Lighting dumb question...

[Dark Rose]

This might be a stupid question, but I've always been taught the only stupid questions are the ones not asked...

I'm still going by the old watts/gallon system, as I can't seem to find a PAR rating anywhere for my lights, and Aqueon never responded to my e-mail...

I was thinking I had over 1w/gallon in my tank (18w x2 in a 29g), but then started thinking "hey dummy, only one of those bulbs is a plant bulb".

I've got a 30" fixture with a Colormax bulb, and a 6.7k plant bulb... Is this enough, or should I swap the Colormax to another 6.7k to achieve the over 1w/gallon target I want?

Didn't know if the Colormax would "count" towards my total of plant lighting, being a different spectrum and all.

Using the dual T5 Aqueon 30" fixture, and my LFS doesn't carry bulbs for irt, so I'd have to drive a bit for another bulb.

Was reading that more light helps Dwarf Hair grass spread better, and mine is growing decently up, but not out...

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[xxUnRaTeDxxRkOxx]

I have a bit of experience using the Aqueon freshwater T5 dual fixture, I had one on my 55 gallon tank last year.....

I went with two 6700k bulbs, and ditched the colormax bulb. This kind of fixture is classified as a T5NO (T5 Normal Output), and put me in the low to medium lighting range. I tried growing dwarf hair grass without success, there just wasn't enough lighting being put out by this fixture. If you're looking to grow dwarf hair grass I would suggest getting a T5HO fixture for your tank.

Here's a link to a 30" T5HO dual fixture by ZooMed for a decent price...

http://www.aquariumguys.com/zoo-med...6_a_7c252153&gclid=CJ__iv-L_bcCFWdo7Aod0l8AYg

 

[Dark Rose]

Right, I knew it was an NO, but haven't had any luck getting a PAR rating from them, or is there just a standard accepted rating per depth for T5NO bulbs in general?
I went ahead and swapped out the Colormax for another 6.7K, and the light is much brighter and whiter, but time will tell if it actually helps my plants much more.

I might check into a T5HO when school starts up again and my child care drops by 2/3, lol. Gotta take care of the bills first.

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