T5 Or T8?

[Ali-Jack]

Afternoon all,
Hope you're all well?
I'm in the process of kitting out a 30"x15"x12" tank. I'm going to be growing mainly java fern, java moss, anubias nana, dwarf sag and baby amazons. I guess a medium display really.
I need to buy a lighting unit and am stuck on what to get!!! Should i go for T5 or T8 bulbs with a tank my size? Would one bulb be sufficient or should i go for 2? What sort of wattage do i require?
Any help and info would be appreciated. I'm just starting out in the hobby and really want to get this right!!! If anyone has any links to useful lighting sites this would be great too.
Thanks loads in advance

 

[mike455555]

go got T5's they last longer. really T8's need replacing once every 6 months (not that many people do this) but T5's have a higher output of light your growing mainly low light plants so id say 1 25W bulb would be fine if not add another later its always good to have 2 starter units instead of the joint one's anyway (or so my LFS said)


edit... what size is your tank in feet? 25w might not be enough

 

[Ali-Jack]

Thanks for the reply mate.
Tank length is 2.5 foot.

 

[mike455555]

ohh right then 20w -25w will do fine (have a look at my journal link in sig)on the first couple of pages theres some link's to lights. i wouldn't recommend going with 2 t5's unless your wanting to add carbon and ferts

 

[Ali-Jack]

Sound as a pound . You wouldn't recommend 2 T5's then? Would this be too much light? Out of interest, what's wrong with the twin T5 start units? Why are the single ones better?

 

[mike455555]

id recommend t5's as they last longer but just 1 20-25w bulb will do not 2 or you will have about 2wpg. which is edging to high light where you would need co2 and ferts

i dont know why single ones are better... its just something my LFS said there a good one though so i follow there advice

 

[Ali-Jack]

Thanks for the advice Mike. I'll check out your sig when i'm not supposed to be working Cheers bud

 

[mike455555]

no problem it will be interesting to see how this tank develops

 

[Ali-Jack]

Once i can figure out how to post some pics i'll definitely do it. I can't believe how addictive keeping fish can be!!!

 

[mike455555]

get a photo bucket account upload to there post IMG link on a thread and it really is addictive

 

[Ali-Jack]

Cool. Cheers mate