More fuel for the T5 fire - Page 2

Zylumn · #1 04-01-2008, 05:25 AM

Photoperiod
10 am to 12 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Myka

Uh...I think they made a boo boo. I'm sure the tank is lit for 12 hours, not 2.

10 fingers and 4 toes = 14 hours

That is a long time to keep lights on.
Kevin

Der_Iron_Chef · #2 04-01-2008, 05:29 AM

By the looks of it, buddy boy wasn't too concerned with pinching pennies. I'm sure he found what he liked most and said, "I'll take two."

Delphinus · #3 04-01-2008, 06:00 AM

Hmmmm...

Don't get me wrong, I like T5's ... but they are a tool to achieve an end, not a end in themselves. So why bother even debate about what's better? You might as well debate whether an apple is better or an orange is better. The bottom line is an apple is better to make apple juice and an orange is better to make orange juice.

I think Myka hit the nail right on the head. T5's are great, but they aren't "really madly truly" an economical alternative to halides. The lamps are cheaper but you have more of them and you need to replace them more often. I doubt that you really even get substantially less heat overall (it might be better directed though).

To me the choice for lighting should be about the size and shape of the area you wish to cover, and basically what floats your boat better.

I like both halides and T5's. I have tanks with both.

I wouldn't say one really has an edge out over the other. I like the slimline low profile the T5 fixture I use has, but I don't like that in 3 months of use that I can perceive that the lights are already dimmer. I like how my halides last 12 to 18 months before I perceive a shift, but I don't like that I have to spend $80 to $120 to replace them when I DO have to replace them.

So in short, I think T5's both rule and suck, and I think halides both rule and suck.

Myka · #4 04-01-2008, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zylumn

Photoperiod
10 am to 12 pm

10 fingers and 4 toes = 14 hours

That is a long time to keep lights on.
Kevin

Bahahaha!!! Wow...excellent mathematical skills on my part! 12 pm is noon though. 12 am is midnight. I'm sure that the article means his lights are on from 10 am to midnight...which yes, would be 14 hours, not 12.

Aquattro · #5 04-01-2008, 02:58 PM

You NEED metal halide. I'm just sayin'.....

Der_Iron_Chef · #6 04-01-2008, 01:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by untamed

I don't care about the lighting...I'm going to research that skimmer....

I think Albert owned one of those skimmers. Ditched it for a Bubble King