Lighting Question....T4 vs T5 bulb

[AJinNY]

This is thebulb I currently have for my wall aquarium:

T4 bulb - 12 watt 6400K
It looks to be 18 inches in length.


Would this T5 fit?
https://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewItem~idProduct~CU02142.html
Current USA 18 Inch 20W T5HO 10,000K Daylight SlimPaq Bulb

How about this one?
https://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewItem~idproduct~CU02143.html
Current USA 18 Inch 20W T5HO 460nm Actinic Blue SlimPaq Bulb

I know the 6400 I have now has a lot of yellow in it...Assuming thr first link would fit, would I notice any difference with the 10000K?
Is the second link too "blue"?

Thanks.

 

[panmanmatt]

Sorry to say, but they are not interchangeable. They require different ballasts to fire the bulbs. A T4 12w ballast will not fire a 20w HO T5 bulb.

 

[AJinNY]

do I have any options or basically im stuck with the bulb that came with the aquarium? Imbummed because the lighting is lousy.

 

[panmanmatt]

Depending on how much room you have over the tank you may be able to use a fixture like this:
https://www.marinedepot.com/ps_View...2x18_watt_T5_HO_10K_460nm_<20in_Units&vendor=

 

[AJinNY]

I cant....its a wall aquarium and its one of those all in one things....the only thing I can change is the bulb...everything else is fixed.

 

[panmanmatt]

You are basically stuck with that lighting. Perhaps you can find a T4 bulb that is closer to the 10,000K range.

 

[PEMfish]

You were asking about this before too, and I offered to build a T5 for your in wall. Read the red in my sig.

 

[lcstorc]

Can you change the ballast etc in the existing fixture? I know they sell retro kits so you can add them to your own hood. You might be able to do something like that.
Just an idea.