calculating watts needed with t5's

[duzzy]

Hi there,

are watts needed for t5's the same formula used for fluros? would 6x54watt t5's be enough/too much for a 4x2x2?

Regards Darren

[macclellan]

No and No.

http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/li...sing-t5ho.html

[jjp2]

The thread macclellan posted has good information but reaches no conclusion. It seems most believe T5 is better than CP (I run CP). The quality and amount of light from any fixture is dependant on the bulbs and reflectors. The amount of light you need is determined by the plants and the size of your tank.

In the thread posted, lauraleellbp, runs T5 on a 90 gallon tank (4 x 1.5 x 2). She uses 1 bulb (54 watts) or 2 bulb (108 watts). She primarily is growing swords and she says they are doing great with that lighting.

If it were me with your tank, I would go the 8 bulb and likely use 4 all the time with 4 for a mid-day burst.

[evercl92]

I used 2 sets of 2x54wt T5HO over my 4x2x2 120gal. My plants great quite well without any real issues.

[duzzy]

Here is my plant list most are low light I think the t5s are HO and dont reflectors come with the lights?

Microsorum pteropus narrow leaf
Microsorum pteropus

Nymphea lotus “red tiger lotus”
or
Nymphea lotus “green tiger lotus”
or
Nymphaea lotus “malay red”

Echinodorus “Devils eye”
Echinodorus “red flame”
Echinodorus martii
Echinodorus tenellus

Anubias Nana

Cryptocorne Becketii
Cryptocorne Wendtii “brown and green”
Cryptocorne Petchii
Cryptocorne Undulata

Blyxa japonica