henward Posted May 4, 2011 Report Share Posted May 4, 2011 I have 3 fixtures im gonna use for my VIP as general overhead lighting. its 5 bulbs in total of T8 tubes. is it worth u upgrading to a 4 T5 format? if so why? if not why? is T5 less wattage more brightness or something special? I want a combination of something that will bring out reds and be bright. currently i have 3 aqua glos and 2 power glos for my RTG. I would probably look into a similar format with my VIP opinions would be appreciated Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GZ_Loach Posted May 4, 2011 Report Share Posted May 4, 2011 Its like comparing a normal incandescent light bulb to an energy saver, alot brighter. In saying that I have only used a T5 HO and a few standard T8's If you look at my avatar, thats powered by a Twin tube T5HO fitting, I have a single tube T8 that I timed to come on 30Mins before and after the T5 fitting because it is ALOT dimmer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henward Posted May 4, 2011 Author Report Share Posted May 4, 2011 actually better yet what ist he fundemental diff between power glo T5 and T8s? and aqua glo? does the Marine blue bulb for T5 put out more UV? what is the difference thanks in advance who ever is a light guru, looking forward to hearing from ya :thup: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GZ_Loach Posted May 4, 2011 Report Share Posted May 4, 2011 T5 is more intense, more light is produced. Thats the main difference (forget the number 5 and 8, that only stands for the size of the tube) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suphew Posted May 4, 2011 Report Share Posted May 4, 2011 T5's have more watts for the same length of tube (typically about 20-25% more) and are more efficient so each of those watts give off more light and creates less heat. T5's also usually have electronic ballasts, a lot of T8's still have magnetic ballast's so the gear that makes the lights go wastes less power. They are also smaller so on marine or high tech planted tanks you can fit more lights in that same space. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henward Posted May 4, 2011 Author Report Share Posted May 4, 2011 oh ok so generally its more light produced for the size of bulbs, but also more power used on T5s T5 fittings are 280 each for a twin bulb, i would need at least 2x twin fittings. thats 500! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GZ_Loach Posted May 5, 2011 Report Share Posted May 5, 2011 You can get them cheaper than that. Also how big is the tank? You don't need as many T5's as you would T8's Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henward Posted May 5, 2011 Author Report Share Posted May 5, 2011 i wanted 4 T5 bulbs in total, thats all i need how much should i expect to pay brand, who do i get it from? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix44 Posted May 5, 2011 Report Share Posted May 5, 2011 I only use the GLO ones that cost about that + tubes - Available from pretty much any pet / fish store. The quality of the product is definitely worth the price. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryanjury Posted May 5, 2011 Report Share Posted May 5, 2011 Depends on what length you want but the T5HO ones are relatively cheap on trademe.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
myfishybuisness Posted May 5, 2011 Report Share Posted May 5, 2011 I only use the GLO ones that cost about that + tubes - Available from pretty much any pet / fish store. The quality of the product is definitely worth the price. i can defenitly rcommend the glo T5ho units , they are defintly brighter, also i think some of the hydroponics stores have them(not the glo brand i think) but i heard that you can pick up a twin T5 4ft unit for $150 (or if you lucky like me find some cheap secound had glo :happy2: 200 for both twin 4ft ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GZ_Loach Posted May 5, 2011 Report Share Posted May 5, 2011 Full units are about $240 for the Hagen GLO brand, or if into DIY they sell the Ballasts/caps for almost half the price (just need a refelctor and your good to go). There are the cheap brands out there to but I've never had one so I don't know if they would be any good Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henward Posted May 5, 2011 Author Report Share Posted May 5, 2011 im not a DIY kinda guy rather something is plug and play:D what plant or hydroponic shops sell them switched on gardener has shut hasnt it? looks like budzilla pushed too many buds Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ira Posted May 5, 2011 Report Share Posted May 5, 2011 switched on gardener has shut hasnt it? looks like budzilla pushed too many buds Not unless it was really recent, their website is still up and running and still listing 15 shops, except they do say the Chch CBD shop is closed until they open the CBD. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GZ_Loach Posted May 5, 2011 Report Share Posted May 5, 2011 They reopened on one condition from the police, that they take down peoples names and addresses when selling certain equipment :sml1: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David R Posted May 5, 2011 Report Share Posted May 5, 2011 I don't even think they're required to do that now, AFAIK all shops are open and its business as usual (but without the dodgy staff who broke the law and the companies rules)... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GZ_Loach Posted May 12, 2011 Report Share Posted May 12, 2011 Didn't think it was worth starting a new thread so I might as well ask here, I'm undecided on what I should get for my tank *200L 90D 60H*, I've got 2 options - Buy two 150W metal halide fittings or buy another 4 foot T5HO twin tube fitting, Would two MH's be enough to cover the lenght of the tank and the huge depth? I like the idea of having a bluish colour and a "shimmer" in the water but If the 2 MH's can't cover the required distance I'll have to stick with T5's.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ira Posted May 12, 2011 Report Share Posted May 12, 2011 Didn't think it was worth starting a new thread so I might as well ask here, I'm undecided on what I should get for my tank *200L 90D 60H*, I've got 2 options - Buy two 150W metal halide fittings or buy another 4 foot T5HO twin tube fitting, Would two MH's be enough to cover the lenght of the tank and the huge depth? I like the idea of having a bluish colour and a "shimmer" in the water but If the 2 MH's can't cover the required distance I'll have to stick with T5's.... The general rule of thumb is one MH per 2 feet. Of course the exact light spread depends on reflectors and positioning. Three would probably do the job well. Two should be fine, I doubt any dimmer areas towards the edges of the focus area will be too obvious. Also, you can get a bluish color with T5s if that's what you want. Get actinic tubes or higher color temp ones. Just like MHs, it's all about bulb selection. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suphew Posted May 14, 2011 Report Share Posted May 14, 2011 The general rule of thumb is one MH per 2 feet. Of course the exact light spread depends on reflectors and positioning. Three would probably do the job well. Two should be fine, I doubt any dimmer areas towards the edges of the focus area will be too obvious. Also, you can get a bluish color with T5s if that's what you want. Get actinic tubes or higher color temp ones. Just like MHs, it's all about bulb selection. It also depends on what you plan on having in the tank, most of the MH rules are based on marine tanks. Fresh water bulbs are brighter (because they are lower kelvin), and the light requirements don't tend to be as high. So you can put the bulbs a lot higher giving far better coverage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.