T5 Lighting

[lorenz0]

K guys so here are some numbers from my T5HO TEK (bulbs are 10,000k; fiji purple; 10,000k; fiji purple; 10,000k; reef blue. all bulbs are aqua science. I measured first at my sand bed, than top of the rocks (which is mid tank) than surface reading. Measure used was a milwaukee smark luxmeter sm700 on the 20000/50000 x 100lux setting. Tank is 16" deep and the light is 3-4 inches away from the surface.













Also for fun, my 20" NEP using stock current bulbs (3 10,000k; 3 aticnic's). One reading at surface and the other is the sand bed.

[lorenz0]

K so now comparing against 2x250watt MH using luxmax 3 with 14,000k ushio bulbs. I didn't go all the way down but this is just to show. still started at surface reading, than about 8 inches down, than 16 inches down... about. Same settings and both tanks have had the lights on for over an hour and a half.

Surface readings




8 inches down readings





16 inches down readings





Now the whole point to me doing this test was not to compare which was better but everyone knows that a good 250watt MH set up will be able to grow SPS easily. Now this shows that a good T5 set up does compare to it with close numbers. Sadly i wish t5's had the shimmer

[FlamesFan]

The end result is that both MH and T5 are great and are equal options for reefers. Some major differences between the two are heat output, color options, price of unit/bulbs, and power usage. Depending on the options that are more important to you, will decide which route to go

[Trigger Man]

How close to the glass was the meter? We found that the light reflects off of the glass and hence the center of the tank lower down actually had a lower reading when we tested a while back.

Originally Posted by lorenz0

K so now comparing against 2x250watt MH using luxmax 3 with 14,000k ushio bulbs. I didn't go all the way down but this is just to show. still started at surface reading, than about 8 inches down, than 16 inches down... about. Same settings and both tanks have had the lights on for over an hour and a half.

Surface readings




8 inches down readings





16 inches down readings





Now the whole point to me doing this test was not to compare which was better but everyone knows that a good 250watt MH set up will be able to grow SPS easily. Now this shows that a good T5 set up does compare to it with close numbers. Sadly i wish t5's had the shimmer

[lorenz0]

those lower tests were done about 1/3 the width of the tank for the lower tests

I can see what your talking about though

[digital-audiophile]

Its so nice to see those pictures. A little vindication for us T5 guys that take so much flak.