SnS, sorry about the AKs, what a bummer. There's nothing wrong with T-12s, in fact they have their advantages. They cost more to run than T-5, but the initial investment is much less, and they run cool unlike T-5. You can let the plants grow right into the lights with only minimal heat stress. T-5's will fry em. The most important thing to consider is the color of light. A 6000K will do way better than the more common 4100K shop light, which is right in the middle of the dead zone for chlorophyll activity.

retrofit, schmetrofit.

PS: My avitar wants to know if your new one can come over for a play date.