is t5 better than t8

What is the difference between T5 and T8?

T8 circumference is 8cm. T5 circumference is 5cm. Hence the names. But the difference when it comes to our UVB is all to do with the technology of the tubes. As you should know, with the UVB tubes, we are essentially trying to replicate the natural conditions in which these exotics live.

What is the life expectancy of a T5 or T8 light bulb?

Both the T5 and T8 lamps have a general life expectancy of around 36,000 hrs. at 12 hrs. per day burn time. There are several different factors that determine levels of efficiency. The quality of light, often referred to as lumen output (also called "brightness" by the Department of Energy) is an important factor to consider.

Is T5 UVB better than no UVB?

This, of course, is not within the range they ideally require. But of course, that UVB was better than no UVB. And along with a good supplement and varied gut-loaded feeding routine, our dragons have started living longer, and healthier lives. Over the past few years, T5 UVB lighting (HO – High Output) has hit the market.

Do T5 bulbs do well in the Cold?

T5 lighting tubes produce best at an ambient temp of 35C (95F) which would make one think that they don't do well in the cold. That's not completely true, see the ambient temperature rating that manufacturers use is that of the air against the bulb.

Which is better T5 or T8?

T5 fluorescent light bulb is a newer technology than T8. T5 fluorescent light bulb has an efficiency of about 100 lm/W. T8 fluorescent light bulb can reach about 90 lm/W luminous efficacy. In other words, T5 fluorescent lamps can use the same amount of power to produce more light.

Why are T5 better than T8?

LED as a light source, it is energy saving than traditional light bulbs, But compare t5 with t8,t5 led tube light is more high efficiency than t8 tube light. the volume of t5 tube light is smaller and t5 tube light requires less power during the same time.

Are T5 brighter than T8?

T5 high output (T5 HO) lamps have greater luminous flux per unit length than standard T8 lamps, but the light output of standard T5 lamps per unit length is almost identical to the standard T8 lamps.

What is the difference between T5 and T8 bulbs?

T5 lamps are 40% smaller than T8 fixtures, but are capable of containing just as much and sometimes more light in a smaller area. In other words, more T8 fixtures are needed to produced the same amount of light generated by significantly fewer high output T5 bulbs.

Are T8 bulbs being discontinued?

Even some T8 lamps have been phased out. US Congress has enacted legislation to prohibit the manufacture of these and other inefficient lighting technologies, and is calling for manufacturers to meet minimum efficiency requirements and lumens per watt for new products.

Do T5 lights get hot?

from 9 volts to 12. The defective walwart melted one of the fans. So now the T5's are hot enough to barely burn you if you had your hands on them for 5 second firmly pressed on the side of the bulbs where the dead fan is.

Where do you usually use a T5 fluorescent?

T5 luminaires are usually used in new construction projects. Because T5 lamps have smaller diameters, shorter lengths, and higher luminances than T8 and T12 lamps, they are more suitable for indirect lighting, direct/indirect lighting, direct lighting for high-bay applications, and wall-washing applications.

Can you replace T5 with T8?

T5 lamps cannot replace T12 or T8 lamps because of differences in physical and electrical characteristics. T5 lamps come in different lengths than T8 and T12 lamps. A nominal 4-foot T5 lamp is actually shorter than an equivalent T8 lamp [1149 millimeters (45.23 inches) in total].

Is T5 energy efficient?

The higher the value, the more energy efficient the lamp is. The luminous efficacy of T5 lamps is about 100 lm/W, while those of T8 and T12 lamps are only about 80 lm/W and 70 lm/W respectively.

Which is better LED or T5?

Most Energy-Efficient In comparison to LED bulbs, fluorescent lights and incandescent bulbs are inefficient. But of the fluorescent option, T5 is still the best option and very efficient.

Can you use a T8 ballast with T5 bulbs?

