What does T8 refere to? (and a few other questions)

[gfink]

Manual says replacement lamp for my eclipse 3 hood is:
"REPLACEMENT LAMP- 24in (T8-18WATT) PFE3"

What does T8 refere to?
WHat does PFE3 refer to? (looks like PF"Eclipse3", so it is probably a product code and nothing technical)

I think these are 5000-5500k "natural daylight" bulbs

I have low light plants (see my list below) Should I choose a replacement bulb with differnt color temp?

From lighting sticky:
"Anything between 5,000k to 10,000k will be usable by plants. Most bulbs will be 6,700k, and will work fine. GE makes a really great PC bulb that's 9,325K (my link above is a cheap place to buy them). These are the bulbs that come with an All-Glass brand PC hood."

Also, hood documentation says I can't use HO or VHO. So I shoudl shop for NO bulbs correct?

 

[coolchinchilla]

I believe the T8 refers to the diameter of the bulbs as a 16th fraction of 1 inch. "Standard" bulbs have a one inch diameter so T8 = 8/8 = 1 inch. A T5 bulb = 5/8 = 5/8-inch bulb. A T12 would be 12/8 = 1.5-inch bulb.

HTH.
coolchinchilla

 

[hashbaz]

So I shoudl shop for NO bulbs correct?

unfortunately you are correct.

I think these are 5000-5500k "natural daylight" bulbs

This bulb is fine.

WHat does PFE3 refer to?

I think you are right about it being a product code.