T5 & MN new legislation? (1 Viewer)

[tomte25]

Hey guys, has anyone else seen this new MN legislation regarding flourecent bulbs:


Article 1
Llegislation link

T5’s are pin style bulbs so it looks kind of like they won’t be available starting next year. Am I mis-reading this?

 

[tomte25]

Hmm, I think maybe reef lights might be excluded:

“(v) is designed and marketed exclusively for coral zooxanthellae symbiosis and from which the radiation power emitted between 400 and 480 nanometers represents at least 40 percent of the total radiation power emitted between 250 and 800 nanometers;”

 

[spsick]

Hmm, I think maybe reef lights might be excluded:

“(v) is designed and marketed exclusively for coral zooxanthellae symbiosis and from which the radiation power emitted between 400 and 480 nanometers represents at least 40 percent of the total radiation power emitted between 250 and 800 nanometers;”

Yeah they are explicitly excluded. The unclear part of people are saying the manufacturers that make them for ATI etc make them as small custom runs compared to the massive industrial applications and with those being outlawed in Europe they wont be made any more. (Or allegedly have already had the last run made)

 

[spsick]

Also heard that ATI has a year or 2 worth of bulbs stockpiled. Not sure how much will make here but I think EU has a more aggressive timeline so probably plenty and then…

 

[Varig]

No and then.... I have told myself when the end seemed in sight that I would have to figure out some extra reefing budget and buy a 10 year supply. Eeek, is that time fast approaching?

 

[Crum]

What are people's thoughts on using supplemental LEDs instead of t5? Like the ai blade? They come in similar colors. More cost effective in the long run.
T5 is getting increasingly more difficult to even get ahold of, and with how often the bulbs need to be replaced, personally I wonder if it's even worth it anymore.

 

[spsick]

What are people's thoughts on using supplemental LEDs instead of t5? Like the ai blade? They come in similar colors. More cost effective in the long run.
T5 is getting increasingly more difficult to even get ahold of, and with how often the bulbs need to be replaced, personally I wonder if it's even worth it anymore.

I think blades are awesome because they offer the softest light of basically any LED bar. If they were half the price and offered a diverse diodes set like ALL of their competitors I would have 4 of them and retire my T5s.

I’m using a Quanta bar with good results. It puts out twice the par at half the price of the blade and has a way better diode set but it really needs to be run at a higher height. It’s only blue so I’ve ordered a new GHL Mitras LB3 as a full spectrum choice to better match the T5. It was comparable price to the blade but is hand made in Germany so we’ll see how it works.

I think Blades would stink for your application @Crum as they are made to be mounted close to the tank, not having reflectors.

 

[spsick]

In case it wasn’t clear, I do a LOT of reading and checking out real world results on LED bars.

I know that T5 days are numbered and I attribute my success solely to the blanket of light they provide. I’ve been patiently waiting for the perfect LED bar so I can get 4. ATI Straton would be a no brainer being they cover the whole tank but I can’t spend 3 grand on lights.

 

[asifiqbal2]

I know, love the Straton’s profile what a beauty… not a big fan of their control and UI… honestly that’s German made products Achilles heel. But yeah super spendy but the light itself looks amazing. I was an old schooler in terms of Phoenix 14k metal hallide and ATI blue plus T5 combo….. But… I agree it’s time to transition

 

[Varig]

Do you have thoughts on the Phillips Coral Care panel? I guess it looks like pretty similar wattage/coverage to the smallest ATI Stratton. Still a lot of cash.

I’m very curious to hear how the mitras LB works out. Out of curiosity, I haven’t compared the pricing, but if you were looking to do a blanket of light and liked the mitras led clusters, is there an advantage/disadvantage to doing the LBs versus enough r of the LX7204/6 to get the same coverage?

 

[Crum]

I think blades are awesome because they offer the softest light of basically any LED bar. If they were half the price and offered a diverse diodes set like ALL of their competitors I would have 4 of them and retire my T5s.

I’m using a Quanta bar with good results. It puts out twice the par at half the price of the blade and has a way better diode set but it really needs to be run at a higher height. It’s only blue so I’ve ordered a new GHL Mitras LB3 as a full spectrum choice to better match the T5. It was comparable price to the blade but is hand made in Germany so we’ll see how it works.

I think Blades would stink for your application @Crum as they are made to be mounted close to the tank, not having reflectors.

Our frag tanks definitely don't need it imo, I planned the size to work with xr30s perfectly and we're getting great par everywhere even running them at only 50%

On the display tank, and my own at home, I want to try them out. But yeah, $$$

BRS includes them with their 15g kits, which I think is interesting. I also see people using them on nanos like fluval evos. Supplsedly they do fine growing coral on their own.

I'm not really familiar with any other brands! Ive always been stuck to the big brand names through work