Help upgrading light on 75 gallon

[7Matt7]

Hi, I have a 75 gallon tank that I am currently doing a "makeover" on. And I need help with my lighting situation. I'm trying do decide whether to go with T5HO or Power compact. And how much WPG to do. Because I don't want to have to run co2. I will be dosing excel.

I've read that T5HO get more light into the tank than compact fluorescent, even if the watts are higher on the compact. And that T5HO run cooler than power compact. Is that true? If so it's the way to go for me.

Also, I don't want to run pressurized CO2 so what should I aim for in WPG?
I want to grow plants like ludwigia, bacopas, blyxa, and maybe some hairgrass.

The current T5HO 2X54 fixture, combined with the 40 watt T12 I have now would give me right at 2WPG. Can I grow those plants with that? I know I can't run the current T5HO 4x54 without CO2.

Thanks for your help!

[lauraleellbp]

You shouldn't need more light than just the 2x54 fixture can provide, and that you may need to suspend a bit off the tank to avoid too much light.