Replacing T5 fluorescent light with T5 LED light tube?

**xuan87** · 9th Apr 2013, 12:02

Hi, just want to ask anyone for their experiences in replacing T5 fluorescent lights with a T5 LED light tube like the one shown here:

http://www.ledlightscom.com/t5-led-t...-5w-600mm.html

Do you manage to achieve significant saving in term of electricity bill, and much longer lifetime too?

**astro** · 10th Apr 2013, 10:05

Does plant need UV spectrum to grow? The LED states does not have UV

**bennyc** · 10th Apr 2013, 11:30

What is the cost like? So far, the price i see, are still quite high. A 2feet evo lights with 3W led cost less than $200. A led tube i see, cost $50 each and the led tube is arrange as strip, therefore to get better cover i assume a 4 tube setup. The total cost will be quite close. So is there a point to get a led tube or a led set design for planted tank?

I believed it boils down to cost 1st then we can talk about specifics.

**xuan87** · 10th Apr 2013, 11:43

Originally Posted by bennyc

What is the cost like? So far, the price i see, are still quite high. A 2feet evo lights with 3W led cost less than $200. A led tube i see, cost $50 each and the led tube is arrange as strip, therefore to get better cover i assume a 4 tube setup. The total cost will be quite close. So is there a point to get a led tube or a led set design for planted tank?

I believed it boils down to cost 1st then we can talk about specifics.

bennyc, I agree with you, it all boils down to cost. Hence, the purpose of me starting this thread is to find out that over the cost of a led tube's lifetime, will it be cheaper to use the led tube, or stick to fluorescent tubes. Need to factor in electricity operating cost, cost of replacing fluorescent tubes, less work on chillers due to lower temperature of LED tube etc.

I have not seen the LED strips tube in action before, can you comment on the brightness compared to a single fluorescent tube with similar power requirements?

I have not seen the LED tube sold locally yet so can't provide a local price.

**bennyc** · 10th Apr 2013, 13:51

I did venture into SMD 5050 led before but i feel the brightness is less than T5 ho but without proper instruments to test, it is not proven but based on feeling. Personally, i have not try LED light tube, but based on theorical guess, LED are directional/straight beams of light while T5 are mutli- direction light, having them place in a straight line is going to cause uneven lighting in the aquarium. Therefore, LED light sets sold on the market are placed like "dice face 5".

Google "led tube" and you are able to find some companies locally that sell such tubes, one company has T8 led tube that is specially design it for planted tank (pardon me as i have forgotten the name of the company)

If the cost is reasonable, the specifics such as kelvins (color) plus many other factors may not match a planted tank requirements.

LED has many benefits such as cooler temperature but i personally feel the Technology has not fully matured to make it attractive to make the jump for me. ( although the high tempertaure of my T5ho are giving me headache). Many might disagree with me but only time will tell.

**AQMS** · 10th Apr 2013, 15:38

I did have a good result replacing my t5 fluorescent to t5 led retrofitting my aquazonic casing.
It is a 12watt led tube 6500k with 1200lm (white)
and 455nm (blue)
Attachment 35153
Attachment 35154

**bennyc** · 10th Apr 2013, 17:35

What is the cost like?

**AQMS** · 10th Apr 2013, 22:28

For that, the cost it just for the tubes only the rest of the parts are from old spares.
Tubes cost around 35 to 50sgd. My lights are 3feet. I actually end up not using the light set.
I make another better one instead.....

**xuan87** · 10th Apr 2013, 23:07

Hmm, my current lighting is just a T5 light, 15W. So if I'm going to get a T5 LED, can i just get a 15W LED? Or must I get one with a lower wattage?

**AQMS** · 10th Apr 2013, 23:16

Here is a link for you to read up about light information for aquarium,i hope this help you to understand better about lights.
http://www.americanaquariumproducts...._lighting.html

**peiho** · 11th Apr 2013, 16:56

hey my 2ft 55W PL light just died, sometimes its alright and sometimes it doesn't want to turn on... I don't know what's wrong and I'm thinking of getting a new one.
Should I get another PL or T5 or LED?