Need help on Lighting system.

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Swarsh

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Feb 21, 2011
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UK
Hello guys,

Need some quick help~ I am thinking of getting a Arcadia Electronic T5 Twin Controller ( http://www.surreypetsupplies.co.uk/arcadia-electronic-t5-twin-controller-54w-ace254.html )
Just wondering will I be able to run T8 tubes with that light controller? I'm thinking of running a sunglo + something else
here is the sunglo: ( http://www.seapets.co.uk/products/a...scent-aquarium-tube-40w-106-68cm-42in-t8.html ) Its a T8 tube, will I be able to plug a T8 tube into that light controller?

I know T5 are better than T8 but I would like to run a sunglo + a T8 tube (still deciding which one)~

Will that work or will I need an older T8 light controller to use the T8 tube?

Thanks,
Swarsh
 
All the ballasts I have replaced in florescent fixtures have been specifically designated for a particular tube. I have never seen a ballast (solid state or capacitive) marked T5/T8. My hunch is... get the proper ballast for the bulb/tube.
 
Hmm so your saying if I get an arcadia ballast I should use arcadia tubes?

But apart from that, is there a T5 tube that is similar to Sun Glo? that gives off a "day" yellowish light?

Thanks
 
Swarsh said:
Hmm so your saying if I get an arcadia ballast I should use arcadia tubes?

But apart from that, is there a T5 tube that is similar to Sun Glo? that gives off a "day" yellowish light?

Thanks
Click to expand...

No, that was not what I was trying to say.

I was trying to say if you are going to run T8 tubes get a ballast designed for T8 tubes. If you are going to run T5 tubes get a ballast for T5 tubes. T8 and T5 are standards that describe the physical as well as electrical characteristics of the tube. Any T8 ballast should work with pretty much any T8 tube. I believe there are T5 tubes and T5 HO tubes. I believe there are T5 ballasts and T5 HO ballasts. Who manufactures the actual tube should be a inconsequential.

Pretty much all of the ballasts I have used are the ~$25 ones from the lighting section of Lowes or HD.

There are at least a dozen different T8 ballasts at Lowes. Some of them are for 120v supplies some are for 240v and some are 120v/240v/277v. Some will power 1 tube, some will power 2 tubes and some will power 4 tubes. Some are solid state ballasts some are old fashioned capacitive ballasts.

I have pretty much replaced all the Ballasts in my shop with T8, solid state, 120v, 4 tube quick/cold start ballasts... because I have 120v power, 4 tube T8 fixtures and hate to wait for the lights to flicker forever on cold mornings.

I have never really messed with fancy expensive aquarium specific ballasts.



I would guess you could find comparable T5 tubes to the T8 tubes you mentioned. Finding them will probably be be a matter of comparing the color temperatures of the tubes.
 
Ahh i see, to be honest i just want to run two tubes from one ballast whether it is t5 or t8 and i want one to have a similar colour to the sun glo...
Guess i'll have to do a bit more searching to see if i can get some sun glo type t5's if not ill have to find a t8 ballast that can run two tubes!

Thanks
 
T5HO's come in many colors, it shouldn't be hard to find something you like. the sunglo description says Simulates full daylight, which would make it a 6500K bulb. I run 2 of these on my 90G (340L), and one on my 55G (208L).
 
Hmm yeah was checking it out today~
theres T5 and T5HO whats the difference? is HO better than just T5 ?

Have to get the lights soon, ordered the tank today and its coming in 2-3 weeks :x

Will two 48 inch T5's be able to light a 6.5x30x30 tank? Not sure if I found any 60 inch T5s....
 
Swarsh said:
Hmm yeah was checking it out today~
theres T5 and T5HO whats the difference? is HO better than just T5 ?

Have to get the lights soon, ordered the tank today and its coming in 2-3 weeks :x

Will two 48 inch T5's be able to light a 6.5x30x30 tank? Not sure if I found any 60 inch T5s....
Click to expand...

High output? Just a guess

#1 S. Vettel
 
good guess F1, but incorrect. HO actually stands for holds ovulation and they have been shown to cause infertility in women. other than that they are great.
HO's are about double the output of T5's, it's been over 5 years since I did my research so it may be exactly double...
there's a current thread, I think in general discussion about lighting a longer tank with shorter lights, I suggest you look for that. personally, with your setup I'd go with 4 2 lamp 3' fixtures. more if I was doing plants.

http://www.lightingtaxdeduction.org/technologies/t5.html
 
Gill Blue said:
good guess F1, but incorrect. HO actually stands for holds ovulation and they have been shown to cause infertility in women. other than that they are great.
HO's are about double the output of T5's, it's been over 5 years since I did my research so it may be exactly double...
there's a current thread, I think in general discussion about lighting a longer tank with shorter lights, I suggest you look for that. personally, with your setup I'd go with 4 2 lamp 3' fixtures. more if I was doing plants.

http://www.lightingtaxdeduction.org/technologies/t5.html
Click to expand...

Thx for the info gill!!

#1 S. Vettel
 
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