what are t5's

fish fizz

fish fizz

New Member
I've always thought they were just compact fluorescent bulbs. Anyways, I have t5 compact fluorescent bulbs and I read that t5's need to be changed every 14-18 months but compact fluorescent needed to be changed every 6-9. Can someone please clear this up for me I am very confused.
 
sickboy

sickboy

Active Member
T5s are florescent bulbs with a diameter of 5/8". Compact florescent bulbs are an entirely different thing.
T5s= 18 months
Power Compacts= 6-12 months
You have the times down, just need to know which one you have.
 
keith burn

keith burn

Active Member
I have found the bulbs that are in it when it is new are junk.
Imo the 1st set 6m tops .
After that 12-16m will work.
 
fish fizz

fish fizz

New Member
well the specs on the site say i have t5 compact florescent
If you go here and scroll to lighting you'll see:
http://www*** Out of respect for satwaterfish.com we ask that you do not post links to other sites. Thanks -Sepulatian It says, 2x 55w 50/50 10,000k & Actinic T5 Power compact lamps. Can anyone explain that? So I should trash those and get other compacts? I've only had the tank a week since the transfer and so the bulbs are only 5 days old. I only have a few simple corals like zoos and shrooms after the move and as long as i can maintain those and not get algae I'm ok with what I have for now.
 
C

cmaxwell39

Guest
A T5 bulb looks like a normal florescent bulb except that it is really skinny. A compact florescent bulb looks entirely different. It basically forms a U and all the terminal connections are on one end of the bulb. With a T5 you will have connections on both ends. HTH.
 
fish fizz

fish fizz

New Member
right i understand that but my specs for my tank and my bulbs say t5 compact florescent. I have used both compact and fluorescent bulbs in the past and understand what both look like. Please look at the link i posted above to redsea's site it goes straight to the page that shows the setup and bulbs i have. It says they are t5 compact fluorescents.
 
bpro32

bpro32

Member
judging by the picture it looks like they are t5 flourescents because it is just the straight tube. The fact that it says t5 compact flourescent is REALLY confusing
 
seagoblin333

seagoblin333

Member
Originally Posted by bpro32
http:///forum/post/2898277
judging by the picture it looks like they are t5 flourescents because it is just the straight tube. The fact that it says t5 compact flourescent is REALLY confusing

X2 I'm almost certain that your bulbs are just t5's and not PC. Why they would list them as PC's I don't really know either. Maybe a missprint
 
sickboy

sickboy

Active Member
That is really weird! On the 250 it calls them T5 linear bulbs. So, I have no idea. If you have used both, then what type are they? Are two of the bulbs attached or are all 4 separate?
By the way, cool tank, I thought about buying one of those.
 
fish fizz

fish fizz

New Member
well they look just like compact florescent. if you type in t5 compact florescents in google you get alot of sites. here is one that sales similar bulbs.
http://www.*** Please do not post links -Sepulatian Anyways, if anyone understands this please let me know still really confused.
 
fish fizz

fish fizz

New Member
no they are attached and look just like pc's I'm just confused because it says that on everything I have for the tank. haha. This is getting to be kinda funny.
 
sickboy

sickboy

Active Member
On a different site they call them '55 watt Compact Florescent' bulbs, so the T5 must just be a typo
 
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