The difference between T5 and T6 lighting???????

[steri]

About a year ago or whatever T5 lighting was the "new thing." Now I'm hearing about T6 lighting. I was looking into a HO T6 light fixture, but before I make any decisions, I figured I would ask around.

Does anyone use a T6 fixture? If so how do you like it?

What's the difference between a T5 and a T6, quality and intesity wise I mean? I know that a T5 is a thinner more condensed bulb.

Thanks in advance all

 

[aninjaatemyshoe]

The only one I know of at the moment is the Jalli T6 fixture, don't know anything about the quality. The argument for T6 lighting is that you can use the same sockets/fixtures as that used for T8 lighting (bulbs are the traditional lengths and they have the traditional plugs). It is supposed to have output comparable to T5. One other possible benefit is that the lamps may be a bit less easy to break. Really, none of the supposed benefits add up to anything at this point. T5 setups are pretty well established now, so there is no need for something that is compatible with conventional sockets/fixtures. This is not to meantion the fact that the bulb selection on T6 is meager. You'll do much better buying a nice T5 or MH setup.

 

[pjf]

The Jalli T6 lamps are normal output (40-watt) lamps, not T6HO (55-watt) lamps. I do not believe that they have individual reflectors. You can find them at www.customaquatic.com by searching for "T6."

Better values are the T6HO lamps and fixtures at Natural Lighting:
http://www.naturallighting.com/web/shop.php?crn=704
http://www.naturallighting.com/web/shop.php?crn=773

As for the differences between T5 and T6 lighting:
• T5 lamps are two inches shorter (46” versus 48”) and fit more easily inside aquarium hoods.
• T6 lamps are nominally 6/8” in diameter whereas T5 lamps are nominally 5/8” in diameter.
• T6, T8, T10 & T12 lamps are pin-compatible. I've replaced T12 lamps with T6 lamps.

Exceptions are the non-standard “T6HO” lamps produced by Aqua Traders. These lamps are T5HO lamps with T6 end caps and pins. You can tell by the shorter length and thicker end caps: http://www.aquatraders.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=340

 

[Icefire]

Go with t5ho, more lamp choice, ind. reflector, better industy suport

 

[pjf]

The T6HO lighting fixtures at Natural Lighting do have individual reflectors. Be sure to specify HO (not NO) ballasts. Unfortunately, I believe that the Natural Lighting fixtures are steel and not aluminum.

 

[aninjaatemyshoe]

T5HO lamps have been used for a decent amount of time as aquarium lighting and the companies that make the bulbs have been improving their colors and PAR values. The same cannot be said of T6HO lights, who knows how good those bulbs are in terms of color and PAR?

If you really wanted to get the T6HO lights, I think you could just use retrofit T5 individual reflectors and retrofit the setup like you would with T12 VHO. However, the only way that I see T6HOs being of any use to a reefer is for someone who already has a VHO retrofit and wants to use something a bit more efficient.