Flourescent tube size T12, T10, T8

[CloruroDiSodio]

Hi gang,

I have some standard All-glass brand dual bulb light fixtures that could hold T12, T10, or T8 sized tubes. Of the bunch, are the T8 tubes the best size to get? I'm assuming they are more efficient than the larger diameter tubes per watt?

thanks

[WaterKeeper]

Yes, the 1" T-8's are better than the 1.5" T-12's as their slimmer design provides for better reflector arrangement. They also get slightly more lumens per watt that the larger tubes. The even better T-5's require different endcap sockets.

[CloruroDiSodio]

Hi Waterkeeper, thanks a lot for the reply. Are there any bulb brands that are considered better than others? My tank is going to be 180 gal fish and hardy invert. I have two dual bulb light fixtures that came with the tank, I was thinking of using 3 full spectrum type bulbs and one actinic to start with. I should have room to add more fixtures if my watt/gallon doesn't seem high enough.

thanks again.

[WaterKeeper]

That's a hard call as most of the aquarium tubes sold are not from the OEM's. Even amoung a single brand they may shift suppliers as economics dictate. Is that tank a 72" with 2 fixtures that hold 36" tubes?

[CloruroDiSodio]

Hi Waterkeeper, yep that's right two dual 36" tube fixtures. I was pretty much going to throw out the OEM bulbs they come with and replace with "known" bulbs, I just don't know which brand to go with.

[WaterKeeper]

Is it a VHO hood? Those T-8's are hard to find in VHO at present and normal output T-8 lamps are only around 25 watts each. If it is then maybe some T-12 VHO would be the better choice. Four normal output bulbs are not much illumination for a 180 and you would only be able to keep fish and some low light leather corals. The T-12 VHO would give you a total of 380 watts output and allow for medium light corals as well. If the hood is just normal output you can get a VHO retro kit to handle four VHO tube for about $300. Check some of our lighting sponsors for options or do a search on the web.

BTW-Here's an article on Lighting (http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-12/newbie/index.php).

[MileHighFish]

I know T8 is popular with indoor gardeners, but I have never really seen aquarium bulbs in T8, Actinic, 50/50 etc.

[WaterKeeper]

Yeah, that is why I had a change of heart. There are some T-8 availbable in normal output but HO and VHO are scarce. With that size tank NO lamps won't make the grade if it is going to be a true reef.

[CloruroDiSodio]

Thanks a lot, I was hoping they had some higher wattage "normal 36" bulbs but you pretty much confirmed what I feared. I'll look into the VHO conversion kits.

thanks again

[WaterKeeper]

Before spending big bucks check out the basics in my column above and see T-5 QA thread (http://archive.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=679852&perpage=25&pagenumber=1) where Grim Reefer, T-5 expert, has been giving advise for about 4 years now.

:thumbsup:

[CloruroDiSodio]

I'll do that, thanks a lot!