hotwingz
Members
Heres another one. What makes the T5 such a popular size? There where T8 and T12 fixures too.
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verbal
CCA Members
The normal output lights are more efficient than the t12/t8 bulbs.
The High Output lights are a little more efficient and produce a lot more light.
The High Output lights are a little more efficient and produce a lot more light.
longstocking
Members
Has anyone looked into the replacement fusion LED tubes... they are out in Europe. I'm sure in theory you could order them online and get them shipped over here. Heck we could do a group order if there was enough interest. From my understanding... they fit into your T8 and T5 fixtures...
hotwingz
Members
With the HO bulbs i have to use a ballast though right? Cause ive been doing some research and found lots of people saying the T12's you only need one bulb and their the cheap ones from HD. Now id rather listen to your advise vs someone ive never talked to online. Cause yall have always given me good advise. Im just trying to get a good understanding of everything. Id like to be educated on it before i buy/build.
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mscichlid
Founder
I think all T5's are now HO. T5NO has been phased out and extremely hard to find.
The thing with lighting is that you have to match it to the plant species you intend to grow. So far, it looks like you have bolbitis, valisneria and amazon swords. None of these require high lights. It sounds like you are DIY kind of person, so I would consider using T12's and T8's as they are cheaper to replace.
If you go to T5HO, you run into higher bulb cost. If you are planning a planted tank, which means that the focus is the plants and not the fish, your tank is way under planted. That's where you run into having to compensate with C02 and ferts to find a balance with the addition to the T5's.
Watch your plants. If they are growing well and your aren't cursed with algae, everything is fine as it is.
The thing with lighting is that you have to match it to the plant species you intend to grow. So far, it looks like you have bolbitis, valisneria and amazon swords. None of these require high lights. It sounds like you are DIY kind of person, so I would consider using T12's and T8's as they are cheaper to replace.
If you go to T5HO, you run into higher bulb cost. If you are planning a planted tank, which means that the focus is the plants and not the fish, your tank is way under planted. That's where you run into having to compensate with C02 and ferts to find a balance with the addition to the T5's.
Watch your plants. If they are growing well and your aren't cursed with algae, everything is fine as it is.
londonloco
Members
I have several NO fixtures and HO fixtures. NO's haven't been phased out yet, they are still selling fixtures, the NO bulbs are still available. You could do one T5HO bulb over that tank and grow the plants you have in there. I have one HO bulb running over my 125g it grows java fern, anubias, crypts fine.
mscichlid
Founder
Share your source darlin'!
londonloco
Members
http://store.seacorals.net/deblsot5stli.html
The fixtures that don't say HO are NO's, I just bought the 48" 2x24W fixture this month.
Bulbs for a 48" NO fixture:
http://store.seacorals.net/cot56plgrflb.html
The fixtures that don't say HO are NO's, I just bought the 48" 2x24W fixture this month.
Bulbs for a 48" NO fixture:
http://store.seacorals.net/cot56plgrflb.html
londonloco
Members
I haven't looked into them, but would soooo be into a group buy.....
mscichlid
Founder
Thanks Loni!
londonloco
Members
Anything for you Franny, your welcome 
Hawkman2000
Members
I have some experience in the electrical field, and I can tell you this about NO vs. HO. T8s are more efficient and produce more light that T12s, and T8s can be used in T12 fixtrues due to the fact that they use less wattage. T5-NOs are more efficient that T8s but most less light that T8s of the same lenght. T5-HOs have approx. the same efficiency as T5-NOs but produce more light, just at a same level of lumens per watt (relativly).
T5-HO bulbs should not be used in NO fixtures. The high power demand from the bulb will overwork the ballast and either shorten the life of the ballast or the bulb, ussually both. The guy I do electrical work with (a licenced electrician for Lockheed, and a fellow aquarium buff) told me that he has seen the use of HO bulbs in NO fixtures cause a fire. Just like putting a 500w MH in a 250w MH fixture. Not saying that this will always happen, just not a good idea at all.
