What's the actual length of a 48 inch T-5 bulb?

[Noah_Count]

Sounds obvious but it's not. I was looking at reflectors for 48 inch T-5 bulbs and they are listed as 42.5 inches long. So I'm wondering how long the bulb is itself and also what the overall length would be with the endcaps included. Still doesn't seem like it will come to 48 inches.

 

[JetCat USA]

45" for the bulb, the prongs can be 1/4" to 3/8" on both sides.
47.5" endcap to endcap
IceCap SLRs are 43.375"

 

[Noah_Count]

Thanks, I have to stick with my PC's right now because of money issues but I was just contemplating a future change. I'd have to rebuild my existing hoof though, I only have a 46 and 3/4 inch space between the sides. I guess I should have used thinner lumber when I built it.

 

[JetCat USA]

back in the early days 48" bulbs were 48" long and you had a heck of a time with them on a 48" tank because of the endcaps. VHOs finely came out with a 46.5" bulb that worked great on 48" tanks and when T5 aquarium lights came about luckily they were short enough to fit easily over a 48" tank

 

[Noah_Count]

I built my enclosure out of 3/4 inch pine to match my stand and I would have to gain another 3/4 inch somehow. I could route out 3/8 inch slots for the end caps I suppose but it would probably be easier just to build another enclosure. I'm happy with my PC's right now, it's only a FOWLR tank but I was looking at keeping softies and shrooms in the future. Thanks for the info.

 

[pjf]

The differences in the standard lengths of linear T5 and T6/T8/T10/T12 bulbs are contrasted in Table 2 at the bottom of this webpage:
http://www.mge.com/business/saving/madison/LI_05.html. You will find that in general, T5 bulbs are about 2 inches shorter than their larger diameter cousins.

 

[Noah_Count]

Thanks, that's very helpful.