dustin0479
Member
LOL. I knew this would be the best way to find it. I have googled EVERYTHING i could think it may be called and till now found nothing.
The T-5 is better it may have 24 less watts but it has a higher PAR value
A T-5 HO bulb will have a higher PAR value when compared to the same wattage PC bulb throught the same water depth. There are many many comparisons and ratings charts out there. On top of that they run cooler and are more energy efficient.Pretty sure this should read "...T-5 should be better as it's likely to have more PAR..." as it would depend wholly on the tubes you put in. No?
In truth, if we can assume we're picking tubes/bulbs with good PAR, then watts actually is a fair number to use - pick your favorite technology (MH/PC/T5/...) from there. We still have to guesstimate the actual watts needed based on the tank depth though. I.e. 5w/gal might be fine for tanks 15" high or less, but a 30" tall tank really should probably have around 10w/gal or even more.
Any good links with recent PAR comparisons on T5 tubes, btw?
-Matt
Ive heard that Halides and T5s dont really have a difference in par. The only difference is the halides produce the ever-so-loves shimmering effect...I love that but yet I have a Nova Pro...It gets the jub done...
Ive heard that Halides and T5s dont really have a difference in par. The only difference is the halides produce the ever-so-loves shimmering effect...I love that but yet I have a Nova Pro...It gets the jub done...
A T-5 HO bulb will have a higher PAR value when compared to the same wattage PC bulb throught the same water depth. There are many many comparisons and ratings charts out there.
Links for any of the many many?
Surfing a "par t5 vs metal halide" Google search I see lots of blanket statements and people "stating beliefs" but not much (zero so far) actual comparisons to look at. T5 vs PC, T5 vs MH and/or T5 vs PC vs MH would cool to see.
Thanks!
-Matt
True that T5's can put out respectable PAR. (I think that's the main point of your post, right?) I think the question of "which is better" has to take into account more than numbers - I'm sure you'd agree.
From what I can discern going beyond the advancedaquarist.com article, T5's do not save heat or power when compared to an otherwise equivalent (in terms of growing coral) MH system.
I know this is just more data, but as far as I can tell, T5's are fine for using, but are still more expensive than Metal Halide.
If ease of use is a factor, MH would have to be judge superior as well - dealing with as few as one bulb/fixture/power connection with MH vs. as many as 8 (or more) with T5 is certainly a difference.