replacement lighting has me a little confused

stevenjohn21

Ive had 2 light fixtures for my 75 gallon tank that ive never used. However now im trying to plant stuff i hear they might come in handy !
Im trying to get the bulbs for them but have no idea what to get. I have taken a picture of the ballast and the pins that are on the original lights. My question is what do i need T12,T10,T8,T5 ? The light fixture says they will take up to 40 watts each.... well thats only going to be 80 watts..... wont i need more than just over 1 watt per gallon ?

Click this bar to view the full image.

This image has been resized. Click this bar to view the full image. The original image is sized 1023x764 and weights 183KB.

Byron

First, watts is irrelevant here because all fluorescent tubes come in basic wattages according to the length of the tube, and the type. There is some variation between manufacturers but the tube that fits your fixture will only be in the wattage for that tube. For example, a 48-inch T8 tube is 40w or sometimes 32w, depending upon the manufacturer; the newer 32w tubes are more energy efficient (using less power [watts] to produce the same light). A 48-inch T5 will be 54w. And so forth. But the type (T8, T5, T12, etc) being different means that the light produced by these various tubes is not going to be comparable on the basis of watts.

To your fixture, it will take T8 tubes, and apparently T10 and T12. The T8 are newer and better. [T5 will not fit.] Take one of the existing tubes with you to be sure, but the same length in a T8 should do it. For planted tanks, most of us recommend "daylight" type tubes with a Kelvin of around 6500K. If you want inexpensive tubes, the GE, Phillips and Sylvania T8 tubes having 6500K work fine. Just look for the proper length in T8, with 6500K. The manufacturers use various names, but the Kelvin is the guide.

Byron.

stevenjohn21

Thanks Byron , I just got 2 Philips T8 32 watts 6500k. The lumens are worrying me little since I don't know what that is.... These are 2750 will that be ok ?
Posted via Mobile Device

Byron

Yes. I use those on two tanks. The lumens is the measurement of light intensity, and I'll say no more or we may get involved in a tangled discussion with other members on how effective lumens are as a measurement to light intensity. But whatever that may be, as I use these tubes I know they are adequate.

stevenjohn21

Ok I feel a lot confident knowing your tanks have them ! Last question and maybe it's just me because I'm used to looking at the tank with 2 old tubes lighting it but it seems very "yellowish" is this normal ?
Posted via Mobile Device

Byron

Most of us consider 6500K tubes on the somewhat "green" tint, though I see it as yellowish/greenish I suppose. I have it on all my tanks so I'm used to it. It brings out the true colouration of fish and plants and objects, so it may take getting used to depending what you had before. Many so-called aquarium or plant lights tend to be purplish-hued and darker, and it takes getting used to the difference.

One thing you can do is mix tubes. One 6500K tube and one with a higher Kelvin rating, say a 10,000K which will add more blue to the mix. I used to have this combo and really liked it, but I can't get the 10,000K tubes locally so I've gone with two 6500K. But it is an option.

stevenjohn21

As long as it grows my plants I'll get used to it , thanks again ! Your knowledge is remarkable and glad you are on the forum .... Thank you !
Posted via Mobile Device