T5,T8, and T12 lighting

[Grace tank]

Can anybody explain the difference in these three bulbs other than size? I am not a rocket scientist when it comes to lighting. I currently run 12-T5 bulbs on my 150 gallon cube and they do an awesome job, but wondered what the difference was. Thanks-Jerry

 

[A. Grandis]

Mainly the size of the bulb.
You can fit more bulbs per sq inches with the T5s, with more choices for different bulbs.
With the quality reflectors, like the ones found in the ATI PM, you get a wonderful advantage, with the "awesome job" you already know.
I think if you use VHOs over the tank, when with the same quality refrectors, you'll get the same or even more than the T5s, but you'll loose with the number of choices of bulbs (spectrum).

just go T5s. That's what we have most today in the market.

Grandis.

 

[redfishblewfish]

I thought I read somewhere that there is an efficiency difference with the bulbs….T5s being more efficient.

 

[A. Grandis]

I thought I read somewhere that there is an efficiency difference with the bulbs"¦.T5s being more efficient.

They Talk about the energy consumption of the bulbs.
Thinner bulb = less energy consumption.
VHO (T12) has probably more PAR than HO (T5), right?
So...

Grandis.

 

[daveonbass]

Less par...

T5 bulbs have the better par of those 3 choices. And they last a little bit longer. Closer to a year on quality T5 bulbs...more like 6-8 months on T12. I personally have never seen anyone in the aquarium hobby use T8.