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ramsay22

Best fluorescents for plants:T-12 vs.T-8

ramsay22
15 years ago

I realize that the T-8 is more efficient than the T-12, but assuming same type fixture and bulbs, which is best for growing?

Since the T-12 fixtures and bulbs seem to be less expensive, I am thinking about using them, unless the T-8's are actually more effective. Advice? Thanks

Comments (8)

  • bluto20
    15 years ago





    T8's + Wal-Mart = $20

  • homemommy
    15 years ago

    The sprawlmarts where I live (and they are HUGE Walmarts with full grocery) do NOT carry shop lights.

    Not all sprawlmarts are created equal! ;-)

    I have one T8 and one T12 fixture. In some ways I like the T12 better for the plants because it seems to be wider. The bulbs are a little bigger, and they are spaced a little further apart, so the overall shop light is wider. When I slide my tray under it, I seem to get much better coverage then I do from the T8.

    Here in Southern Ontario, I can't find a shop light for under $35.00. I bought a T8 for $39.00 as it seemed to make sense that if I was going to fork out that much money, what is another $4.00 for a more energy efficiant fixture that will likely still have bulbs available and easy to find 5-10 years from now??

    (sorry about the hijacking the thread, from what I have read, either fixture is fine, they both put off the same amount of light. I am sure you can find fixtures that are wider and thiner in both t12 and t8. This has just been my personal experiance!)

  • ccc1
    15 years ago

    That's odd... I live in Ontario too, and I got my shoplight from Home Depot for $15 CAD. I then replaced the ballast with a 4-tube electronic ballast to overdrive the 2 tubes for another $18CAD.

    As for which is best, IMO, light is light... if you you're not paying the engergy bills, either will work the same. The main difference between the 2 is that you using 32W (T-8) to produce just a tiny bit more light than your 40W T-12. At some point in time, I've had both set up at the same time, and there was no noticible difference on how well the plants grew between the 2 setups.

    Hope this helps...

  • ramsay22
    Original Author
    15 years ago

    So are you saying that the T-8 produces more light than the comparable T-12 bulb even tho the wattage is lower?

  • ccc1
    15 years ago

    Yes it does. Just look at the lumen rating on the tubes the next time you walk into the hardware store. That number is a rough measurment of how much light it gives off, scaled for the human eye...

  • homemommy
    15 years ago

    The wattage is not what is important, it is the # of lumens. Think if it this way, a Regular Compact Fluorescent light bulb uses way way fewer watts the then a standard bulb, but gives off the same amount of light!

  • hydrojunkie
    15 years ago

    Don't know if you have a lowes around but I bought a 10 pack of 6500k T12 lamps for $20 and a 4' dual lamp T12 fixture for $10. Naturally price will differ from area to area but I thought that was a pretty good deal even though they are T12. Not that my opion holds alot of weight but everybody is right about not looking at wattage but lumenous output (dont know if thats a word) with flourescents, check out a T5 fixture but remeber to look at the lumens and the wattage. If I remeber correctly it was around 90 lumen per watt which is close to a hid light output but you pay for it. Check out these links: http://www.altgarden.com/site/library/lights.html
    http://www.littlegreenhouse.com/guide3.shtml

  • rj_hythloday
    15 years ago

    Got my second light today and hung it, I'm pretty sure I'll be going back for a 3rd. $8.98 for the fixture $1.80 for extra chain and $4 for 2 cool bulbs. I had some extra S hooks around but couldn't find them so I made the hooks in the packaging into S hooks.

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