T5 light set

[plant talk]

If a 2ft light case that house 2 white tubes and two blue tubes.24watt for each tube.

Can I use it for high light plant like HC or ricca?

[grespania]

I think it not. My 3 ft 4 white still not enough. My HC not green and ricca not pearling.

[plant talk]

You mean i need 2x 36watt of PL light?

[Salphur]

Hi,
i am growing riccia in my 2x1x1 tank with a T5HO set, 4x24w. Growth is nice with plenty of pearling.

Cheers!

[berlinjs]

think you also need co2 if you have add any.

[plant talk]

Hi,
i am growing riccia in my 2x1x1 tank with a T5HO set, 4x24w. Growth is nice with plenty of pearling.

Cheers!

bro what is the brand of the tube you using?

Any different between more expensive and cheaper light tube with same spec?

[aquanatix]

I think it not. My 3 ft 4 white still not enough. My HC not green and ricca not pearling.

2x24 watts is actually overkill?I'm currently using it now on both my tanks and i got BBA problem? HC etc are all growing perfectly,what you mean to ask is if it matters if there are blue tubes used? I've asked this question previously but haven't really got an answer. Based on my usage for the last 3months,i'm not really noticing any difference as compared to all 4 tubes white? In fact i'm now down to 2x24watts hoping to solve my algae problems.

[PlAnTaNoOb]

Lighting in the wrong spectrum might lead to some algae issues. But to the best of my knowledge, I don;t think blue does. Anyway, 2X24W for a 2X1X1ft is just right for a low light setting I guess. I'm using 4X24W T5HO with individual reflectors for a high light setting. Almost 2 weeks passed now. So far no algae problems in my tank newly setup with Amazonia II, except for a little of the largely inevitable green spot algae on the tank walls. Glosso covered entire foreground in just 10 days. If I'm not wrong, Jervis is also using the same amount of lighting. Something else is giving you the algae. Maybe its insufficient CO2 or nutrients. Hope this helps.

One more thing. Change your light tubes to a better one! The difference is huge! To convince yourself, get 1 osram tube of the same temperature (ie. how many kelvins. eg. 6500K or 8000K or 10000K or something else) as that of your existing white tube. Replace one of your white tubes with this; switch on your light set, and observe the brightness of the two tubes at an angle from the side. haha.. You have to observe from the side to avoid getting blinded by all that light.

[Salphur]

bro what is the brand of the tube you using?

Any different between more expensive and cheaper light tube with same spec?

Hi bro,
i'm still using HOPAR T5 tubes that came along with the HOPAR lightset. I guess, there is a difference between premium T5 tubes, for example, a T5 Arcadia tube costs around $45 dollars compared to other unheard of brands available in LFS for around $10 a tube - in terms of performance and durability.

However,like many out here.. we all definetly want value for money or in fact with less $$$ the best. I suppose at the end of the day, if my plants are growing well and beautiful looking, cheap light tubes don't matter. It really depends on your budget. It helps to check with those in the forums, like what you have done here on the feedback of light tubes.

In addition, to light, it is also vital you take into account the water, CO2 and fertilisers to bring out the best in your plants too!

[plant talk]

I just some HC which is attached to the cotton wool,I am now using 4 x 24 osram watts white tubes.I can see some bubble trap between the leaves.Does it mean that lighting is sufficent?

[Shadow]

4x24 watts for 2 ft tank is high enough to grow HC, I assume your 2ft tank is 1ft high or deep

[plant talk]

My height of my tank is 1.5 feet and width is 1.5feet.But I got a problem, I use three computer fans can only bring down the temperture to 29 degree. I think my HC cannot survive for long.

[syburn]

Hi Everyone,

I have seen some 2ft light setups that cost S$180 and others that cost only 30-40. They say its because on the starter. Can a starter be so expensive and how important is a good starter?

Also I see all these fans on the side of the tank - they often dont look so good. Is there a more elegant type of fan to use? Hopefully one that does not look like it belongs on a PC.

Cheers!

[christopher.wtc]

Hi to all,

An introduction to lighting. Light tubes for example a T5 tube varies on the following properties from wattage, nanameter range emittion, lux and lumen. If these property range of a T5 are made ideal for plant growth then they will be costly. Normal tubes used as household lightings do not meet these properties thus they are cheaper. This explains the difference in pricing.

A brief descriptions on the properties of a T5 tube
1) Wattage refers to the unit of electrical power.
2) Nanameter (nm) refers to the wavelength of light
3) Lux refers to unit of illumination representing one lumer falling on one square meter
4) Lumer refers to literally a light emitted from one candle

Another properties which I have yet to mention is "Kelvins (K)". K refers to the temperature when partials in a tube burns. The higher the temperature, the bluer the light becomes. Yes blue is the colour from 8000k and above. A good but inaccurate example is the stove in the kitchen. The flame that ignites from the stove is blue which is the hottest compared to yellow or red flame. Choosing a tube from 8000k and above will give the aquarium a bluish colour. Its a preference of individuals on the colour they prefer. A range between 6500k to 7500k will be pleasing to the eyes.
What is more important is the properties of watts, nm and lux.

A T5 tube with higher wattage will give a better coverage of light, simply the bigger the wattage, the longer the tube.

With an nm of 400 of blue light spectrum and nm of 650 to 680 of red light spectrum, plants will photosynthesis to it's optimum. Anything higher than 700nm will be useless to plants. A blend of red and blue light will give a pleasing effect on the eye.

Natural bright sunlight produce 70000 to 80000 lux. Much will be lost when it is in contact with plants on earth. A range from 300 to 6000 lux is the requirement used by plants. Simply, plants requiring bright light will take the higher lux range. Shaded plants will take the lower range of lux.

There are so many other issues on aquarium lighting which cannot be said only in this column. However I do hope the above guide lines will give you an idea of lighting you require.

As a general, rough and safe rule, 3 watts per gallon should be fulfilled.

[uklau]

bro what is the brand of the tube you using?

Any different between more expensive and cheaper light tube with same spec?

Definately there is are differences! I'm using Arcadia, Aqua medic & Osram tubes in the same tank. The plant (as well as algae) grows/behaves differently in each light zone .

[solonavi]

The fixtures for T5HO setup are important too. A fixture with a good reflector make whole lot of difference.

Cheers
JC

[mobile2007]

Err... how come the avatar of bro planttalk is same as magic ?

[RHX]

Hi Everyone,

I have seen some 2ft light setups that cost S$180 and others that cost only 30-40. They say its because on the starter. Can a starter be so expensive and how important is a good starter?

I guess what they meant is the ballast. Normal metal ballast needs starters to light up the tubes. A good electronic-ballast will cost more that a normal ballast & it does not require a starter to light up the tubes. Usually you'll see that all T5 & MH lightsets will use E-ballast.

The fixtures for T5HO setup are important too. A fixture with a good reflector make whole lot of difference.

If a light set have good reflectors, does the wattage per gallon still applies?

[solonavi]

Watt per Gallon is a good guideline but not a fix rule.

Cheers
JC

[RHX]

I have a 4x2x2 tank with 4 x 54w T5HO lightset with individual reflector. Would it be sufficient?