snowrider84
Member
Can T8s be used if i have corals, I have a T8 that i was wondering if it would work on a reef tank. i dont want to kill corals so any help would be nice. Thanks
T8s
- Thread starter snowrider84
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perfectdark
Active Member
Originally Posted by snowrider84
http:///forum/post/2570181
Can T8s be used if i have corals, I have a T8 that i was wondering if it would work on a reef tank. i dont want to kill corals so any help would be nice. Thanks
Based on your specific question I would say no. However, without knowing specifics about your tank size, and specifics about the T8's like amount of watts per bulb and how many bulbs. It may be possible to keep some low light demanding soft corals.
http:///forum/post/2570181
Can T8s be used if i have corals, I have a T8 that i was wondering if it would work on a reef tank. i dont want to kill corals so any help would be nice. Thanks
Based on your specific question I would say no. However, without knowing specifics about your tank size, and specifics about the T8's like amount of watts per bulb and how many bulbs. It may be possible to keep some low light demanding soft corals.
snowrider84
Member
well its a 120g as for the bulbs that it has it has none, i would buy new bulbs, it is a four bulb fiture, is there T8 bulbs that would do more than just soft lowlight corals,
almostclueless
Member
How many bulbs does it hold, what are the reflectors like, what wattage are the bulbs that it hold, etc.?
snowrider84
Member
4 bulbs 54watters
almostclueless
Member
you would only be able to keep very low light corals with that fixture.
snowrider84
Member
could i put t5 bulbs in it
perfectdark
Active Member
Originally Posted by snowrider84
http:///forum/post/2570286
could i put t5 bulbs in it
You could prob utilize the hood but all of the internals are no good if you want t-5's. They run on different ballasts and different end caps. You would also want a HO bulb for T5's and individual reflectors too. The bulb type is important, and when you are talking about T8, T5 etc its only the diameter you are changing the out put is the same. What you need to do is increase the output, and to accomplish that, you need HO-t5's or Metal halide lights. If you put 4 or 6 T8 bulbs over your tank you can keep some soft corals but thats about it. If you were to up the fixture to HO-T5's then you would be able to keep much more. And if you went Metal Halide then you can keep what ever you want.
http:///forum/post/2570286
could i put t5 bulbs in it
You could prob utilize the hood but all of the internals are no good if you want t-5's. They run on different ballasts and different end caps. You would also want a HO bulb for T5's and individual reflectors too. The bulb type is important, and when you are talking about T8, T5 etc its only the diameter you are changing the out put is the same. What you need to do is increase the output, and to accomplish that, you need HO-t5's or Metal halide lights. If you put 4 or 6 T8 bulbs over your tank you can keep some soft corals but thats about it. If you were to up the fixture to HO-T5's then you would be able to keep much more. And if you went Metal Halide then you can keep what ever you want.
michaeltx
Moderator
there are to many different types of T-8 to really answer that question.
shop lights are t-8 and they do come in a wide array of K ratings made for aquariums but dont put off alot of ligt. VHO are also t-8 bulbs but need a special ballast to run them. so it really depends on what ballast you have and what wattage bulbs they push. there are alot of tanks that run VHO on them and look great with mainly LPS and softies in them.
as said by perfectdark the t-5 need a completely different setup than t-8, t-6, or t-12 bulbs.
Mike
shop lights are t-8 and they do come in a wide array of K ratings made for aquariums but dont put off alot of ligt. VHO are also t-8 bulbs but need a special ballast to run them. so it really depends on what ballast you have and what wattage bulbs they push. there are alot of tanks that run VHO on them and look great with mainly LPS and softies in them.
as said by perfectdark the t-5 need a completely different setup than t-8, t-6, or t-12 bulbs.
Mike
snowrider84
Member
Well i kind of figured but i had to ask, guess i need to fork up the cash and buy a new set up. Thanks for the help guys