Difference between T5s and T8s,12s

je1683 · 02/24/2009, 02:05 PM

What are the differences between T5 lamps and the T8s and T12? I get a decent discount at Lowe's and they don't seem to handle T5s.4

Thanks
Joe

Jefe12234 · 02/24/2009, 03:39 PM

The number refers to the diameter of the bulb in 1/8's of an inch, so T5 = 5/8", T8 = 1", and T12 = 1.5". The smaller bulbs are more efficient because they block less reflected light. Also, most T5's used for aquariums are high output meaning they use more power than a standard T5.

reefpatrol3 · 02/24/2009, 04:30 PM

size as posted above, also with the smaller bulbs you can get more in there and have individual reflectors

redfishsc · 02/24/2009, 06:28 PM

T8's a good bulbs and you can actually grow some nice soft coral under them (certain varieties like mushrooms and leathers), but that's about it.

T5HO is a totally different animal, and they ROCK. GREAT lights and very close to MH in light output capabilities.

Reefer08 · 02/24/2009, 07:18 PM

I thought that T5's have a wider projection of light vs the T8 and T12.

02/24/2009, 02:05 PM	#1
je1683 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Springfield, Mo. Posts: 42	Difference between T5s and T8s,12s What are the differences between T5 lamps and the T8s and T12? I get a decent discount at Lowe's and they don't seem to handle T5s.4 Thanks Joe

02/24/2009, 03:39 PM	#2
Jefe12234 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: MN Posts: 885	The number refers to the diameter of the bulb in 1/8's of an inch, so T5 = 5/8", T8 = 1", and T12 = 1.5". The smaller bulbs are more efficient because they block less reflected light. Also, most T5's used for aquariums are high output meaning they use more power than a standard T5. __________________ Serenity now!!!

02/24/2009, 06:28 PM	#4
redfishsc Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Wake Forest, NC Posts: 3,696	T8's a good bulbs and you can actually grow some nice soft coral under them (certain varieties like mushrooms and leathers), but that's about it. T5HO is a totally different animal, and they ROCK. GREAT lights and very close to MH in light output capabilities. __________________ "The measure of a life is not its duration but its donation." Corrie Ten Boom “The tyrant dies and his rule is over, the martyr dies and his rule begins” -- Søren Kierkegaard Current Tank Info: ghetto grad school reef.....11g rimless tank, 36X9X9, lit by Cree and Rebels scobbled together. Stocked mostly with free stuff I got from panhandling my fellow reefers.

02/24/2009, 04:30 PM	#3
reefpatrol3 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: texas Posts: 181	size as posted above, also with the smaller bulbs you can get more in there and have individual reflectors

02/24/2009, 07:18 PM	#5
Reefer08 Moved On Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: SoCal Posts: 2,812	I thought that T5's have a wider projection of light vs the T8 and T12.