T5-HO bulbs should not be used in NO fixtures. The high power demand from the bulb will overwork the ballast and either shorten the life of the ballast or the bulb, ussually both. The guy I do electrical work with (a licenced electrician for Lockheed, and a fellow aquarium buff) told me that he has seen the use of HO bulbs in NO fixtures cause a fire. Just like putting a 500w MH in a 250w MH fixture. Not saying that this will always happen, just not a good idea at all.
hotwingz
Members
Ok ya well im not going for a planted tank so much, i just dont really care for "not real" decor. I have real rocks and live plants in all my tanks. Anyways the plants i have seem to be doing well and i dont have algea issues either. So from everything ive gathered i think im guna run a T8 set up.
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Hawkman2000
Members
Single T8 has been working for me so far. But every time I see a tank with even a single T5HO, I get the itch to upgrage. Not just because of the increase in light (which makes a huge difference),but because having a 2 bulb fixture would give me the option of running different combinations.
I would also say; its my understanding that T5HO bulbs don't last quite as long as T8s.
I would also say; its my understanding that T5HO bulbs don't last quite as long as T8s.
londonloco
Members
Wow, I've always heard the opposite, T5's last way longer than T8's. I know most say to replace T5's around the 18 month mark, but I've read on APC some haven't replaced them for 4-5 years. Anyone have a definitive answer on this?
T
tug
Guest
If you plan on growing plants? I found this chart to be helpful.
30-50micromol along the sediment is ample light for ANY species.
I'm saving up for an ATI dimmable T5HO fixture. Warning, they are not cheap.
The dimming option is really cool and you can vary things around a great deal. It has 2 channels, so say you just want 2 or 4 bulbs on initially, and have then come on at say 8 am and then run up to say 50% power at 10am, then from 10am till say 12, have the other bank of 2 or 4 come on and run up from 0-50% in the next 2 hours, then all the lights from 12-2 pm from 50-100%, then from 2 to 4- back down to 50%, and then 4-6pm, down to 0%.
You can split the channels up anyway you chose, but by using only low dimmed light the first and last parts of the light cycle, you can crank up the middle portion, but also still have plenty of time before/after work to see the tank
http://www.marinedepot.com/ATI_24_I..._Light_Fixtures-ATI-UZ3301-FILTFIT54U-vi.html
30-50micromol along the sediment is ample light for ANY species.
I'm saving up for an ATI dimmable T5HO fixture. Warning, they are not cheap.
The dimming option is really cool and you can vary things around a great deal. It has 2 channels, so say you just want 2 or 4 bulbs on initially, and have then come on at say 8 am and then run up to say 50% power at 10am, then from 10am till say 12, have the other bank of 2 or 4 come on and run up from 0-50% in the next 2 hours, then all the lights from 12-2 pm from 50-100%, then from 2 to 4- back down to 50%, and then 4-6pm, down to 0%.
You can split the channels up anyway you chose, but by using only low dimmed light the first and last parts of the light cycle, you can crank up the middle portion, but also still have plenty of time before/after work to see the tank
http://www.marinedepot.com/ATI_24_I..._Light_Fixtures-ATI-UZ3301-FILTFIT54U-vi.html
hotwingz
Members
Ha ya those set ups are wicked expensive i checked those out. Nice though! But im thinking for now i might run two T8's that way it can be brighter, but my plants seem to be doing well in the lower light so. Plus for now and until i learn a bit more first hand i think the T8 will suite me.
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Hawkman2000
Members
Its my understanding that T5-NOs last longer than T8s, but T8s last longer than T5-HOs.
hotwingz
Members
That would make sence. But im not ultimately worried how long the bulbs last. Thats one of cheaper parts of this hobby! Lol. I just need better than what i have...ready for this??? Im running an 18" strip off my 10g and a hood from a 10g with built in incondesents that i have put CFL's in!!! Ha talk about rigged!
Can you see the difference in color!? Ha
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Can you see the difference in color!? Ha
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