t-5,t-8,t-12

[TheFishJunky]

what the heck does all this mean?its totally confusing me?I am under the impression if I get any light that says t-5 I can grow some nice plants.
So why is it only $60 or so at home depot but anywhere that has it as an aquarium light is double if not triple the price?For instance-an lfs had these day glo t-5 lights for $119. for 24' and $149.99 for a 36" light.
home depot has a t5 23" light for $60 bucks.so i could actually get 2 of the 23" ones and still have money left by going to depot.
like I said though-no clue on the light thing and what is stronger light?t5,t8,t12 what is the difference?any help is appreciated

 

[jcardona1]

the aquarium ones are usually T5HO, as in high output. i dont think home depot has these, they just regular T5s.

as for the numbers, they are in 1/8" increments. T5 = 5/8", T8 = 8/8 or 1" dia, etc

 

[TheFishJunky]

the aquarium ones are usually T5HO, as in high output. i dont think home depot has these, they just regular T5s.

as for the numbers, they are in 1/8" increments. T5 = 5/8", T8 = 8/8 or 1" dia, etc

ah okay-but depot does sell the t5 aquarium and plant lights.I wonder if you could just take them and put them in any ol light on a tank?

 

[5am]

ah okay-but depot does sell the t5 aquarium and plant lights.I wonder if you could just take them and put them in any ol light on a tank?

for a regular lowlight set-up i would recommend AT least 4 tubes to equal the amount of the High Output lights... and plus, when the tank is fully lit up, its just the most amazing sight ever. a lfs has the screw on compact flourescents and his planted tanks are just awesome.

 

[t0p_sh0tta]

FYI, T5 lighting is more efficient and much more intense than PC (power-compact) lighting. Depending on the depth and size of your tank, you'll be begging for algae by getting a high wattage fixture.

What size tank are you working with? What kind of plants are you looking for? Will you be running pressurized CO2?

 

[oOMO3NOo]

you have to be sure the ballest on the fixture matches the type of bulbs you put into it. you can get T-5 in 3 forms. (that i know of) one is NO (Normal Output) usually thats the basic home depot light fixture you can get. HO (High Output) this is what most high end lights for aquariums are. and the last is VHO (Very High Output) im not sure if the VHO is a full new bulb or just an overdriven HO and you can DIY yourself some mixes of the them. you can overdrive NO and you can under drive HO or overdrive HO. there is all kinds of stuff you can do with lighting. (i have never personaly done it but seen people on forums that have)

so be sure you are comparing apples to apples the home light fixtures and a high end aquarium T5 HO are very different and that is where the price difference comes from.

hope that helps a little

 

[jcardona1]

and just another note, dont go crazy adding all the lighting you can fit over the tank. thats the worst thing you can do in a planted tank. if youre not gonna add co2, i would highly recommend against T5HO lights. they are VERY bright and will give you algae problems.

if you insist on T5HO, i recommend staying at about 1wpg if youre not doing co2

 

[bl00]

I'm also curious in this topic, but was wondering what effects a UV sterilizer would have on algae production if t5 lighting was used?

 

[TheFishJunky]

well to be honest I never had much luck with plants.This is new for me.I was just looking to make a nice green tank for the fish to enjoy.Nothing out of control.I have no clue what I am doing and I dont have a problem admittitng this.That is why I am here-to learn.Like Jcardona's avatar-thats just amazing!I would love to have that.So I know I need lights-and I hear the co2 mentioned but I am still lost with this.Maybe someone can provide me with a link that I can read more on?Something that would explain everything clearly.Because if you say you need a t5 light projecting thermo nuclear power supply with a co2 tank etc etc It is like a foreign language to me.Maybe if some one could just say. "go buy A,B, and C and your set".That would help tf course money needs to be within reason but where do I even get CO2?And obviously you dont just stick a hose in a tank from the co2 and just let it rip so I am assuming I need valves and regulator's etc.I did read the stickys in this thread but not very helpful to a beginner with no knowledge at all.

 

[TheFishJunky]

I was looking to make my 40 gallon breeder into a planted tank so I can give the fry somewhere to hide and grow.