LED to replace T5

[Faria]

Over the phone, while ordering parts

I've sent ATI North America an e-mail and the reply was similar to yours ("I do not have a timeline however we have been told at this point there is no concerns. It is possible particular color/size combinations would possibly be discontinued due to lacking sales, but there is no end in sight for the bulk of the options" and "From everything I heard 3-4 years would be no problem, particularly if you have a 48" fixture which is by far the most popular").

It seems from what they've told me that they are almost as clueless as us. I ended up sending ATI Aquaristik an e-mail and I'm currently waiting for their reply.

 

[oreo54]

what’s really messed up is that while i am stocked up on bulbs…
their (dimmable) ballast prices are a straight up racket!

Hmm.. not sure that is fair...

F28T5 - 28 Watt - T5 - High Efficiency - Fluorescent | 1000Bulbs.com

Find 28-Watt T5 high efficiency fluorescents in stock now at 1000Bulbs.com. We carry a wide selection of T5, T8, and T12 fluorescent tubes!

www.1000bulbs.com

Not sure i these are equiv.. I don't speek ballast... but the ATI price seems in the retail ballpark for dim-able ballasts

 

[oreo54]

I've sent ATI North America an e-mail and the reply was similar to yours ("I do not have a timeline however we have been told at this point there is no concerns. It is possible particular color/size combinations would possibly be discontinued due to lacking sales, but there is no end in sight for the bulk of the options" and "From everything I heard 3-4 years would be no problem, particularly if you have a 48" fixture which is by far the most popular").

It seems from what they've told me that they are almost as clueless as us. I ended up sending ATI Aquaristik an e-mail and I'm currently waiting for their reply.

It won't be up to ATI but to the bulb manuf... that's why its all a guess.
If its profitable (or as is REALLY the case, profitable enough) bulbs will be made.

If one looks at Calif. t5 restrictions there is a carve out for bulbs that have a high percentage of "blue".
In other words actinic tubes are fine 6500k daylights are not..

And things like UV lamps are exempted.

 

[Faria]

It won't be up to ATI but to the bulb manuf... that's why its all a guess.
If its profitable (or as is REALLY the case, profitable enough) bulbs will be made.

If one looks at Calif. t5 restrictions there is a carve out for bulbs that have a high percentage of "blue".
In other words actinic tubes are fine 6500k daylights are not..

And things like UV lamps are exempted.

I agree with you, Oreo. However, let's say that their reply is "the contract has been renewed" or "will be renewed". That for me would be enough!

 

[ChiCity]

to be honest, we all should really switch over lol…

but i swear, i can keep acans colors true under t5,
they keep their intricate patterns too.
whereas, under led, they tend to just become one dominant color, which is usually red or orange.
for this reason alone, i’ve stocked up on years worth of t5 bulbs!

 

[ChiCity]

just a headsup for any of yous looking to stock up
giesemann t5 bulbs are half off at coralvue’s outlet/parts site… they’re liquidating inventory.

basically $10 a bulb for the two footers on up…
which is a crazy good deal!

Giesemann PowerChrome T5 Bulbs - Mix and Match 10 Pack (CLOSEOUT)

Mix and match your favorite Giesemann PowerChrome T5 Bulbs.

store.coralvue.com

 

[BZOFIQ]

just a headsup for any of yous looking to stock up
giesemann t5 bulbs are half off at coralvue’s outlet/parts site… they’re liquidating inventory.

basically $10 a bulb for the two footers on up…
which is a crazy good deal!

Giesemann PowerChrome T5 Bulbs - Mix and Match 10 Pack (CLOSEOUT)

Mix and match your favorite Giesemann PowerChrome T5 Bulbs.

store.coralvue.com

CoralVue has been pushing that for a year or so. I remember taking advantage of that deal.

 

[bobnicaragua]

just a headsup for any of yous looking to stock up
giesemann t5 bulbs are half off at coralvue’s outlet/parts site… they’re liquidating inventory.

basically $10 a bulb for the two footers on up…
which is a crazy good deal!

Giesemann PowerChrome T5 Bulbs - Mix and Match 10 Pack (CLOSEOUT)

Mix and match your favorite Giesemann PowerChrome T5 Bulbs.

store.coralvue.com

I just ordered 10 bulbs!

 

[ChiCity]

^
glad to have put you onto the deal

 

[reef’r]

dang this thread for making me buy more t5 bulbs

 

[ChiCity]

lol, i felt like a doomsayer buying up so many t5’s…
but hey, better safe than sorry.

reef led’s were designed to mimic t5,
that’s the basis for nearly every model sold.
but they (still) just don’t come close enough to the output of quality t5’s imo…
so here i am
buying up dozens and dozens of bulbs!

