What Is The Life Span Of A T5 Light?

[FishBeast]

Do they last longer than a regular Fluorescent? I need to bump my 134g tank up to 2wpg+ and the costs are mounting fast. I want T5 but need to justify it moneywise.

 

[Dave Spencer]

I bet you 1,000 Oz Dollars you don`t need that much light.

I change my tubes when they don`t work anymore.

There you go, I have saved you a fortune already.

Dave.

 

[SuperColey1]

:stupid: r.e. not needing that amount of light, however to answer your question:

http/www.aboutlightingcontrols.org/educa...h-low-bay.shtml

T5 and T8 will last as long as each other as long as e are talking both being good brands and new. They are the same thing really except for the diameter.

The thing that does make the difference is the ballast.

T5HO lights are typically supplied with or run off 'programmed or delayed start' electronic ballasts. These delay the start until the whole light can be turned on at full power.

Then there are 'instant start' electronic ballasts which turn the light on instantly and the tube 'builds up' to full brightness.

Then there are magnetic ballasts which 'flicker start' the tube via the use of starters.

If using a programmed electronic ballast then the tube will last longest. The link above suggests that after 5 yearrs or so the tube will only have lost about 5% of it's brightness.

The instant start will make a tube last longer than magnetic ballasts but not as long as on the programmed ballast.

Most T8 setups especially those inside canopies use magnetic ballasts however in the last couple of years electronic ballasts have been starting to appear in the hoods.

All canopies using T5 or T5HO lighting will have an electronic ballast. You will need to check up to see which it is.

I use some T8s are over 2 years old and run them off programmed start balasts with no 'visible' deterioration (yet)


Then we come onto brightness. We need to differentiate between light and brightness. brightness means to a human it looks light. It does not tell you how much light is being emitted.

For example a 4000K tube will look much much dimmer than a 6000K tube. However in reality the 4000K is more than likely producing as much or more 'usable' light than the 6000K. It is just that the human eye sees whites and greens very well.

This is why there is so many people (who don't know about K, brightness etc) are complaining about the phasing out of incandescent bulbs in the UK. They complain that the new energy saving bulbs are not as bright. Indeed they aren't. But they are nearly always 2700K. I have no idea on the reasoning of choosing 2700K as the standard because that is a warm white/yellow K. This gives it a dimmer appearance. If the standard had been 6500K as it seems to be in the US then the new lights would appear much much brighter than incandescent. I assume (probably wrongly) that it may be something to do with softening the light so as not to cause a generation with eye problems due to stupidly looking directly at these lights

[URL="http/www.creativelighting.uk.com/pdfs/in...emperatures.pdf"]http/www.creativelighting.uk.com/pdfs/in...emperatures.pdf[/URL]

AC

 

[aaronnorth]

you dont need as much light as you would with T8, due to T5 penetrating deeper, and providing more watts per sqaure inch.

For the equvilant of 2wpg T8, you could probably use 1.2wpg T5 based on my exeriences, and lots of others.

 

[FishBeast]

you dont need as much light as you would with T8, due to T5 penetrating deeper, and providing more watts per sqaure inch.

For the equvilant of 2wpg T8, you could probably use 1.2wpg T5 based on my exeriences, and lots of others.

Awesome man! You just saved me a bunch of cash.

 

[FishBeast]

I am having alot of trouble picking the right T5 light. My tank is a 6ft by 2 ft deep tank so I figure I need a deep penetration light. The light I like is a 2x96w setup and the only globes I can find are 10k. Is a 10k light too far into the blue spectrum? Another thing I need to know is do I have to get a 6 ft (72 inch) light or can I get a 60 inch one without the plants suffering?

 

[SuperColey1]

Always better to get a full length light but 5ft on a 6ft tank shouldn't be a problem.

Don't worry about penetration being a 'visible' thing. Your eyes cannot see some of the light that comes from the tube.

10000K would be fine but I would get 1 x 10000K and get a different tube to go with it to balance the colour a little something in the 4-7000K range.

AC

 

[FishBeast]

Thanks. I am currently looking at one which seems too good to be true. I dont know if I am allowed to paste the link but I will because it isnt competition to this site. What do you think. The seller says that it is a "It is a electronic Non dimmable ballast, Australian approved." $144 AUD not including transport costs.

http/www.guppysaquariumproducts.com.au/f...t/prod_620.html

 

[SuperColey1]

If the price is OK for you then go for it.

AC

 

[FishBeast]

I bought it as well as a co2 regulator with a solenoid and everything I need to set it all up. Now all I need is to finish making my substrate, clean my tank and gravel, put it all together, fill er up and start testing. Will give it at least a week or two to get everything in check, then put a plant or 2 in. Followed by another few plants once I feel that the beneficial bacteria has had enough time to get started. Once my plants are growing and everything looks stable I will introduce the first of my fish. The whole process will most likely take a few months. Very excited!