T5 or T8?

[blueknight0303]

thinking of upgrading.. currently using marineland moonlight LEDs.....

30 gallon about 20 inch deep.

plants are:
Ludwigia
cabomba
dwarf hair
dwarf sword
sword
hornwort
watersprite
java fern
java moss
salvinia
frogbit
marimo moss


i just realized i had so much plants on this tank... lol 

[exv152]

thinking of upgrading.. currently using marineland moonlight LEDs.....

30 gallon about 20 inch deep.

plants are:
Ludwigia
cabomba
dwarf hair
dwarf sword
sword
hornwort
watersprite
java fern
java moss
salvinia
frogbit
marimo moss


i just realized i had so much plants on this tank... lol 

T5NO is the same as T8, but T5HO is a lot more intense lighting. The plants you're wanting to grow aren't considered high light plants so I would just go with the T5NO unless you plant to add co2 and ferts.

[blueknight0303]

i have co2 running on the tank.. so T5NO is fine for the tank?

[exv152]

If you were to go with the T5NO you'd be looking at around 10-15 PAR of lighting intensity which is considered low light, the T8 would be the same. If you increase it to T5HO lighting, at 20 inches (considering your light is sitting right on top of the tank and not suspended higher) you're looking at medium lighting intensity around ~ 65 PAR. With co2 and ferts you would get much better plant growth with the HO bulbs. It depends what you're looking for.

[blueknight0303]

Ahhh... i guess i should go for t5ho since i want my dwarf grasses to grow runners fast! Thanks!

[soleil1980]

I used to have a 120g fully planted.  Everything was super nice but tou always have to be careful how much light you give ( intensity and hours).  I ended up with an invasion of blue green algea!  Also, keep. In mind that the java moss and fern dont need anything special to grow so make sure to keep a good eye pn tour other plants so as the dont get supressed by the javas.  Good luck as i know it takes a lot of knowledge and time to habe an amazig planted tank... But so worth it!

[blueknight0303]

yeah... but for some reason my java fern never grows like my other plants. all other plants seem to bloom really good but its only the java ferns that seems to be striving. i hope next year the tank will get carpeted by the dwarf grasses!

[exv152]

yeah... but for some reason my java fern never grows like my other plants. all other plants seem to bloom really good but its only the java ferns that seems to be striving. i hope next year the tank will get carpeted by the dwarf grasses!

It sounds like all your other plants are doing fine except the ferns. I'm not sure I'd switch to T5HO just for the ferns. They don't require intense light. HO bulbs are usually used with pressurized co2 setups (a tank & regulator) and daily fertilizer dosing. Unless you have that the more intense lights are a bit overkill.

[blueknight0303]

My led lights are really low.. and i did mention that i have C02 running on my tank! I have fluval c02. 88 running evrytime my lights are up! about 8-9 hours daily depends what time i get home and a bubble every 8-10 seconds. Lights are 12-14 hours.

[exv152]

I'd recommend the T5NO fixture for your setup. The HO bulbs require high co2 and ferts.