Just wondering if any of you still prefer a basic T8 fixture to LED. If so, what do you like about T8?
I'm hoping not to get a bunch of replies saying, "no, I prefer LED," or a debate about the two technologies. I'm simply hoping to hear from the T8 fans.
I use T8s on all my tanks . I can get bulbs cheap online and they grow everything I have . I just use 6500k regular bulbs . I would like to get LED for the energy savings if nothing else , but just can not justify the cost right now . Too many other goodies I can buy as long as the T8s are working....lol I have mine in canopies and heat can be an issue . It is no problem on my 75 and 30 long but I have a weird shaped 25 that I had to add a PC fan to keep it at correct temp .
Did anyone try the new LED linear T8 bulbs? I saw some in the Orange Box hardware store this week for less than $7 each. 17 watts each. 5000k.
I could not find any wavelength output charts on these.
Quite a few T8 shop lights running in my fish room....they do a wonderful job growing lower light plants. Honestly I have seen better results "downgrading" to t8. For most folks not on a strict dosing and CO2 regimen IMO T8s are a better choice. I run 3xT8s on 75G tanks, 2xT8s on 55G tanks.
I use some T8 but overall it is very much a variety of what seems to work better here or there and I do not find enough value in LED to switch at this point. I find them to still be evolving and that often takes years to settle out. Meanwhile I can find lots of value in the "rejected" T8 fixtures! To cut the heating in the tank, I do move the ballast out of the fixture and place it on the rear of the canopy so that the heat goes into the room rather than the tank. But for the electrical usage, it takes a long time for a T8 to use enough more than a new LED fixture when comparing upfront as well as routine running cost. I'm not sure I get as wide spectrum on LED as I do on tube lights and plants do use a range of spectrum which LED may not do so well.
No precise measurements, just what I see in my tanks.
I can't move to LED because I'm also keeping what my username suggests. They like to bask so the lights need to give out heat and uv. In other words I want the lights to be inefficient.
For a plant only tank, I can't see why you wouldn't use LEDs.
I do not find value enough in LED at this point so I have not looked very hard but have you checked the wavelength/spectrum of the LED you are considering. It would be my assumption that they might create a far more limited spectrum when only one type LED is used. That makes the plant designed fixtures use several types/colors of LED to get a better spread which the plants find in nature. I would expect a strip light at $7 to be a very limited range.
No facts, just theory and theory is often proven wrong.
Wow, that is a really good bit of research jeffkrol. For me I don't think it's worth all that complexity and setup cost for a fairly modest saving in running cost but it would be a really interesting thing to do if I had the time and the faith in my diy skill.
I just got some T8 free fixtures but haven't hung them yet. I like the LED because a 36" fixture will put out twice as much light as 2 36" standard T8's. Specifically Finnex Planted + and/or 24/7 (have both) but the new T5 HO single 36" beats them for output and also uses 39 watts vs the @25? Watts for the Finnex. I also think that it's too bright and look forward to trying the oldies with 5000k bulbs. On jack claim for easy height adjustment (basement tank so aesthetics don't matter as much)
I meant jack chain. And on another note light related, I am new to the PT. I found the post about Overdriven Fluorescent Bulbs. Cheap and powerful lights for the non showcase tanks. Awesome information indeed!
I know this thread has been down for a month, but what brand T8 do you guys find to be the most economical for your needs? I absolutely have to replace the stock T8 in my tank that has turned everything pink.
Not my wheelhouse but many like GE starcoat tubes...
Found t8 4100K for like $2.50 32W
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