Coralife Slim T5 Craigslist Pickup - Dim?

[Fish Eat Fish]

I bought a 48" coralife T5 "slim" for $40

I plugged it in and put it above my 75 but it seems really weak.

It has the stock 10,000k and colormax bulbs but is NO WHERE NEAR as bright as the 2 bulb T8 fixture I used to have above the tank. I was told that the original bulbs were only used for a month.

Bad bulbs? Bad fixture? Any ideas?!

 

[Sab_Fan]

colormax bulbs aren't very bright, not compared to "white" bulbs like 10,000K or 6700K

 

[Fish Eat Fish]

if the T5s fire up then the fixture should be fine right?

 

[kingyella]

i think the fixture is just weak imo, especially for a tank 20" deep tank. A t5ho fixture would be a better choice. I have one of those slim coralife fixtures, they work well on short tanks though.

 

[Fish Eat Fish]

it is a t5ho fixture I thought....

 

[Fish Eat Fish]

dang i didnt know there was a t5 and t5ho....not the bargin I had anticipated.

 

[Joey47]

Where did you buy the light from. I have one on my tank and I love it.nm just read the title.

 

[Brian_Indiana]

I have the same 48" Coralife over a 90 gallon and have no complaints. Before it, I had a 48" double bulb shop light with 20K and 50/50 T8 bulbs. IMO they each are just as bright as the other.