T5 lighting discussion

[cheeboonyong]

About $500-600 for my 330W set. A bit pricey I think, compared to NA's 288 W for <$400. But there's the satisfaction lah.

T5 performance is supposedly better than PL but I can't prove it. Just hearsay from others. See my earlier discussion on the comparison. Not much of a conclusion. Just getting more confused I think.

[benny]

For those interested, check wiht ADEC Trading (Agent for Dymax) before you embark on the DIY project. No point re-inventing the wheel if an "off the shelf" solution cost less. Unless you are a DIY fan.

just called up ADEC. They do NOT sell T5 lights.

Anyone knows who are the agents for Atman? I think it's Atman T5 seen at Aquarama, not Dymax.

Boon Yong,

C328 have been selling th Dymax T5 lighting from ADEC for about a month already. Check with Auntie.

I think there's also a poster outside the shop with information. Perhaps you can shed some light on this and share with us.

Cheers,

[cheeboonyong]

I've not seen the Dymax T5 lights. In fact, I called up ADEC (Distributor of Dymax in SG) but they said they don't carry T5. Confused? I think ADEC even more confused than me.

Whatever.

Anyway, please take note that there are 2 types of T5; normal and High Output (HO). The normal is literally that, normal. Go to Far East Aquatic and you'll see that their display tank all uses normal T5, which is really not very outstanding. The HO is a much different story. At least as strong as PL. I can't prove it's better than PL unless someone can lend me a light meter or something. It's just based on my eye perception at this moment.

[tawauboy]

...........unless someone can lend me a light meter or something. It's just based on my eye perception at this moment.

use a camera with spot meter....

[benny]

Ok. Confirm that the Dymax T5 is not HO version. There's a post in www.sgreefclub.com about it.

So it's just normal T5, but suppose to be as good as the 55W PL on the market. Whatever that means.....

Cheers,

[smk]

Hi,

i have check with some lighting shop.
For T5 normal output for 4ft is 22W or 2+W.( like mentioned, no ballest)


if 54W .. it shd be high output?

mk

[DE Lightings]

The intensity of lights will depends on the t5 tubes used and also the reflectors. If you are not using a proper reflectors, the spread will not be good and you will have alot of light lost.

[Star-flog]

I brought Wei-pro 4ft Highout T5 lightset with (4 tubes of 54 Watt) for only $190, it was very bright. But strangly thing, after one week, 2 tubes are now not working even with the switch turned on.
Please advise and I'm confused whether T5 tube burnt that easily?

[Rupert]

I brought Wei-pro 4ft Highout T5 lightset with (4 tubes of 54 Watt) for only $190, it was very bright. But strangly thing, after one week, 2 tubes are now not working even with the switch turned on.
Please advise and I'm confused whether T5 tube burnt that easily?

T5’s do not have a shorter lifespan than others and two weeks would indicate that something is definitely wrong.

[Star-flog]

T5’s do not have a shorter lifespan than others and two weeks would indicate that something is definitely wrong.

yup, very strange and brought this set from NA, may be bring down the piece for them to check. Thanks.

[solonavi]

I've used T5 for >3yrs and have nvr once experience a tube blow.

Get ur fixture checked. Most probably some wiring issue or ballast is gone.

Cheers
JC

[smk]

wow !! i got the same problem of 2 x tube not lighting up (mine after 2 days ) !!! I got the Dymax , from the same shop.

for mine,think is the problem of end cap. Very brittle, remove the tube 2 time and some of the plastic part cracked !!!! and think they are connected in series, if one tube cannot be connected or spoilt , the other cannot work.

i'm thinking of rewiring my unit and change the end cap. (4 tube too bright for my setup, will try to make it 3).

mk

[solonavi]

Most T5 are wired in series. Replacing the end cap should be easy. Check with the shop u got ur unit from.

Cheers
JC

[Star-flog]

wow !! i got the same problem of 2 x tube not lighting up (mine after 2 days ) !!! I got the Dymax , from the same shop.

for mine,think is the problem of end cap. Very brittle, remove the tube 2 time and some of the plastic part cracked !!!! and think they are connected in series, if one tube cannot be connected or spoilt , the other cannot work.

i'm thinking of rewiring my unit and change the end cap. (4 tube too bright for my setup, will try to make it 3).

mk

Did you bring it down for a check and replace with those cap? The 4ft T5 4tube is also very heavy.

[smk]

no,

maybe just change them on my own. Ask u mentioned, heavy and lazy .. hahah.


mk

[shihyong]

T5 has been in the market for sometime, any feed back on the T5 in term of
i) intensity
ii) heat
iii) running cost
iv) hardware cost
v) Lifespan of tube/bulb
compare to MH and PL?

Assumption:
1) All using 6000k-10,000k
2) Total of 300W
3) DIY ( no Brand for casing)
4) Labour cost are the same

Comparison:
1) T5 Osram tube vs PL Osram tube both using Osram Eballast.
2) T5 Osram tube, Osram Eballast vs MH BLV bulb ,Osram Eballast

Thanks.

[solonavi]

Let's see. I am not able to give a gd comparison simply becos I have very limited experience with MH. Below are my opinions.

i) intensity
Luxmens is not a gd measurement to determine. We should be looking are PAR instead. However, if u compare a T5HO with decent reflector, it can easily out perform PL.

ii) heat
T5 is definitely emiting lesser heat.

iii) running cost
Very subjective. Depending on how offer u change ur tubes. A point to note, T5's wpg can be lesser when compare to PL.

iv) hardware cost
There are cheap T5 set. DIY is also very economical if u are electrical inclined.

v) Lifespan of tube/bulb
~1yr. I've be replacing mine in 9months.

Cheers
JC

[Star-flog]

wow !! i got the same problem of 2 x tube not lighting up (mine after 2 days ) !!! I got the Dymax , from the same shop.

for mine,think is the problem of end cap. Very brittle, remove the tube 2 time and some of the plastic part cracked !!!! and think they are connected in series, if one tube cannot be connected or spoilt , the other cannot work.

i'm thinking of rewiring my unit and change the end cap. (4 tube too bright for my setup, will try to make it 3).

mk

I opened up everything today and discovered that the plastic end-cap cracked I reckon the reason for the cracked is the T5 tube (metal both end is not straight and putting too much strenght on the end-cap). I would bring it down and hopefully to get free replacement..

[TS168]

hi all, anyone buy T5 from NA. Not sure what is the brand there.
the price is very good. Just got myself a 2FT T5 with 3x24W, there 2 on/off switch. 1 switch for 2tubes and another switch for the 3rd tube.
Now i only turn on the 2Tube switch.

But i not sure what is the K for the T5 they use. anyone can advise? 6500k?

thanks
TS

[Wackytpt]

hi all, anyone buy T5 from NA. Not sure what is the brand there.
the price is very good. Just got myself a 2FT T5 with 3x24W, there 2 on/off switch. 1 switch for 2tubes and another switch for the 3rd tube.
Now i only turn on the 2Tube switch.

But i not sure what is the K for the T5 they use. anyone can advise? 6500k?

thanks
TS

TS,

I have a gut feeling the set you got could most probably be the Magnum.

From my understanding, NA carries Weipro, Magnum & Dymax T5 lightsets.

The light tube could problem be 8000k or 10,000k