Noob question to aquarium lighting. currently have a T12 hood, want to use T8 or T5

E

evident

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Dec 24, 2008
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dave
From what I read it's not as simple as replacing the T12 lightbulb with a T8 lightbulb correct? I have a 36" hood with a GE Aqua Rays F20 T12 20W Lightbulb in it. I have a 45G tall so it's about 24" deep. I want to upgradethe lighting in order to have plants other than anubias in my tank.

Would it be cheaper to just buy a new lighting unit rather than retrofitting the current T12 setup?
 
The only retro fit I'd suggest is an AH Supply 55 watt power compact kit. http://www.ahsupply.com/36-55w.htm

T5HO would be a better purchase, but 36" T5HO bulbs/tubes/lamps are a lot harder to find than the nominal 24" and 48". I say nominal as the lamps them selves are shorter than the fixture. Usually the 36" fixture has two lamps either overlapping each other or simply centered in the fixture. Either layout scrimps on the ends.
 
A T12 lamp can be replaced straight up with a T8 in most fixtures. The ballasts are often designed to run both (they didn't use to but that was decades ago) and the critical dimensions of the lamps are the same.

A T5 lamp requires a different ballast and has different critical dimensions than a T8 or T12 and the fixture would not be usable with this lamp.

HO T5 in 36" is a 39 watt lamp and it is readily available.

Andy
 
Narwhal72 said:
A T12 lamp can be replaced straight up with a T8 in most fixtures. The ballasts are often designed to run both (they didn't use to but that was decades ago) and the critical dimensions of the lamps are the same.

A T5 lamp requires a different ballast and has different critical dimensions than a T8 or T12 and the fixture would not be usable with this lamp.

HO T5 in 36" is a 39 watt lamp and it is readily available.

Andy
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how would i know if i can replace it with a T8 straight up? Would there be a risk of fire or anything? My tank is about 7 or 8 years old, and is an all glass aquarium stand and tank. i'm assuming the hood is as well, but can't tell.
 
evident said:
how would i know if i can replace it with a T8 straight up? Would there be a risk of fire or anything? My tank is about 7 or 8 years old, and is an all glass aquarium stand and tank. i'm assuming the hood is as well, but can't tell.
Click to expand...

The new lamp will either work or not. Save the receipt.
There is no risk other than having to make a trip back to the store.
 
Narwhal72 said:
A T12 lamp can be replaced straight up with a T8 in most fixtures. The ballasts are often designed to run both (they didn't use to but that was decades ago) ...
Andy
Click to expand...

The pet industry is rather conservative. Most T8 fluorescent strip lights and hoods still use inductors and starters. They can still make a nice profit on the starters.
 
picked up an aqueon 24" t8 floramax yesterday. popped right in and after initial flickering it worked fine! thanks guys!

hopefully it will allow me to get some plants other than anubias to grow in here.
 
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