T8 lighting?

[Auquanut]

So I'm loosely planning a 48" 120 gallon FOWLER tank that will probably wind up with some corals eventually. Here's the thing. The plant where I work recently transitioned from T8 lighting to LED's, so there is an abundance of 48" 6 bulb T8 fixtures lying around. I'm sure I can get one for nothing. These things are bright! I'm not even sure if reef appropriate bulbs are even still available for them. What do you think? Worth looking into? Seems like there was a time when these were the gold standard for reef tanks.

 

[C. Eymann]

So I'm loosely planning a 48" 120 gallon FOWLER tank that will probably wind up with some corals eventually. Here's the thing. The plant where I work recently transitioned from T8 lighting to LED's, so there is an abundance of 48" 6 bulb T8 fixtures lying around. I'm sure I can get one for nothing. These things are bright! I'm not even sure if reef appropriate bulbs are even still available for them. What do you think? Worth looking into? Seems like there was a time when these were the gold standard for reef tanks.

You can use T12s with those fixtures, end pins are the same, but they do make reef use 10,000k and Actinic bulbs in t8 still.

 

[uhgster1]

Look at lfs’ in your area. They’re everywhere.

 

[Flippers4pups]

So I'm loosely planning a 48" 120 gallon FOWLER tank that will probably wind up with some corals eventually. Here's the thing. The plant where I work recently transitioned from T8 lighting to LED's, so there is an abundance of 48" 6 bulb T8 fixtures lying around. I'm sure I can get one for nothing. These things are bright! I'm not even sure if reef appropriate bulbs are even still available for them. What do you think? Worth looking into? Seems like there was a time when these were the gold standard for reef tanks.

How I started out, t8's. Went by by back in the late nineties when t5's came out.

I don't know of any bulb manufacturer that offers t8's in coral bulbs anymore.

 

[NanoDJS]

Dude its great and free upfront , but oh my god is it gonna cost you in the long run , research ballast crest factor , and then realize how inefficient these things are it will cost you mad LED's in maintenance , unless you really love the look or something , its just crazy , I light a 4x2 tank with 2 90 watt leds and have insane coverage , go LED you wallet, fishtank ,and electric bill will thank you , they switched for a reason ......

 

[Auquanut]

Dude its great and free upfront , but oh my god is it gonna cost you in the long run , research ballast crest factor , and then realize how inefficient these things are it will cost you mad LED's in maintenance , unless you really love the look or something , its just crazy , I light a 4x2 tank with 2 90 watt leds and have insane coverage , go LED you wallet, fishtank ,and electric bill will thank you , they switched for a reason ......

I know these lights are not efficient. And I probably won't be happy with them in the long run. I told myself when I started looking into this new build that I would do it right the first time. No more upgrade, upgrade, upgrade. I think I'll scrap the idea and look for a reasonable alternative that I can live with for the long haul. Thanks for the reality check.

 

[NanoDJS]

No problem , can't wait to see the build .. Happy Reefing !

 

[Backreefing]

I wonder if the ballasts can be changed and simply go t5 bulbs in the fixture? If the body is good and the reflectors are good then it’s possible?

 

[C. Eymann]

Dude its great and free upfront , but oh my god is it gonna cost you in the long run , research ballast crest factor , and then realize how inefficient these things are it will cost you mad LED's in maintenance , unless you really love the look or something , its just crazy , I light a 4x2 tank with 2 90 watt leds and have insane coverage , go LED you wallet, fishtank ,and electric bill will thank you , they switched for a reason ......

Even as an "old school" metal halide/vho/t5 loyalist .

I must admit, for this application, you are correct, for a (FOWLR) LEDs are the way to go!

Now if we were talking SPS reef, ehh yes LEDs have come a long way, but I still think if your wallet can afford it, T5s+halides > LED- but that's another day, another thread.

Aquanut- I agree you are much better off in the long run with LEDs over a FOWLR tank.

 

[C. Eymann]

I wonder if the ballasts can be changed and simply go t5 bulbs in the fixture? If the body is good and the reflectors are good then it’s possible?

nope pins are different/smaller configuration on t5s vs t8/t12

 

[NanoDJS]

I wonder if the ballasts can be changed and simply go t5 bulbs in the fixture? If the body is good and the reflectors are good then it’s possible?

If they were commercial then they were prob workhorse ballast type that could fire a t5 with diff pins as mentioned above

 

[C. Eymann]

If they were commercial then they were prob workhorse ballast type that could fire a t5 with diff pins as mentioned above

Yeah a WH ballast will fire a 54w T5 but will only run it at 39-40w, not ideal, but it would be fine for fish only

 

[Backreefing]

Pins can be gotten cheap at eBay. But it depends on the reflectors . If there good or not. The whole project falls apart with crappy reflectors. I would assume ballasts can be gotten cheaply.

 

[oreo54]

t8's are almost as efficient as t5 t5HO's..

Just a difference in err "density"..
Finding bulbs you like easily is more of an issue.

Generally, the standard T5 lamp and electronic ballast system has light output and efficacy comparable to a T8 lamp/electronic ballast system (Table).

reflector design will determine REAL efficiency to the tank..

 

[jda]

Two bulbs will be fine for a FOWLR. Just get a T5 fixture at home depot, or the like. Pick some bulbs that you like the look of and use them until they burn out.