Why use T5?

[aaron7353]

I'm in the works of doing a decent amount of plants in my 125 gallon, but I don't understand why I should or would switch to T5. I've seen it recommended for planted tanks, but why? Where does it truly differ from T8s? Also, what makes some T5s a HO bulb? What is the Kelvin rating also? Would a high Kelvin rating mean very blue light? I still want natural appearance.

 

[ryeguy28]

why use t5 when you could use led

 

[Bderick67]

T5s are a smaller tube then T8s. T5s =5/8" T8s = 1" and T12s = 1 1/2".

Smaller lamps make for a slimmer fixture. As stated above, look into LEDs as that is the newest technology.

 

[sbuse]

I have led on all my personal tanks and will be putting them on all my business tanks. Better all around. I am putting led replacements for my cfl bulbs in my house. You wallet will thank you and you'll be happier with a clearer, whiter and crisper light

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[ryeguy28]

you can also make your own fixtures (like i did ) ... and use white and blue leds with a adjustable pot and make the light the exact color you want at the time

 

[burbon44s]

T5 also uses less power for the amount if light. T5 H.O. uses different bulbs and ballests.
LED uses even less power and is the way to go if u can afford them
A 125 isn't very tall, so u could use anything.
Go LED.
Plants grow better with lower Calvin..around 6500
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[Fat Homer]

I'm surprised how many people are recommending LED's for planted tanks...

First i would personally say, while i've heard some LED fixtures can be decent for high tech planted tanks, a lot of them are not as great since they don't have the power needed to maintain the high levels of light... I've even heard stores over here complain that some brands after a year or two become so dim that you basically have to replace the lighting setup since it no longer produces enough light for a high-light tank...

So in that sort of scenario, an LED fixture will cost you a lot more than replacing a few bulbs on a T5 or T5-HO...

Honestly, if you are planning on doing a high-light / high tech planted tank go with something like T5-HO's unless you can find some really good LED spot lights which i've heard good things about...

If you are going low-light / low tech planted tank you maybe able to get away with using the more standard LED light fixtures, or eve T8's if you really wanted to...

 

[burbon44s]

Well, Fat Homer, what u said is true, but LEDs r too new to determine how long they will be efficient. Prices r coming down and now is the time to try different things. My 48 in.LED is only 5 months old and doing great so far. It's 96 watts, with 4800 lumans , and a lot brighter than my 260 watt power compact.
Personally I'd go with medal halides but cost way too much to run for 8 hrs a day

Op. Try ridgid Led. They make kits.
I haven't tried them yet but going to in the future
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[limz_777]

t5 ho still works like a charm , led is up and coming thou , for smaller tanks its quite suitable , for larger set-up it can be quite costly to light up the whole tank

 

[aaron7353]

I'm working with a 125. LED is ridiculously priced. I'm looking for a secure decision. I feel that 2 36" dual T5 fixtures will be sufficient. Is this true?