QUestion about live plants

[jsullins]

Have two 17w 24 in t8 lights on 125g tank, is that enough lighting or should I do something different

[DerekFF]

That's not even enough for low light plants. What's the dimensions of your tank?


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[kareen]

I have a 125g with T5 lights and my plants do good but you have to see what plants will grow under this light.

[JERRYKEVIN]

no where near what you need.

[DerekFF]

I have a 125g with T5 lights and my plants do good but you have to see what plants will grow under this light.

His lights aren't even close to yours


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[jsullins]

L = 6ft
W= 18in
H = 23 in

[jsullins]

Thats just what came with the tank, what should I be looking at to replace them?

[DerekFF]

I'd say 2, 4 foot T5 HO fixtures. With good reflectors it will hit the low light range I think for crypts, banana plants, mosses maybe, java ferns and Anubias.
Preferably you want your bulbs spread further apart than most fixtures offer, but unless you like DIY projects most bulbs in a fixture only have like 2-4" between them. For only 2 bulbs per side I'd prefer more like a 6-8" bulb spacing but again. That's DIY only and if you have a hood to hide it all


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[jsullins]

ok thanks for the info

[Elliots]

72" long tank, what about 4X36" reflectors with T5 HD bulbs?

[DerekFF]

72" long tank, what about 4X36" reflectors with T5 HD bulbs?

That would work but its more $$ and will give higher lighting and reasons for algae to grow. My suggestion is a good starting place and you could move up to 8 bulbs later if you need more light


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[Elliots]

Now I am far from rich but two 36" reflectors are probably $120-$140 or less. If you have a 6" tank and are possibly keeping Discus (Not sure what orig. poster has) the one time cost for more lights is not significant. However growing additional algae is a problem but a two bulb 36" light can easily become one bulb by twisting one bulb until it goes off. I would not remove the bulb because the light socket could rust