T5 and T8 light units and bulbs.

Because so many people ask me before about light units and bulbs I decide do light up this tread:-)

T5 fluorescent lamp made debut on the market relatively recently in the biggest lighting fair in Hanover in 1995 presented there by Philips.

T8 is the technology of the 90's probably now the most used fluorescent.

They different on diameter and size:

T5 fluorescent (16mm diameter)

8W - 30 cm long
24W - 55 cm long
39W - 85 cm long
54W - 115 cm long
80W - 145 cm long

T8 fluorescent (26mm diameter)

15W - 44 cm long
18W - 60 cm long
20W - 60 cm long
25W - 74 cm long
30W - 90 cm long
36W - 120 cm long
38W - 105 cm long
40W - 120 cm long
58W - 150 cm long

Can I use stronger fluorescent with my unit??

Each fluorescent, has a power, and this power is closely related to the length of the tubes.
Unfortunately it is not possible to have same length bulb and more watts at same time.

So if you get light unit, DIY kit or any other device make sure firs its the one you need.
For example If ya tank is 2ft long you need T5 24W bulb or T8 20W. So light unit or DIY kit need Electronic Ballast 1x24W for T5 or 1x20W for T8.
If you need more light but wont to keep same size tank you can use for example 2 x 24W T5 but dont forget you need Electronic Ballast 2x24W T5.


Color temperature - is a characteristic of visible light that has important applications in lighting" - " The color temperature of a light source is the temperature of an ideal black-body radiator that radiates light of comparable hue to that of the light source. Color temperature is conventionally stated in the unit of absolute temperature, the kelvin, having the unit symbol K.

1600K - color of sunrise and sunset
1800K - light color candles
2700K - color light-emitting bulb
3000K - color of halogen
4000K - color white
5000K - color of the Arctic ice
6500K - color of the day
10000K - color white with a faint tinge of purple
15000K - color blue winter sky
20000K - color of navy blue pure sky

good information, manius. thanks for going to the trouble of compiling and posting this.

Could you explain the main differences and ad/dis advantages between other lights e.g LED and metal halide lights.

manius just seen this now great write up thanks could i ask u wat would be best lighting for a 5 foot high tech very heavily planted tank would it be 4 x 54w or would it be 4 x 80 watts

befor i look at this i didnt even know that u could get 80 watts

and im a electrician haha :L

thanks

sean

Manius,
Very usefull info.
Can you advise on the following..

It appears that the limit for an electrical controller such as the ones provided by Arcadia is one that can control 2 x 54W 4 foot T5 bulbs.
If I want to use 4 of these bulbs it looks like i have to buy 2 elcetrical controllers and they are quite bulky. The alternative is to spend lost of dosh on a sealed unit which does not suit my new Clearseal hood construction.

What colour temperature or T5 bulb type is best for encouraging plant growth.
Is there a recommended watts per litre for growing plants. My new tank will be approx 380 litres and 26 inches deep.

Sorry for all the questions.

Regards,
Greg