T5, t8?

FTDelta · 11/02/2012, 08:04 AM

While I know what HQI, Metal halides, & VHO lighting are; I'm having some confusion regarding what lights qualifies as T5 or T8 lighting. Are LED lighting (ie: Maxspect Razor) either those?

Portsie · 11/02/2012, 08:06 AM

Nope, LED is different altogether. T5 bulbs look similar to t8 bulbs but are thinner.

Mekanic · 11/02/2012, 08:10 AM

Lol, T designation is bulb diameter,

T8 is your normal fluorescent we all had on the cheapo FW tanks and in the lights in the kitchen.

T5 is the newfound little skinny buggers, which makes for better reflectors.

T12 is the fatty's, VHO are T12 sized.

Power wise,

Going by a 48" lamp

T8 = 32w

T5 NO (Normal Output) = 28w

T5 HO (High Output) = 54w

T12 NO = 40w

T12 VHO = 110w

Dapg8gt · 11/02/2012, 08:12 AM

^^^^ that :-).

BigAl2007 · 11/02/2012, 08:13 AM

LED - Light Emitting Diodes no gas tubes etc.

T5 - High Efficient High Output 5/8" diameter Fluorescent bulb

T8 - Slightly older technology (less efficient and less output than T5) 8/8" or 1" diameter Fluorescent bulb (mostly used in industrial/office lighting upgrades from older T12 (12/8 or 1 1/2" diameter)

T5's are considered "Very Good" and to some GREAT Reef bulbs where as I haven't seen hardly any good T8's for reefing.

With LED you get incredible life and awesome colors but you don't readily change our the DIODE like you would T5's or MH.

Mekanic · 11/02/2012, 08:14 AM

FTDelta · 11/02/2012, 08:37 AM

So a Maxspect Razor LED or any LED lighting for that matter are fine for corals?

Mekanic · 11/02/2012, 08:45 AM

I can't comment on that because I will be called "biased" and "stubborn" and the like.

What I can say is Metal Halide of the right wattage for your depth is fine for all corals

BigAl2007 · 11/02/2012, 08:59 AM

NO not "any LED". You only want LED that is designed and built for a Reef Tank.

There are several "Quality" ones on the market right now and it depends on exactly what you're looking for in a fixture. Be warned that the technology is new and rapidly changing so when you jump in go ahead and pony-up for the latest so you'll have the longest possible "window of use" before the technology changes significantly.. (is don't settle for a Blue & White only fixture... get colors with at least 5+ channels).

FTDelta · 11/02/2012, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigAl2007

NO not "any LED". You only want LED that is designed and built for a Reef Tank.

There are several "Quality" ones on the market right now and it depends on exactly what you're looking for in a fixture. Be warned that the technology is new and rapidly changing so when you jump in go ahead and pony-up for the latest so you'll have the longest possible "window of use" before the technology changes significantly.. (is don't settle for a Blue & White only fixture... get colors with at least 5+ channels).

I meant any LEDs designed for SW tanks. Sorry if you misunderstood my wording.

That's why I'm looking at the Maxspect Razor.

11/02/2012, 08:04 AM	#1
FTDelta Moved On Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Central NY Posts: 1,124	T5, t8? While I know what HQI, Metal halides, & VHO lighting are; I'm having some confusion regarding what lights qualifies as T5 or T8 lighting. Are LED lighting (ie: Maxspect Razor) either those?

11/02/2012, 08:06 AM	#2
Portsie Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: New Brunswick, Canada Posts: 741	Nope, LED is different altogether. T5 bulbs look similar to t8 bulbs but are thinner. __________________ 90g corner overflow, 33g sump, Apex, Vertex IN-100, 2x MP-10w ES, 1X MP-40w, Tunze Osmolator, 60lbs Caribsea oolite, 85lbs live rock, 4x54w T5 with LED moonlights

11/02/2012, 08:10 AM	#3
Mekanic Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Hudson, FL Posts: 891	Lol, T designation is bulb diameter, T8 is your normal fluorescent we all had on the cheapo FW tanks and in the lights in the kitchen. T5 is the newfound little skinny buggers, which makes for better reflectors. T12 is the fatty's, VHO are T12 sized. Power wise, Going by a 48" lamp T8 = 32w T5 NO (Normal Output) = 28w T5 HO (High Output) = 54w T12 NO = 40w T12 VHO = 110w __________________ ~Rich&Cheryl Current Tank Info: 90g corner drilled, 30g sump/fuge, Mag 9.5 return, SWC 160 cone, 2x Lumenmax 2's, 250w Radiums, BlueWave 7

11/02/2012, 08:12 AM	#4
Dapg8gt Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Pacifica Posts: 3,741	^^^^ that :-). __________________ 15 years in the hobby yet still learning every day. 280g radium lit sps flat living in my garage rent free. Current Tank Info: 105g SPS dominant euro braced powered by 4 ecotech pumps and lit by an ATI powermodule controlled by a reef angel =).

11/02/2012, 08:14 AM	#6
Mekanic Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Hudson, FL Posts: 891	__________________ ~Rich&Cheryl Current Tank Info: 90g corner drilled, 30g sump/fuge, Mag 9.5 return, SWC 160 cone, 2x Lumenmax 2's, 250w Radiums, BlueWave 7

11/02/2012, 08:13 AM	#5
BigAl2007 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Waynesville, NC USA Posts: 1,737	LED - Light Emitting Diodes no gas tubes etc. T5 - High Efficient High Output 5/8" diameter Fluorescent bulb T8 - Slightly older technology (less efficient and less output than T5) 8/8" or 1" diameter Fluorescent bulb (mostly used in industrial/office lighting upgrades from older T12 (12/8 or 1 1/2" diameter) T5's are considered "Very Good" and to some GREAT Reef bulbs where as I haven't seen hardly any good T8's for reefing. With LED you get incredible life and awesome colors but you don't readily change our the DIODE like you would T5's or MH.

11/02/2012, 08:37 AM	#7
FTDelta Moved On Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Central NY Posts: 1,124	So a Maxspect Razor LED or any LED lighting for that matter are fine for corals?

11/02/2012, 08:45 AM	#8
Mekanic Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Hudson, FL Posts: 891	I can't comment on that because I will be called "biased" and "stubborn" and the like. What I can say is Metal Halide of the right wattage for your depth is fine for all corals __________________ ~Rich&Cheryl Current Tank Info: 90g corner drilled, 30g sump/fuge, Mag 9.5 return, SWC 160 cone, 2x Lumenmax 2's, 250w Radiums, BlueWave 7

11/02/2012, 08:59 AM	#9
BigAl2007 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Waynesville, NC USA Posts: 1,737	NO not "any LED". You only want LED that is designed and built for a Reef Tank. There are several "Quality" ones on the market right now and it depends on exactly what you're looking for in a fixture. Be warned that the technology is new and rapidly changing so when you jump in go ahead and pony-up for the latest so you'll have the longest possible "window of use" before the technology changes significantly.. (is don't settle for a Blue & White only fixture... get colors with at least 5+ channels).