T5 lights.

[mansiz]

I ask my LFS about the price of a T5 light, and he said that it cost only $40++. I mean just the hood, no T5 light tube, is it too cheap? Or the price is like that? I look through online shop and all is around $400++ (also just hood). Some much difference? But one thing different is that this can only put two light tube, but online shop one can put 4.

[BarraCuda™]

T5 eballast comes with warm start function which will preheat the T5 before igniting it. That will reduce the chances of the ends of the T5 being black and prolong the life of the tube.

Such ballasts are often expensive, cost around $50 for a 2x39watts.

There are 2 kinds of T5 out there, the normal output (NO) and the high output (HO). HO T5s are much more expensive and brighter than NO, they also have a higher wattage requirement for the same length.


Typical HO T5 wattage

2ft - 24watts
3ft - 39watts

Check the wattage of the hood, if its anything lesser than the above, it cannot be used for a HO T5

[mansiz]

Typical HO T5 wattage
2ft - 24watts
3ft - 39watts
Check the wattage of the hood, if its anything lesser than the above, it cannot be used for a HO T5

Hmm you mean when I purchase the hood, there will have a wattage indication on the hood? Hmm then what about the light tube? What should I look out for when I purchase? How many wattage for light tubes if I purchased a 24 watt hood? For a two feet tank, is two T5 tubes enough? I have an anemone, an alvoepora, a mushroom (green disc anemone), a purple sponge.

[BarraCuda™]

There may not be any indication of wattage on the hood, you will have to check the wattage on the T5 tubes its originally used for.

A true HO T5 will have 24watts for a 2ft tube. 2x24watts for a normal 2ft tank is more than enough for yr requirement.

[mansiz]

I asked the LFS owner, he said the wattage is 18 watt. Is 18 watt considered as high output or normal output? Is 2 x 18 watt t5 tube enough for a two feet tank?

[KaLiB]

2x18W is good enough for FOWLR or fish only. Not good for reef tanks.

18W should be just normal output and not high output. It should be 24W if its high output.

[mansiz]

Any bro/sis can tell me where to get cheap T5 light hood plus tubes? Iwant a 2 feet length, which can place 2 x 24 wattage tubes, and hope that its as cheap as possible. And the shop must be in SG, thanks for any reply. :D I checked online shop, and it cost $400++, wow, too expensive le.

[retroboi87]

Any bro/sis can tell me where to get cheap T5 light hood plus tubes? Iwant a 2 feet length, which can place 2 x 24 wattage tubes, and hope that its as cheap as possible. And the shop must be in SG, thanks for any reply. :D I checked online shop, and it cost $400++, wow, too expensive le.

T5 light is basically used for corals?

[KaLiB]

Yup. T5s are suitable for most corals.

[shoakoua]

Alot of knowledge and attention needed if you are keeping corals...I am switching to Fish-Only soon...keke so bye-bye to T5/MH lights.

[mansiz]

Is there T8 lights that are high output? Since mine is just 15 watt, is there T8 lights that are 24 watt?

[nim75sg]

T8 lights are normally fluorescent light tube and there're no high output like those of T5. There is a 25W T8 tube available.

However, there are T5 llights just for freshwater fishes available and the cost is about $45 per tube depending on the tube length.