T5NO T5HO question

dski13 · 11-01-2012, 01:39 PM

I am new to planted tanks and have question on the difference between T5HO and T5NO. If I start out with a T5NO fixture can I put T5HO bulbs in later if I decide I want to increase the light or are the fixtures different? Background info: I am setting up a 20 gallon Tall as a low tech planted tank. I am researching what lights to purchase for it.

Thanks.

Merth · 11-01-2012, 02:12 PM

There has been some discussion on this before. The conclusions are low teck NO bulbs are better option as HO may require CO2 or become algae farms. Depending on fixture the HO bulbs (upgrade later) may not fit, may not fire, may wear out the ballast quicker as they require more power to light, may not operate at full strength. In other words alot of maybes. Best option if you are going to go with low tech would be the NO fixture and if you want more light later thean just upgrade the whole fixture. Or go with the HO now and raise the fixture up for the time being.

mach_six · 11-01-2012, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dski13

I am new to planted tanks and have question on the difference between T5HO and T5NO. If I start out with a T5NO fixture can I put T5HO bulbs in later if I decide I want to increase the light or are the fixtures different? Background info: I am setting up a 20 gallon Tall as a low tech planted tank. I am researching what lights to purchase for it.

Thanks.

No, T5HO runs at a higher wattage which a T5NO ballast wouldn't be able to drive.

I use 3x 23w CFL spiral bulbs in a 2 dual reptile dome lights and it's plenty of light for a 55G. One has a 9W (3x3W) LED bulb.

dbosman@msu.edu · 11-01-2012, 04:45 PM

I keep only T5HO lamps on hand. They work in my T5HO and T5NO fixtures. An electronic ballast effectively reads the electical characteristics of the lamp and outputs accordingly.

I recommend your local hydroponics store for daylight T5HO lamps. Pricing is great as they deal in volume a pet or fish store can never achieve.

**Hoppy** · 11-01-2012, 06:28 PM

Someone with a T5HO or T5NO light fixture, and a PAR meter, can easily settle this question. Until that happens it is largely a guess as to whether any given light fixture will run NO and HO bulbs at different wattages.

dski13 · 11-01-2012, 07:02 PM

Thanks for the input. I did not think to check out a hydroponics store for lights that is a great idea. Since I am going or Low Tech I will try out the T5NO lights for now.

11-01-2012, 01:39 PM	#1
dski13 Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 70	T5NO T5HO question I am new to planted tanks and have question on the difference between T5HO and T5NO. If I start out with a T5NO fixture can I put T5HO bulbs in later if I decide I want to increase the light or are the fixtures different? Background info: I am setting up a 20 gallon Tall as a low tech planted tank. I am researching what lights to purchase for it. Thanks.

11-01-2012, 06:28 PM	#5
Hoppy Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (53/100%) Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 17,208	Someone with a T5HO or T5NO light fixture, and a PAR meter, can easily settle this question. Until that happens it is largely a guess as to whether any given light fixture will run NO and HO bulbs at different wattages. __________________ Hoppy

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11-01-2012, 02:12 PM	#2
Merth Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (11/100%) Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Denham Springs, La Posts: 577	There has been some discussion on this before. The conclusions are low teck NO bulbs are better option as HO may require CO2 or become algae farms. Depending on fixture the HO bulbs (upgrade later) may not fit, may not fire, may wear out the ballast quicker as they require more power to light, may not operate at full strength. In other words alot of maybes. Best option if you are going to go with low tech would be the NO fixture and if you want more light later thean just upgrade the whole fixture. Or go with the HO now and raise the fixture up for the time being.

11-01-2012, 04:45 PM	#4
dbosman@msu.edu Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (16/100%) Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: East Lansing, MI, USA Posts: 2,710	I keep only T5HO lamps on hand. They work in my T5HO and T5NO fixtures. An electronic ballast effectively reads the electical characteristics of the lamp and outputs accordingly. I recommend your local hydroponics store for daylight T5HO lamps. Pricing is great as they deal in volume a pet or fish store can never achieve.

11-01-2012, 07:02 PM	#6
dski13 Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 70	Thanks for the input. I did not think to check out a hydroponics store for lights that is a great idea. Since I am going or Low Tech I will try out the T5NO lights for now.