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I recently read (sorry, can't remember where) that a T5 HO bulb is really identical to a T5 NO bulb, just better constructed to provide acceptable lifespan under higher power.
Is this true? And if so:
Will a T5 NO bulb function properly on a T5 HO ballast, like ODNO - providing light equivalent to a HO bulb but with reduced lifespan?
And will a T5 HO bulb function properly on a T5 NO ballast, providing light equivalent to a NO bulb but with increased lifespan?
The latter is more interesting to me. If the increase in lifetime before loss of lumens or spectrum shift made the bulb useless was great enough, it might more than offset the higher expense of a HO bulb on a tank where NO lighting was sufficient.
It would also allow the possibility of reducing light output on an HO fixture by replacing the ballast, but not the bulb. Connecting two ballasts (one HO, one NO) to the same HO bulb via switches/relays would provide 50% light for extended period viewing, and 100% light for burst period/max plant growth.
Is this true? And if so:
Will a T5 NO bulb function properly on a T5 HO ballast, like ODNO - providing light equivalent to a HO bulb but with reduced lifespan?
And will a T5 HO bulb function properly on a T5 NO ballast, providing light equivalent to a NO bulb but with increased lifespan?
The latter is more interesting to me. If the increase in lifetime before loss of lumens or spectrum shift made the bulb useless was great enough, it might more than offset the higher expense of a HO bulb on a tank where NO lighting was sufficient.
It would also allow the possibility of reducing light output on an HO fixture by replacing the ballast, but not the bulb. Connecting two ballasts (one HO, one NO) to the same HO bulb via switches/relays would provide 50% light for extended period viewing, and 100% light for burst period/max plant growth.
