Fluorescent lights?? T5 T8 T12

[fishboi]

now i've only heard of the terms T5 and T8 since i joined this site and have thought it was just fancy bulbs for marine in to recently. [love this site learn something everyday :bounce: ]

now i am still a bit confused i understand T8 is our standard size tubes and T5 is thinner and T12 is bigger. i also understand u need special light fitting to fit the T5 tubes since they fall a bit short then regular size tubes.

http://www.lrc.rpi.edu/programs/nlpip/l ... t5/pc1.asp

my question is are all T5 range tubes have higher wattage then T8 which in return makes them brighter?? or is the same where u can buy 2 foot T8 tubes from 18watt right up to 24watt.

thanks

[suphew]

T5's have a higher wattage rating at the same (similar) length, they are also more efficient so you get a little more light per watt as well.

The whole setup if different between T5 and T8, holders are different sizes, ballists are different.

[richms]

Watch out for the T5's, there are some cheaper ones that are normally used for cabinat lights which are lower output. I got some 4 foots and they are only 28 watts, not 54