T5 vs PL

[VapourMage]

i understand tat T5 lightings are new technology to marine fish keeping but r T5s really better than even PLs for greater light intensity?Cos 1 saw some lights tat come wif T5 like slim tubing but is actually PL tubes(called T4?)

currently using 3 25W FLs for my 2.5ft marine tank,arcardia marine white & blue plus a china brand pink light...but i feel tat the intensity is not enough...thinking of DIY(ing) the lights.. can any1 please advice me on whether to use PL or T5? THANKS!

[KaLiB]

Get T5s if their within your budget. From what i know, they have better light output as compared to PLs. What your tank have?

T4s are not PLs. I used to get confused by that as well. There was a discussion sometime back on T4s i think, try doing a search.

[VapourMage]

T5s r not really very much more ex than PLs,in fact cheaper right.. i had a previous setup which failed and now i m re-doing it..intending to keep soft corals.mushrooms.sea fans and certain corals..

can u tell me more abt T4s if u dun mind...thanks alot..

[KaLiB]

If you DIY, T5s would only cost a little more. But if you buy the hood + tube, it'll cost way more than a PL.

T4s, not very sure so better don't say wait say wrong thing.

[deep_end]

bro KaLiB,

I used to sell T4s in my LFS - they're basically slightly thinner versions of T5s, being exactly 1/2" diameter. However, they were designed more for architectural purposes. Fortunately for me, I know a wee bit more about colour temperatures (ain't the Net great??!! :D ) than the average LFS owner, so I was able to capitalise on this cheap but intense form of lighting.

Visually speaking, a 20W T4 about 23" long is more than twice as intense as a 20W white FL tube, and it only costs about RM15 (less if you shop around) for the tube. You can't stand and look at the tube for more than 5 min., especially with the reflectors.

Unfortunately, their intensity and spectrum change within 4 months, and seldom last beyond 6 months.

PL-Ls can be rated as T5 only in terms of the diameter.


If you DIY, T5s would only cost a little more. But if you buy the hood + tube, it'll cost way more than a PL.

T4s, not very sure so better don't say wait say wrong thing.

[eiki]

If compare a T5 and PL tube of the same wattage, T5 is brighter then PL. Also cooler.

[BarraCuda™]

If compare a T5 and PL tube of the same wattage, T5 is brighter then PL. Also cooler.
Not really true, HO T5 are very hot too.

[mansiz]

Oh T5s are also hot ah....

Then if I don't own a chiller, will 2 x 24 watt T5s lights increase my tank temp greatly? Currently using T8, not too bad on the temp, around 27 DegreeC.

And comparing T5 and T4, which one is better? And which one is cheaper? (purchasing with hood and bulbs for 2 feet tank, 2 x 24 watt)

[KaLiB]

I think fans should be good enough to keep the tank cool when you use T5s.

[coconut3]

anyone have T4 or T5 pic to share. does it use e-ballast? how it works basically?

[ykeng]

I am using a T4 currently, Posted the pic abt 2 months ago in one of the older thread. It is those slim tubes(normally got W/W, W/B or B/B) combination. Its eballast. Wont flicker when switching on the light and the casing arnt hot even when on for a long time.

I think its quite ok for a 2 ft setup. but i only got 1x55w with me. last time, mushroom melted probably due to lack of light intensity. but zoos is doing reasonably well in my tank. Will probably get another tube to form 2x55w.

damage: $30-$35 dollars per tube.
lifespan: 4-6 months.

correct me if i am wrong.

[KaLiB]

Ykeng: Like me i think you are confused over T4s and PLs. :p I also thought PLs were T4s when i saw someone write PL-T4 but they aren't.

PLs are not T4s.
T4s are like T5s, very slim, think T4s are slimmer than T5s. The rest of the differences are covered by deep_end in this thread.

[ykeng]

oh no....so mine is what T4 or PL? blurrrrrrr liao:o
I try to find the old thread and post it here to show u mine light spec

[ykeng]

http://www.arofanatics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=104956&page=3&pp=10

hope u can view the pic. its written there T4-PL

If its not T4, dan y the supplier put a T4 there? or is it just a brand?

thanks bro.

[n_gin]

I am using a T4 currently, Posted the pic abt 2 months ago in one of the older thread. It is those slim tubes(normally got W/W, W/B or B/B) combination. Its eballast. Wont flicker when switching on the light and the casing arnt hot even when on for a long time.

I think its quite ok for a 2 ft setup. but i only got 1x55w with me. last time, mushroom melted probably due to lack of light intensity. but zoos is doing reasonably well in my tank. Will probably get another tube to form 2x55w.

damage: $30-$35 dollars per tube.
lifespan: 4-6 months.

correct me if i am wrong.

hmm.. wanting to get T4 or T5.. since its not the same as PL tubes.. i have PL for my freshwater anyway.

so its $30 to $35 per tube.. if inclusive of casing and all how much does it cost all together?

[ykeng]

i think i am really confused. After that earlier thread few months back, I have this impression T4=PL.
hmmmmm.....think mine is only a PL. correct?

a 1x55w(W/B) PL light for a 2 ft five plan tank.
No wonder my mushroom melted last time.

Amazingly, my zoos are doing well. strange.. think i might replaced it with another similar piece (B/B) combination and a (W/W) piece to simulate both daylight and moonlight. dunno make sense or not leh...

[ryzcris]

Hi bro currently, I have a three feet tank two feet tall... using metal halide...

For lighting... I do not suggest you use too powerful a lamp cos it will only fry your corals... since yours is a two feet tank. I think PL is fine. Your five plan tank I dun think its that tall right. I have one too just for my clownfishes... also using PL. Dun bother about wattage. Power is definitely good but you must assess if the corals you are keeping can tolerate that kind of heat and intensity. I hope that helps. ;)

[coconut3]

a bit confused.. saw a light a acc shop that written with T4-FL/PL. very slim and no ballast required? the thickness of the tube just abt a thumb size. just <$20

[ykeng]

thanks ryzcris.
yeah the five plan tank are those tank which height is not those tall type.
In that case, i shall just stick with the cheap PL light source.

Thanks bro. :D

[dravan]

T4 tubes is basically slimer than PLs.... they look the same i.e both look like two tubes fused together.... but PLs are fatter much fatter.... in my view the t4s are not that good get PLs or t5.... t5 are basically better in terms of tube life n light intensity vs wattage.... there are two types of t5 one is normal type the other HO ( high output ) the high output one is more ex... but its better

[KaLiB]

Well, i can't explain why they put T4-PL there, i have no idea myself.

Here's some pics to clear the confusion once and for all.

Here's what a PL light looks like:
http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=PA&Product_Code=PC40W-10K&Category_Code=PCbulbs

I believe these are the T4s that we're talking about:
http://www.pegasusassociates.com/MicrofluorescentT4.jsp#

[coconut3]

Well, i can't explain why they put T4-PL there, i have no idea myself.

Here's some pics to clear the confusion once and for all.

Here's what a PL light looks like:
http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=PA&Product_Code=PC40W-10K&Category_Code=PCbulbs

I believe these are the T4s that we're talking about:
http://www.pegasusassociates.com/MicrofluorescentT4.jsp#
if that's T4 we r talking abt... it's very cheap.
*scratching my head*
where the hell i saw that selling below $20