New T-5 Lights (1 Viewer)

[ChrisB]

Just made the switch from PCs to T-5s, 2-6k and 2 Aqua Blue +. Tank look awesome!!!! No SPS in the tank, some LPS and lots of softies, 55g tank. If your running the Blue + I would like to hear how long your running those bulbs during the day.

 

[BrianPlankis]

You'll probably want to shorten your photoperiod for a while until your corals get used to the new intense light, the T5s pack WAY more punch than the PCs.

B.

 

[ShaneV]

Im running 2 blue + from 10am - 9 pm
And 1 6500K+ 1 Aquablue from 11am - 8PM

 

[i_am_poor]

I'm running 4 URI VHO bulbs right now on my 46 gal bow. I have mostly softies. I have a DIY canopy which has no fans and 2 of my super actinic bulbs blew out already prolly due to heat. I'm currently running on 4 10k until I can get a new canopy set up then replace the 2 actinic. Should I use the oportunity to switch to T-5? I read t5 runs cooler and consume less electricity.

 

[justin-branam]

I'm running 4 URI VHO bulbs right now on my 46 gal bow. I have mostly softies. I have a DIY canopy which has no fans and 2 of my super actinic bulbs blew out already prolly due to heat. I'm currently running on 4 10k until I can get a new canopy set up then replace the 2 actinic. Should I use the oportunity to switch to T-5? I read t5 runs cooler and consume less electricity.

they also dont have as much light output as the vho's. you have to give a little to get a little. it would be cheaper to get the T5's than the vho's so it kinda up to you. i would guess for what you can sell the VHO's for you can probably get a T5 setup. Or im sure someone here or on reefcentral would happily trade your vho setup for a t5 setup (you could probably get some cash out of them as well).

 

[ShaneV]

they also dont have as much light output as the vho's. you have to give a little to get a little.

I disgaree with that, that have less Watts, but with a single bulb reflector they put out as much or more PAR as VHO's. Just make sure you have a single bulb reflector on a HO T5

Ive had both over my tank and IMO the T5's are much brighter.

 

[Guest]

Yes, T5's put off less heat and take less electricity than VHO's.
Don't mistake that as they dont get hot because they do.
I won't offer an opinion on which put out a more intense light because that is a constant debate.
I'm happy with the T5's and have gone through every kind of lighting except DE MH.
Also, switching to T5's usually isn't cheaper than VHO.
A 4 bulb VHO setup will run (going by new prices)
$80 for 2 ARO ballasts and about $20-$25 per bulb.
That's less than $200.
A 4 bulb T5 setup is the same on ballasts, about $80 for 2 ballasts but then you have about $22-32 per bulb and then you have reflectors @ $20 - $25 each.
Extra $100 for reflectors and the bulbs are slightly more expensive.

 

[Guest]

you can get the one piece reflector that goes over all 4 T5 bulbs, but it won't get as much out of the bulbs as the indvidual reflectors will.

 

[ShaneV]

you can get the one piece reflector that goes over all 4 T5 bulbs, but it won't get as much out of the bulbs as the indvidual reflectors will.

While you can IMO it totally goes against the reason to get T5's in the first place.

 

[Guest]

I agree Shane, I have almost the exact same light setup as you, after seeing yours, that helped me decide which way to go.
I have no inclination to change to any other lighting in the foreseeable future.
I am happy with the light output, no heat problems (at least none related to the lighting) and my electricity bill has dropped noticably.