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18W T5 or 40w PC?


finch6013

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What one will have more usable and better light for actinic supplement?

Because of length issues I need to keep in under 20'' and those are looking to be my only option, other than current makes a 20w 18'' T5 but being the same length as the competitors I think its really just a renamed 18w.

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Pretty sure the PC will have more light. An 18" 18w T5 is just a regular aquarium light like you would see over most any 10 or 20 gallon freshwater tank. I would check the wavelength on the actinic as well. I like the way the flourescents pop out with the 420nm Actinic better than the 460nm. (460 is more blue while 420 is closer to uv)

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Pretty sure the PC will have more light. An 18" 18w T5 is just a regular aquarium light like you would see over most any 10 or 20 gallon freshwater tank. I would check the wavelength on the actinic as well. I like the way the flourescents pop out with the 420nm Actinic better than the 460nm. (460 is more blue while 420 is closer to uv)

 

I think the more typical aquarium (like on a freshwater or FO setup) lights are actually T8, not T5. T5 are much more efficient in terms of light/watt than a T8. I don't know how the CF and T5 compare on a watt for watt basis.

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I think the more typical aquarium (like on a freshwater or FO setup) lights are actually T8' date=' not T5. T5 are much more efficient in terms of light/watt than a T8. I don't know how the CF and T5 compare on a watt for watt basis.[/quote']

 

Yes, I just went and looked at the one I have and it is indeed a T8. T5 and T8 though are just light diameters. T8 is 8 x 1/8" which is 1" in diameter. T5 is 5 x 1/8" which is 5/8" in diameter. The only advantage in efficiency that I am aware of is that the smaller diameter will block less reflected light. I.E. If there is a reflector more of the light shining at the reflector will bounce back down into the tank. I could be wrong but I think the CF and T5 can be compared pretty much on a watt for watt basis as they are essentially the same type of bulb with the shape being the main difference. (A 40w normal flourescent ballast will work for a 40w CF bulb and vice versa)

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