Re: What would you do? Plan A or B, simplified
swackett said:
The WPG rule of thumb is a bit misleading, it was originally used for T12 lamps. T8 lamps produce more light than an Equivalent wattage T12 and T5 lamps produce more light than an Equivalent wattage T8. Even though you said the T5 have lower wpg than the T8, the T5's will be brighter and thus they will also penetrate deeper into the tank. As the T5 also have reflectors, this can also add another 10-15% on top of the lamp output.
If you intend to grow crypts, java fern, and nubias, etc then the IMO the T8's would be fine.
Yeah, I
know WPG is misleading and only a loose guideline, this is what I tell people all the time in my forum, but unless you want to lend me your PAR meter, it's what I've got to work with.

Thank you for pointing it out, though.
aaronnorth said:
WPG is calculated providing you have reflectors. If you dont have reflectors then it will be lower. You can just simply add a reflector then say the tube will have 10% higher output - it doesnt work like that unless i am missing something?
The T5 will be slightly higher tech, but either way you go wont make much difference
Oooooo, slightly higher tech. The prospect is so exciting.
George Farmer said:
If possible, try them both out and see what looks best for you.
The plants won't be too fussed either way....
That is my inclination, but the more I think about it, I think the T5s will be cheaper in the long run. No reflector to purchase and the bulbs are cheaper than the T8 bulbs I want. I'm really just going to put mosses, crypts, swords, anubias, and bolbitis. I want the pretty new mosses too! The big change is with the substrate and the lower light. I really like the sand I put in my other aquariums and I want a sand cap for this tank too. The original gravel bed isn't especially deep, like 1-1.5", so I can easily cover that with a cap of sand and not worry too much about mixing or sinking. As long as I have more sand than gravel, I'll be fine.
Thanks for helping out everyone. I think I've made my decision.
llj