Difference between T5's and T8's?

raw04f · #1 12/21/2007, 12:16 AM

Will someone please explain the difference between T5's and T8's? Which has a better growth rate in corals?

The reason why I'm asking is because I can buy a cheap fixture that holds 48inch bulbs that are T8's from Lowes for a cheap price and just install new bulbs from hellolights.com. Let me know if there is that much of a difference between the T5's and the T8's before I waste my money. Thank you.

garygb · #2 12/21/2007, 12:26 AM

Because the t-8 bulb is wider, you can't put as many bulbs in the same area. Also, a cheap fixture is not going to have the highly polished individual reflectors that quality fixtures have, and thus you will lose a very significant amount of intensity.

raw04f · #3 12/21/2007, 12:36 AM

is there any kind of reflector type of material that I could use inside of the fixture that would be a cheap alternative to a real reflector.

garygb · #4 12/21/2007, 12:54 AM

My guess is that you're not going to get a real quality reflector cheaply. I suggest you go to the t-5 thread in this forum and ask the Grim Reefer if a cheap alternative is available.

pjf · #5 12/21/2007, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by raw04f
is there any kind of reflector type of material that I could use inside of the fixture that would be a cheap alternative to a real reflector.

I've never used spectral aluminum but it is available here: http://www.aquatictech.com/lighting.html. Scroll to the bottom of the webpage.

pjf · #6 12/21/2007, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by raw04f
Will someone please explain the difference between T5's and T8's? Which has a better growth rate in corals?

The reason why I'm asking is because I can buy a cheap fixture that holds 48inch bulbs that are T8's from Lowes for a cheap price and just install new bulbs from hellolights.com. Let me know if there is that much of a difference between the T5's and the T8's before I waste my money. Thank you.

You will not be able to place T5 lamps in a T8 fixture. The T5 will be 2" shorter and have pins that are closer together.

You can get T6 lamps from: http://www.naturallighting.com/web/shop.php?crn=704. However, the T6HO lamp requires a higher wattage ballast than the ballast that comes with a T8 fixture. Otherwise the T6HO will be not much brighter than the T8. Your only benefit is that it will block less of the reflected light because it is thinner.

I recommend going with a pure T5HO system or a pure T6HO system.