T5's Or T8's?

[SuperColey1]

Just to clarify Llj is suggesting T5NO and not T5HO therefore they will be only slighter brighter and intense than T8.

T5's cheaper to run and more environmentally friendly..plus they're brighter and it doesn't fade as quick as t8's.

Very minimal difference between T5(NO) and T8 on these points. the fade was due to older electric (magnetic) ballasts, not the tubes themselves. T8 or T5NO on electronic ballasts will last the same length of time. T5HO less because they are driven harder and therefore burn out quicker Mainly 2-3 years between needing to change on the T5NO and T8. Both T8 and T5NO are pretty much the same efficiency wise if used with electronic ballasts. T5HO are less efficient and therefore less environmentally friendly.

If the above statement was meaning T5HO then it only the 'brighter' part is correct.

The T5NO will appear very slightly brighter than the T8 due to it being thinner. The T5HO will appear much brighter because its being overdriven but will not put out as much light per W consumed as the T5NO ot T8. i.e. 2 x 18W T8 or T5NO will give out more light than 1 x 36W T5HO. But you need 2 tubes. And I would suggest 2 tubes is better than 1 for light spread anyway

What are you wanting to grow would be my question, there's no point in having tonnes of light on a set up that doesn't need it, how deep is the tank? A single T5 running the length will grow anything with adequate CO2 and nutrients.

WITH adequate CO2 1 of anything is likely to be enough I would still suggest for any of the harder plants 2 x T5NO or T8 is fine. More tubes is always better than a single tube IMO. Less hotspots and variance of light in the tank with multiple light sources.

T5NO can be quite hard to source outside of Europe though

AC

 

[KkAaNnEe]

T5s are fine in a low tech setup if you don't that much wattage. I had T5s in Endor but I had only 28w over 36g.

4xT5 may be giving the tank the option to run as a marine system, but I'd have to know the wattage of the bulbs in those tanks to know for sure. They are also used in Planted setups, but IMO that much light is just overkill. But what do I know? I've got 2 x 24W HO T5 in my current tank & everybody here knows I don't have an algae mess. But that's just a weird system.

1 strip of T5 is great. The one I recommended will work too. T8s will work fine too.

Liz

I dont know whether Juwel are targetting Marine customers with the lighting, I doubt it, seeing as the cabinet has no room for a sump. I completely understand about the amount of wattage supplied on a given tank, unfortunately onmy old tank it was 2 x 45w over a 40impGal and on those bigger tanks i mentioned im pretty sure they are 54w each, so could work out at 216w over a 75Gal lol

 

[ChilliPepper]

I am getting a marine tank as well, so seriously considering my options light wise. I could have swapped my T5's from my 6ft over, but they are 3 foot long, and I need 2ft long ballasts.

Nothing is ever simple is it!

 

[SuperColey1]

Look at the schematic diagram on the rear of the ballast. A lot of the T5 ones can accept various lengths/wattages/combinations and that is often printed/labelled on the ballast

AC

 

[ChilliPepper]

Look at the schematic diagram on the rear of the ballast. A lot of the T5 ones can accept various lengths/wattages/combinations and that is often printed/labelled on the ballast

AC

These are Hagen Glo T5's, so all within one unit, so just the one size bulb

 

[SuperColey1]

Ahhh Little different then