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What about F17T8 lights?
What about F17T8 lights?
Josh wrote:
Q: Are there any lights that are F17T8 with a color temperature of >
6000 and a price < $10? I have the lighting catalog from Sylvania, and
they only have lights of this size with color temperatures of up to
5000. Pet Warehouse has these high color temperature lights but they are
> $10 per light.
Explanation: I am in the process of finalizing the plans for a T8 light
fixture for my 20 gallon "long" aquarium (30 x 12 x 12). It (the
fixture) will hold 4 24" T8 lights. I will probably use in it, unless
someone can advise otherwise, the REL-4P32-RH-TP ballast from Advance.
I would like the crisp white look and not a yellowish one. Therefore, I
am trying to carefully decide which lights to use. If all else fails, I
may end up mixing two 5000K lights and two 50/50s or 10000K lights, but
if there is any less expensive way to do this, please comment. Any help
on this subject would be appreciated.
Wayne Replies:
I do not think that this is a very good lighting system and I wouldn't do
it. The ballast you are talking about only has a ballast factor of .92, the
2' lamps even in T8s are not very efficient and expensive and hard to find
and you are not going to be able to make a fixture with good reflective
characteristics because the lamps are jammed too close together. You would
be much better served if you bought a single 40 watt kit from AH Supply. You
will get almost as much light with this and I believe it will cost less. A
55 watt kit will give you even more light than the system you are
considering. OTOH the T8 system will work so if you already have the
components you might as well do it. I tried to find a high ballast factor 3
lamp ballast for F17 lamps but I couldn't find one. If such a thing exists I
think it would be a better bet.
Wayne