight and some dual bulb fixture t5, and I forgot I already have some string moonlights, although they only cover 12".

To be more specific, I have a brackish tank in which all the plants minus vallisneria Americana will be within 12" inches of the water surface inside my DIY background. The fish looking good is most important because although I would love to get the plants going, sometimes a brackish tank is hard to keep them alive in.

I have narrowed my choices to these

1) http://www.amazon.com/Output-Lightin...ywords=dual+t5
The glow t5HO lighting with a separate moonlight.

2) http://www.amazon.com/AL-H48DB-Finne...s=finnex+ray+2
the finnex ray 2 high output (the 7k/10k version) with a separate moonlight

or

3)http://www.plantlightinghydroponics....re-p-3416.html

a hydroponic 4 set of 2t5ho with 2 led light tubes, this would give me most light output and allow me to mix and match.

So far the finnex ray 2 looks like a winner but im afraid it will light the tank in a spotty manner like my marineland led does on my smaller tank.

[dbosman]

The Finnex is so very much better than the Marineland units that I suspect you'll be happy. When thinking about the price, don't forget to factor in the negative cost of not having to purchase new bulbs/tubes/lamps every year or two.

Two T5HO lamps would have run you ~$25.00 per replacement pair. At worst, that's just over seven years for the Finnex LED fixture to have paid for itself. Less if you add in the energy saved.