How Much T8

How much t8 bulbs for a 125 gallon tank? Here sells no led aquarium lights and they way to expensive to bring in because of freight, shipping etc. So I'm wondering if t8 bulbs can work an how many for a low light planted tank

Can t8 light fixture grow low light plants like jungle val and java moss in a 24 inch deep tank? It is 5ft x 18" x 24". If so how much bulbs would it need

 

HI ponitboss

The issue isn't the T8 lamp, it is the 24" depth. I would 'guesstimate' that with a single T8 lamp and a white reflector the PAR level at the substrate would be about PAR@20. This is considered very low light and probably insufficient light intensity for Jungle Val (Vallisneria americana 'Gigantea') to grow at that light level. The Java Moss, if attached to hardscape maybe 1/2 up the tank might grow will, the light intensity at 12" depth would be approximately PAR@40 which is considered 'low light'.

 

HI ponitboss

The issue isn't the T8 lamp, it is the 24" depth. I would 'guesstimate' that with a single T8 lamp and a white reflector the PAR level at the substrate would be about PAR@20. This is considered very low light and probably insufficient light intensity for Jungle Val (Vallisneria americana 'Gigantea') to grow at that light level. The Java Moss, if attached to hardscape maybe 1/2 up the tank might grow will, the light intensity at 12" depth would be approximately PAR@40 which is considered 'low light'.

Ok what about t5 fixture would that be the same Par? The t5 fixture in can get here have aluminum reflector is that would make a difference

 

T5 is much better. I used t5 on this tank


21 inches

 

T5 is much better. I used t5 on this tank
View attachment 570657
21 inches

How much bulbs do you have on it and are you using co2. That tank looks great

 

How much bulbs do you have on it and are you using co2. That tank looks great

Just one bulb! I was impressed with this tank, it was best growing tank. And thanks I was not using co2, but it was my second dirted tank, it had about 2 inches soil bed throughout. I don't have it anymore btw, but it was going like that for a good 3 years.
I have to say, it was in front a window with light colored blinds, so it got a bit of daylight whereas my others do not.
Ooh and another trick/stradegy: I don't struggle to grow a particular plant. I grow what wants to and stick to low light low tech plants.

 

Just one bulb! I was impressed with this tank, it was best growing tank. And thanks I was not using co2, but it was my second dirted tank, it had about 2 inches soil bed throughout. I don't have it anymore btw, but it was going like that for a good 3 years.
I have to say, it was in front a window with light colored blinds, so it got a bit of daylight whereas my others do not.
Ooh and another trick/stradegy: I don't struggle to grow a particular plant. I grow what wants to and stick to low light low tech plants.

What kind of dirt did you use?

This is the one I can get

 

Oh no, I wouldn't do blue light. I got my ballast and bulb from a hydroponic shop, they are Sunblaster 6400k. Cost me 40$ for a 3ft light and 10$ for a replacement bulb.

But I will say I've switched to LED because I was sick of wasting bulbs. The bulbs lose enough spectrum in a year that I had to replace them. With my LEDs, they last for 14 years! Plus the diodes (bulbs) don't contain mercury or degrade with time or how often they were switched on.

Some of the LEDs are almost as inexpensive as a t5 setup now. I use Beamswork cuz that's what's easily shipped to me for the cheapest price. No bells and whistles, but they grow my plants.

Depending on what you can order in, Finnex is another member favorite.

I used Miracle Grow Organic Potting Soil, but any organic soil (no synthetic fertilizers) would do.

Ask away if you have more questions.

 

Oh no, I wouldn't do blue light. I got my ballast and bulb from a hydroponic shop, they are Sunblaster 6400k. Cost me 40$ for a 3ft light and 10$ for a replacement bulb.

But I will say I've switched to LED because I was sick of wasting bulbs. The bulbs lose enough spectrum in a year that I had to replace them. With my LEDs, they last for 14 years! Plus the diodes (bulbs) don't contain mercury or degrade with time or how often they were switched on.

Some of the LEDs are almost as inexpensive as a t5 setup now. I use Beamswork cuz that's what's easily shipped to me for the cheapest price. No bells and whistles, but they grow my plants.

Depending on what you can order in, Finnex is another member favorite.

I used Miracle Grow Organic Potting Soil, but any organic soil (no synthetic fertilizers) would do.

Ask away if you have more questions.

Yes led r better but so expensive to bring here to Barbados being that $1 us dollar is $2 barbados dollars so a $55 led would cost me $110 then shipping and customs price would be very high

 

Oh no, I wouldn't do blue light. I got my ballast and bulb from a hydroponic shop, they are Sunblaster 6400k. Cost me 40$ for a 3ft light and 10$ for a replacement bulb.

