T5 aquarium lights are the best answer for most saltwater aquariums that are lower than 24 inches deep. This is because it is the least expensive and best bang for the buck lighting solution if you plan to keep corals. Don't misunderstand me, metal halide lighting is a great solution, but T5 can even be more serious than metal halide. Comparing T5 to power compact, there isn't any comparison. T5 is much better absolutely. Power compact is older technology and far less powerful. There are many varieties of T5 fixtures available. Some may be hung, while others rest on the rim of one's aquarium. The normal fixture lengths are 24, thirty five, forty eight, and seventy two inches long. You will also observe that fixtures can be found containing two to twelve bulbs. Most aquarists will require one bulb for each and every three inches wide your aquarium is. So a fifty five gallon aquarium is twelve inches wide and should have four bulbs. Most T5 fixtures containing more than two bulbs will have separate plugs so that you can develop a dawn and dusk effect.
Thankfully there are many T5 bulb solutions. You will be able to find just the right spectrum that pleases your eyes. You will discover purple, blue, red, white and yellow bulbs readily available in many of the common sizes. Use a mixture of these bulbs to acquire the ideal color. Be also guaranteed to decide on a fixture that has integrated fans to keep the bulbs cool and one which has top quality reflectors. Look for a light that mentions polished aluminum or parabolic reflectors with ninety five percent or better reflectivity. Sizes Of Lights
Down the road, aquarium LED light bulbs will replace power compact, T5 and metal halide. It's wise because LED bulbs generate the same shimmering effect as metal halide and in addition match the intensity. Yet, they just don't produce the heat, so a chiller is no longer a concern. You will also be capable of dim and adjust the colour from the bulbs like some T5 and VHO lighting systems. The bulbs will even last up to ten years! In the end, LED lights take advantage sense, but they are still too expensive for the majority of aquarists. Search for prices of those LED fixtures to start out coming down in the future.