T5 system anyone?

krux

krux

Member
looking to upgrade my lighting within the next 6 months, and im starting to read that the euro t5 style bulbs and balasts are going to be available here in the US soon. was wondering if anyone has experience with these bulbs, or has read up on any specs as far as lumens and cri etc. I am wondering if these will take the place of vho or pc, or possibly the need for mh in non sps/clam tanks. I really do not want to do what happens 99% of the time, that being buying a "close out" special, only to find out the reason they are being let go in a fire sale is because the replacement technology is so superior. If anyone is curious as to what im talking about, go check out a copy of PFK at your local barnes and noble or whatever, there are a ton of adds selling them and touting them in the UK and surrounding areas.
 
barracuda

barracuda

Active Member
I use T5 and i thing it's a next generation in lighting. Unfortunately i never saw VHO's and PC's as they are not available here. One thing i can say....man, it's VERY bright light!!!
As for characteristics, i personally use 4 white bulbs (6500K) with 3000 lumens each and 2 blue bulbs (about 20000K) with 2700 lumens each. Different manufacturers make different bulbs with different characteristics. We also have 60/40 (white/blue) 10000K bulbs on market, but they are very expensive.
 
timsedwards

timsedwards

Active Member
Hi,
I have a T5 lighting system and Im in the UK. They are absolutely fantastic and are far more practical then the over head things, and over here are cheaper. They are very economic and very small, worth their weight in gold if you ask me.
They arent too expensive here, about £70 ($100 roughly) for a double starter unit (each unit will hold 2 bulbs) and £20 ($35) for each bulb, all in all cost me about £250 ($350) for a complete 4 bulb setup with 2 white and 2 actinic blue, 2 starter units and 4 refleectors. Only thing is you have to build your own canopy to accomodate it, but this isnt a problem.
All the best,
Tim.
 
timsedwards

timsedwards

Active Member
yes 45" or so, 4 foot in old money?
Post your email address and I can give you the web address of the company that manufacture them.
All the best,
Tim.
 
stpabr

stpabr

Member
Do they have T-5's in 24" and what is the wattage rating of a 45" bulb?
Can you send me the Website ...stpabr@comcast.net
 
timsedwards

timsedwards

Active Member
OK this is silly, lol, can one of the MODS tell me if it would be ok for me to put the website on here? It is a BRITISH based MANUFACTURER (YOU CANT BUY THEM) and SWF dont sell them yet?
I will post the addy on here when a Mod says i can!
All the best,
Tim.
 
broncofish

broncofish

Active Member
Tim I would just go ahead and do it, if it is a manufacturer I doubt they sell anything form the site anyway
 
barracuda

barracuda

Active Member
Well, my site is not updated at all. Going there you may find the previous set up only.
Thanks Tim for reminding me to start updating my site.:D
 
slick

slick

Active Member
Does anyone know the par on these lights? They don't seem to be all that strong to me.
 
barracuda

barracuda

Active Member

Originally posted by slick
Does anyone know the par on these lights? They don't seem to be all that strong to me.
Slick, what is "par"?
As for their strenth....what if i'll say, that i have pretty nice acropora/montipora growth rate under T5's?
 
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