But I will say I've switched to LED because I was sick of wasting bulbs. The bulbs lose enough spectrum in a year that I had to replace them. With my LEDs, they last for 14 years! Plus the diodes (bulbs) don't contain mercury or degrade with time or how often they were switched on.

Some of the LEDs are almost as inexpensive as a t5 setup now. I use Beamswork cuz that's what's easily shipped to me for the cheapest price. No bells and whistles, but they grow my plants.

Depending on what you can order in, Finnex is another member favorite.

I used Miracle Grow Organic Potting Soil, but any organic soil (no synthetic fertilizers) would do.

Ask away if you have more questions.

Oh no, I wouldn't do blue light. I got my ballast and bulb from a hydroponic shop, they are Sunblaster 6400k. Cost me 40$ for a 3ft light and 10$ for a replacement bulb.

But I will say I've switched to LED because I was sick of wasting bulbs. The bulbs lose enough spectrum in a year that I had to replace them. With my LEDs, they last for 14 years! Plus the diodes (bulbs) don't contain mercury or degrade with time or how often they were switched on.

Some of the LEDs are almost as inexpensive as a t5 setup now. I use Beamswork cuz that's what's easily shipped to me for the cheapest price. No bells and whistles, but they grow my plants.

Depending on what you can order in, Finnex is another member favorite.

I used Miracle Grow Organic Potting Soil, but any organic soil (no synthetic fertilizers) would do.

Ask away if you have more questions.

Do you remember what watt the bulb was?

 

The bulb was 54 watts. Here's a link for the one I had. It was 48" (if I said 36")


A 125g is a big tank to light. I think my 90g would be a better comparison. I use LED on it now, but I started off with one t5 and two hydroponic 15w LED spot lights like these: https://www.amazon.com/RENZHEN-Spectrum-Growing-Hydroponics-Vegetables/dp/B07S8PX94R/ref=mp_s_a_1_44?keywords=hydroponic+spotlight+led&qid=1562446348&s=gateway&sr=8-44&th=1&psc=1
It was newly dirted with a good soil bed, so growth was crazy but the tank is 24" deep, so a good tank to compare.


I used easy plants but growing them wasn't an issue in the deep tank.

I think you'd be set with 2 6ft T5 bulbs or one t5 bulb and some sort of accent light to account for the tank depth front to back. Five feet if you keep ends planted shady with anubias and such. My 5ft 120 gallon tank has only 4ft light fixtures. I like the shadier ends.

I also have a frosted white background (actually clear plastic bags lol) and a backlight. It looks like a horizon. I think the backlight helps provide light for the tank at the bottom/back for the plants. It's a 10k white 12" 3W tube LED and cost me 15$ against a white wall. Ok pic to show what I mean


And add light to the back

 

Oh no, I wouldn't do blue light. I got my ballast and bulb from a hydroponic shop, they are Sunblaster 6400k. Cost me 40$ for a 3ft light and 10$ for a replacement bulb.

But I will say I've switched to LED because I was sick of wasting bulbs. The bulbs lose enough spectrum in a year that I had to replace them. With my LEDs, they last for 14 years! Plus the diodes (bulbs) don't contain mercury or degrade with time or how often they were switched on.

Some of the LEDs are almost as inexpensive as a t5 setup now. I use Beamswork cuz that's what's easily shipped to me for the cheapest price. No bells and whistles, but they grow my plants.

Depending on what you can order in, Finnex is another member favorite.

I used Miracle Grow Organic Potting Soil, but any organic soil (no synthetic fertilizers) would do.

Ask away if you have more questions.

You said u use Beamswork is it strong enough to grow plants in deep aquarium are do u use another led. The t5 here in Barbados are not T5ho they are t5no so I don't know the difference between them.

 

Oh sorry I don't know either......

Years ago before I was growing live plants, I only had one t8 on my 120 gallon (26" deep). I started with a few plants using two of them. I had the flora (pink) tube and daylight (6500k) tube. I could grow really basic plants like java fern and anacharis. There's also the option to grow plants out of the tank. They will add some greenery, use ambient daylight, clean your air and use up nitrates in the tank too! Example of plants growing out of my tank



I'm just saying, if t8 or similar is all that's available, it's doable with a very simple setup and still able to keep water pristine for the fish.

My 120 gallon back in the day and learning to work with plants


This is actually LED, but it was around when I switched over from t8 or is a good example of a low light tank.
Here is where I first revamped it with new driftwood


Only the accent LED is on btw, and it's 4ft fixtures on a 5ft tank, but I'd say these LEDs used at this time were comparable to two t8s.