Lighting

[cuticom]

Okay so I'm useless when it comes to electrics, I would love to learn but my dad is a tad sexist and won't let me anywhere near anything involving tools of any sort, so I've never bothered to research, and know virtually nothing.

Anyways a fairly simple question...

The tank I have is a second hand tank, the whole thing was custom made and wired by an electrician, so there aren't any nice helpful product labels. Most I understand pretty well now, but it has a two two foot lights wired into the hood. I just want to change the bulbs to a higher kelvin rating, but does it matter if i use T5 or T8 bulbs?

And if Ballasts are wired specifically for T5 or T8 bulbs, how would I tell which one its wired for?

 

[cuticom]

Hmmm, just examined the ballast again and very faintly it has 20w written on it, so I'm assuming that that means the tubes in the tank are 20w each? so that would mean the ballast works for T8's? I'm not completely sure but the T5's seems to have a slightly higher wattage then the T8's...

 

[cuticom]

Anyone? I kinda want to order some new lights soon...

 

[SkiFletch]

They should have a code on them like F18T8. That stands for an 18watt T8 bulb... Your other option is to measure the diameter of the bulb. T8s are 8/8th" (aka 1") diameter, T5s are 5/8" in diameter . you MUST replace tubes with the same length, pin arrangement and diameter.

 

[cuticom]

I got a bulb off... all it says is PowerGlo 24" 20w Made in Japan...

Oky dokes, just found powerglo lights online, they have a 1" diameter , so I can get a pair of T8's then? A different brand won't matter will it?

 

[SkiFletch]

I got a bulb off... all it says is PowerGlo 24" 20w Made in Japan...

Oky dokes, just found powerglo lights online, they have a 1" diameter , so I can get a pair of T8's then? A different brand won't matter will it?

Correct, brand does not matter. Make sure you get the color temp YOU want though

 

[cuticom]

Yah thats why I wnat to change them, I'm gonna switch em to actinics...