mademperor
Member
I have a regular Fluorescent Fixture. It can take a T8 or T12.
I was looking at a T-12 Uri Actinic would that be better than the skinnier T-8?
I was looking at a T-12 Uri Actinic would that be better than the skinnier T-8?
Actnic T-8 or T-12?
- Thread starter mademperor
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mademperor
Member
also, if you have a brand recommendation let me know
mademperor
Member
Can't find any info that would tell me which would be better in a standard fixture (T8/T12)
mademperor
Member
last bump
saltn00b
Active Member
neither.. regular floursecent is basically providing you no useable light. minimal Lumens / PAR , and bulbs not made for the industry will be in the wrong Kelvin range most likely. I used to have VHO T-12s which are weak at best. and thats VHO - very high output, not NO (normal output). you wont find any actinic bulbs for NO ballasts of that size from what i know. even if you could, you cant support coral life and photosynthesis with it.
i would say just scrap it and get a good lighting system.
i would say just scrap it and get a good lighting system.
mademperor
Member
Originally Posted by saltn00b
neither.. regular floursecent is basically providing you no useable light. minimal Lumens / PAR , and bulbs not made for the industry will be in the wrong Kelvin range most likely. I used to have VHO T-12s which are weak at best. and thats VHO - very high output, not NO (normal output). you wont find any actinic bulbs for NO ballasts of that size from what i know. even if you could, you cant support coral life and photosynthesis with it.
i would say just scrap it and get a good lighting system.
I have 45w of PC 50/50 (10k/actinic) on the tank now. It's a 15g, so I just wanted to boast it a bit.
neither.. regular floursecent is basically providing you no useable light. minimal Lumens / PAR , and bulbs not made for the industry will be in the wrong Kelvin range most likely. I used to have VHO T-12s which are weak at best. and thats VHO - very high output, not NO (normal output). you wont find any actinic bulbs for NO ballasts of that size from what i know. even if you could, you cant support coral life and photosynthesis with it.
i would say just scrap it and get a good lighting system.
I have 45w of PC 50/50 (10k/actinic) on the tank now. It's a 15g, so I just wanted to boast it a bit.
mademperor
Member
Originally Posted by saltn00b
15g? how long? they dont even make t-12 shorter than 4 - 5 feet. not sure about t-8 either. if you want to be able to hold a lot of corals, switch out to T-5 IMO. worlds better.
20" long tank.
T-8 is just reg flourescent lol. I can get either one in 18" length, at 15w.
I already have 45w of PC lighting. I haven't seen any T-5 that would fit.
I working with 4" of depth, so I can't fit another PC or ect.
15g? how long? they dont even make t-12 shorter than 4 - 5 feet. not sure about t-8 either. if you want to be able to hold a lot of corals, switch out to T-5 IMO. worlds better.
20" long tank.
T-8 is just reg flourescent lol. I can get either one in 18" length, at 15w.
I already have 45w of PC lighting. I haven't seen any T-5 that would fit.
I working with 4" of depth, so I can't fit another PC or ect.
saltn00b
Active Member
the number only has to do with the size, as in diameter of the bulb. most T-12 are VHO, which used to be an accepted type of bulb in the trade , usually used for actinic supplementation for MHs, but they are getting tougher and tougher to come across. they are pretty weak. and they dont come in a size anywhere close to 18"