Posted this on another site but wanted to get feedback from you guys as well. Ok, I will need to purchase lighting for an 180gal and possibly an 80gal tank in the next month or two. Both tanks will be, FW, bare, no plants, no substrate, since they will not be my main show tanks. I normally buy the single strip T8 strip lights from Allglass or similar brand for my other tanks and was thinking about buying normal output (NO) T-5 double strip. Either from big als http://www.bigalsonline.com/BigAlsUS/ctl36...blestriplight48 (Coralife S/W T-5 Aqualight Double Strip Light) for around $48 or just purchasing the NO T5 fixtures at Home Depot or Lowes and then purchasing a quality Actinic and Daylight bulb. Ive done some searches on here and on the internet and have a pretty good idea of the benefits (and negatives) with NO T5, but want to confirm these with you guys/girls to make sure I understand everything correctly.
BENEFITS
1.NO T5 uses lower wattage than your regular T12 or T8 if all the bulbs are the same length. Correct?
2.Since the NO uses less wattage than a T12 or T8, the NO T5 must product more lumens per watt. Correct?
3.Also with less wattage, they would produce less heat. Correct?
4.So if you are getting more lumens per watt you should be getting similar amounts of light or more light with the same length bulb. Correct?
NEGATIVES
1.NO T5 bulbs are a little more difficult to find and variety colors (Kelvin) is limited as compared to T12 and T8, but you can still get the NO T5. Correct?
2.Life span of the NO T5 is slightly longer than T12 or T8, if used for the same amount of hours per day. Correct?
Is there anything else I am missing regarding NO T5?
Any opinions, suggestions or personal experience with NO T5 is greatly appreciated.
BENEFITS
1.NO T5 uses lower wattage than your regular T12 or T8 if all the bulbs are the same length. Correct?
2.Since the NO uses less wattage than a T12 or T8, the NO T5 must product more lumens per watt. Correct?
3.Also with less wattage, they would produce less heat. Correct?
4.So if you are getting more lumens per watt you should be getting similar amounts of light or more light with the same length bulb. Correct?
NEGATIVES
1.NO T5 bulbs are a little more difficult to find and variety colors (Kelvin) is limited as compared to T12 and T8, but you can still get the NO T5. Correct?
2.Life span of the NO T5 is slightly longer than T12 or T8, if used for the same amount of hours per day. Correct?
Is there anything else I am missing regarding NO T5?
Any opinions, suggestions or personal experience with NO T5 is greatly appreciated.
