How Much More Light Would Changing From T8 To T6 Make?

[Ben M]

hi, i currently have 1.25wpg of light in my 216 litre tank. this is from 2 30watt t8 tubes. could i change from t8 to t6 to get more light? would it use more electricity? and how much more light would this produce?
thanks

 

[Truck]

it uses the same amount of power, and it would still be 1.25WPG technically, but you would get a little more light because the tubes refract less light so more of it gets into your tank. working out WPG doesn't really work with tubes other than T12 because thats what the guide was originally based on.

 

[Ben M]

oh, so would i have much more light with the t6?

 

[Truck]

you would have a little more, but personally I think you should stick with T8's in this situation because your plants are doing well already.

 

[Ben M]

it's just that i was wondering if i could keep more plants with more lighting?

 

[Truck]

you could keep a few more demanding species, but CO2 and fertilization must be up to scratch.

 

[Ben M]

i think the ferts are fine, and i'm going to use pressured co2, so would the lighting i have be fine?

 

[Truck]

the lighting you have now will be fine for most plants, the lighting with T6's will be fine for all plants.

by the way, which fertilizers are you using?

 

[Ben M]

i am using tpn+