rogergolf66
im an addict lol
What is the difference between T8 lighting and T5 lighting?
Roger
Roger
T8 lighting
- Thread starter rogergolf66
- Start date
rogergolf66
im an addict lol
well thanks for that waist of time.
rogergolf66
im an addict lol
they will work it is only lighting my questions is are they on FO tanks or are they a good filler for reef tanks or if I used enough of them could I use them like some people use T5s of corals?
rogergolf66
im an addict lol
yes you would need to add a good reflectior. From what I know the bulb or wattage is not a importand as Lumans so If you have a great reflector you could create good output. even at 32 watts
pjf
Premium Member
T8 tubes are 1-inch (8 x 1/8") in diameter. A typical T8 tube for your 4-foot long 75-gallon aquarium would be a 32-watt T8.
The following 4-foot long fluorescent tubes are pin-compatible and interchangeable: T12, T10, T8, and T6.
If you are replacing a T8 tube and want to keep your current fixture, I recommend the thinner T6 (6 x 1/8" = 3/4") which is 3/4" in diameter. A parabolic reflector can more easily direct light from a smaller diameter tube into an aquarium. The large 1.5" diameter T12 blocks much of the light bouncing off a reflector.
If you are willing to replace your ballasts with higher wattage ballasts, the 55-watt T6HO (high output) is an option. Both the 32-watt T6 and the 55-watt T6HO are available from www.naturallighting.com. This company also has T6 fixtures with individual reflectors for each tube.
The following 4-foot long fluorescent tubes are pin-compatible and interchangeable: T12, T10, T8, and T6.
If you are replacing a T8 tube and want to keep your current fixture, I recommend the thinner T6 (6 x 1/8" = 3/4") which is 3/4" in diameter. A parabolic reflector can more easily direct light from a smaller diameter tube into an aquarium. The large 1.5" diameter T12 blocks much of the light bouncing off a reflector.
If you are willing to replace your ballasts with higher wattage ballasts, the 55-watt T6HO (high output) is an option. Both the 32-watt T6 and the 55-watt T6HO are available from www.naturallighting.com. This company also has T6 fixtures with individual reflectors for each tube.
BeanAnimal
Premium Member
The problem is PAR per square foot. NO output T12 bulbs are actually very efficient. The problem is that you can not pack very many of them over top of a tank. MOST of the light emmited from the top and sides of the bulbs is wasted. (actually over 3/4 of the light)
So that brings us to T8 bulbs. You can certainly get MORE of them over a tank and therefore increase the PAR, but most of the light from the top of the bulbs is wasted, as the bulbs themsevles cast their own shadow as well as catching and scattering a good portion of the reflected light. We still waste a majority of the light.
That brings us to T5 bulbs. They are VERY narrow and we can get a good number above a tank. Better yet, we can build very slender parabolic reflectors that take a large portion of the light from OVER and BESIDE the bulb and get it down into the the tank and still fit a decent number of the fixtures (bulb and reflector) above the tank.
If we tried to use parabloc reflectors on T8 or T12 bulbs, they would need to be HUGE to work properly and you would not be able to fit enough over the tank.
So that brings us to T8 bulbs. You can certainly get MORE of them over a tank and therefore increase the PAR, but most of the light from the top of the bulbs is wasted, as the bulbs themsevles cast their own shadow as well as catching and scattering a good portion of the reflected light. We still waste a majority of the light.
That brings us to T5 bulbs. They are VERY narrow and we can get a good number above a tank. Better yet, we can build very slender parabolic reflectors that take a large portion of the light from OVER and BESIDE the bulb and get it down into the the tank and still fit a decent number of the fixtures (bulb and reflector) above the tank.
If we tried to use parabloc reflectors on T8 or T12 bulbs, they would need to be HUGE to work properly and you would not be able to fit enough over the tank.
