T5 lamp choices

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palaeodave
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T5 lamp choices

Post by palaeodave » Tue Dec 22, 2009 3:29 pm

Hey everyone. I've just been bought an Arcadia I Bar T5 light unit (with reflectors) for Christmas, so now I'm left with which lamps to get. I dearly wish Hagen did T5 versions of the FloraGlo and AquaGlo lamps at this size (it's going on a Rio180), as I really like the combined colour they give. (I hate their sunshine light, by contrast.)

So, I'm down to considering whether to go with Arcadia lamps or with these things:

http://www.zooplus.co.uk/shop/fish/tech ... ting/81509

http://www.zooplus.co.uk/shop/fish/tech ... 81506#more

My question is, does anyone know if the claims of 10,000 light hours and reduced algae growth come even close to the truth? I can't find much by way of helpful reviews on these so I was hoping you all could help me out.

Alternatively I could just go with these:

http://www.aquatics-online.co.uk/catalo ... ghting.asp
"Science is a lot like sex. Sometimes something useful comes of it, but that’s not the reason we’re doing it" ー R Feynman

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Bully
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Post by Bully » Tue Dec 22, 2009 4:34 pm

If you want to save some serious cash then take a look at the following article:

Linear HO T5 Lighting On The Cheap

The website being referred to is:

http://www.lampspecs.co.uk/Light-Bulbs- ... es-14W-80W

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palaeodave
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Post by palaeodave » Tue Dec 22, 2009 6:11 pm

That could potentially halve the cost of bulbs. Will consider that.
"Science is a lot like sex. Sometimes something useful comes of it, but that’s not the reason we’re doing it" ー R Feynman

wasserscheu
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Post by wasserscheu » Tue Dec 22, 2009 7:16 pm

I use lamps from the hardware store, Osram (the 20% more output ones, a bit more expensive), that is fully sufficient for plants like echi's, they lift my lid of, more than enough growth.

Color wise, the 8xx series make light with 3 frequences. 827 = "piss-yellow" (but I like that, makes a very relaxed mood), and higher numbers for cooler white. Once cooler, I'd go very cool, "half warm or half cool" tends to turn out harsh (dirty looking).

The 9xx (like 965) are full frequenzy and produce true color light and give the best (truest) colors. But the light output (lumen) is a bit less.

I personally did not see the need for specialized lamps, not for echis, cypto's and such. I would trust only specialized lamps, once understanding the frequenzy portion that is responsible for photosyntheses, all algea grow and similar advertising, I find are often more speculations than facts, there are even examples of actually reversed effects.

Me also prefers the HE (versus HO) lamps, as I get more lumen/watt.

Some people mix, the cooler to the front, the warmer lamp to the rear and claim to obtain more 3D imaging of their tanks, that way.

Enjoy the new light.
Wolfram

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Bully
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Post by Bully » Wed Dec 23, 2009 4:56 am

I use 2 39w Osram 865's on my main tank and the colour is slightly on the yellow side compared to "specialist" lamps but, I prefer the colour, especially as the cost is at least 1/3 of what it would cost me for specialist lamps :P I actually want to grow algae in my tank and so I don't worry about managing it too much. Claims of suppressing algae growth are possibly spurious in my opinion. One thing I am certain of, if you increase the light output into the tank (regardless of spectrum) you are going to increase algae growth. If your tank is heavily planted you will need to increase the level of ferts and carbon source so that the plants will be able out-compete the algae, much of this can becomes trial and error whilst you find the right balance for your tank. If your tank is sparsely planted you may want to add a load of floating plants to reduce the light levels into the tank.

Here's another website that's recommended on the UKAPS.org website:

http://www.lightbulbs2u.com/product_details_144.htm

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