T5 Fluorescent Tubes

[windy miller]

Hi,

I'm in the process of setting up a new planted tank (4'*2'*2') and have a couple of questions about lighting.

I already have 3 * 54W T5 ballast units so I'm planning to use these on my new tank.

Can anyone tell me if 3 T5 tubes with reflectors are a suitable amount of lighting for a 2' deep tank? (sorry I don't yet have much idea as to what sort of plants I'll be growing)

Also, I read somewhere that T5 tubes are dimmable, so I'm planning to make or buy some sort of 'soft start' device so the lights will come on gradually, thereby preventing shock to the fish. Does anyone know if some sort of T5 dimmer device is available to buy? I've not had much luck finding one so far.

sorry for asking lots of daft questions, but if anyone could help it would be much appreciated.


cheers.
Roger

 

[zig]

Hi Roger

We measure the light for planted tanks in watts per gallon or WPG (we use US gallons for this) your tank is approx 120 US gallons, so with 3x54watt lights this would give you approx 1.35 WPG Which IMO would be a bit on the low side for a planted tank, i think you would need to add another 54watt T5 and with this amount of light you would be able to grow almost any type of plant.

With this amount of light you would also need pressurised co2, if you want to stick with the amount of lighting you allready have this would limit the type of plants you can grow, it would be considered low to medium lighting but there are many species of plants you could grow sucessfully in this lighting range.

The WPG rule or guideline breaks down for larger tanks so the normal guideline of 2.5-3 WPG for a highlight tank does not apply in your case, like i say with 1.8 WPG (this is what you would have with 4x54watts) this would allow you to grow most any type of plant but you would need co2 injection as well.

As regards dimmable lighting, the only manufacturer that i know of that does dimmable T5 lighting is TEK, i dont know how widely available these are, but they are available in Europe, you would have to check locally but you would probably have to order these over the web.

We have a planted section on this forum with good pinned topics that would be of interest to you, also any other questions as regards a planted setup you could post in there, good luck with the tank.

Edit : with any lighting you choose make sure you use the correct reflectors, the depth of the tank wont be a problem especially with T5 lighting

 

[windy miller]

Hi Zig,

Thanks for the advice - based on what you've said, I think I'm going to invest in another T5.

As it happens I just bought a JBL Profi 2 set last week, not got it set up yet, but I should be ok for CO2. Also got an undergravel heating cable while I was at it.

cheers,
R