T12s vs T8s

[kingtut512]

Currently I have a DIY canopy for my planted 55g aquarium. My canopy has two shop lights which each hold two 40w T12 florescent bulbs for a total of four 40w bulbs each 6500k in temp.

For the environmental and energy sake I want to replace my light fixture with a T8 fixture. The highest wattage T8 bulb is 32w but the light color is also 6500k.

So would four 32w 6500k T8 bulbs give me the same outcome as my current four 40w 6500k T12 bulbs for my 55g planted aquarium?

 

[BigJim]

You can get 48" T8s in 40W variety: Power Glo Fluorescent Lamp > 48" (40 W) That's just an example. I'd buy them at the hardware store. I use daylight spectrum 40W T8s from Menards in the shop lights in my garage.

With good reflectors, I think you'll get better lighting with the T8s. They're smaller so there's less light lost to restrike and it's easier to get better reflectors into the fixture.