johnsmith Posted June 2, 2006 Report Share Posted June 2, 2006 What is the better choice for growing low light plants? T8 - 32w or T12 - 40w Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mykiss Posted June 2, 2006 Report Share Posted June 2, 2006 I think they both work fine. Just gotta make sure that the light intensity is strong enough to reach the bottom of your tank or at least to the plants. If it's a shallow tank, then T-12 should do it. Also, there are plant lights for T-12's at Home Depot or Revy. I'm not sure about the plant lights for the T-8's but I think they are more intense than the T-12. Good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wibber Posted June 3, 2006 Report Share Posted June 3, 2006 T12's are on they're way out for a reason. There's cheap 5500K T8's available at Home Depot or Revy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jvision Posted June 5, 2006 Report Share Posted June 5, 2006 I agree w. Wibber. I'd go w. T8s every time. Not much more expensive, and will give off more usable light at equal wattages. If you're going w. a 4' tank, I'd say go w. at least 2 bulbs. For growing plants, the general rule of thumb is 1-2 Watts per gallon = no suplimental CO2 needed, fertilize as needed (ie. get NO4 & PO4 test kits). If you're getting over 2 WPG, I'd start thinking of adding CO2 - on tanks over 20 gal, I'd go with a pressurized system. You probably won't have to go over 4 WPG for anything... unless you wanted to literally watch your stem plants grow!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnsmith Posted June 5, 2006 Author Report Share Posted June 5, 2006 I'm definitely going for low light, the problem is that with a 90g I need at least three bulbs just to get me up to 1wpg and I'm not sure if I have room under my hood. 2 T12s would at least get me to 80w but I guess I should try to fit 3 T8s under there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jvision Posted June 5, 2006 Report Share Posted June 5, 2006 I had 3 T6s over my 54, no problem. It does take a little DIY, but it's doable quite easily. I basically just wired the 3 endcaps to a balast and set them on the tank, then gutted an old 2-strip shop light, and used the top as a reflector. Easy-peasy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pat Posted June 5, 2006 Report Share Posted June 5, 2006 I'm definitely going for low light, the problem is that with a 90g I need at least three bulbs just to get me up to 1wpg and I'm not sure if I have room under my hood. 2 T12s would at least get me to 80w but I guess I should try to fit 3 T8s under there. Don't be fool by the wattage. T8 generate more light and use less electricity than T12. T8 is definitely a better choice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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