T5 lighting info?

**joseph.otto** · 12-13-2012, 05:31 AM

So im new to the aquarium scene, and even more so to planted tanks. I got my 55 gallon off craigslist and the hood had a T5 light bulb in it. Its a single long bulb. I am not sure how great it is or anything like that. I was about to get a java fern or two and was wondering how well it would this light bulb would be. Im not sure of the wattage, I would look to see but its night time and in the middle of the night.

**talldutchie** · 12-13-2012, 06:49 AM

Imo a single t5 on so much water is low light. Java fern should work. Anubias is another good option. Both do well tied to something.

**scotchbonneteater** · 12-13-2012, 11:08 AM

+1 to talldutchie on the Java Fern. Also you may need a new tube as they run down over time and the one you have could be quite old !

**Crispy** · 12-13-2012, 11:41 AM

If I only had the option of one bulb, I would get a 6700k daylight bulb. you'll be a low light setup at about 1w per gallon.

**talldutchie** · 12-13-2012, 02:56 PM

Good point. 6500k-ish is probably the best colour to go for with a single.

**joseph.otto** · 12-13-2012, 03:38 PM

Ok sorry but I just looked this morning and its a 48'' Sun Glo T8. I could of swore before it said T5, but I dont think that makes a difference if im right. Isnt that just the size of something?

**KevinVA** · 12-13-2012, 04:02 PM

Originally Posted by joseph.otto

Ok sorry but I just looked this morning and its a 48'' Sun Glo T8. I could of swore before it said T5, but I dont think that makes a difference if im right. Isnt that just the size of something?

It's the size of the bulb. T8s are quite a bit larger, diameter wise, than T5s. The # is how many 1/8" the bulb is in width. So, a T8 bulb is 1" wide, while a T5 bulb is 5/8".

**Hardy85** · 12-13-2012, 05:45 PM

Based on that, should a T8 give off my wattage...

I have been looking to upgrade also and trying to figure out best way to do it. I know that you can't put a T5 in a T8 fitting, but why would smaller bulb be better?

Any electrical nerds out there able to explain?

**talldutchie** · 12-13-2012, 06:37 PM

Originally Posted by KevinVA

It's the size of the bulb. T8s are quite a bit larger, diameter wise, than T5s. The # is how many 1/8" the bulb is in width. So, a T8 bulb is 1" wide, while a T5 bulb is 5/8".

Well, there's that but also T5 tends to provide quite a bit more light. A single T8 on a tank that size, I'd definitely declare that low light.

I'm not an electrical nerd, not by a long shot but T5 is 1970s tech, t8 is 1950s

**KevinVA** · 12-13-2012, 06:41 PM

Your regular T8 bulb would be fine for an aquarium, if you wanted a low-tech/low wattage light. However, they make High Output bulbs, now, for High Output light fixtures. Those are the T5 HO, or T8 HO bulbs. These are capable of putting out a lot more wattage than the standard bulbs/fixtures. The T8 HO isn't typically sold for aquarium settings, because the amount of light they would produce would probably end up being harmful for fish. That's why T5 HOs are being utilized more often and you'll be seeing people suggest you use T5s all over the place. HO bulbs/fixtures are typically used for planted tanks.