T5 bulbs are impossible to find!

[GrammyStrock]

I have read a few articles indicating T5 T8 bulbs are soon to be no more due to restrictions on fluorescent bulbs. I feel like I have searches the internet 2x looking for 30” bulbs. What is felt to be best alternative to T5 that is at a reasonable price point? Thanks to all

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

I have read a few articles indicating T5 T8 bulbs are soon to be no more due to restrictions on fluorescent bulbs. I feel like I have searches the internet 2x looking for 30” bulbs. What is felt to be best alternative to T5 that is at a reasonable price point? Thanks to all

Did you mean 36" bulbs? 30" isn't a very common hobby-specific size IME.

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

I see 24, 36, 48, and 60" bulbs in various color spectrums available on multiple sites...

 

[fish farmer]

Did you mean 36" bulbs? 30" isn't a very common hobby-specific size IME.

I used to have an old fixture that took 30 inch bulbs. They were triton 50/50 25 watt, I could only find them in one catalog and then they went away.

 

[E.J.]

I've had no problem finding traditionally sized bulbs for my ATI fixture. In fact, I just installed a new set of 54 watt T5s from Premium Aquatics. I've never come across 30w T5s. According to ATI, they will not be slowing down production of T5 bulbs anytime soon as the ban only applies to general use fluorescent bulbs, not specialty bulbs for the aquarium and hydroponics industries.

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

I've had no problem finding traditionally sized bulbs for my ATI fixture. In fact, I just installed a new set of 54 watt T5s from Premium Aquatics. I've never come across 30w T5s. According to ATI, they will not be slowing down production of T5 bulbs anytime soon as the ban only applies to general use fluorescent bulbs, not specialty bulbs for the aquarium and hydroponics industries.

Exactly. I found this yesterday regarding Canada's ban and it specifically excludes aquarium bulbs.

https://inside.lighting/news/24-06/canada-fluorescent-light-bulb-ban-dates
"Spectrum-Specific Lamps: Certain lamps designed to emit specific wavelengths of light, such as those used in aquarium lighting or plant growth, are exempt. These lamps are essential for applications that require specific light spectra for the health and growth of plants or aquatic life."

 

[ChrisfromBrick]

So- just to reiterate- T5 bulbs/fixtures are not going anywhere? When I set up my 85g I want to do an aquatic life.

 

[rtparty]

T5s and other fluorescent bulbs have been banned in the EU. It’s a slow rollout and I was told some of the last runs have already happened. Of course, these companies could just move production to other countries. I have no idea if they’re doing that though

LEDs are more than proven at this point and will be the focus for every industry going forward

 

[ChrisfromBrick]

T5s and other fluorescent bulbs have been banned in the EU. It’s a slow rollout and I was told some of the last runs have already happened. Of course, these companies could just move production to other countries. I have no idea if they’re doing that though

LEDs are more than proven at this point and will be the focus for every industry going forward

I am running a quanta bar in blue plus and while nice for fill and pop, I am not convinced it puts out as much PAR as the ATI sunpower, for example that I ran. T5 will always have a place in my heart.

 

[Daz_1978]

The T12 lamps stopped being manufactured back in 2012 in the US (I believe)... It was only a matter of time before the T8 follows, and then the T5. My grandkids won't know what a fluorescent light is, kind of like cursive writing.
LED is replacing everything... until the next big thing.

Even though I haven't used it in 15 years... I just threw away my old VHO T12 light hood.

 

[rtparty]

I am running a quanta bar in blue plus and while nice for fill and pop, I am not convinced it puts out as much PAR as the ATI sunpower, for example that I ran. T5 will always have a place in my heart.

I get it.

I love T5 and spent years running, testing, and helping other with them over on RC. I have also come to find they don't do anything that a good LED can't. The newer panel LEDs and LED bars like the Blade spread just as well and put out more PAR than we ever need

 

[JayM]

I have read a few articles indicating T5 T8 bulbs are soon to be no more due to restrictions on fluorescent bulbs. I feel like I have searches the internet 2x looking for 30” bulbs. What is felt to be best alternative to T5 that is at a reasonable price point? Thanks to all

I Googled "30" T5 bulbs" and this was the 2nd result.

 

[ChrisfromBrick]

I get it.

I love T5 and spent years running, testing, and helping other with them over on RC. I have also come to find they don't do anything that a good LED can't. The newer panel LEDs and LED bars like the Blade spread just as well and put out more PAR than we ever need

So in terms of spread that mimmicks a t5, what would you consider the closest thing? The blade? An orphek or quanta?

 

[rtparty]

So in terms of spread that mimmicks a t5, what would you consider the closest thing? The blade? An orphek or quanta?

The Blade is my favorite LED bar

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

The T12 lamps stopped being manufactured back in 2012 in the US (I believe)... It was only a matter of time before the T8 follows, and then the T5. My grandkids won't know what a fluorescent light is, kind of like cursive writing.
LED is replacing everything... until the next big thing.

Even though I haven't used it in 15 years... I just threw away my old VHO T12 light hood.

T12's are still sold.

 

[Daz_1978]

T12's are still sold.

Sold, yes. Manufactured, no. If someone does still make them, it's a very small group.

 

[ChiCity]

I get it.

I love T5 and spent years running, testing, and helping other with them over on RC. I have also come to find they don't do anything that a good LED can't. The newer panel LEDs and LED bars like the Blade spread just as well and put out more PAR than we ever need

t5’s were what led’s were trying to emulate
when led’s first popped up in the hobby 15 years ago.

they’ve (led) come a long way
they still don’t match the blanket coverage of t5
or grow acans as colorfully
imo

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

Sold, yes. Manufactured, no. If someone does still make them, it's a very small group.

My point is, even though they stopped being manufactured over 10 yrs ago, you can still get them. T5's are not going extinct anytime soon.

 

[ChrisfromBrick]

I Googled "30" T5 bulbs" and this was the 2nd result.

they are everywhere. Just not in 30” size