I Am Confused

[radioman]

Ok I have a 36g bowfront tank right now I have a 20w light but want to have a planted tank at 2 wpg to do this i would have to have at least 80w this would be 4 light strips and that costs alot do wpg really matter because it is electricity not light as someone else said on the forum. even some to strips cost alot there is a lineare light at my lfs but is only a single strip but says it is good for plants. So could someone please help because I am not made of money and can't spend hundreds on a lighting system.

 

[garuf]

Ok I have a 36g bowfront tank right now I have a 20w light but want to have a planted tank at 2 wpg to do this i would have to have at least 80w this would be 4 light strips and that costs alot do wpg really matter because it is electricity not light as someone else said on the forum. even some to strips cost alot there is a lineare light at my lfs but is only a single strip but says it is good for plants. So could someone please help because I am not made of money and can't spend hundreds on a lighting system.

if you can i would opt for a T5 power compact the bigger the better interpet do the best ones, you cant get one that's 54 watt and its the equivalent of having 3 tubes in light strength a single one would be sufficient but if you want to go mad on the lighting front 2 will give you enough light to grow absolutely anything

 

[radioman]

Do you have a link to one.

 

[Musho3210]

T5 linears with individual reflectors wont waste as much light as PC's do, plus you dont need to replace tubes as frequently.

 

[radioman]

ok I am in the US where do i get these I found this Interpet Convertagear T5 Power Compact 1x24 w or can i just get a metal halide from a hardware store.