What's the best T-8 bulb for shaping?

Archive 1999-2004
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(10’x14’ bay, 2 - dualbulb 4’ers per side, 5 - dualbulb 4’ers overhead) I am making the switch from plain vanilla 40w T-12 lights/bulbs to T-8 fixtures. What are the best (T-8 bulb) specs for shaping? I can’t afford to buy these bulbs more than once, so I want to get it right the first time. What are everyone’s preferences in lighting strength? Thanks in advance, Larry

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I know 34w is the standard. I’m really more curious about lumens(?), 3000K/4100K/5000K, and the coating /cool white/(?). Any advice is appreciated. Larry

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Hope to see some experienced responses here. I think the best light spectrum is balanced. This means buying the more expensive tubes. Look for “sunlight” or “balanced” in the name. But try cool white. If cool white works for you, they cost 1/3 what balanced tubes cost. I think the lumens you quote are high output (HO) for 48" tubes. The normal 34W 48" tubes I’ve read about only emit about 2500 lumens. Light efficiency (lumens/watt) depends mostly on color and efficiency of phosphor coatings and gas doping elements. Flourescents naturally emit mostly in UV and blue. If you get a cheap, highly efficient tube, but it emits mostly blue light, then it still isn’t worth much for seeing by. So lumen output doesn’t necessarily mean much.

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Thanks for your response surf nut. You are right. Most run around 2500 - 2850 lumens, and the “K” stands for Kelvin (color temperature). This is what I’ve found out online so far. --------------------------------------------------- COLOR TEMPERATURE – Measured in Kelvin (K). Relates to how interior space feels. For example, a color temperature of 3000K appears to be warm while 4100K appears to be cool. Color temperature can play an integral part in creating a given atmosphere for a space, whether it be soft and comfortable for relaxing at home or sharp and precise for work environments where visual clarity is a must. ( Ref.: http://www.bulbs.com/lightingguide/intro.asp ) This web site has a good selection and prices (by the case). http://www.bulbs.com/products/product.asp?page=products&class=718 -------------------------------------------------------------- I’m going to get 5000K bulbs @ $1.99 ea. Hope it does the trick. Thanks for the help. Larry