T8 & T5 Are they full spectrum?

[Cewal]

Are T8 & T5 bulbs full spectrum, and are they too bright to use comfortably for orchid shelves on a kitchen wall?

[lepanthes89]

Both types come in full spectrum if thats what you want,(I have not found it necessary,as long as you combine cool and warm),and T5's is what I got this year to replace my old system.
I dont think they're "too bright".If glare is a problem ,make a reflector-shade, to keep the light on the plants,and not your eyes.

[Ray]

The size of the tube plays no role in the spectrum radiated - that's dependent upon the phosphors used in them. The smaller the diameter, the more intense the light is.

[Paul Mc]

I've been looking at lights for a florescent hanging light fixtures. I've typically used the ones you buy for fish tanks as they are much brighter than Lowes or Home Depot's plant lights. I don't have a name for these, but are T5's and T8's better? I have over 80 tropicals I pull in every year and want to minimize cost while maximizing effeiency and brightness to cover the entire grow area. I have 4 of these lights hanging up spread over 1/4 of the basement.

[Cewal]

Originally Posted by lepanthes89

Both types come in full spectrum if thats what you want,(I have not found it necessary,as long as you combine cool and warm),and T5's is what I got this year to replace my old system.
I dont think they're "too bright".If glare is a problem ,make a reflector-shade, to keep the light on the plants,and not your eyes.

I was looking at Lowe's and saw bulbs marked cool white, but didn't see any marked warm. Are they marked differently? Thanks.

[Cewal]

Originally Posted by Ray

The size of the tube plays no role in the spectrum radiated - that's dependent upon the phosphors used in them. The smaller the diameter, the more intense the light is.

Thanks, Ray. I didn't realize the diameter of the bulb made a difference in the light. I grow a variety of orchids - can you make a recommendation between T5 and T8?

BTW, I've repotted 4 paphs in the PrimeAgra that I ordered from you, and I love working with it. It's so much nicer to use than bark mixtures. So far, my paphs seem to love it.

[FrankP999]

Originally Posted by Paul Mc

I've been looking at lights for a florescent hanging light fixtures. I've typically used the ones you buy for fish tanks as they are much brighter than Lowes or Home Depot's plant lights. I don't have a name for these, but are T5's and T8's better? I have over 80 tropicals I pull in every year and want to minimize cost while maximizing effeiency and brightness to cover the entire grow area. I have 4 of these lights hanging up spread over 1/4 of the basement.

T5 are available in High Output that are rated 54 watts for a 4 foot bulb. They are much brighter than T8 or shoplights. You did not say how many square feet your 1/4 basement is. If you have 4 fluorescent fixtures, you might be better off with one Metal Halide (MH) 1000 watt.

Frank