T4, T5, T8...?

[seventhz]

I'm definately a newbie at this and I'm sure that I could find these answers elsewhere if I felt like screwing around on the PC for hours but all of you experienced reefers make it so much easier to just ask here. I'm planning to buy lighting and I've seen T4, T5, T8... so what exactly is the difference and what is recommended? I own a MH that was given to me but I'm saving that for my future/first saltwater setup and this lighting will actually be for a fresh water tank and I need something that's going to contribute well to plant growth without stressing the fish. Right now I'm just using standard flourescents and the fish are happy with that but they're far from adequite when it comes to the strength of light that plants need to thrive. Any suggestions?

 

[Mr_Harry]

T5HO = T5 High Output

T = 1/8 inch

T5 = 5/8 inch
T8 = 1 inch (8 eights)
T12 = 1.5 inches etc

 

[pjf]

T12, T10, T8 and T6 bulbs of the same length are usually interchangeable because they have the same electrical pinouts. The easiest incremental change is to replace your T8 bulbs with T6 bulbs. The smaller diameter of the T6 will permit more light reflected by your hood to reach your tank. T6 bulbs are available at URL: http://www.naturallighting.com/web/shop.php?crn=591.

When I replaced my T12 bulbs with T6 bulbs, more reflected light reached the aquarium. My T12 bulbs were only slightly smaller than their reflectors and blocked much of the light bouncing off the reflectors.

T5 bulbs have different pinouts and lengths (~ 2" shorter) than the T12/T10/T8/T6 bulbs. You will need to replace your endcaps or fixture to accommodate T5 bulbs.

T4 bulbs have even smaller pinouts and come in shorter lengths than the T5 and T6 bulbs. You will not be able to replace your T8 bulbs with T4 or T5 bulbs without replacing the fixture or the endcaps.

 

[noboddi]

Of the fluorescent technology, T5 provides the best power and the widest selection of bulbs, fixtures, and accessories. Plenty of FW plant bulbs included

 

[seventhz]

So does that mean that I could simply replace the bulbs as apposed to the entire fixture and ballast? I've been looking at products on MarineDepot.com and others from marine magazines and I have to assume that there is something special about the ballast... if I were to purchase T5HO bulbs from one of these suppliers, would they still work with my current pinouts? Would my current ballast be compatible with the new bulbs? Right now I'm just using a simple and cheap fluorescent fixture from Home Depot but honestly it sucks for aquatic purposes. Should I just replace the entire unit or could I just get by with the bulbs? I'm a cheap bastard ;P

 

[seventhz]

Ok, so I just said it and now I must reep it... I am a cheap bastard but my aquarium will never be what I want it to be as long as I continue to 'half-***' things I'll just replace the entire fixture. Good bye hard earned money, I hope you stupid fish are happy! Kinda makes you feel like God because these fish have no idea how much effort we put forth to ensure that they are happy and have the best life that we can give them... maybe we should start charging them rent

 

[pjf]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14848206#post14848206 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by seventhz
So does that mean that I could simply replace the bulbs as apposed to the entire fixture and ballast? I've been looking at products on MarineDepot.com and others from marine magazines and I have to assume that there is something special about the ballast... if I were to purchase T5HO bulbs from one of these suppliers, would they still work with my current pinouts? Would my current ballast be compatible with the new bulbs? Right now I'm just using a simple and cheap fluorescent fixture from Home Depot but honestly it sucks for aquatic purposes. Should I just replace the entire unit or could I just get by with the bulbs? I'm a cheap bastard ;P

(1) You have T8 bulbs now. These can be replaced with T6 bulbs of the same length because the T8 and T6 bulbs have the same pinouts.

(2) Your current T8 ballast will be compatible with the new T6 bulbs. However, the T6HO bulbs sold at http://www.naturallighting.com/web/shop.php?crn=704 will produce more light if you replace your ballast with higher wattage ballast.

(3) T5 and T5HO bulbs will need a new fixture. They will not fit into your existing T8 fixture.

 

[seventhz]

Thank you so much pjf... It makes much more sense to me now. Although considering what you have stated, I think that I would be better off just replacing the entire unit or at the very least, keeping the fixture and pinouts and going with some retro components such as a new ballast and reflectors. It just seems rediculous to replace the bulbs with T6HO without replacing the ballast with a higher wattage and some reflectors that would 'conserve' the light output. Thanks again, you've been more than helpfull