What fixture is this t5 t8?

[barterking85]

Ok I bought a second hand tank with a nice canopy and I can figure out what type of lights they are and also under the canopy between the two lights there is two holes about 1.5 in diameter with plastic removable plugs in them any idea what there for?

 

[barterking85]

Here it is

 

[Termitehunter]

"Use only fluorescent lamp rated 40W/FT8max"

T8. Its a thicker tube than a T5, thats another way to tell.

 

[barterking85]

Thanks I just have nothing to compare it to but the bulb says 40 watt and 42" long it is about 1" wide that is from on side to the other not all the way around

 

[barterking85]

Any idea what the holes are for with the plugs in them

 

[jetajockey]

are they holes for the power cords?

 

[barterking85]

I don't think so it is hard wired into the canopy I was thinking cooling fan but it has no wires in them I will take a picture tomorrow

 

[mfdrookie516]

Moved to General Hardware/Equipment Discussion

 

[BillD]

I would suspect the holes are to add sockets if they are at opposite ends. T ratings on tubes are in inches; a T8 is 8/8inches (1"), a T5 is 5/8inches, a T12 is 12/8 inches (1 1/2") in diameter..

 

[barterking85]

The holes are in the same end side by side and the bulbs are t8 is that pretty good?

 

[barterking85]

I just want to start a planted tank so I need to know what lights I have so if they ask can I say t8 40 watt x 2?

 

[jetajockey]

yeah.. T8's are o.k., its on the low end, but you can probably still sustain some low demand plants.

 

[barterking85]

So t5 lowest t12 highest

 

[jetajockey]

Bigger bulbs aren't better, it's actually the other way around. T5ho are the highest powered/most affordable fixtures at the moment. T12/T8s are what you frequently see lighting up office buildings and such.

 

[barterking85]

Ok hard to get a grasp on all this so my canopy says t8 max what is the best bulbs I can get ? I don't care how much it costs

 

[jetajockey]

I'm not sure what you mean. You'll have to get a new fixture to get different bulb types, it's the best route IMO. You could get a fixture with legs on it that sits on top of the tank.

 

[barterking85]

Ok just ment color temp and and certin bulbs have 10000k and stuff like that

 

[jetajockey]

I would upgrade fixtures to t5ho's. The color temp you want for planted tanks is around 6500k.

 

[barterking85]

Ok cool I will just look into low light plants I just hate the look of anything but a canopy but I might build one and put t5ho x 4 for my 80 gallon

 

[jetajockey]

I think you can rig it to work in a canopy also, it shouldn't be that difficult.

I wouldn't go with a 4 bulb fixture unless you are either going ultra high tech or doing SW.