What Do People Know About T6 Lights?

[Nick16]

as in the title what do you know about them apart from they put out more light than t8? where can you get all the tube holders, the tube, the ballast and everything needed for them to be set up for the tank? are they better than t5? can anyone provide links? or even some links for a complete set of a t5inc ballast, holders and everything needed to get it up and running. thanks. im soo confused???

 

[Dave Ehl]

Never heard of em. are you trying to make your own lighting?

 

[Nick16]

yeah, could do with some help dave.

 

[Dave Ehl]

this is what i did.
http/www.fishforums.net/content/Tropical...2/Diy-Lighting/

 

[snapefish]

All you need to run t6 lights is normal t8 fittings and a set of rubber washers that create a watertight seal around the smaller light tubes.

I run T6 in my jewel tank and they are a little brighter than t8s. I'm happy with them but if setting up a new tank I see no reason to go for t6 when you could put in much brighter t5.

Mark



... Aqua essentials stock the light tubes and the washers.

AE website

 

[Nick16]

thanks m8. heres my plan of what i want to do, i have a rekord 120 hood with 1 t8 30w light tube in. which means only 1wpg so, i want to put a t5 into the front bit that slopes down. i will arlydite it to the hood, carefully of course! but it wont cover the feeding flaps either so it should be ok, its just i am confused about all the bits and bobs i will need. i have seen a nice 39w t5 tube but i havent a clue what else i need. and i cant find any info anywhere. i need a list with all the sites that sell the bits really. i heard some thing about ballast? and also starter boxes? but im lost really! how hard can it be!

 

[snapefish]

A ballast is a black box that powers the tube. In the rekord it lives in a watertight moulded compartment inside the hood behind the original light. If you add a second tube it will live outside the tank and let you switch the light on and off.

t5 tubes come in a whole bunch of types. The one you probably want for this application is a standard straight tube like you existing t8 only a bit thinner. Just make sure it will fit inside the hood and remember you probably will want to put in a refelector too.

- Tube
- Ballast
- Reflector

Thats all you need. Just make sure they all match and will fit inside the hood before you buy! To be honest though I can grow pretty much anything in my Jewel with T6's (even with only 1w/g) and it was a lot less hassle than adding extra lights. Unless you want really specialist plants you're probably just openning yourself up for lots and lots of algae.

Mark

 

[Nick16]

but most people say they have 2or 3 wpg so does that mean they are infested with algae? i am going to get a bristlenose plec and already have some ottos to help combat that and some amano shrimp. are you sure thats all i will need! wow! where can i get a ballast for a 39w t5 tube? anyone know?