[ShukiAi]

Hello,

I'm hoping to get some help here with lighting. I've looked at other threads and tried to gather some information, but I'm still a bit confused. I'm looking at getting a new lighting system for my 30 gallon (30 inches) tank. It originally came with a T8 single tube light fixture with a 6500K bulb. Unfortunately, that light just didn't cut it. I kept having issues with my plants dying even after trying different bulbs. So I tried a quick cheap fix and bought 3 Walmart clip lamps and compact LED bulbs that were rated at 6500K as well. I've had it for a little over a month and I'm seeing a lot of new plant growth (and a lot of algae). I'd keep this set up, but it's really annoying. The clips won't hang on right anymore since I have to move the lamps around when I clean, feed, etc. and it's not very aesthetically pleasing to look at.

So! My question is, what's better? T5 or LED lighting? Right now in the tank I have anubias, some swords, some vals, and water wisteria. Nothing very demanding. I just want a nice fixture that is going to give off some nice light and keep everything going.

These are the lights I'm looking at right now:

LED:

T5: Amazon.com : Zoo Med AquaSun T5-HO Double Light Linear Fluorescent Hood, 30-Inch : Aquarium Lights : Pet Supplies

Amazon.com : Aqueon AQE40201 T5 Dual Strip Lighting Hoods for Aquarium, 30-Inch : Plant Aquarium Light : Pet Supplies

Also, for T5, is HO better than regular?

If someone could help me out, I'd really appreciate the feedback!

Thanks much! :-D

 

[corina savin]

I would go with the T5 high output.
I don't know much about LEDs for plants. Years ago they were for marine tanks only since LEDs have good penetration in higher density water (saltwater).
LEDs can emit a fairly "spiky" spectrum: like exactly 450 nm (blue) or 650 nm (red) with nothing in between (green or yellow). I am not sure how natural plants and fish will look under those lights.
LEds are also prone to "spotlighting", meaning that intensity is quite different in different area of the tank. I remember seeing a graph, showing PAR readings (at the substrate level) of 400 directly under the light and 20 in the corner of the aquarium.
I have LED moonlight on my T5HO fixture. You can almost see the rays shining down.
But that's me. Others might tell you why they think LEDs are better (cheaper, last longer, etc)

 

[corina savin]

Sword Flower

As a "thank you" for your "thank you", I'm offering you a picture of my Red Ozelot flower I took this morning. It grows under a T5HO light.
I know lighting is not everything but it cannot be a bad light.
Please enjoy!

 

[ShukiAi]

Ah! That's so pretty! Thank you for sharing. ^__^

Also, would you mind telling me what T5HO fixture you own? And I'm assuming there are HO bulbs and regular bulbs? I saw some T5 bulbs at Home Depot that I was considering if I got the fixture cause they're relatively cheap... but I'm curious if they would work.

Thanks again!

 

[corina savin]

The fixture is AquaticLife. Same for the bulbs. I use a combination of full spectrum (6.000k) and 650 nm (roseate) lamps. All are HO. You can see the tank under my "aquarium".
I inject CO2 but not fertilize the water column. However: the substrate is a mix of Amazonia New Aquasoil and Fluval Stratum.

 

[sandybottom]

The plants that you have are low to medium light plants. I would use 2 t8s or a regular finnex fugeray or fugeray planted plus. The Ray 2 is too much light,unless you are injecting co2 or have an extra deep tank. T5no would be good ,but imho,the t5ho is too much,unless once again,you are doing co2.

 

[ShukiAi]

The plants that you have are low to medium light plants. I would use 2 t8s or a regular finnex fugeray or fugeray planted plus. The Ray 2 is too much light,unless you are injecting co2 or have an extra deep tank. T5no would be good ,but imho,the t5ho is too much,unless once again,you are doing co2.

No, I don't plan on using CO2. So the Fugeray you suggested are LEDs, yes?

 

[sandybottom]

Yes,they are leds. The planted+ has red nm. The regular fugeray has blue actinic. The planted + has a lower par than the fugeray. Unless you have a deep tank, this will not matter much for the types of plants that you are keeping. I have both and they both give nice results for low to medium light needing plants.
Aquavibrant has the best prices for the finnex line.

 

[ShukiAi]

Yes,they are leds. The planted+ has red nm. The regular fugeray has blue actinic. The planted + has a lower par than the fugeray. Unless you have a deep tank, this will not matter much for the types of plants that you are keeping. I have both and they both give nice results for low to medium light needing plants.
Aquavibrant has the best prices for the finnex line.

Thank you so much for the feedback! I got my tank second hand and it's supposedly a 30 gallon. I just measured and the dimensions are as follows:

L: 30 x H: 18 x W: 12.5

So I don't believe that is a deep tank? With substrate the depth would be about 15 inches. I had trouble with my T8 reaching that far down... but maybe the LEDs are brighter/have more par? I'm not sure where I would find the par of the T8.

And I take it the red light is better for plants? Sorry for all the questions, I just want to make sure I make the right choice. ^_^;;

 

[sandybottom]

The red nm wavelength is easily used by the plants. The blue actinic is also utilized, but not as readily. They should work fine at 15".

 

[ShukiAi]

Thanks again!