How do I tell what knd of hood/light I have

[sdexcalibur]

OK, I receintly bought a 75 gal with hood, It's much nicer than my 55, this hood is a bit taller with two air vents in the top also has a crome reflective strip on the underside. My question(s) is how do I know if it's a t-12 t-8 ect... and what does that mean.
The hood holds two light both 48 inch, and it came with a 2 Aqua ray fresh and saltwater bulb, Is this a good light for a FOWLR it's a 40 watt bulb, If not whats better, What about the marine glo, aqua glow any good/ better, thanks

 

[Navarre]

T8 tubes look the same size in width and length as a normal fraeshwater tube. All normal flourescent tubes, like household olighting, freshwater tubes etc are T8s.

T5s are much thinner. about half the diameter.

I would keep clear from anything that is used for lighting freshwater tanks. These tubes are designed for plant growth as they use the red end of the light spectrum. The only plants ina marine tank is algea, in a FOWLR environment you will be encouraging large algea blooms. You are giving the algea exactly what it requires to get a hold in the tank, the correct lights and the higher nutrient levels usually found in fish only systems).

Marine glow would be ok for FO

 

[hyrookin]

it sounds like you have an "all glass" aquarium, that's what I have.
the aqua ray bulbs it comes with are good, but I think you get a
much better effect taking one out and replacing it with a marine-
glo or a 50/50 actinic.either way,this lighting is adequate for FO

 

[sdexcalibur]

Ok on the light I found something that said t-12, I also saw these adapters that go from t-12 to a t-8What are these for and why would you want them, Is their any benifits from useing a t-8 than a t-12