T5 lamps need special ballasts to operate. In most cases, the T5 ballasts will not work with T12 or T8 lamps, although at least one manufacturer offers electronic ballasts that can operate either T5 or T8 lamps with appropriate wiring. T5 lamps operate at frequencies greater than 20 kilohertz.

Is T8 good for plants?

Four T8 fluorescent light bulbs will work well for growing vegetables indoors as long as you leave them on long enough to give the plants enough light.

Is T5 energy efficient?

The higher the value, the more energy efficient the lamp is. The luminous efficacy of T5 lamps is about 100 lm/W, while those of T8 and T12 lamps are only about 80 lm/W and 70 lm/W respectively.

Are LED lights better than T5?

There is no physics difference in light being produced by an LED or T5 unit; however reflectors in different units can affect whether light beams are more collimated (better penetration in deep tanks) and of course, different units produces light of different spectrum/wavelengths.

Is T5 or T8 better for bearded dragons?

First of all, the Zoo Med ReptiSun is available in two versions: T5 and T8. In my opinion, the T5 is vastly superior – it has a much higher UVB output and can be placed 12″ to 18″ away from your bearded dragon. In addition, T5 fixtures can sometimes be mounted above the mesh top of your enclosure.

What is the difference between T5 T8 and T12 lights?

Size. T5 tubes are smaller than T8 and T12 tubes, which allow them to fit into smaller spaces. They are offered in sizes of 2-5 feet in length. T5 lamps are around 40% smaller than T8 lamps and almost 60% smaller than T12 lamps.

Why are T8s better than T5?

Because the T8s give off less heat and less light, they are in fact more suitable for these early phases. If you were to use a brighter, hotter T5, you would run the risk of scorching the plants or upsetting their biological rhythm necessary for the early stages of growth.

What are the drawbacks of T5 bulbs?

Though wonderfully efficient on the energy consumption front, T5 lights do have two major drawbacks: First, they may have a slightly shorter average lifespan than T8 bulbs , as explained by the fine folks over at the NLPIP.

What is a T8 grow light?

Ideally, T8 grow lights are more suited to the earlier stages of growing ; their lack of maximum capacity for lighting can hamper and impair growth during the veg and flowering stages.

What is a T5 bulb?

T5 bulbs are the latest generation of tubular style lighting, with a diameter of 5/8ths of an inch. Considerably more efficient than their predecessors – the T8 and T12 bulbs – T5s boast a higher brightness output with less energy used per lumen produced.

How much does a T5 bulb cost?

While this may not be a great cost concern for small grows (with each T5 bulb costing between $2.50 to $12) , it may be something you want to consider if planning larger-scale indoor grow operations. Second, T5 bulbs tend to produce more heat than T8 bulbs.

Do you need a T5 light for plants?

Once your plants are set up to thrive past their initial growth, you really need the higher brightness capacity of T5 to grow lights. As photosynthesis really starts to ramp up during these growth phases, the more light you can provide to your plants, the better your final outcome – and heavier your harvest!

Can you brighten up a T8?

While you can adjust for the greater heat of the T5 by improving your ventilation or fine-tuning the light’s distance from your plants, there are no fixes that can brighten up a T8 to the point that you’ll be satisfied with your results in the veg and flower phases.

Comparing T5 Vs T8 Lighting

The main difference between T5 and T8 light tubes is the diameter and the length of the tubes. T5 light tubes are 5/8 inch (15 mm) in diameter while T8 is 1 inch (25 mm) in diameter. T5 tubes have a maximum length of 40 in (1 meter). However, some companies sell T5 bulbs that are much longer.

Typical Uses of Each Type of Tube Diameter

Light is the most important factor for aquarium plants. While it is true that you can grow plants in low light conditions, the quality of the growth will not be as good as with optimal lighting.

T5 vs T8 Bulb – Which Has Higher Energy Efficiency?

If you are looking to make efficient use of energy, T8 bulbs are generally a better choice than T5 bulbs due to lower energy consumption.

