Luminaires

[jonnyf84]

hi, i am about to buy a luminaire, i like the look of the arcadia T5's but is it necessary to have one with 4 tubes or will 2 tubes be sufficient?

I want it for asthetic reasons as well as to provide better plant growth without giving the plants the need for CO2, therefore i think 4 tubes will be too much as more light means they will also need more of the other nutrients.

I can't provide CO2 as the PH will drop too low.
Its for a 36 inch tank, medium to heavily planted, a possibility to become a aquascaped tank in the future.

The 4x24w is only 30 quid more expensive than the 2x24w but would it be a complete waste of 30 quid?

Any opinions would be fantastic.

 

[DevUK]

I would go for the 4x luminaire. The Arcadias have 2 switches on them so you can have 2 or 4 tubes lit. It gives you flexibility if you decide to get pressurised CO2 etc in the future.

 

[jonnyf84]

true, 4 tubes will equal out to be over 4wpg though, surely no plant needs that much! Is it possible to get moonlight tubes for the freshwater arcadia luminaires? If so do they look quite good or a waste of money.