T-5 light output

[maxthedog123]

I am new to planted tanks. I have a recent 55g setup - about a month - and the plants are not doing very well. Starting to get lots of yellow and dark leaves.

I am using CO2 and API Leaf Zone. I have a 40w Aqua-Glo bulb in the tank - slowly realizing that is probably not enough. I basically have what I would term medium light plants.

Here's my question: I went to the LFS where they are usually pretty knowledgable. The dude there recommended a Coralife 48" freshwater light. It has 2 bulbs in it listed as a 28 watt ColorMax full-spectrum and a 28 watt 6700K plant. Both are T-5 fluorescent lamps. I asked him if that was enough light He told me that even that is technically "56 watts", the output in Lumens is much brighter and I should be fine.

Is that enough light? I don't want to break the bank - I think that was about $100. Other lighting solutions are much more expensive.

 

[Nolapete]

Forget that garbage from the LFS in regard to bulbs, go to Home Depot or Walmart and you can buy Philips 6500K bulbs for about $9 for a 2 pack.

Do you want something ready made or DIY? If you want something DIY, I can tell you how to get 160 watts on your tank for about $30.

With that Coralife fixture, are you replacing what you have or adding to it?

If adding it, you would have 96 watts which isn't even 2 wpg. You could keep low light plants like java fern, java moss, and anubias and maybe some moderate light plants.

What type of plants do you have?

A guide would be:
Low light plants 1-2 wpg (1-1.75 really)
Moderate 2-3 wpg (1.76-2.75 really)
High light 3+

 

[Mgamer20o0]

LFS love to sell those big money items. check out ahsupply.com

2 x 55 watt Bright Kit™ Item # 30552 $64.99

that will put you with 2wpg and should be able to grow most stuff. you will be able to add co2 and ferts if you want.

 

[Nolapete]

LOL, he already is using co2. Wake up M!

 

[maxthedog123]

I'm not 100% sure - some corybosa and a couple of amazon swords.

I'm also not much of a DIY guy. I'd rather stick something on top that works than build it. Call me crazy!

So is there any inherent advantage to T-5 bulbs other than size? Is wpg really the only realible measure of hot much light you need? Not Lumens or any other measure?

 

[Nolapete]

lux per inch is the best measure. I think rex has information on it at rexgrigg.com. There is on advantage other than space they take up in my opinion.

The only problem with ready made is that the fixtures usually do "break the bank." How much are you looking to spend? I can try to help you find a fixture that would meet your needs.

 

[Mgamer20o0]

best.... nope.... easiest yes. i stayed away from ahsupply.com lights also. thought they would be too much work. got a good deal and was able to install them in 20 mins. if your going to use t5 set up go with the high output fixtures.

 

[maxthedog123]

I was hoping to keep my outlay to $100-$150.

Mgamer - what did you use instead of ahsupply?

What about something like this AllGlass for $119 + shipping? 108 watts would get me to ~ 2wpg.

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=16770&N=2004+113175

 

[Nolapete]

You could do that or the ahsupply.com finished enclosure for 49.99 and 2x55 watt bright kit for 64.99. About the same, except the bulbs are included in the drsfosterandsmith.com one.

 

[Mgamer20o0]

i got a good deal on ahsupply lights. thats what i use over my 120 now.