 

[BZOFIQ]

lol, i felt like a doomsayer buying up so many t5’s…
but hey, better safe than sorry.

reef led’s were designed to mimic t5,
that’s the basis for nearly every model sold.
but they (still) just don’t come close enough to the output of quality t5’s imo…
so here i am
buying up dozens and dozens of bulbs!

This with the fact that they should be changed every 2 years....we should be good for a while.

BTW, Don't forget to break your bulbs in if you use a dimmable ballast.

 

[piotr_r]

I was just wondering about buying an ATI sunpower 8x80 since my LED lights are old, when I ecoutered an add in my mailbox stating that all light tubes in the EU are about to be phased out!

I remember back in the day I had best growth with a DIY T5 fixture. Plus the cost of 4 quality LED lights for a 220 gal/840 liter tank is prohibitive. I'm wondering what I should do now? Buy a T5 fixture and stock on bulbs or go with chinese LEDs? Both options seem not optimal.

 

[Faria]

I was just wondering about buying an ATI sunpower 8x80 since my LED lights are old, when I ecoutered an add in my mailbox stating that all light tubes in the EU are about to be phased out!

I remember back in the day I had best growth with a DIY T5 fixture. Plus the cost of 4 quality LED lights for a 220 gal/840 liter tank is prohibitive. I'm wondering what I should do now? Buy a T5 fixture and stock on bulbs or go with chinese LEDs? Both options seem not optimal.

Residential/Commercial bulbs was phased out. There will be exceptions as in the pet industry/medicine. However, since the bulk of the production refers to residential/commercial bulbs, it's very likely that the cost of production for the remaining bulbs will be higher in the next few years.

At least that's what people have told me.

Could you share the e-mail content?

 

[reef’r]

I was just wondering about buying an ATI sunpower 8x80 since my LED lights are old, when I ecoutered an add in my mailbox stating that all light tubes in the EU are about to be phased out!

I remember back in the day I had best growth with a DIY T5 fixture. Plus the cost of 4 quality LED lights for a 220 gal/840 liter tank is prohibitive. I'm wondering what I should do now? Buy a T5 fixture and stock on bulbs or go with chinese LEDs? Both options seem not optimal.

well most people are running t5 bulbs for at least a year some people 18-24 months so it wouldn’t cost all that much to just buy a few years worth of bulbs over the next couple of months and your set. And a quality t5 fixture would be my choice hands down over a Chinese led but I’m far from an expert

 

[BZOFIQ]

 

[Faria]

well most people are running t5 bulbs for at least a year some people 18-24 months so it wouldn’t cost all that much to just buy a few years worth of bulbs over the next couple of months and your set. And a quality t5 fixture would be my choice hands down over a Chinese led but I’m far from an expert

Some farmers told me they are going to start stocking up in 3-4 years, not really right now. I bought enough bulbs for 4-6 years (39W). I'll probably set up a bigger tank then and LEDs will be better.

 

[piotr_r]

Residential/Commercial bulbs was phased out. There will be exceptions as in the pet industry/medicine. However, since the bulk of the production refers to residential/commercial bulbs, it's very likely that the cost of production for the remaining bulbs will be higher in the next few years.

At least that's what people have told me.

Could you share the e-mail content?

Ok, thanks for the answer. The email was a newsletter from a company selling lighting (not aquarium related). Here is a google translation:

"Goodbye traditional fluorescent lights.
You may have heard that traditional fluorescent lights are about to be phased out? Production has ceased and all stocks are dwindling every day. Unfortunately, this also means that the fluorescent tubes with us at Lamportillallt will disappear... If you want to keep your fluorescent tubes, we recommend that you order today, before our stock runs out!"

 

[GARRIGA]

Seriously considering the Blades as those appear to be close to T5 or VHO from back in my days. Just wish they came in one strip containing the full spectrum similar to a Radion vs having to buy two to mix and match. Although I get that has its value but just adds complexity.

Otherwise panel lights such as ATI Straton. Latter can get pricey and the G6 Radion do have wider reflectors making spread better although not beating out a bunch of Blades spread out covering the entire top

 

[Faria]

An update on my inquiry to ATI Aquaristik:

“It is correct that we will definitely be able to supply the T 5 tubes in the medium term. We have appropriate stocks and a manufacturer who produces the tubes for us. Yes, the Actinic is a color that is in very low demand and will probably no longer be produced.”