T-5 Vs Compact Flourecent

[Nalaundi]

Just curious... Ive got my 28G bow.. with 130W compact flourecents on it. for the top of the tank my hard corals seem to be doing great though I would love to put them deeper in my tank. from top of sand to the lights is... 17 1/2" now i hear t-5's give more light and run cooler (which would be really nice). what wattage would I need to do hard corals of just T-5'S Ive tried looking at all the comparisons of the two but my brain still hurts... I just bought a single strip 24 watt T-5 with an antinic bulb.. to ad just a hair more light. anyways... I like the difference in the spectrum... eye apeal... so any thoughts on converting to T-5s how much is needed. I want to stay away from MH lighting as it runs warm and takes more electricity.

thanks!

 

[Musho3210]

Watt for watt, MH, t5, and Compact t5's run at the same heat. Only the fluorescents heat is dispersed in the tube(s) while the MH heat is all concentrated. That is why MH are easier to cool, with one or two fans, you only need to cool one spot in the fixture to have very little heat enter the tank, compared to cooling a whole t5 fixture.

Anyway, T5's will only produce more light if it has individual reflectors. You also have to make sure it is T5HO (high output).

Uk, USA or somewhere else?

And do you have a canopy, will you consider retrofit if you have a canopy, or are you using a whole light fixture that hangs on the tank? What corals do you want/plan and whats the width/length of the tank?

 

[Nalaundi]

got it with heat part

as for theT-5's they are HO

no canopy... just the glass top.

US

24" long

montiopora
acropora
( Ive got spots of high flow which I think they would do well in.)

 

[BigC]

If you can get hold of the new AquaRays From TMC then get them. Low carbon footprint, high light output (LEDS) come in various and mixed spectrums, long life, dont cause heat issues, cost effective and small and neat....want me to go on...LOL
I've seen them in operation and I only wish they had been available last year when I started out. They look amazing. with the shimmer of MH's
http/www.tmc-ltd.co.uk/aquarium/aquaray-lighting.asp
Regards
BigC

 

[SkiFletch]

Heh, he's gonna have trouble getting a hold of any TMC product in Utah

As Musho said, T5's with individual reflectors will be significantly better than PCs. A 4-tube setup would be more than enough for the corals you describe at that water depth. The trouble is, finding a T5 unit with individual reflectors in a 24" model and not giving up your first born son... I'm pretty sure Tek makes a 24" fixture but it'll prolly run your $250+. Maybe you can find something from like Coralife or CurrentUSA for cheaper, but again, the individual reflector is key.

 

[Nalaundi]

Heh, he's gonna have trouble getting a hold of any TMC product in Utah

cough cough... she

interesting. I can get individual reflectors from my work.. but I think getting metal hallides will actually be cheaper lol

k then... um thoughts on the viper clamp on Metal halide since... the heat isnt something that I will really need to worry about.
http/www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod...mp;pcatid=15489

and as I still want to keep some low light corals would I want the 70 watt or the 150 watt. I would still keep my one... single t-5 24watt antinic on the tank.

 

[SkiFletch]

Yeah, halides are significantly cheaper to setup in many cases than the T5s. The 70watt would struggle to cover the 2' length of the tank, you'd probably be happier longterm with the 150

 

[Nalaundi]

Yeah, halides are significantly cheaper to setup in many cases than the T5s. The 70watt would struggle to cover the 2' length of the tank, you'd probably be happier longterm with the 150

sweet. K.

 

[rednwhite barmy]

If you can get hold of the new AquaRays From TMC then get them. Low carbon footprint, high light output (LEDS) come in various and mixed spectrums, long life, dont cause heat issues, cost effective and small and neat....want me to go on...LOL
I've seen them in operation and I only wish they had been available last year when I started out. They look amazing. with the shimmer of MH's
[URL="http/www.tmc-ltd.co.uk/aquarium/aquaray-lighting.asp"]http/www.tmc-ltd.co.uk/aquarium/aquaray-lighting.asp[/URL]
Regards
BigC

aye big fella i've got 2. cud u not do a retro job?

 

[Nalaundi]

my brain nearly explodes just thinking about diy projects... even the simplest!! so Im aftraid retrofitting is'nt an optinon. I admit Im a complete plug and play type of lady

 

[Musho3210]

remember, the vipers dont come with an in built fan, so, if heat becomes a problem, then a fan may be a good idea. I would go with a sunpod if you dont want to retrofit.

 

[Nalaundi]

I like these types of hints... smiles... thanks! I will go check it out thanks!