T5 LED equivalent

Mr.Guy83 · Dec 16, 2011

I was just wondering if there is a t5 bulb that is equivalent to the blues of LEDs. The blue LEDs that make corals look like they've been dipped in glow in the dark paint (normally seen in the dawn/dusk mode or actinic). the reason I ask is I have tossed back and forth about going T5 or LED and I realized the only reason I wanted LED was for this option(look) at dawn/dusk, but feel that T5s are proven and will give me best coloration and growth. I looked at a few LED strips on my friends tank but the blue didnt seem the same as the blue on the AI fixture for example.
any help would be greatly appreciated

mainereefer · Dec 16, 2011

you can get a self ballasted led t5 bulb but I would go with the t8 size it holds more led's

Larsen · Dec 20, 2011

Has anyone done this. I am really interested to convert my T5 fixture to led. And where can I get them

jaytizzle · Dec 20, 2011

There is no way to convert a T5 fixture to LED, Larsen. You could strip all the guts and use the housing but that's about as much of a "conversion" as you'll find.

As far as a T5 equivalent, you won't find anything. The best thing I can recommend if you want that actinic pop is to either buy or make a Royal Blue LED bar to supplement dusk/dawn lighting in your tank. There isn't a T5 bulb out there that will make corals fluoresce like LEDs.

chestnud · Dec 20, 2011

You may want to talk to the guys at Aquarium Specialty. They have led tubes that fit existing fixtures and use them over their frag tanks. I can't remember if they are t5 or t8 size wise but they are direct replacement and fit directly in.

jaytizzle · Dec 20, 2011

chestnud said:
You may want to talk to the guys at Aquarium Specialty. They have led tubes that fit existing fixtures and use them over their frag tanks. I can't remember if they are t5 or t8 size wise but they are direct replacement and fit directly in.

There are no LED tubes that fit into T5 fixtures and run using T5 ballasts. It doesn't work that way. I'd be very interested to see what you're talking about, though.

cdness · Dec 20, 2011

I think they are self powered, but they clip into the T5 endcaps just to hold them in place...

Your best bet would be just get an LED strip. I know there are many places that sell them and you could DIY if you wanted to.