just got my new aquarium light: now a question

[Raimeiken]

I got the triple fixture allglass aquarium light. It came with 3x32watts but i want 3x40watts. I know you can put 40watt blubs in these fixtures. Heres the thing, i can put the old 40watt bulb from my old fixture, and then i got like more 40watt bulbs in my garage, but don't know if i can put them in the fixture. They're a different brand, they're not GE like the 1 40 watt i got.

It says on the bulb "F40CW cool white, made in USA"

both the GE and the other 40watts i got look the same except for the brand and all. :? :? not sure if i can put it in the fixture, help me out here man!

 

[Raimeiken]

ok wait, it says the all glass aquarium light fixture i bought uses T-8 lights only, what does that mean :?

 

[Raimeiken]

oh crap, i'm like answering ym own questions here. I just figured out that the 40watt blubs can't be put in the fixture i bought. :x anyway, the highest wattage i found for a T8 blub is 36watts. I'll be buying those in the future.

 

[Guest]

Don't sweat it. The ballast is more than likely only going to drive each bulb to 32 watts no matter what the bulb says. And T8 32 watt bulbs are actually a very good choice. They are much more efficient than T12 bulbs and put out close to the same amount of light the watt rating not withstanding.

 

[Raimeiken]

so the 36watt bulbs i found aren't worth it? it says:

ARCADIA 7500k PLANT BULB

High light poutput promotes plant growth. Output peaks in the green area of the color spectrum to promote photosynthesis. One of Europe's best selling bulbs.

$14 for a 48" 36 watts T-8

 

[Guest]

Read my FAQ.

The bulbs that come in the All-Glass strips are IMHO the best bulb you can get for plant growth.