Frequently Asked Questions

When it comes to aquarium or terrarium lighting, T5s and T8s are two of the most widely used fluorescent bulbs. People often ask whether they can use T5 bulbs in their T8 fixtures and vice versa. My answer is an absolute “No”!

Conclusion

In a nutshell, the smaller the bulb, the more light it produces. This means that, in most cases, you can buy a lower tube size for your tank.

Which is better, T5 or T8?

If you do not need as many lumens, the lesser wattage T8 would be the better choice since it offers lower lumen and watt consumption. If you need higher levels of lighting, the T5 might be ideal for your situation.

What is the difference between a T5 and T8 light bulb?

The major physical difference between T5 and T8 light bulbs is the length and diameter of the tube itself. The T5 tends to be slightly shorter than the T8 tube, and is significantly smaller in diameter. This factor is important to consider when looking at your fixture, because the two tubes are not interchangeable.

What is a T5 tube?

T5 tubes are the latest series of fluorescent lamps. They are offered in standard or high-output (HO) options. There are many differences between T5 lamps and T8 or T12 lamps.

How many lumens does a T5 light have?

A T5 has approximately 5000 lumens per lamp and is also 54 watts per bulb, so, and a T8 gives you about 3000 lumens, depending on the ballast, low ballast factor being less probably around 2700, high ballast factor being about 3000.

Is the T5 shorter than the T8?

A couple things to notice here is the T5 is shorter, slightly shorter, than the T8 so it has to fit in the fixture. You can get different lengths of these, both of these, one for, you can use them for a two by two troffer, you could use them for a high bay fixture.

Is a T5 bulb more expensive than a T8 bulb?

Additionally, T5 bulbs tend to be 2-3 times more expensive than T8 bulbs—so cost is an important consideration as well. Once you have decided on your color temperature and lumen output needs as well as your budget, deciding between a T5 or T8 fixture will be much easier to navigate.

How much does a T5 lamp cost?

A standard 4 foot T8 lamp costs between $3.00 and $5.00, and a standard T5 lamp costs between $5.50 and $12.00. That is why you must carefully consider what is the best application so that you aren't spending 2x more than you have to.

What is the size of a T5 bulb?

Size Of The Bulbs. A T5 bulb is roughly the same diameter as a $.10 dime. A T8 bulb is closer to the size of a $.05 Nickel. The T5 is the smaller of the 2.

Does the T5 outperform the T8?

The T5 does cost nearly 2x more, but that same margin cannot be applied to performance. The T5 does not outperform the T8 by the same margin. In fact, in many low level interior applications, the performance differences are negligible.

Is it a good idea to switch from T8 to T5?

While it obviously isn't a good idea to switch from T8 to T5 in the above scenario, it would be very good if it were a switch from T12 to T5 standard output lighting. T5 standard output lamps have their place, it's just understanding the applications and the desired results.

What is the index of a T8 tube?

In my experience using Solarmeters (these measure UVB) over the years, a quality T8 tube ( Arcadia or Zoo Med ReptiSun) will index around 4 to 5 . This, of course, is not within the range they ideally require. But of course, that UVB was better than no UVB.

How far away should a T5 reflector be?

And because many reptiles having trichromatic vision (meaning they CAN see UVB) they can more than likely see that flicker. Also, because the T5 tech Is stronger. The minimum distance, with a reflector, should be around 12/13 inches.

What Does The “T” Stand for?

Comparing T5 vs T8 Lighting

Typical Uses of Each Type of Tube Diameter

T5 vs T8 Bulb – Which Has Higher Energy Efficiency?

• If you are looking to make efficient use of energy, T8 bulbs are generally a better choice than T5 bulbs due to lower energy consumption. T8 tubes are larger in stature than T5 tubes. This gives them room for more energy-efficient components. Additionally, they’re often a little longer than T5 bulbs, which allows for better coverage even at greater...

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Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion