Nova T5 or Coralife CF for a 50 gallon tank?

Jag1980

Jag1980

Got Plants?
Aug 18, 2008
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Marysville, Wa
I plan on upgrading to a 50 gallon tank (36" x 18" x 19") and was wondering which light would be better?
I want the option to be able to grow anything I want and grow it well, anything from Crypts to Eriocaulon.

Which light would work best?

This one here http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3733+13822+16770&pcatid=16770
36" 78 watts 1.5 watts per gallon on a 50 gallon tank

Or this one? http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3733+13733&pcatid=13733
I currently have this light here, even after a Crypt melts it will grow back quickly and that's what I like. But my experience with this light is on a 29 gallon tank.
Specs are 36" 2x96 watts, 1.9 watts per gallon on a 50 gallon tank

I want good quality and long bulb life.
Should I keep the light a have now or should I switch to the Nova T5 light mentioned above? Aquarium will have pressurized Co2
 
I have both and I really like the Nova. I haven't had the coralife set up long enough to have an opinion on it yet.
 
I bought a T5 Nova for one of my tanks. You can't go wrong with the T5's. Also the reflectors as BK has stated are very important to the lighting. My tank with the T5 has no CO2 and I am using ADA Amazonia II substrate. Really-there is no need for CO2/ferts as my plants are going gangbuster-growth with the T5 and substrate! A poor reflector on a good light fixture is not worth much IMHO.

Ahhh...I have learned soooooo much here!!! :) I also have a coralife on my 75g which I also like. I do have pressurized CO2 and dose with ferts on the tank and I have splendid plant growth! Both are good--but I'd go T5's now.
 
I'm going to get the Nova light because you can't go wrong with a good light fixture with SLR reflectors for $75 +shipping

I looked at the others and they looks kinda cheap, but if I needed to upgrade on a budget I would definitely buy one of those http://www.fishneedit.com/t5ho-ligh.html light strips.

I was pricing bulbs.
To replace one of my 96 watt bulbs it would cost me about $50 to $60..
To replace two T5 bulbs will cost me about $25 which is 78 watts.

So looks like T5 is the way to go, thanks :thm:

One more question.
Is there any plant that I will not be able to grow well with this amount of T5 SLR light over a 50 gallon tank?
 
wait... didnt realize its a 36" tank... that puts a damper on things...

either of the ones you mentioned will do... as will the one I linked (but in 36")
 
Is only 2 bulbs of T5 light enough to cover a 18" deep tank?
 
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