T5 55W or PL 36W - Which Is Better?

[jiahe88]

I just went to NA half hours ago . . was searching for my planted tank lights. Actually wanted to buy maqnumII PL36x2 but went i reach NA i saw another brand is also maqnum the uncle told me is T5 55x3 price is much cheaper than PL36x2 but the tube uncle say is from china he use for around 1year plus still okie and only 1year warranty, and the PL36x2 is 2years warranty. Can any guys or expert give me some advise or who has use it right now and give me some feedback? i needed to get it as soon as possible went i hear from u guys feedback. thanks alot.

[Shadow]

What do you mean by 36x2, 55x3? Are you saying 2 times 36Watt bulb and 3 times 55Watt bulb? How big is your tank, how many galon? How many watt do you need 165W or 72W?

[jiahe88]

ya 36w x 2 and 55 x 3 . that day i ask forum people they say my tank need at least 104w to 150w. my tank is 3ft x 18 x 18 and is 50.5g. due to me planted stem plant.

[Shadow]

then you don't have a choice unless you want to get 2 set of 2x36

[StanChung]

I think some lights have 2x55 pl if I'm not mistaken but in a 2ft casing.
4 x30W fl would also be ok IMHO.

[|squee|]

Why not get a 150W metal halide pendant?

[jiahe88]

That's why i very confuse. . don't know want to get which want. When i think of getting PL2 x 36 for 2 set cost $110 from NA warranty 2years but NA that guy introduce me another type is T5 3 x 55 cost only $80+ but warranty only 1years. i don know which is better? that's why i asking AQ expert guy to tell me which is better and worth it to buy.

[|squee|]

I'd get the T5 then. Yours is a bigger tank, and T5 will provide for your tank better.

72W for your 3ft tank is a little low imho, around the low-mid amount of light.

However like you said, 1 year warranty. Personally warranty doesn't matter to me for light sets, I'd care more about the reliability issue. Is the set reliable? You wouldn't want to come home from work and see your tank still dark. Ask Mr Chan (the NA boss) which one is more dependable; which set's bulbs lasts longer, etc.

[ljsg]

I hv been using 4x39 T5 for my 3ft tank. tubes will last for about 1yr+.
Was considering someting else when tubes died eg. PL, but it didnt seem as bright so decided to stick to T5.

[StanChung]

I'd second the t5's. BUY!

[jiahe88]

Thanks for the AQ people i trust you guys so i will go search for my T5 soon by this week. thanks alot

[StanChung]

I think NA boss has good reputation and will not lead you along. Trust his recommendation.

[eagleray]

I also vote for the t5 setup ... MH is way too hot.

I also read somewhere that PL is just a "bent" version of T5. Just that T5 has smaller diameter, so more light can be directed to the tank.

Do note that in many T5 setups, a very important part is the reflector.

If the individual t5 tubes has parabolic reflectors, usually more light can be reflected into the tank with the same tube

Most of the cheaper T5 setup will use a single reflector ... not as efficient , but it is always a cost vs benefit balance

[jiahe88]

thanks eagleray. but i brought from NA whats the reflector they give. actually i still new about the T5. actually i'm also curious about whats the difference between FL,PL,T5,T8 and MH. anybody can explain to me. thanks

[StanChung]

Some basic info.

Two important types of lighting for planted aquariums. [LED's haven't catch on yet]

Fluorescent=FL and spot light Metal Halide=MH.

Fluorescent actually includes PLL/PLC/PC and T5 or whatever T number. T number refers to the diameter of the FL tube. T5 =T 5/8" diameter tube. T8 = 1" diameter Fl tube and so on.
There also T5 VHO[very high output] and HO.[high output]. NO refers to [Normal output] normally if not mentioned, it is an NO tube.

PLL/PLC/PC are just bent tubes of Fl. smaller design, more power can be squeezed onto tank compared to standard FL. Design however does not make effective use of reflector like T5.

Softer light quality than metal halide. More loss in intensity as distance from subject increase compared to MH.

MH= metal halide. A spotlight that's always married with a diffusing reflector. Able to create wave shadows. Standard is 5500K. [bluish white] Looks good for marine tanks if + a blue fl.
IMHO not ideal CRI* and PAR* for planted tanks.

HQI=colour corrected MH.
Eg ADA's white 8000K HQI for planted tanks. Colour corrected for effective PAR and good CRI.
*PAR is photo reactive radiation, reds and blues plus some in the invisible range that humans can't see but plants need for photosynthesis.
*CRI is colour rendition index. Good CRI bulbs renders lifelike colours.

[valice]

If the individual t5 tubes has parabolic reflectors, usually more light can be reflected into the tank with the same tube

Most of the cheaper T5 setup will use a single reflector ... not as efficient , but it is always a cost vs benefit balance

Seriously, a T5 without individual parabolic reflectors is as good as having a PL light tube. The reason why people go for T5 is the ability to get as much of the light emitted from the tubes downwards when used with a parabolic reflector. If you look at the spacing between the two tubes of a PL and the distance of the tubes between a T5 without parabolic reflectors, noticed that they are similar?

Meaning, part of the light is wasted as they are emitted sideways and don't know to where. That's the disadvantage of the PL. So with parabolic, the shape of the reflector ensure that this side emitting lights are tuned downwards into the tank. And that's the advantage of T5 with parabolic reflectors over PL.

That's all the reason why those with parabolic reflectors are much more expensive than those without.

[jiahe88]

thanks stanchung and valice for the precious information.

[yaya]

Didn't really understand about the effectiveness of the various lightning last time until i read this thread. May i ask is HQI better than T5/8? This is really a priceless information.

[StanChung]

Both has it's pros and cons.

T5 HO/VHO would be as efficient as MH or better. T5 bulbs are said to die faster due to less gas contained in the tube. [6-12months] It has very flat, realistic colour and even illumination that is very desirable in a planted tank.

HQI bulbs would last longer[IME around 2 years+] and cost less in the long run provided you have a tank that needs 150W of lighting or more. The harsh lighting produced by HQI however is not for everyone. It really needs some FL tubes to soften the shadows.

I see it as a matter of preference due to both being the best of their category. I like MH because once hung, i have lots of room to work.

[yaya]

I see. Actually i read about this thread by grey_fox related about lightning.

http://www.aquaticquotient.com/forum...ad.php?t=27324

It seems like most people will prefer T5 to MH light.

Anyway thanks bro StanChung for answering my question.