T5HO Or T8 light

[Nogauthi]

Ive got à 65 gallon with African cichlids with live plants. I Have 2 t8 bulbs.
Should I be looking into T5 HO ? If so 2 or 4 bulbs. Or should I just add 2 t5ho to my 2t8?
I want the colors to look good and for my plants to do well

 

[adammorrill]

It depends on the kind of plants you have. If you just have some anubias, java ferns, or cyrpts then the t8s will be fine. The t5s will definately make your tank brighter but fish still look good with just t8 bulbs.

 

[BBradbury]

Your Lighting Question

Ive got à 65 gallon with African cichlids with live plants. I Have 2 t8 bulbs.
Should I be looking into T5 HO ? If so 2 or 4 bulbs. Or should I just add 2 t5ho to my 2t8?
I want the colors to look good and for my plants to do well

Hello No...

Provided you have plants that require low to moderate light, then a couple of 32 watt, T8s are enough. Ideally, you want 6500K bulbs. These come closest to natural daylight at 5500K.

Plants require pure water conditions, so change out up to half the tank water weekly to replace nitrates, phosphates and sulfates and use a good plant fert a couple of times a week.

B