T-5 and T-8 Fluros, What is the real difference?

I was using 18w T-5 bulbs and put in 18w T-8 bulbs with better results. some ppl say T-5s are the best, but i dont understand. the T-8s are brighter and i am getting better results with them.
also what is the phosorous thing about? the T-5s are triple phos and the T-8s are quad phos.
Can someone please explain the difference between the T-5 and the T-8 and why the T-5s are supposed to be better?
thankyou. rep+ for any help.

so either no one knows or they are keeping the info secret

eightenough said:

I was using 18w T-5 bulbs and put in 18w T-8 bulbs with better results. some ppl say T-5s are the best, but i dont understand. the T-8s are brighter and i am getting better results with them.
also what is the phosorous thing about? the T-5s are triple phos and the T-8s are quad phos.
Can someone please explain the difference between the T-5 and the T-8 and why the T-5s are supposed to be better?
thankyou. rep+ for any help.

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I'll take a stab at this and this is from memory and we all know about stoners and their memories. The phosphorous is what makes the tubes glow in the spectrums they glow. The electricity heats the gasses and they combine with the phosphorous to make the tube glow. It may appear brighter to your eyes but that's not what counts. It's what the plants see and much light they are getting that matters. Check the lumen output for each of your lights. I have a 54watt t-5 that puts out five thousand lumens a tube.

a brief explanation can be found here.
https://www.rollitup.org/grow-room-design-setup/158305-whats-difference-between-t5-t8.html#post2041655

T-5 kick ass and T-8 are ok but are slow. T-5 are great for veg and flowering! T-5's is where it's at!

Great post Headsup. i was looking into one of those 2 54w bulb system that puts out 10,000 lumens for one plant of mines. +rep.

I use T-5 8-lighters 2 over each 4x8 for my mothers. They're great for vegging and cloning too!

thank you so much guys that has been heaps helpful. i now know what to look for when looking up info. rep+ for all