Difference of a T5 and T8 florescent light?

[thomasina]

Have a planted 20 gal. tank, and tried ordering an 18 inch T5 but they can only get a T8. What is the difference?

 

[Aqualady40]

T8 you can grow low tech plants t5 you should be able to grow any plant
I use T8 on my 55g and get good growth

 

[Fishstuff45]

A t5 is much more powerful then a t8. I don't know how much it matters with plants but I no it means a lot with reef tanks. T5 are also a lot more expensive then t8

 

[BBradbury]

Bulb Differences

Have a planted 20 gal. tank, and tried ordering an 18 inch T5 but they can only get a T8. What is the difference?

Hello thom...

The obvious is the T5 is smaller. The T5 will provide brighter light over a smaller area in your tank. The T8 puts out light in a wider area, but the light isn't as intense.

For a 20 G tank that's roughly a foot tall, then a T8, 6500K bulb is fine, if you keep to plants that have lower light requirements. If you want to go a little further with lighting, then a fixture that will hold two T8 bulbs will be a little more expensive and give you the option of keeping a wider variety of plants.

The T8s are available at most of the hardware stores. GE has a good aquarium plant bulb, that's just a few dollars. T5s are going to be a little higher tech and cost more.

I'd suggest researching the lighting requirements of the plants you want and then decide how much you can comfortably spend.

Just a couple of thoughts.

B

 

[Aqualady40]

Hello thom...

The obvious is the T5 is smaller. The T5 will provide brighter light over a smaller area in your tank. The T8 puts out light in a wider area, but the light isn't as intense.

For a 20 G tank that's roughly a foot tall, then a T8, 6500K bulb is fine, if you keep to plants that have lower light requirements. If you want to go a little further with lighting, then a fixture that will hold two T8 bulbs will be a little more expensive and give you the option of keeping a wider variety of plants.

The T8s are available at most of the hardware stores. GE has a good aquarium plant bulb, that's just a few dollars. T5s are going to be a little higher tech and cost more.

I'd suggest researching the lighting requirements of the plants you want and then decide how much you can comfortably spend.

Just a couple of thoughts.

B

+1 agree..I use 2 T8's for low tech plants such as amazon swords, wisteria, water sprite, java fern, etc..