Are 8 bulb t5 worth the cost per year?

[neltel_7]

Oh my goodness I feel like such a noob... typo in the title.. im ashamed

anyways...

From my understanding, an 8 bulb t5 would need its bulbs replaced about once a year. This amounts to at least 160 dollars a year not to mention power consumption. Would it be worth it to just buy 2 Mars aqua led's for less than the price of just the bulb change alone? and then maybe even supplement the aquas with a 2 bulb t5 fixture?
this is for 100 gallon tank

 

[Gernader]

I do not have any experience with T5 lighting, but I do have Mars Aqua for my 75g and they are great! I heard that most people like to use a hybrid fixture (leds with t5).

 

[GoVols]

If you want to go full blown acropora reef then, yes the t5's are worth the cost.
You also get a total even light spread with t5's.

Just depends on what you really want to grow, to meet those coral's needs.

 

[pirate2876]

Yes, it is.

 

[LOVEROCK]

Oh my goodness I feel like such a noob... typo in the title.. im ashamed

anyways...

From my understanding, an 8 bulb t5 would need its bulbs replaced about once a year. This amounts to at least 160 dollars a year not to mention power consumption. Would it be worth it to just buy 2 Mars aqua led's for less than the price of just the bulb change alone? and then maybe even supplement the aquas with a 2 bulb t5 fixture?
this is for 100 gallon tank

your even suggesting adding two t5 bulbs in , why even ask

 

[neltel_7]

your even suggesting adding two t5 bulbs in , why even ask

I know that the t5 will be better for corals but im going for a mixed reef rather than an all sps tank so par isn't to big of an issue as long as its adequate. I suggested the 2 t5 bulbs because they can fill in the spectrum missed by the led's.

 

[neltel_7]

your even suggesting adding two t5 bulbs in , why even ask

to be honest im not sure if your saying t5's are worth it or not

 

[LOVEROCK]

to be honest im not sure if your saying t5's are worth it or not

just go all t5s

 

[Skynyrd Fish]

All t5 user myself. They work well. I don’t mind spending the money on the bulb change. Also for your size tank a 6 bulb will rock some serious coral.

 

[fishface NJ]

I have a mixed tank. I started reefing with T5s and switched to LED 6 years ago. I went back to T5s last year. I change bulbs at the 16 month mark

 

[bpro32]

If you're going mixed, you could easily get away with 6 bulbs, maybe even 4 bulb T5 depending on the dimensions.

 

[Retro Reefer]

Modern t5's don't need to be replaced yearly, typically 16-18 months before any real intensity drop off or spectrum shift starts happening.

 

[dwest]

I replace mine every 18 months. I might go to 2 years. I stagger my replacements, although most replace all at once. I use T5 and led.

 

[najer]

I have a T5 hybrid, 8 x T5s and a 75 watt led supplement, people spend more on some frags than a tube change costs!

 

[kevin_e]

$160 a year is a drop in the bucket for this hobby, especially for one of the most important aspects of the hobby. However, those LEDs work well too and even better with supplements. You cant go wrong with any of those options imo.

I will say though, T5 require less understanding in terms of setting intensity. LEDs can give new users fits trying to get the right spectrum and intensity. It's also its greatest selling point too.

 

[Luis1992]

I currently run a T5 hybrid and before that I had just a T5 set up. I wouldn’t run a tank without T5’s now. The biggest difference for me from T5 to LED is the even coverage T5 offers. If you are looking to go sps then T5 is the way.

 

[Rmckoy]

Many things in this hobby are worth the money spent ( invested )
I’ve always used T5’s

8 bulb 54watt
I can grow anything without worrying

 

[Bpb]

Worth it for me? Yes. For you? Maybe not. 8x54 t5 fixture especially an ati will out perform 2 mars aqua fixtures in nearly every conceivable fashion. But it is not an apples to apples comparison. You’re looking at 454 watts (700+ square inches of light output surface area) watts versus 220 watts (175 square inches of surface area). A closer comparison would be 4 mars aqua units hung higher over the water. That would get you closer to the two lights behaving the same way. It’s an unfair comparison otherwise

 

[hart24601]

Just really depends on you. I don’t like t5 much so it is an easy choice for me the cost isn’t worth it!

 

[Amado]

T5 are not need to grow corals. You can have a very nice tank with just LED.
You save money, you save electricity and your tank won’t over heat. If I had to change a t5 bulb I would kill myself. My whole house is LED lights and I haven’t changed a bulb in 5yrs.

T5 bulbs are a huge money maker for the LFS and online store. BRS makes a killing selling t5 bulbs. They keep pushing that light source because it’s $$$ for them.