Upgrading of 2FT lighting?

[aquanatix]

Been contemplating recently about changing a light set.
Currently using a 2FT MAQNUM 55W PL light set,but somehow it really isn't strong enough to grow more light intensive flora such as glosso or HC.
Instead of purchasing another brand new light set what choices to i have?
Upgrading my light tubes will not work as i've read on one of the stickied thread regarding different types of lightings that the 4-pin with 1 U-shape tube that i'm currently using only comes up to a maximum of 55W?
I also understand that many hobbyists here use double 36W light sets but i find it alittle cramped at the top as tank width is only about 1FT?(standard fiveplan brand 2footer tank)
All help and suggestions are welcome!

[ranmasatome]

Buy a T5HO??

[Shadow]

I do not have problem growing glosso in 2ft 5 plan tank with 55Watt MAQNUM II. My glosso is creaping with 55W PL. Not sure about HC though. What is you tank hight?

[aquanatix]

Its a standard 2FT Fiveplan brand tank,roughly 14inches in height if I'm not wrong.
Somehow my glosso sorta grows upwards instead of sideways and i understand this condition is caused by insufficient lighting?
ranmasatome recommended a T5HO which i do not possess much knowledge about as i've always been using PL or FL lightings.I"ve tried to google it but all that came up was items instead of description.Are they the single tubed without reflector hood kind used in arrowana tanks?
If mine is currently 55W,i'll need to purchase A single T5HO tube as a add on is that it?

[ranmasatome]

i think with 55watts it is sufficient to get crawling glosso as mentioned.. before all these different lighting options were available... people were getting crawling glosso with even lesser light... light is important...but it should be fitting to what you are dosing or doing with your tank....most of the time.. the problem its not JUST light..

[zyblack]

T5 means it is a thinner version of the fluorescent tube we commonly use. The normal ones are used in HDB corridor lighting are called T8. "T" means the light is tubular and the digit "5" refers to the diameter of the tube which is 5/8 of an inch. T5 lights are getting more popular these days as it is thinner and you can pack more tubes into a standard light fixture casing thereby increasing wattage and brightness.

"HO" just means "high output" versions.

[valice]

Another question. What substrate are you using now?

[aquanatix]

Thanks for all the information zyblack. Everything made so much more sense after reading your post. Sheesh,where was i when everyone converted to T5!
ranmasatome, from what i read i naturally assumed that when glosso starts growing upwards instead on sideways it's a sure tell sign of insufficient lighting conditions.
Problem is,all my other flora like stemed plants and mosses have no issues growing...
It's just my glosso that keep shooting upwards!This is my third attempt with growing out a lawn of any sorts and naturally the "kiasu" side of me emerged seeing how many hobbyists here seemed to have success with higher lighting conditions.
I'm currently not using any liquid ferts of sorts,just root fertilizer directly placed into substrate with once a week 25% water changes and topping up of fresh water every now and then due to the evaporation caused by fan.
Co2 is set at roughly 1-2Bps diffused through a standard ceramic diffusor 7hrs a day.
Water is also aerated via air pump during lights off via a standard air stone.
Did someone spot a flaw in my maintainance regime?
Anyway,should i decide to purchase say a single T5HO tube...How would i intergrate it with my current fixture?Is anything esle needed for a quick DIY remedy or should i bring it down to be done professionally by the LFS people?(everyone mentions NA)