Are T5 LEDS same as T5 Fluorescents?

[Uzair Aiman]

Hi.
I know that T5 fluorescent grow corals. But recently after some snooping around at the lights shop, Ive found out that the boxes claim T5 LEDs.
Are these the same? Because the box seem to have claimed they have 6500K on them, which is one indication that they are full spectrum(?)
Mind you, I am a beginner and lights are a bit like a void that I still need to study.
Ive found a blue T5 LED and a Daylight T5 LED which I plan to put them next to each other for a light fixture.
Am I wrong here somewhere?

 

[Spare time]

I have never heard someone using t5 leds for a reef tank. I am pretty sure that what you are talking about is a bunch of led diodes placed inside a tube that can fit t5 fixtures.


Are these reef lights you are looking at, or just generic blue leds/bulbs and such

 

[Uzair Aiman]

I have never heard someone using t5 leds for a reef tank. I am pretty sure that what you are talking about is a bunch of led diodes placed inside a tube that can fit t5 fixtures.


Are these reef lights you are looking at, or just generic blue leds/bulbs and such

JUst generic lights, are they the same?

 

[ifarmer]

the led in the t5 tube are not for reefing especially for growing corals

 

[dedragon]

most led/t5 bars if not all never really worked out to replace t5s and most got discontinued as a result

 

[Spare time]

JUst generic lights, are they the same?

I am betting the par output (par is the measure of intensity for reef lights in the hobby) is rather low.

 

[oreo54]

most led/t5 bars if not all never really worked out to replace t5s and most got discontinued as a result

yea, they tried..

Biggest problem was 12w =39W
Not on the best of days..

Anyways if they ever got the power density up and the heat didn't kill the electronics inside it could work.
AND were reasonably priced.
You can put any diode colors you want in them.
Looks like they are still sold and still underpowered..
Old stock?

Arcadia T5 HO LED Replacement Lamp 22'' 8W Marine Blue Actinic

This Arcadia T5 HO LED Replacement Lamp 22' (for 24' Fixtures) 24W (equivalent) Marine Blue Actinic is a direct replacement for 24W, 22' T5 HO lamps for 24' T5 HO Fixtures.

www.marineandreef.com

Robot or human?

 

[Uzair Aiman]

the led in the t5 tube are not for reefing especially for growing corals

So it should only be fluorescent bulbs? Can I get just a generic blue and daylight colour? Or do I need actinic colours

 

[Uzair Aiman]

I am betting the par output (par is the measure of intensity for reef lights in the hobby) is rather low.

The par for LED T5s or the par for generic T5 fluorescent bulbs?

 

[Spare time]

The par for LED T5s or the par for generic T5 fluorescent bulbs?

@oreo5457 would better know the answer to this question as to how these perform as oreo seems to be more familiar with these

Typically lights not made for reefing usually are either the wrong spectrum, have low par values, or some combination of both. It is very difficult to tell the actual par values of a light by using your eyes alone, and most non reefing lights are probably not going to have information for you on how they perform in the application you are looking to use them for.

 

[Uzair Aiman]

@oreo5457 would better know the answer to this question as to how these perform as oreo seems to be more familiar with these

Typically lights not made for reefing usually are either the wrong spectrum, have low par values, or some combination of both. It is very difficult to tell the actual par values of a light by using your eyes alone, and most non reefing lights are probably not going to have information for you on how they perform in the application you are looking to use them for.

So my best bet is to just go and find Reef T5 lights?

 

[Spare time]

So my best bet is to just go and find Reef T5 lights?

That or reef led lights. Most people are using LED lights these days but either works. A lot of times its just personal preference.

 

[Uzair Aiman]

That or reef led lights. Most people are using LED lights these days but either works. A lot of times its just personal preference.

LED lights just seem abit more expensive. Im planning on making a 4 foot tank, where 2 LED fixtures would be needed. Thats why Im looking into 4 foot T5s. Just getting confused if I can buy generic blue and white T5 fluorescent bulbs or not

 

[ifarmer]

if you plan on doing just fish only, or water & rocks only then that kind of LED T5 that you was talking about should be okay.
Otherwise, for reef, corals tank, I would do either T5 or reef LED (example: like Ecotech, reefbuilder, aquaticlife....etc) or (both LED and T5 hybrid).
hope that makes sense.

 

[oreo54]

@oreo5457 would better know the answer to this question as to how these perform as oreo seems to be more familiar with these

Typically lights not made for reefing usually are either the wrong spectrum, have low par values, or some combination of both. It is very difficult to tell the actual par values of a light by using your eyes alone, and most non reefing lights are probably not going to have information for you on how they perform in the application you are looking to use them for.

Well I'm just familiar in the physics of those.. It is frankly unlikely to get the equiv # of photons out of an 8W led vs a 24W t5 with decent reflectors. Now 2 vs 1 probably.

 

[Spare time]

LED lights just seem abit more expensive. Im planning on making a 4 foot tank, where 2 LED fixtures would be needed. Thats why Im looking into 4 foot T5s. Just getting confused if I can buy generic blue and white T5 fluorescent bulbs or not

If the t5 is cheaper and hanging the light isn't an issue, then it sounds like that would be your best option. I would stick to t5's specifically made for reef tanks, as you will be guaranteed success.

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

LED lights just seem abit more expensive. Im planning on making a 4 foot tank, where 2 LED fixtures would be needed. Thats why Im looking into 4 foot T5s. Just getting confused if I can buy generic blue and white T5 fluorescent bulbs or not

Unfortunately, this entire hobby is expensive. Buying generic bulbs will likely result in more algae and dying corals. Depending on what coral you want to keep, there are some modestly priced LED bars (like Beamswork for example) that could work for a soft coral tank...

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

Do a search on R2R for "budget lighting". Lots of good ideas already out there. Hopefully you can find one that works for you

 

[Tamberav]

LED lights just seem abit more expensive. Im planning on making a 4 foot tank, where 2 LED fixtures would be needed. Thats why Im looking into 4 foot T5s. Just getting confused if I can buy generic blue and white T5 fluorescent bulbs or not

you can do budget led. Two smatfarm on Amazon would do it.

 

[Spare time]

you can do budget led. Two smatfarm on Amazon would do it.

Those, nicrew, or led bars like orphek or quanta are great for the price. I'm not sure though how much these are in the op's country or their availability there