Afraid my plants are going to die, what to do?

**K_8Xpath** · 10-25-2012, 01:56 AM

I thought that the T5 bulbs wouldn't fit in the regular hoods that come with the T8's?

**Northerly** · 10-25-2012, 02:03 AM

Yeah as far as i know they won't, that's why the second fixture would be necessary.

**K_8Xpath** · 10-25-2012, 06:06 PM

I found three Zoo Med bulbs for plants "Flora Sun 5000k" "Ultra Sun 6500k" and "Tropic Sun 5500k"

Is only having one of these insufficient?

**Goes to 11!** · 10-25-2012, 06:18 PM

The 6500K is the best spectrum for plants but the wattage is relevant here, What is it?

**K_8Xpath** · 10-25-2012, 06:20 PM

15w

guess that is only the same as what I have now :/ which is not even 1 wpg. Think I give up. Soon as my old tank and stand sell on CL I'll just buy the T5 fixture.

**Goes to 11!** · 10-25-2012, 06:22 PM

Exactly, Which is no improvement.

Looks like you need a new fixture to me.

**K_8Xpath** · 10-25-2012, 06:29 PM

I'll try to clean that new hood up real nice, find the receipt and return it. Will say it didn't fit or some BS like that.

Wish me luck with that plan! ; )

**Northerly** · 10-25-2012, 06:57 PM

lol good luck, but I think if you just told them you needed a dual fixture they'd take it as used and give you store credit towards a secondary dual fixture. That is assuming that you go to a locally owned lfs, I doubt a chain store would be as accepting.

**K_8Xpath** · 10-25-2012, 09:33 PM

Originally Posted by Northerly

lol good luck, but I think if you just told them you needed a dual fixture they'd take it as used and give you store credit towards a secondary dual fixture. That is assuming that you go to a locally owned lfs, I doubt a chain store would be as accepting.

Oooh, good idea! However; I just went out and bought the T5 dual lamp fixture, which was not actually a full hood, so was only $60. Not complaining.

First, I went to a new Pet store, and the lady said she had luck with an 18,000K Power-GLO bulb for T8 fixtures so I bought it. Still went to Petsmart, though, and found the dual T5. So will exchange the PowerGlo for a bulb to replace the "colormax" bulb the T5 came with.

Thanks for helping me out, really appreciate it! And I did buy Flourish tabs as well.

**Cermet** · 10-25-2012, 10:44 PM

Again, you are cycling so focus on that. Putting in tabs is fine but liquid ferts are not really an issue since cycling takes less than six weeks and the plants, if they get enough light, will be fine. Trace nutrients are needed but hardily very often. Also, without test kits, adding to many too often will create algae. I assume you are doing a fishless cycle so keep your ammonia levels around 1 - 2 ppm.

I'm no expert but 18000 K temp bulb sounds like one for a coral reef tank. Plants need/prefer towards red (4000-4500 and a good general value is 6500 K)