T6 Lighting for Planted Tank

FreakIndeed

FreakIndeed

Yo yo yo!
Oct 7, 2006
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Columbus, OH
I've been seeing quite a bit about this so called "T6" lighting lately. I'm getting ready to setup a pretty deep (30") planted tank and was wondering if anyone has any experience with T6 and how it compares to T5 (what I originally planned to go with).

Thanks!
 
T5 will be more focused and intense. (Less restrike.) But it requires a T5 fixture.


The T6 lamps (Quantum as i recall) are marketed more for use as a means of getting the more focused (lower "T") light in fixtures that normally use T8 or T10 bulbs.

The idea is that they would improve the overall light output in non- T5 fixtures. It's like breathing new life into tired old technology. Maybe comparable to S-VHS?

I haven't tried them yet but I plan to when i revitalize one of my tanks that has only NO fluorescent lighting.
 
I've used the T6 Aqua Flora Plus (yes, by Quantum). Its suppose to give you similar to T5 efficiency while going into a standard fluorescent fixture (shoplight, T8, T10, T12). The slimmer profile will let some more light pass with less restrike but I think the biggest difference is the actual output versus power draw due to the smaller bulb diameter. I dont have any actual data though, sorry. But one thing I have wondered is you could probably add an optimal reflector like an IceCap SLR for T5's since its only 1/8" wider the clips should probably just bend a little more. Perhaps I should try that, give me a few days...

And I even considered doing this for my big tank, but to be honest it wasn't worth it. The bulbs weren't any cheaper then T5HO, I'd be using the same reflectors for either, so the only difference in cost is the ballast (which could be little or a lot depending on which you buy). I just switched over to T5HO for the new tank.
 
Alright, very interesting. I really appreciate the responses. I didn't realize the T6's worked in standard NO fixtures. I thought it was a whole new technology. Thanks again, I think I'm going to stick with the T5 lighting as the tank I'm planting is pretty deep.
 
I bought a T-6 fixture on Ebay. The housing is exactly the same as a coralife t-5 housing only difference I have found between it and a t-5 fixture is the endcaps and the bulbs. Even the reflector is a T-5 that the clips are stretched on. Biggest issue seems to be finding T-6 bulbs only place I can find them is online from the same supplier that I got the fixture from.
 
anyone know if they have reflectors that i can stick in so the light on the top of the bulb would reflect down. That would really make the bulb more efficient?
 
would this work with my regular crappy aga hood on my tank? it's only a 10 gallon 20in hood so im not sure if anyone has anything that would fit.
 
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