T5HO vs compact fluorescent

[Chef]

Can someone tell me the real difference between the actual output of t5ho bulbs and cfls. Let's use a 65w cfl 6700k, what would be the equivilent in a t5ho bulb. I'm trying to maximize light while minimizing heat and energy usage.

Vince

[ssrprelude]

T5HO lighting wattage is dependent on length of bulb. I think a 48" 54w T5HO is better than your 65w CF.

[myjohnson]

Can someone tell me the real difference between the actual output of t5ho bulbs and cfls. Let's use a 65w cfl 6700k, what would be the equivilent in a t5ho bulb. I'm trying to maximize light while minimizing heat and energy usage.

Vince

The advantage that HO t5 has over CF is the shape of the bulb. B/c a t5 bulb is just straight, manufacturer can make independent reflectors for each bulb. The reflectors help keep more light going back into the tank.

If it's a t5 fixture and each bulb has independent reflectors then t5 wins hands down.

[Sea-agg09]

T5 does what you are looking for. When I first started looking into lighting upgrades, I did alot of research on lights. Basically a cfl is 2 standard T8 bulbs. A 65w Cfl is usually in a 24 inch fixture, a similar result from a T5 would be only 48 watts, and that uses 2-24w bulbs. . Most new models of cfl have gone to 2 cfl bulbs for the extra light output. I much prefer T5 to cfl. I have a single-bulb 36" cfl on my 30 gallon, and a dual-bulb T5 on my 55. The lighting from the T5 is much better, and the heat is much less to boot.

[cichlid1409]

24 watt t5 = 2000 lumens
54 watt t-5 = 5000 lumens
65 watt cfl = ~4200 lumens

[Mzungu]

24 watt t5 = 2000 lumens
54 watt t-5 = 5000 lumens
65 watt cfl = ~4200 lumens

Are those just regular T5s, or T5HOs?

[cichlid1409]

HO

also a 40 watt 48" t8 = 2500 lumens

[myjohnson]

We need par readings in a actual tank.

Lumens doesn't mean that much.

[jhenry]

t5ho hands down is the clear winner in my eyes. and in the growth of my corals. like MJ said they can reflect more light than cfs and that is where it's at the reflectors really make all the difference.

[jhenry]

and one more thing the t5hos put out alot less heat i've got a Coralife 96w 36inch single bulb cf fixture that puts out so much more heat than my 48inch wavepoint t5ho four bulb fixture does