High Output T5 lighting

**Justikanz** · 9th Dec 2005, 13:26

Hmm... With the ambient temperature rising after CNY period, I am thinking of replacing one of my PL set (2 x 55W) with a HO T5 set (that would be 2 x 54W?) for my 4ft tank... so as to (1) reduce tank water temperature and (2) get better lighting.

What I wanna ask is... Is point (2) accurate? And where can I find such a set? I stay at Jurong West...

**Johnc** · 9th Dec 2005, 14:01

Ah, we have similar ideas...

Check out: http://www.delightings.com/index.cfm?GPID=3

/John

**Justikanz** · 9th Dec 2005, 14:07

But I am not a DIY person... Where to get the set already up and ready to plug in and 'play'?

**taz_boy** · 9th Dec 2005, 16:56

just to check too....is that DIY easy to fix by own, seems like they include everything inside, sweey sweey for us to fix like lego like that.........

is there anything else i need to buy apart from those included, if not SD85 dollars for a 3ft is pretty reasonable.....can consider to invest in 1 aft CNY

**Rupert** · 9th Dec 2005, 18:52

Originally Posted by Justikanz

Hmm... With the ambient temperature rising after CNY period, I am thinking of replacing one of my PL set (2 x 55W) with a HO T5 set (that would be 2 x 54W?) for my 4ft tank... so as to (1) reduce tank water temperature and (2) get better lighting.

What I wanna ask is... Is point (2) accurate? And where can I find such a set? I stay at Jurong West...

This might aswer your second question? This general information article [PDF] on Philips ‘T5 and T5 HO lamps one of the best sources of information available. It explains and contrasts the luminescence of T5, T5 HO and T8

http://home.zonnet.nl/rsetteur/aquarium/tl5_manual.pdf#search='Philips%20AND%20Tl%20%275%2 0HO'

There are a 3 pages of posts under “Anyone using T5 lights?”
http://www.aquaticquotient.com/forum...ad.php?t=14635

**Justikanz** · 9th Dec 2005, 20:43

Frankly, Rupert, I tried reading the thread and the article... Went

...

So, that's why I was asking if I can just get the set and was wondering if they will create a (good) difference...

**ZeroKhoo** · 10th Dec 2005, 14:32

try to contact this guy(93863135 - Benedict)

1no of Dual x 54W E-ballast (Elbiru)
4nos of Non-waterproof endcaps
2nos of 4Ft T5 parabolic spider reflectors (complete with plastic holder)
2mtrs of wiring
13Amp Plug Top with 1.5mtrs of 3coilx70 power cord
$62.00 PER SET
*free delivery

without tube

DIY set is cheaper~ if really cannot do it i also can help u lah~~
come to my house, i fix it for u

**Rupert** · 10th Dec 2005, 18:53

Originally Posted by Justikanz

So, that's why I was asking if I can just get the set and was wondering if they will create a (good) difference...

I cannot comment as went from MH's to T5 HO and knew I wanted less light so that I could slow the tank down. You are going from PL 2x55 to T5 HO 2 x54 and would think that you would need to compare the lumen output of both to make an informed decision if the difference is worth it.

T5 HO indicatively have 5000 Lumens or another way to think of it as 93 lumens per watt [page 14]

**eddyq** · 10th Dec 2005, 21:42

NA has T5 x3 tubes plug and play so does C328 and the shop further down.

**Justikanz** · 11th Dec 2005, 00:10

Originally Posted by Rupert

I cannot comment as went from MH's to T5 HO and knew I wanted less light so that I could slow the tank down. You are going from PL 2x55 to T5 HO 2 x54 and would think that you would need to compare the lumen output of both to make an informed decision if the difference is worth it.

T5 HO indicatively have 5000 Lumens or another way to think of it as 93 lumens per watt [page 14]

Thanks, Rupert... This lighting issue is really complicating... Wattage, lumens (same as intensity?), colour temperature (Kelvin)... and what else?...

Originally Posted by eddyq

NA has T5 x3 tubes plug and play so does C328 and the shop further down.

Thanks for that info!

Zerokhoo, thanks too, but I'd really rather just buy a set.

**solonavi** · 13th Dec 2005, 12:47

IMHO, lumens and kelvin are the most impt factors in choosing lights.

Lumens can be increased by using a good reflector. For T5, use a parabolic reflector. It will helps to reflect those top lightings back down to your tank without much lost. For MH, marine ppl are using those Diamond LumenArc for ultimate performance.

As for Kelvin, it depends on the bulb u using. This is a topic been discuss and to be frank, I'm still not really convince whether 6500K or other is better for planted.

Other factors like PAR? Durability of the bulb?

On your 1st post with regards to comparing PL to HO T5, I'm 95% certain HO T5 will be cooler and have higher lumens than your PL.

Cheers
JC

**Justikanz** · 13th Dec 2005, 13:38

There's this book stating that plants require the blue end and the red end of the spectrum for photosynthesis and thus it would be better to have lights that shine in those colours (Kelvins)... I used to wonder about these things... till I switch to PL... Hmm... Seems like some reading up is in order again...

**solonavi** · 13th Dec 2005, 14:08

R u refering to something like this?

This is from ATI but unfortuately, nobody seems to carry this brand locally anymore. Extract from their german website (translate by google); http://www.atiaquaristik.com/index.php?t5-leuchtmittel
=========
Sun pro
The Sun per is 6500 Kelvin a daylight tube with a 1a color reproduction (high colorfastness). Thus animals and plants in their natural beauty appear. The very intensive daylight promotes a healthy plant stature.
========

JC

**Justikanz** · 13th Dec 2005, 14:13

Minus the green peak. The book mentions red and blue only. Personally, though many people had mentioned that the blue peak will encourage algae, I find the red peak too 'hot' and makes the tank looks unnatural. My PL is bluish now and all seems ok. If switching to T5, would be looking for peaks at blue+red... How many Kelvin is that??

And ultimately, my question... Where to buy the casing for the T5 lights? And where to get the T5 tubes?

Else will have to stick to T8 (which is the normal FL, right?) and PL combination...

**solonavi** · 13th Dec 2005, 14:21

T5 is available easily now. Ben and Dr_Evil are in this forum already. They do have both DIY and ready fixtures. Have laised with both b4. Nice ppls.

The trick is finding the right kelvin T5 tube. Personally, I'll get the 6500K and I seriously doubt you can find a T5 tube that only peak at blue and red without green.

Cheers
JC