Power Compact Or T-5 Ho Lighting For Planted 29G?

[kris6458]

I was just curious to what the difference is.

Pros/Cons?

I replaced my florescant 20 Wat light this weekend on my 29 gallon planted tank. I bought a Power Compact 65 watt light, but was torn on a T-5 HO also. Which one is better? I wanted my plants to grow faster and be able to grow more then just basic moss/anubus etc.

Any Info/suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[Mikaila31]

You went with the better one IMO. The T5 HO defiantly has more light, but you would of needed to go to CO2 to run that. You are still a little high with the PC, you may want to run CO2 in the beginning until the plants settle in. You should be fine without it in the long run, especially with your tanks depth.

You should be able to grow plenty of plants with that current light.

 

[Truck]

2 T8's spanning the length of the 29 gallon will let you grow anything you wanted, providing you injet CO2 of course!

Just because you have more light doesn't mean you can grow more plants, having more light means injecting CO2 and dosing nutrients.

With a 65 watt Lamp you are going to need pressurised CO2, NOT DIY, you're also going to have to get yourself a decent fertiliser, or make one yourself out of dry salts.

 

[kris6458]

Well I have about 5 root tabs in there and I add Florish Excel (Liquid CO2) every couple of days. The Power compact had more Watts so went with it. The T-5 Had 2 bulbs but only 1 was a daylight bulbt, the other was a bluelight.

 

[Mikaila31]

2 T8's spanning the length of the 29 gallon will let you grow anything you wanted, providing you injet CO2 of course!

Just because you have more light doesn't mean you can grow more plants, having more light means injecting CO2 and dosing nutrients.

With a 65 watt Lamp you are going to need pressurised CO2, NOT DIY, you're also going to have to get yourself a decent fertiliser, or make one yourself out of dry salts.

I disagree with the need of CO2, Like I said initially it would be a good idea. That tank can be balanced to where it does not need co2 though. Her tank is 18" deep w/ about 2.25 wpg once heavily planted it will run fine without CO2 IMO. At least my tanks do.... and some have higher light than that....

You are difineatly going to need more ferts though IMO. I would look into EI ferts at lower than recommended. Or you can by the really expensive store ones... You need to at least dose N, K, and traces.

 

[Truck]

If you want a full 8 hour photo period you'll struggle without it, also I'm guessing the OP wanted more light in the first place so they could grow some of the more challenging species such as HC or eleocharis, neither will do very well without the addition of CO2.

 

[kris6458]

I Will eventually add a type of CO2 once my bottle of Florish Excel runs out.

I just wanted to make sure I made the right decession on lighting. I only have a day or so to return/exchant the light fixture if I didnt make the right choice.

 

[Mikaila31]

Its the wrong choice if you don't step up your ferts. Root tabs and excel are not going to cut it. And like I said DIY CO2 you should to do in the beginning. If you don't you are just going to have a algae mess on your hands. It is much easier to prevent algae than get rid of it once you have it. If you do not wish to do these things, then its the wrong light. Currently you will grow algae not plants. It will take a couple months at least to balance that tank out.

Excel does not equal DIY CO2.

Truck: I assure you it is possible, not the way the OP wants to do it, but it can be done. And more than a 8hour photo period can be ran. Its all about balancing.