T5 Ho hagen glo watts vs lumens?

lizziotti

lizziotti

AC Members
Jan 12, 2007
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New York
Ok I'm sorry I have been reading but I find this whole thing confusing?
I recently upgraded my lighting from the light that came with my aquarium to Hagen t5to glo it gives my 2x39 watts of 6700. I now have beard algae I also find many different reasons for this very confusing!:wall:

I keep my lights on 10 hrs a day.

Anyway I thought if I stayed in the low light range I would have a low maintains algae free tank. Is it because it they are t5 ho bulbs? Does this give me more lumen's so the watts per gallon thing really isn't a factor. Maybe I have more light than I think? Will co2 help? I've been trying the natural plant system but it's really only for 20 gallons or less but I'm not even sure I need co2 anyway.

Maybe I need ferts but I heard excel can melt some of the plants I have, Right now I have all low light plants, crypts,anubias, ancharis, watersprite, java mose +ferns.

Anyway I'd appreciate any advice you can give me thanks!
 
The watts per gallon rating is for regular t-12 fluorescent tubes. I suspect that the t-5 fluorescent tubes put out quite a bit more light, especially the ho's. So I would say that co2 is probably a good idea. How many bubbles per minute is the co2 system putting out? What is your water change schedule, how long has your tank been set up, and what are your water parameters. I am assuming that your beard algae is just green beard algae, correct?
 
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livingword26 said:
The watts per gallon rating is for regular t-12 fluorescent tubes. I suspect that the t-5 fluorescent tubes put out quite a bit more light, especially the ho's. So I would say that co2 is probably a good idea. How many bubbles per minute is the co2 system putting out? What is your water change schedule, how long has your tank been set up, and what are your water parameters. I am assuming that your beard algae is just green beard algae, correct?
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I knew I should have stayed with the 1x39 but I was thought the 2x39 would be better because of the watts. Its so confusing! I am bummed because the whole reason I got this setup was so I wouldn't have these issues. Oh well live and learn maybe I can get some nicer plants at least now once I figure everything out.

So what would you say light range I am getting medium, medium high?

Anyway to answer your ? My co2 is only giving out a 4-5 bubbles per minute. My tank has been up for 15 months. I just put the new lights on about 3 weeks ago. Just started co2 last week. I just did a large 50% water change thursday I've been pretty rigid on 50% each week. When I tested the water that day it was

Ammonia 0
Nitrites 0
Nitrates 10 (a little paler though but not quite a 5 either)

And yes I believe its green beard algae from looking at pics but I can't say for sure. Thank you!
 
I have 2 x 24w TEK T5HO over my 29g. If I do the lumens per square inch that Rex suggests (and I agree it's a better system), I have an LSI of about 22 which is moderate-to-high (8000 lumens over 360 sq inches). My WPG however is only 1.6.

I think the hagen reflectors are a little worse than the TEKs, but I'd assume you are still getting close to 6000 lumens out of each bulb. I'm not sure of your tank dimensions, but I'd be willing to be that your lumens per square inch is 25+ which is considered high light.
 
I'm using a diy co2 setup similar to this one. But I don't tie the small bottle to the big one like that. You don't want this to tip over.

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I fill the bottle 3/4 full and add 2 cups sugar and 1/4 teaspoon of yeast (some people add 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda to help maintain ph). I am getting 12 bubbles per minute. You can experiment with the amount of yeast you add. More yeast, faster co2 production, but it dies off faster. I also feed the co2 into the intake of my Eheim cannister filter. It dissolves it pretty well. Is the co2 bubble dissolving before it gets to the surface? If not you can try to dissolve it like I do, or feed it into a power head.
 
Also, algae eaters like Japonica (Amano) shrimp, Red cherry shrimp and Otocinclus Catfish can really help keep the algae down.
 
WinnipegDragon said:
I have 2 x 24w TEK T5HO over my 29g. If I do the lumens per square inch that Rex suggests (and I agree it's a better system), I have an LSI of about 22 which is moderate-to-high (8000 lumens over 360 sq inches). My WPG however is only 1.6.

I think the hagen reflectors are a little worse than the TEKs, but I'd assume you are still getting close to 6000 lumens out of each bulb. I'm not sure of your tank dimensions, but I'd be willing to be that your lumens per square inch is 25+ which is considered high light.
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My tank is 36x12x21. So do you think this is high? Wow no wonder I'm having trouble.
Do you have the link for Rex's suggestions? thanks!

livingword26, thanks for the DIY I really didn't want to make one, I'm not very good with that stuff that's why I bought a system but I don't think its enough so I guess I'll have to try thanks!
 
livingword26 said:
http://www.rexgrigg.com/
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Thanks I realize I have been to that site before but they way he tells you to calculate it at the end kept confusing me:grinyes: but now I see plus I didn't realize it works better if not using reg fluorescents right?

So watts per gallon is a good rule for them and this is better for T8-T5 right?

I'm so sorry because I know these questions come up often and some people get really mad when thy do but I have to say I think fish keepers are very smart people I look at alot of this stuff and it gives me headaches! Now to figure out co2!:thud:
Anyway thanks for the patience!
 
lizziotti said:
I see plus I didn't realize it works better if not using reg fluorescents right?

So watts per gallon is a good rule for them and this is better for T8-T5 right?
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Correct. The watts per gallon is for regular T-12 Florescents. There is more light per watt for T-8s and even more for T-5's
 
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