What Lights Could I Use Here?

[RossC]

So I've done a little research into lighting for plants and I kinda know the basics but I need help. In my 10gal at the moment I've got an 11W white and blue combo compact T5. No idea about the spectrum or other specs. I get a feeling that It won't be adequate for the plants I want to use. The tank is about 55cm wide but the hood is a funny shape. What lights could I try to add to it to help with plant growth?
It has a Tetra Complete and gravel substrate and will be dosed with liquid carbon and Flourish Excel.
Here's a picture of it.

 

[Ps3Steveo]

hat plants do you want to grow? I have less lighting over my 8 Gallon and with good flow I can grow anything in there.

 

[RossC]

hat plants do you want to grow? I have less lighting over my 8 Gallon and with good flow I can grow anything in there.

Gymnocoronis spilanthoides, Pogostemon helferi and a carpet of dwarf hairgrass (Eleocharis acicularis)

I was thinking about trying to install an additional 8W or 14W T5 using this Arcadia Control Unit, I need to measure it up and work out how to mount it inside the hood. What T5 tubes do you recommend for plant growth?

 

[Ps3Steveo]

I bet any money with good flow you wont have a prob with what you have providing you dose correctly.

 

[RossC]

I bet any money with good flow you wont have a prob with what you have providing you dose correctly.

Ok thanks I'll carry on having a think about it, the annoying thing is not knowing any details about the current tubes in there they seem like cheap generic lights that won't encourage photosynthesis
Another option I've found is to replace the hood with this:

Which houses 3 x 14W T5's which is more than enough light.
Opinions?

 

[Ps3Steveo]

That houses enough light to give you algae prob quick tho, so long as they're T5's it wont matter, that will be enough light.

 

[RossC]

That houses enough light to give you algae prob quick tho, so long as they're T5's it wont matter, that will be enough light.

So don't use the 3xT5's?

 

[Ps3Steveo]

That would give you the equivilant of like 4 watts per gallon, I know its an out dated rule but it would be pointless using that much light, I think it would cause more problems for you than solutions, you'd need really good flow, pressurised CO2 and the dosing would need to be spot on. I'd start out with the single T5 and see how you go and I bet you can grow the plants you want too. I have an 8 gallon with an old 8W T8 in it and I grow HC in there which is one of those plants that needs good balance.

 

[RossC]

That would give you the equivilant of like 4 watts per gallon, I know its an out dated rule but it would be pointless using that much light, I think it would cause more problems for you than solutions, you'd need really good flow, pressurised CO2 and the dosing would need to be spot on. I'd start out with the single T5 and see how you go and I bet you can grow the plants you want too. I have an 8 gallon with an old 8W T8 in it and I grow HC in there which is one of those plants that needs good balance.

Ok I'll give it a go with the stock lighting and see how it goes. What dosing do you recommend?

 

[Ps3Steveo]

Will u be using co2 or carbon?

 

[RossC]

UPDATE: I just took the bulb out and found out its 18W and the white tube is rated @10000K so I'm happy now no extra lighting needed as far as I'm concerned.

 

[Ps3Steveo]

Cool just make sure you have some kind of carbon or co2 in there as thats a good amount of light.

 

[FishFanatic04]

I was just going to say, make sure you have a carbon source on hand just in case.

I grow very healthy plants at .65 wpg. Plants will adjust to the lighting and just grow slower.

 

[RossC]

Thanks guys can't wait to start growing now