treesprite April 20, 2014 Share April 20, 2014 (edited) Has anyone tried using the LED tubes that can be used in place of T5 bulbs? I have a Finnex fixture with 4 T5s plus a strip of actinic LEDs, and a 48"/32 bulb LED fixture angled downward toward the center of the tank (it leans against the Finnex at an angle so the light goes toward the tank center instead of just down, which also keeps the light from escaping out of the Finnex fixture into the room... see below). I am considering replacing 2 of the T5 bulbs with the LED tubes. I would also like suggestions for colors to be used for the LEDs and the T5s when used together. (Mind you, I don't have the money for a new fixture so please don't suggest it). I'm also wondering if anyone knows where to get some kind of reflective film like what is used in the skinny Coralife fixtures. I would like to make something to fit on the LED fixture to fill in the spaces between the LEDs. That way the light from the Finnex on which the LED fixture leans, would be at least a little bit reflected into the tank instead of just blocked from escaping into the room. Thanks for the info. Edited April 20, 2014 by treesprite Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
treesprite April 20, 2014 Author Share April 20, 2014 I found the refelective stuff on the Sunlight Supply website. Maybe if I decide to get it, someone could share it with me, because I don't need $14 worth of it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
treesprite April 22, 2014 Author Share April 22, 2014 Really? When does all of WAMAS completely ignore a post about lighting? Are you punishing me for being scarce lately? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JR-Tanked150 April 22, 2014 Share April 22, 2014 I have never heard of led tubes replacing t-5 bulbs. But would also interested in seeing someone with them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matt April 22, 2014 Share April 22, 2014 Not sure if I totally understand what you're trying to do exactly...perhaps others are in the same boat. However, you can probably find Mylar at a hydroponic or plant store locally Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Djplus1 April 23, 2014 Share April 23, 2014 i'm also confused about what you're trying to do. It seems that you're also referencing a picture that isn't there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trockafella April 23, 2014 Share April 23, 2014 http://orphek.com/new-product-t5t8-led-tubes/ She's referring to these I think. They fit in like a t5 bulb via an adapter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Origami April 23, 2014 Share April 23, 2014 Has anyone tried using the LED tubes that can be used in place of T5 bulbs? I have a Finnex fixture with 4 T5s plus a strip of actinic LEDs, and a 48"/32 bulb LED fixture angled downward toward the center of the tank (it leans against the Finnex at an angle so the light goes toward the tank center instead of just down, which also keeps the light from escaping out of the Finnex fixture into the room... see below). I am considering replacing 2 of the T5 bulbs with the LED tubes. I would also like suggestions for colors to be used for the LEDs and the T5s when used together. (Mind you, I don't have the money for a new fixture so please don't suggest it). I'm also wondering if anyone knows where to get some kind of reflective film like what is used in the skinny Coralife fixtures. I would like to make something to fit on the LED fixture to fill in the spaces between the LEDs. That way the light from the Finnex on which the LED fixture leans, would be at least a little bit reflected into the tank instead of just blocked from escaping into the room. I've not heard of anybody here using those, Forrest. Interesting concept, though. Maybe the reflective film is mylar? Just a guess, but it fits the description that you gave. Really? When does all of WAMAS completely ignore a post about lighting? Are you punishing me for being scarce lately? Ha. Nobody's punishing, I'm sure. The way that you phrased the first post, it probably led to a lot of "no" answers that didn't bother to post. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hopeitlives April 23, 2014 Share April 23, 2014 (edited) About a week ago I saw an add in reef hobbyist magazine for a led t5. I have a mounted fixture and going away from t5 is not currently an option unless I can do an led like you mention. Aquatic marine in Knoxville Tennessee is the only listed retailer who sells them in the u.s. Illumireef t10LED. $115 per bulb. The install is very straight forward just remove the ballast and wire it up. Www.illumireef.us. The page for aquatic marine was published 5/22/13 and there are no reviews. If you go to illumireef you can see the specs. The issue is the t5 pin set is different in size than the t8. You would need to change all your ends to a t8 receiver and then they would work. I spoke to a gentlemen about these bulbs at aquatic marine. They say they have had them in a 1200 gallon tank exclusively for over a year with good results and coral growth. The question would lie in your current hood can the t8 receiver fit? And how many t5 bulbs can you buy for $115? Other than the energy usage equation, for me the t5 I currently have makes sense. The t8 bulb holders run about $19 for a set of 12. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Edited April 23, 2014 by Hopeitlives Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
treesprite April 24, 2014 Author Share April 24, 2014 (edited) http://earthled.com/products/directled-4-foot-led-t5-fluorescent-replacement-tube#.U1jC_lfJ024 http://cooco.manufacturer.globalsources.com/si/6008847380931/pdtl/T5-LED/1079211104/1.2m-T5-Tube-Lights.htm http://www.alibaba.com/showroom/price-led-tube-light-t5.html https://www.slimfluorescent.com/led.php Edited April 24, 2014 by treesprite Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trockafella April 24, 2014 Share April 24, 2014 None of those are really "reef" bulbs. I think you'll be disappointed if you try and run those. They're not very powerful at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Origami April 24, 2014 Share April 24, 2014 None of those are really "reef" bulbs. I think you'll be disappointed if you try and run those. They're not very powerful at all. Agreed. Both temperature and light output (as related to power consumption) indicate that these lamps are intended to replace general purpose fluorescent lighting, not the high output fluorescent lamps typically used in this hobby. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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