Nope - refer to the excellent explanation offered previously about rapid start, instant start, etc. Yes - see one of the large mail order places if local shop does not have. For anyone intent on saving the most energy with fluorescents - use the electronic instant start ballasts. The rapid start ballasts have a small resistance heater used for starting the lamps which also stays on for as long as the lamps are on. Too bad because they had CRIs of 100 and 7500 Kelvin for a fraction of the cost of specialty aquarium lamps.
Every infinity is composed of only two halves.
Hi Paul, I found some T8 bulbs from Philips that look promising for a plant tank. It is a full spectrum lamp with a color temp of 5000K, which is what you need for a plant tank. I think Karen Randall is using GE lamps. I haven't switched to T8 lamps yet, but I plan to at my next scheduled relamping in about 6 months. Regards, Jay Bickford Fort Smith, Ar.