Lighting Questions

Koddie Doo · 03/04/2010, 09:57 PM

I have 75 FOWLR, I am planning on getting some GSP and maybe a couple shrooms, but basically fish, LR and Coraline Algae. My lighting is a Current 4X65 PC light. I also have 2 48" NO lights just to brighten things up. I am going to put atinic in those I have 10000k in the PC's.

Here are my questions when I went to Pet smart / Pet Co today, I thought they would have standard atinic bulbs. But they actually had choices.....

What is the "T" on NO bulbs T12 / T10 / T8??? I realize they are not T5's...

and please before I get knocked around about getting new lamps.... I cant afford them right now.

Thanks!

Kevin

logiktest · 03/05/2010, 05:34 AM

The "T" is the shape of the bulb. In this case the shape is a Tube. The number after the "T" denotes the bulbs diameter, measured in eighths. For instance, a T5 is 5/8" in diameter, T8 is 8/8" or 1", and so on.

T12's, T10's, and T8's are the same length, and and have the same pins, meaning they can use the same sockets and reflectors/hoods. T5's are shorter in length and have different pin spacing. That doesn't mean that you should change sizes between T12, T10, and T8 at random. You could go from a T10 to a T8, and the bulb would fire just fine, but it may not last as long because more wattage is being pushed through it.

No matter what, I personally wouldn't drop down more than one size (ie T12 to a T10 etc). I've dropped sizes on freshwater tanks in order to have more variety of color choices, but in some cases the bulbs would only last six months or less.

michealprater · 03/05/2010, 07:35 AM

I have a couple of cheap metal halide ballasts. They are warehouse ballasts but they work great and have very few hours on them. I would let the pair go for 30, then all you would need would be sockets, bulbs and reflectors. Metal halide would be great for whatever corals you wanted to keep (barring you have research the indivdual needs in regards to flow and water quality). Only reason I mention this, is not just to sell my ballasts, but it appears youve been bit by the coral bug, and I am not a psychic, but I see several lighting upgrades in your future. LOL.

michealprater · 03/05/2010, 07:36 AM

Oh BTW, they are 250 watt each.

03/04/2010, 09:57 PM	#1
Koddie Doo Czar of All ThingsAwesome Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: O'Fallon, IL Posts: 2,578	Lighting Questions I have 75 FOWLR, I am planning on getting some GSP and maybe a couple shrooms, but basically fish, LR and Coraline Algae. My lighting is a Current 4X65 PC light. I also have 2 48" NO lights just to brighten things up. I am going to put atinic in those I have 10000k in the PC's. Here are my questions when I went to Pet smart / Pet Co today, I thought they would have standard atinic bulbs. But they actually had choices..... What is the "T" on NO bulbs T12 / T10 / T8??? I realize they are not T5's... and please before I get knocked around about getting new lamps.... I cant afford them right now. Thanks! Kevin __________________ I like to superglue living creatures to rocks and suspend a crazy amount of light inches away from the surface of the water just to stare at it. Mostly Softies and Nems / Marineland 90 / RS-200 3rd

03/05/2010, 05:34 AM	#2
logiktest Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Zone 5 Posts: 4,071	The "T" is the shape of the bulb. In this case the shape is a Tube. The number after the "T" denotes the bulbs diameter, measured in eighths. For instance, a T5 is 5/8" in diameter, T8 is 8/8" or 1", and so on. T12's, T10's, and T8's are the same length, and and have the same pins, meaning they can use the same sockets and reflectors/hoods. T5's are shorter in length and have different pin spacing. That doesn't mean that you should change sizes between T12, T10, and T8 at random. You could go from a T10 to a T8, and the bulb would fire just fine, but it may not last as long because more wattage is being pushed through it. No matter what, I personally wouldn't drop down more than one size (ie T12 to a T10 etc). I've dropped sizes on freshwater tanks in order to have more variety of color choices, but in some cases the bulbs would only last six months or less. __________________ Mike Have you ever looked around at the group of people you are in and thought, "If the Zombie Apocalypse happens right now, this is what I have to work with." Current Tank Info: 140.5gal. goldfish bowl

03/05/2010, 07:35 AM	#3
michealprater Angelfish Nerd Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Grantfork, IL Posts: 5,465 Blog Entries: 1	I have a couple of cheap metal halide ballasts. They are warehouse ballasts but they work great and have very few hours on them. I would let the pair go for 30, then all you would need would be sockets, bulbs and reflectors. Metal halide would be great for whatever corals you wanted to keep (barring you have research the indivdual needs in regards to flow and water quality). Only reason I mention this, is not just to sell my ballasts, but it appears youve been bit by the coral bug, and I am not a psychic, but I see several lighting upgrades in your future. LOL. __________________ __________________________ Micheal Current Tank Info: 40 Gallon Breeder Reef

03/05/2010, 07:36 AM	#4
michealprater Angelfish Nerd Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Grantfork, IL Posts: 5,465 Blog Entries: 1	Oh BTW, they are 250 watt each. __________________ __________________________ Micheal Current Tank Info: 40 Gallon Breeder Reef