T5's Old Hat

[Doug]

As a newbie, I just been into an LFS to look at different equipment etc., and spoke with the manager about T5's vs LED's.

He said that T5's are very old hat and strongly pushed LED's. He said LED's (6500K) were ideal for plant growth and T5's could no longer touch them.

I like the idea of low energy, high output LED's, but surely T5's have not had their day? Or have they?

 

[OllieNZ]

Not at all!!!
T5s are a lot cheaper than leds and grow plants just fine, too many people use wayyy to much light anyway (some of the high power units need to be dimmed as much as 70%!). The only advantage as you've stated is power consumption and if you get a more expensive unit dimming control

 

[Andy D]

The advantage LEDs have for me is the ability to be dimmed.

If you have a tank with the ability to raise and lower the lights then great! T5s will still do a stirling job. If you don't have this ability, like in a Juwel tank, it is nice to have LEDs to give this flexibility.

 

[Sacha]

Arcadia Plant Pro J5 tubes are definitely not "old hat". I suspect the manager has never used them. The colour temperature and wattage is perfect.

 

[Andy Thurston]

Of course the manager is going to push the newer more expensive led

 

[foxfish]

Ask him about T8s they are great for low tech & you can use 4 tubes of different colours over a high tech, turn them on one at a time with cheap timers... great lights!

 

[Tim Harrison]

I still use T8s...perfect for low-energy scapes. I use arcadia bulbs and still prefer the colour rendition from any other lights I've used. So ok they aren't the most sophisticated and neither are they the most efficient...but it's not like using them is going to bankrupt me or drown the Dutch...

 

[Andy Thurston]

My mate had some Alternanthera reineckii that pearled like crazy under a single t8
All lights grow plants. just pick the ones you like and suit your needs

 

[ourmanflint]

T5's are not quite done yet, but the inevitable fall of fluorescents has started and they are on there way out.

 

[Edvet]

Now if only there was an easy way to gauge all the different LEDs, like an affordable, easy, submersible and quality PAR meter.........

 

[Tim Harrison]

You're right it used to be relatively simple but it's become something of a minefield...The reviews on this forum are informative, for instance the Guisemann Futura that Iain used on Asian Dreams would suit my needs to a T, but I simply can't justify the expense...only being a very casual scaper an' all...but it's tempting nonetheless

 

[sciencefiction]

I'd agree with that manager. It's not that fluorescents are worse but LEDs are better in a lot of ways.
If you've ever tried both you won't even need to ask why.....low energy, long life, beautiful designs, compact, light, flexible, portable, dimmable, shimmer effect...

 

[Edvet]

Led's might be the way to go, except there are so much variables in quality and price. This market hasn't fleshed out by any means yet. There are a lot overpriced and/or poor quality units out there, the T5 market is way more clear. I do like LEDs and think in the future there will be good, affordable and well proven units, but at the moment T5's are a valid alternative. I would hate to light my 1500 liter with led's alone, any idea what that would cost?

 

[kirk]

1500ltr, do you get a tan infront of your tank Edvert.? I was using t5 up until I had a razor of sanj for the right money very pleased with the colour and growth. The razor is high above the tank the percentage is set that low the fan hasn't come on yet. It's So much cheaper to change a bulb than an intire unit mind. I've kept my t5 home made unit incase the led let us down.

 

[Edvet]

2x 80W T5HO
2x 125W MH bulbs (HQI0
1x 125W merc vapor(HQL)
2x TMC 1500 tile
it's 75 cm deep

 

[kirk]

Factor 50 ^^^

 

[Edvet]