T8 vs T5 lights?

[HrHagel]

So i just ordered a T8 15watt (43,7cm) 18.000K light for my 15g planted project..

I'm curious, what is the difference in T5 and T8? i could not get the 18.000k 15w in T5..

Thanks,
Tom

 

[Bderick67]

T8 is one inch in diameter. T5 is 5/8th inch in diameter.

 

[jcardona1]

unless your talking about a T5HO fixture/bulb, the difference will only be size as stated above

 

[HrHagel]

So why the different sizes?

 

[jcardona1]

different sizes for different applications. gotta keep in mind these bulbs are used for everything from commercial buildings to the home, not only for fish tanks. theres t5, t5ho, t8, t10, t12, etc.

T5HO is quickly becoming the most popular light for fresh and saltwater tanks due to its intensity and small bulb size, requiring smaller fixtures.

the next wave will be LED fixtures, but these are still very expensive

 

[HrHagel]

Thanks for the info!

I'm hoping i'll have no trouble installing the T8 where the normal flurescent light was. Otherwise i'm gonna have to do some modding, which i suck at, haha.

 

[chesterthehero]

"normal" flurescent fixtures are t12.. the t8s are smaller so in theory you should not hane an issue

 

[FSM]

The number is twelfths of an inch. T12s are 1.5" (12/8) T8s are 1", and T5s are 5/8"

T5s also have different connector pins at the ends, so you can't put a T5 bulb in a T8 or T12 fixture. The ballasts are different as well.


One 15 watt bulb probably isn't going to be adequate for that tank. You may be able to grow low light plants, but that's it.

 

[Bderick67]

The number is twelfths of an inch. T12s are 1.5" (12/8) T8s are 1", and T5s are 5/8"

T5s also have different connector pins at the ends, so you can't put a T5 bulb in a T8 or T12 fixture. The ballasts are different as well.


One 15 watt bulb probably isn't going to be adequate for that tank. You may be able to grow low light plants, but that's it.

OOPs

 

[HrHagel]

The number is twelfths of an inch. T12s are 1.5" (12/8) T8s are 1", and T5s are 5/8"

T5s also have different connector pins at the ends, so you can't put a T5 bulb in a T8 or T12 fixture. The ballasts are different as well.


One 15 watt bulb probably isn't going to be adequate for that tank. You may be able to grow low light plants, but that's it.

Okay, so let's say i do get it installed on the tank, are you saying i can't grow plants? Cause that would mean nobody can grow plants in small tanks right? Cause as far as i understand Watt equals length of the tube, and the tank just isn't any longer, so it isn't possible to get a higher watt tube for this particular tank.
I have seen many people do awesome aquascaping with small tanks, even a lot smaller ones than mine, but i guess they somehow have a different lighting sollution?