Aquariums & Reef Tanks: What are the benefits of T5 lighting?
A critical parameter of good coral growth and survival, especially hard corals, is light. With the advent of 15s (which describes the small diameter of the tube – 5/8 and does not indicate the lumen out- put), and correct phosphor blends, it is possible to produce a fluorescent tube which can emit I 0% more light than the equivalent wattage from a metal halide bulb. This is achieved with a 40% reduction in running cost and without the radiant heat problems associated with metal halide lighting. The tubes are significantly less expensive than metal halide bulbs with increased longevity up to I 5,000 hours. The T5 tube is only half the story The narrow diameter of the standard linear T5 tube, allows Sunlight Supply to manufacture a highly efficient reflector. The reflectors gull wing shape, allows light from the back of the tube to be utilized; not reflected back through the tube where to be lost. This is only possible due to the T5s narrow diameter and linear format, which reflects ligh
