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Planted/discus Tank Lighting


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#1 beno

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Posted 14 February 2017 - 07:30 AM

hi,

 

have just started to set up my 6x2 planted discus tank. just had a question regarding how much/what type of light tubes would be best. i have a 4ft T5 unit with 4 tubes. 

 

was planning on housing the following:

10 discus

50 cardinal tetras

50 rummynose tetras

some bn

10 corys

 

anubias, hygrophilia, jave ferns/moss, fox tail, just any basic low maintenance plants

 

 

I was thinking of getting 2x AQUA ONE 54W TROPICAL, 1x AQUA ONE 54W SUNLIGHT, and 1x AQUA ONE MARINE BLUE 54W

 

 

Any thoughts on what tubes would bring out the best in my Discus and plants?

 

Cheers



#2 Delapool

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Posted 15 February 2017 - 09:24 AM

Was thinking how deep is tank, is it a t5ho or t5no and I assume no CO2 injection?

I don't know how the hygro will go, the rest to me could be ok but I have injected CO2.


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#3 Westie

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Posted 15 February 2017 - 11:13 AM

54watt is High Output. You rarely see "T5NO", especially now since most people run LED lighting.

If I were using T5HO tubes, I wouldn't bother with the blue tube. Waste of time IMO for a planted tank. I would go 2 tropical and 2 sunlight.



#4 malawiman85

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Posted 16 February 2017 - 01:36 PM

Price of the tubes would just about buy an LED off ebay or locally sourced second hand ... Doesn't need to be flash with most of the plants you're considering.

 

Wont the discus have a chew on the cardinals?



#5 Westie

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Posted 16 February 2017 - 02:03 PM

That is true, but be VERY careful with buying an LED light off ebay. Cheap doesn't always mean good. Some cheaper LED lights don't have a protective cover for condensation, and you could end up with an LED light shorting out when moisture gets in to a diode. 2nd hand would be the way to go for a cost effective option. I'm with Paul, LED would be better than new t5 tubes. Keep in mind the cost of replacing t5 tubes is an ongoing expense that you don't have with LED lights. I run the Ista brand LED lights from Aquotix. On my 6x2x2 I have 2x5 foot Ista LED lights, and plant growth is good (especially since I got co2).






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