Thinking about adding T5’s

[zheka757]

this was cheapest brand that i was able to find at the time when i added t5s to my tank. pro going with this is external ballasts and already comes with cheap actinic bulb,

 

[A;exr54]

this was cheapest brand that i was able to find at the time when i added t5s to my tank. pro going with this is external ballasts and already comes with cheap actinic bulb,

I have a real problem. I always think and say i want to spend less. And always end up buying the most expensive thing.
Decided to go with the 48" aquaticlife DX18.
Now just looking for the best deal i can. So far the best i can find is $600 new. Also i see one on eBay for ~$400 used.
My wife asked whats if its broken from Ebay. I agree. Probably will end up going new unless the Ebay seller drops the price down some.

 

[A;exr54]

Yup so said to myself screw it. I ordered the 48" DX18 with a control cable for the Apex.
Also got 2 Blue Plus and 2 true Actinic bulbs.

If i remember correctly these bulbs need to be changed out about every 6 months?

 

[DopamineKata]

Yup so said to myself screw it. I ordered the 48" DX18 with a control cable for the Apex.
Also got 2 Blue Plus and 2 true Actinic bulbs.

If i remember correctly these bulbs need to be changed out about every 6 months?

Better stockpile them. It won't be too long before nobody makes them anymore.

 

[A;exr54]

Better stockpile them. It won't be too long before nobody makes them anymore.

Why is that?
Aren't these lights used for multiple applications? Like for reptile tanks and other things.

 

[DopamineKata]

Why is that?
Aren't these lights used for multiple applications? Like for reptile tanks and other things.

There's very few places that manufacture them. The brands you buy aren't the manufacturers, they all made by the same small handful of factories. LEDs have improved to the point where they can match spectrum as well as give that "flat" diffuse lighting T5s are known for and they don't have to be replaced as often or disposed of using special care.

Don't get me wrong I love the T5 lighting, they're just not long for this world.

 

[A;exr54]

There's very few places that manufacture them. The brands you buy aren't the manufacturers, they all made by the same small handful of factories. LEDs have improved to the point where they can match spectrum as well as give that "flat" diffuse lighting T5s are known for and they don't have to be replaced as often or disposed of using special care.

Don't get me wrong I love the T5 lighting, they're just not long for this world.

I guess this is a discussion for another time.
T5's have been around since before I started this hobby 30+ years ago. Its old tech.
Same as Metal Halides.
I doubt they will just go away any time soon.
Both T5 and MH are still highly in use. Don't think the sky is falling yet.

Either way I always like having spares available.

 

[A;exr54]

So got the 48” DX18 delivered.
Looks and works amazingly.
It was pricey but I am happy with the purchase.

Compliments my xr30pro’s perfectly.

The only sucky thing is the burn in period for the T5’s until I can start dimming.
For now I just lowered the radions intensity so PAR levels did not go up so much too fast.
In times like this I’m happy I also have the Neptune PMK.

But wow! The difference is apparent. Much less shadowing and it just looks more crisp. And colors pop more.
Went with 2 blue+ and 2 actinic.

 

[A;exr54]

So I think I’m going to need to swap out the 2 actinic T5’s to blue plus.
Apparently the actinics do not dim. I had no idea.
Using the variable power plug on the DX18, the actinics don’t even turn on.

 

[rainmaker]

Never really got the idea of dimming T5’s seems to me would be like aging T5’s that lose Intensity and then need to be changed

 

[A;exr54]

I like to simulate sunrise/sunset

 

[ColoredRock]

I like to simulate sunrise/sunset

Try that with you LED's turning on first... let them ramp up.. then have the T5 turn on .. then reverse... turn off the T5's and have the LED's ramp down.

 

[rainmaker]

Yea only run my T5’s during midday then off and leds ramp down later

 

[Ashish Patel]

Adding T5 to your radions will be the best decision you make for your reef. I don't trust any light alone and feel hybrid is best for a number of reasons. LEDS we get to ramp up and down which simulates more natural environment for fish and corals; also gives me much more time to enjoy the tank). Best part is adjusting light intensity is great especially in a new system without any corals.

T5 - Outstanding in getting light to all areas of the tank, Nothing beats its yet IMO, Unless you got 10K to blow on a 10+ fixtures or orphex. . I wish ATI made a good T5 LED replacement bulb that does the same exact thing at half price.

One thing to ensure is make sure to ramp up slowly. maybe 1-2 hours per day spread out. I know i was running 1 hour during the day and 1 hour at evening. I Kind of like this ability to turn on a off the par numbers throughout the day instead of having same PAR levels on corals for 8 hours, which is not normal for what happens in wild.

Anyways, i had to get that off my chest since one forum i tried to reply to said "not open for discussion", maybe R2R Removed since someone was saying he was not happy with his ecotech radions.