Upgrade to the current stock lighting wanted

[Max]

Hey All!

Yesterday I paid attention to this thread and came to a conclusion that the current lighting setup I have over my 35G tank does not produce enough light even to be in the low category (both according to the charts and the WPG rule).
My tank has the following dimensions: 36"L x 12"W x 18"H (16" to the substrate level).
I have the stock hagen hood with one 24" 17W T8 bulb.

My question is - with this tank as far as I understood I want to buy 1-bulb T5HO fixture to be in low-to-medium lighting conditions as the double strip fixture will bring me to high or too high category if the fixture is placed on top of the tank (like I intend doing)? What about the watt per gallon rule? Considering that it will be ~36W of light which would make around 1 WPG. Do I need to ignore this rule if I follow the findings from the above mentioned thread?

Tomorrow I want to go the LFS to buy something instead, but today I'll go there just to see my options as I do not want to rush.

I would thank everyone who shares a bit of knowledge with me on this issue.

[whickerda]

Throw out the wpg rule for T5HO. In fact don't even use it at all for any type of lighting any more. Use Hoppy's sticky at the top of this lighting forum. If you have a very good LFS they'll have what you need - which is a single-bulb T5HO with a good reflector. If you're like me and there is not a good LFS unless you want to drive an hour, then you'll shop online.

[Max]

Originally Posted by whickerda

Throw out the wpg rule for T5HO.

Thanks for your prompt reply. Actually I mentioned exactly Hoppy's sticky thread and drew conclusions after reading that thread.

[Max]

Recently returned from my preferred LFS and here what I have found - they do not have single T5HO fixtures (quelle surprise...), what they have is Deep Blue SolarmaxHE double bulb fixtures. I am curios if I go with

1) 30" fixture with 2x14W 24" bulbs (will fit the glass window in my current hood)
2) 36" fixture with 2X21W 36" bulbs (will have to remove the hood completely)

I am not sure with these HE bulbs as they are not selling them at the shop and how they perform against HO bulbs.
I wonder if anyone has these fixtures - could they run HO bulbs at a later stage when I will need to replace the bulbs...

With these HE bulbs where my setup will end - Low, Medium or High tank? My goal is to get the tank to low (maximum medium category).

[Max]

Sorry, bump... :-)
I have purchased BD Solarmax HO double fixture (2x24") and currently I am only running 1 bulb which I guess is 10 000K. The fixture is on top of the tank but I would like to double check with someone if the current setup would be considered as low light tank setup? If not I am already considering dry ferts to go to more frequent dosing. I wonder if CO2 is required as well with this setup? I have just remeasured the distance from the light to the gravel line - 18" Thanks in advance.