I have been looking at upgrading the lighting on my hooded tank to make another attempt at plants (if the fish let me) I have been told that t5 lights generate too much heat for use in a hooded tank due to the lack of ventilation. Is this correct? if so, what are my options (short of removing the hood which I can't do due to the cats)
Lights for hooded tanks
- Thread starter Kitiara
- Start date
Kitiara;1396967; said:
Are they T5s or T5 HO (high output)?
Big difference in bulb, light output, ballasts, heat, and cost.
If youre being sold just plain T5s, then you might as well go with cheaper T8s.
T8s will put out more light than T5s, almost no heat, and considerably cheaper all around.
If you being sold T5 HO, their correct, as they produce heat.
You could go with no back on the hood or use the fan suggestion.
Although in the end, T5 HO produce about 2x the light of T8s, ie: you can just use 2x the number of T8 bulbs instead, for a no heat solution. Depending upon the space in your hood, tank size, or low/med plant requirements, T8s may be more than sufficient in this case. I use (4) 32W T8s on a 75 with low/med light plants and they grow so well they are growing out of the tank.
Ed
I have just moved my new 6 foot tank in. The hood on that has no back panel which will allow some air movement with fans. The hood on my 4 foot has a back panel so there is no real way for the air to escape.
Both tanks are 22" deep so light will need to penetrate a reasonable distance. The 4 foot tank currently has a standard 2 foot flouro with a philips grow tube (or whatever they are called) This is not enough for plants to be healthy
Both tanks are 22" deep so light will need to penetrate a reasonable distance. The 4 foot tank currently has a standard 2 foot flouro with a philips grow tube (or whatever they are called) This is not enough for plants to be healthy