worth upgrading to t5no from t8?

[sobersteve323]

Hope this is an easy question. Would it be worth upgrading my t8 fixtures to a t5no(1 or 2 bulb) if I'm only growing amazon swords and wisteria? I have a 50gallon long that currently has two 18"t8 fixtures. Or would it make more sense to upgrade to t5ho if Im upgrading in the first place?

 

[BBradbury]

Your Lighting Question

Hope this is an easy question. Would it be worth upgrading my t8 fixtures to a t5no(1 or 2 bulb) if I'm only growing amazon swords and wisteria? I have a 50gallon long that currently has two 18"t8 fixtures. Or would it make more sense to upgrade to t5ho if Im upgrading in the first place?

Hello sob...

These plants require medium light, so check your watts per gallon. If you have around 75 watts total or about 1.5 watts of light per gallon of tank volume, then IMO you don't need to change anything.

Your T8s will give you less intense light, but shine it over a larger area. The T5 provides more intense light than the T8, but distributes it over a narrower area.

I keep swords under a single 6500 K, T8, 32 watt bulb and they grow slowly, but they're healthy. The Water wisteria works best for me if I float it close to the light, so I get away with lower light.

The T5 will likely require a strip that accomodates two bulbs and obviously will cost more than the single bulb strip.

Just a thought from a nonexpert.

B

 

[Talvari]

I think the T5s look amazing and you can do so much more with them, so I would say go for it if you can afford it.

Heres a picture of the difference between a regular, stock light (the light that comes with most aquarium kits) and a regular T5. The T5 is on the left, the T8 is on the right...

 

[sobersteve323]

Thanks for the replies guys. So do you guys think t5no is plenty for ~19"inches deep? All of my plants are in the back half of the tank

 

[Talvari]

Probably. My 46 gallon tank is about 18" deep and my regular T5 works just fine.

 

[sobersteve323]

Probably. My 46 gallon tank is about 18" deep and my regular T5 works just fine.

Awesome. Another question... Single or dual bulb fixture? Lol

 

[Talvari]

Dual bulb, all the way.

 

[sobersteve323]

Dual bulb, all the way.

Think this one is any good? Can't really find any reviews other than those on amazon. But the price is pretty nice, lol. Might switch out the actinic bulb though.

Db Solarmaxhe2 Double T5 10000k Strip W/led 48"

Amazon.com: Db Solarmaxhe2 Double T5 10000k Strip W/led 48": Pet Supplies

 

[HN1]

I'm not familiar with the Solarmax fixtures. We're using this over a 5' 120G and have been very happy with it.
T5-ho 4ft / 2LAMP Aquarium lighting

 

[sobersteve323]

I'm not familiar with the Solarmax fixtures. We're using this over a 5' 120G and have been very happy with it.
T5-ho 4ft / 2LAMP Aquarium lighting

Wow that's a nice price, too! Is that the site you purchased it from?

 

[manbeast]

I have the solarmax t5no's over my 150g with a depth of @ 27" I'd say on this set up they give me low light but they came with the deal I got on CL may upgrade after tax time