Hi sqgirl74,

The t8 has only one power by a certain size, T5 are in normal and HO, for a certain fixture you need the right tube, The efficiency of t5 and t8 is nearly the same but the tube radiate light in every direction so you have to look for fixtures with a reflector inside. An other option is to use led tubes in the same sizes as T8, the prices of those are going steadily down.

I use a combination of warm white and cool white the metal clip is a 25mm tool (terry) clip. When you are handy you can construct a led strip with 3 or 10 watt chips, fixed at aluminum strip and some electronics all available at Ebay a lot of work but you can tune the spectrum to your (and plants) need

Can you tell us where you live? Lots of herbs are evergreen perennials in milder climates.

Scorpio, I don't think I am up to the hands on part, I am not really handy when it comes to these things! But I appreciate the tips on the fixtures and reflectors, I will make sure to check for these things. Floral, I am in South Missouri, zone 6.

Scorpio, please explain your pic. What is the clip holding? What are all the different colored wires? What about a ballast? You do not use any reflectors?

Hi Vladimir.

The tube is fixed on both sides with those 25mm clips, the size of the tube is the same as a T8 tube and in the Netherlands available in 60/120/150 cm (2/4/5 foot)) and color 830 warm white and 840 cool white

The blue/white is the 220V mains coming in (the tube will work with anything between 85 to 260V . The black is common for the two tubes and the red goes too the warm white and the yellow to the cool white tube, the connectors to the tube are made from old pc connectors but you can also use a piece of that white 4 fold connection block (I don't know the name of that) The electronics are integrated in the tube so you don't need a ballast. the light have a 150 degree angle so I use a simple reflector. the connection is not standardized, there are tubes with the connection on one side and tubes with the connection on both sides