Is 2 X 21W T5 (Pink colour light) for a 3X1.5X1.5 tank enough to start a planted?

[joelwong]

Hi,

I am totally new to this, I have just inherited a 3X1.5X1.5ft tank from someone with a overhead filter. Went to buy a Dolphin P-2500 submersable pump and 2X21W T5 (pink) light (the best one within my budget for now)from Seletar today.

After I came back and read the forum, it seems like nobody is using 2 X 21W T5, all using much more powerful lighting. Wanna know what kind of plants can I plant in the tank, and the most economical gravel I can buy.(hope to spend less than $100 on lights and gravel if possible)
Intend to keep small fishes like tetras.

Thanks for your advise

[|squee|]

Those pink lights won't do, you need to buy white ones.

Have you read the stickies on this forum section yet?

[evolim83]

Like Tereance mentioned, you might have to replace the pink tubes with white ones. Each tube is around $15 for HO, no idea about NO ones though.

Lapis sand JBL base fert can do wonders, and these does not cost you much!
The fert cost about $15 and the amount is jus nice for a 3ft.
Lapis is around $23 a pack, you might need 2.

So you might still be able to work within your budget.

Hope this helps!

[valice]

Joel, just to let you know that the T5 you bought is NO (Normal Output)... Not the HO (High Output) light tubes you see in the forum... For 3 feet HO, the wattage per tube is 39...

[joelwong]

Thanks for the advise, will get the tubes changed.