LED Lighting

[Blademan]

Hi I currently have two flourescant tubes in my tank, I would prefer to use LED light tubes, can the originals be changed to T8 or T5 (not sure of the differance ?) LED tubes with the same two pin connection, or is it more complicated than this

[jmf3460]

no they are not interchangeable. LED lights do not take the tubes. Your best bet would be to buy a whole new lighting system if you want LED. I just bought a new system its the Aquatic Life Edge LED lighting system, has 3 different channels, a sunrise/sunset setting, and moonlights. There are tons of led lights out there, marine land single or double brights are good IMO, they just have a simple on off switch. some are much more complicated but convenient. Like mine is totally automated, I never have to touch a thing, and when I go away for a day or so, the fish are not in the dark or light the whole time bc the led's go on and off on timers. check out this manufacturer's video on the one I just bought https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dli3nyALiMQ I got the 48" one. a few other people on here use this one I know Rick on the admin team does, he has a video of it as well that he did.

[Solid]

I think what Blademan is referring to is the LED tubes that replace the florescent tubes. Like these:
http://www.amazon.com/Brightest-Lights-Fluorescent-Replacement-Listed/dp/B0054WAD56/ref=pd_sim__2?ie=UTF8&refRID=1VC4WDXC2V8QBVGY58GA
You could use these in your fixture and they may be brighter than the florescent tubes, but they wont be nearly as bright or as good as buying a LED fixture like the one Jacklyn recommended.

[jmf3460]

well holy smokes, I didn't even know they made those, that's awesome.

[Solid]

T8 or T5 (not sure of the differance ?)
T5 are much smaller diameter than T8s. T5 are 5/8" of an inch and T8s are 8/8" (one lol) inch diameter.

[Blademan]

I think what Blademan is referring to is the LED tubes that replace the florescent tubes. Like these:
http://www.amazon.com/Brightest-Lights-Fluorescent-Replacement-Listed/dp/B0054WAD56/ref=pd_sim__2?ie=UTF8&refRID=1VC4WDXC2V8QBVGY58GA
You could use these in your fixture and they may be brighter than the florescent tubes, but they wont be nearly as bright or as good as buying a LED fixture like the one Jacklyn recommended.

Yep that is exactly what I mean, so can i order the LED tubes and just use as a straight replacment, in my hood

[Blademan]

T5 are much smaller diameter than T8s. T5 are 5/8" of an inch and T8s are 8/8" (one lol) inch diameter.

Ok that explains the differance to me thanks very much

[Blademan]

no they are not interchangeable. LED lights do not take the tubes. Your best bet would be to buy a whole new lighting system if you want LED. I just bought a new system its the Aquatic Life Edge LED lighting system, has 3 different channels, a sunrise/sunset setting, and moonlights. There are tons of led lights out there, marine land single or double brights are good IMO, they just have a simple on off switch. some are much more complicated but convenient. Like mine is totally automated, I never have to touch a thing, and when I go away for a day or so, the fish are not in the dark or light the whole time bc the led's go on and off on timers. check out this manufacturer's video on the one I just bought https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dli3nyALiMQ I got the 48" one. a few other people on here use this one I know Rick on the admin team does, he has a video of it as well that he did.

I already have a stand alone LED tube that i fitted in the hood that is multi programable, I can change brightness and colours with a remote control unit, I just wated to replace the main tubes with LED for power saving and lower heat output

[Banzai883]

i didnt know they made tubes like that too lol. you learn something every day

[DC Discus]

The issue when going from florescent to LED is the original ballast. This article has some good info in it;

http://www.premierltg.com/should-you-replace-your-t8-fluorescent-lamps-with-t8-led-tubes-2/

Basically with most LED tubes, you would wire pass the original ballast/stater. The other optionis a LED tube that has it's own inline driver that works with the ballast in place. From my understanding if you still use the original ballast and a LED tube with a built in driver you won't be saving energy. As the original florescent ballast is still using energy.

LED shop light are getting cheap too. I jsut put these in as Costco has a good price on them;
http://www.amazon.com/Feit-Electric-Utility-Shop-Light/dp/B00LFAY5SM

Accord to this guy on youtube they have a decent PAR rate;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-I-fUrI5mwo

Cheers,
Dennis