I found a T5 light that has two 36" bulbs that produce 21 watts each. I wonder how the light output would compare to a system that uses 36" T8 bulbs Is a watt of T5 light equivilant to a watt of T8 light?.
T5 verses T8 lighting
- Thread starter gmh
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a watt is a watt... its lumens per watt that will tell you which is better (well thats one aspect)
if the T5 is putting out 1000 lumens per watt, and the T8 is putting out 500 lumens per watt, then it would take a 50W T8 to equal a 25W T5 as far as brightness is concerned.
i tried to dumb it down a bit, but it is a little more complicated than just that I think.
if the T5 is putting out 1000 lumens per watt, and the T8 is putting out 500 lumens per watt, then it would take a 50W T8 to equal a 25W T5 as far as brightness is concerned.
i tried to dumb it down a bit, but it is a little more complicated than just that I think.
The T5 lights you're talking about aren't the same as the HO T5 you see on high-tech systems.
I believe they're stronger "per watt" than T8/T12 fluorescents, though I'm not sure if they're better overall, since a T8 of the same size will come in higher wattages. For example, a regular 36" T8 bulb is 30 watts.
I believe they're stronger "per watt" than T8/T12 fluorescents, though I'm not sure if they're better overall, since a T8 of the same size will come in higher wattages. For example, a regular 36" T8 bulb is 30 watts.
Not really. Here's one example
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=3820&N=2004+113350
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=3820&N=2004+113350
OK so a 36 inch t5 putting out 21 watts is equivelant to a 36 inch t8 putting out 24 watts? Not a big difference but it helps.
I'm putting these lights over a 16 inch high 40G tank. Hopefully I can do some modest planting with it.
I'm putting these lights over a 16 inch high 40G tank. Hopefully I can do some modest planting with it.
I see odballs like that every now and then. Just know that the watt rating on the bulb is not necessarily what it runs at. As Mgamer said T8's are 8W per foot and T8 ballasts (at least all I've seen) will drive them as such. Some take the regular T8's and put em in the HO fixtures and they shine relatively the same as the HO bulbs. Another interesting bulb is the T6 like what Quantum Aquatics makes (the Lightning Rod) since there really isnt any common T6 ballasts or fixtures they are made to be used with T8 or T12 fixtures and are rated at 40W as if they were a T12.
Just generally speaking, the smaller the diameter the bulb the more efficient they are. So to maintain the same brightness, the smaller bulbs use less power. This is just a generalization as with different phosphors and such bulbs vary quite a bit, and some particular bulbs might only be available in one size for example so there is no real comparison.
Is that so... first time I've heard of that. Are you sure that it isn't just one brand or model of ballasts?
I just go by what's printed on it though. For example, I have one for a 24" fixture that's rated 20 watts. You're telling me it's actually 16?
not like i have looked at all ballasts but everyone i seen so far just rate them 8w per foot. i would check your ballast out.