View Full Version : hmm should i concider returning t12 fixture and finding a t8?
shinyfish
08-23-2008, 10:22 AM
Well with my new hood i grabbed a t12 fixture and 2 bulbs for less then 20$. However it seems i should look into getting t8s instead. Is this worth the effort? More/better light?
Squawkbert
08-23-2008, 11:03 AM
T8/T10/T12 all use the exact same end fittings, so they're all interchangeable (I'm pretty sure).
Draal5
08-23-2008, 11:05 AM
What he said :iagree:
shinyfish
08-23-2008, 11:19 AM
well the fixture i bought was a really cheap one, came with what i believe is a magnetic ballast, meaning t12 only as far as i know
Alan R
08-23-2008, 11:26 AM
I prefer T8. HOWEVER, most the bulbs that I have found that I want for my tank is T12. Many of them I can't even find in T8. So I guess I will go with T12
247Plants
08-23-2008, 12:05 PM
When I bought my lights at Home Depot the guy told me you couldnt use t8 bulbs in the t12 fixtures....
shinyfish
08-23-2008, 12:21 PM
I think it depends on the ballast, if its magnetic(which most of the really cheap fixtures are then i don't believe you can. However, if it is an electric ballast then they are able to work with many different types of bulbs.
DAVIDFBT
08-23-2008, 2:42 PM
Wait, you can use T12 bulbs in a T8 fixture? I have been looking around trying to find a T12 fisxture all around the area, but I can only find T8s. I'm planning to use a strip light to light my 55 gallon tank up to 2.5ish WPGs.
Wait, you can use T12 bulbs in a T8 fixture? I have been looking around trying to find a T12 fisxture all around the area, but I can only find T8s. I'm planning to use a strip light to light my 55 gallon tank up to 2.5ish WPGs.
Yup, I use a lights of america shoplight (walmart brand) t8 fixture with 2 Coralife t12s over a 60gal, been using the same fixture for about 5 years with no issues.
DAVIDFBT
08-23-2008, 3:14 PM
Yup, I use a lights of america shoplight (walmart brand) t8 fixture with 2 Coralife t12s over a 60gal, been using the same fixture for about 5 years with no issues.
Excellent, just what I wanted to hear, thanks. My plan is to buy a 10 dollar T8 walmart kit, buy regular T12s for now, then change to better light bulbs.
shinyfish
08-24-2008, 3:17 PM
I just went to walmart after returning my t12 fixture, the t8 one they have is pretty decent. Its rather wide so cant do more then one in a hood but if your sticking with low light its good. they also have 6500k twin pack of daylight bulbs. I am much happier with that setup then t12s. t8s in my eyes are far brighter.