T5 capabilities- reality or hype?
- Thread starter jmaneyapanda
- Start date
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
I am talking apples to apples, either both light sources with no reflector or using parabolic reflectors. But you already knew that, you just seem to want to reach a conclusion that agrees with your preference.
The fact that there is no perfect parabolic reflector makes the case as to why T5's are more efficient at putting light to the bottom of the tank even stronger. Now that halide 8" up needs to be what, 120% more intense than the T5's?
And of course in a practical applications the T5's will have less light decay than halides (assuming both reflectors have the same efficiency) because of the linear aspect of the lamps and the fact they are used in an array.
Reef_bones
New member
Rich sounds like he has some good knowledge on this subject.. Good post Rich even if it seems like your screaming at GRIM..lol...Alot of good info there.
<<< these corals dont need NEARLY the light most people seem to think they do. If you clean up your water, they really dont need much at all. I've seen acros grown under striplights for god sakes. >>>
<<< I run 2x250w on a 58 gallon, and have NO heat problems whatsoever. >>>
You claim you've seen acros grown under strip lights, yet you run nearly 10 watts per gallon of MH's on a 58g? .....hmmmm
<<< I run 2x250w on a 58 gallon, and have NO heat problems whatsoever. >>>
You claim you've seen acros grown under strip lights, yet you run nearly 10 watts per gallon of MH's on a 58g? .....hmmmm
Having run both halides and T5's over my tank I can tell you that it is much easier to keep a T5 tank cooler. I'm not saying that T5's put out a lot less heat. But... The heat from the bulbs is distributed pretty evenly across the reflectors - with some good air flow a lot less heat makes it into the water. It's almost like using a really good heat sink.
RichConley
New member
same, good airflow makes MH heat not an issue.
RichConley
New member
Jesus, are you even listening? Did you read my post at all, or are you just posting to disagree.
MY ENTIRE POST WAS ON HOW T5s ACTUALLY PENETRATE BETTER THAN HALIDES, AND NOW YOUR TRYING TO TELL ME THAT THEY DO.
"I am talking apples to apples, either both light sources with no reflector or using parabolic reflectors"
My point still stands, no reflector, a line source beats a point source for penetration, every day of the week.
When you start looking at reflectors though, the source stops mattering, and the reflector starts mattering. A perfect 2D parabolic reflector on T5s vs a Perfect 3d parabolic on a halide, you have 100% of light going down, evenly distributed, and it really doesnt matter either way. Same penetration, same intensity, etc. Then watts are the only thing that matters.
The whole crux here is that (thankfully) people are pushing the good reflectors with T5s. With MHs, people go out and buy these piece of junk reflectors, and are like "Well, its MH, who cares."
As far as I'm concernced, these tests should all be done using MHs in Lumenarcs or Lumenmaxs, running 10K bulbs, and T5s using 10K bulbs and individual reflectors. If you dont do it that way, its like testing a Suzuki Aerio against a 745 iL and deciding that German cars run better than asian cars. It doesnt mean anything.
Like T5s, if you dont run MHs in decent reflectors, you're just wasting money.
RichConley
New member
My apartment has electricity included in the rent, and its what I have. I have no reason to change.
I had 1x250, and then won a geismann pendant in an LFS raffle. Since I'm not paying for electricity, I figured I may as well use it.
As to SPS growing under striplights, go look in the "Lets talk about lighting" thread in the SPS forum.
blackie lawless
New member
Now that's irony! :lol:
RichConley
New member
Like I said, electricity is paid for. I see no reason to do otherwise.
now how about we talk about lighting, instead of my tank, and my living situation.
now how about we talk about lighting, instead of my tank, and my living situation.
Reef_bones
New member
So a 4x54wt5 set-up with SLR reflectors on a lets say 55gallon vs a 2x250w MH set-up with Parabolic reflector.
Which would cost more to run?
Which would develope more heat?
Would there be equal light to the 18" depth?
Would there be any additional equipment needed to offset a changed caused by the lighting?
This is where you see that the t5 is more cost effective... You can't argue that!
Which would cost more to run?
Which would develope more heat?
Would there be equal light to the 18" depth?
Would there be any additional equipment needed to offset a changed caused by the lighting?
This is where you see that the t5 is more cost effective... You can't argue that!
Reef_bones
New member
:smokin:
Reef_bones
New member
LOL... I beleive we have now all gotten tongue tied....
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
The point I am trying to make is that the method of light generation doesnt cause the light to travel any farther. If you are saying T5's can put more light to the bottom because of reflectors and the position of the lamps and using multiple lamps blah, blah blah, then we agree.
As far a lab spec test between the two I think the PFO mini pendants against IC T5's would be a better indicator. The lumenarcs are great but because of the size they aren't practical in a lot of situations. The 10K against 10K isn't a good standard either. I would say a 14K Phoenix against a 50/50 mix of Aquablue and Blueplus T5's would be good because they are both pretty common stand alone lighting choices.
