Are 24 inch bulbs actually 24 inches?

Discussion in 'T5 Aquarium Lighting' started by Inertiatic, Nov 22, 2011.

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  1. Inertiatic

    Inertiatic Bubble Tip Anemone

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    I have a question that might be silly. I have a 24 inch fixture that houses 22 inch T5s. I'm looking at different bulbs and they all say 24 inches. Now does that mean that they fit 24 inch fixtures or they are actually 24 inches long?
     
    Inertiatic, Nov 22, 2011
    Inertiatic, Nov 22, 2011
    #1

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  2. gabbyr189

    gabbyr189 Bubble Tip Anemone

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    I believe they are 22"
     
    gabbyr189, Nov 22, 2011
    gabbyr189, Nov 22, 2011
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  3. threephase37

    threephase37 Fire Worm

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    Go by what the ballast says, if it says 2lamp 28w t5's then get 28w t5 bulbs which happen to be 4' non HO bulbs. The 2', 4' , and so on is the closest common length but not the actual length.
     
    threephase37, Nov 22, 2011
    threephase37, Nov 22, 2011
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  4. 2in10

    2in10 Super Moderator

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    You are correct it means it should fit 24" fixtures.
     
    2in10, Nov 22, 2011
    2in10, Nov 22, 2011
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  5. Reef-a-holic

    Reef-a-holic 3reef Sponsor

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    T5 bulbs are actually designed to fit fixtures that are originally measured in metric. What we call a 24" (the 24W bulb) is designed to fit a 60cm fixture. The 24W bulb measures about 22.25 inches pin to pin. With all that said, fixtures and bulbs are all consistent sizes, so if your fixture takes a 24W bulb, any 24W bulb you buy should be the correct length.
     
    Reef-a-holic, Nov 22, 2011
    Reef-a-holic, Nov 22, 2011
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  6. Inertiatic

    Inertiatic Bubble Tip Anemone

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    Awesome. Thanks for the quick replies guys!

    Going to upgrade my bulbs on black friday now =]
     
    Inertiatic, Nov 22, 2011
    Inertiatic, Nov 22, 2011
    #6