T5 light choice

[2LOUD2OLD]

Hi,
I have just set up my new tank this weekend. It is 4ft long 2ft deep. I am wanting a planted tank and after reading plenty of stuff online have come to the realisation that the light that came with it is just not going to be up to the task. It is just a standard fluro light 3ft long with a single globe. I realise that I need to get a T5 light and have been looking at guppys. I am looking at either this http://www.guppysaquariumproducts.com.au/t5-florescent-light-fittings-supreme-aqua/t5-aquarium-overhead-lighting-3x39w-hi-output-900-long/prod_261.html
and this http://www.guppysaquariumproducts.com.au/t5-florescent-light-fittings-supreme-aqua/4ft-double-t5-54w-high-output-aquarium-light/prod_14.html

the difference being the first is a 3ft light with 3x39W globes and the other being a 4ft light with 2x54W globes.
I understand that more watts the better but would a 4ft light light the tank better than a 3ft one? in my mind i would think the 4ft one would be better, plus it is cheaper. or do i just go one better and get this http://www.guppysaquariumproducts.com.au/t5-florescent-light-fittings-supreme-aqua/t5-aquarium-overhead-lighting-3x54w-hi-output-1200/prod_260.html
being 4ft with 3x54W?
please understand that I am on a limited budget, i dont want to spend heaps but i also want to make sure i do it right. my preference would be the 4ft 2x54W light but would there be a big difference between that and the others?

cheers

[Marc]

Firstly, be very careful of guppies lights. I have had a few bad experiences, as have many others. The customer service is dreadful and it's always "user error" as the excuse given. I know they are cheap, and that's why people keep buying from them.

I'm not overly experienced with "planted tanks". Are you sure you actually need T5HO, or just regular T5? T5HO is suited for corals etc in marine, not sure if you need them for plants.

Possibly speak to Ian (long hair when they ask you which Ian) at Coburg Aquarium (Bell Street). I know they had some high end UK T5 lights they were clearing at ridiculous prices not long ago. He also knows all about planted tanks etc. If they have something in your price range I can pick it up for you and give it to Matt from Canberra who I will be seeing next weekend (Wangaratta) if it's any help.

BTW - I think 4 x 39w would be suffiecient and give you more light spread as opposed to 2 x 54w.

[joz]

Although I'm not a planted tank expert by along way.
I have found that if your on a budget and you already have reflectors is to get some T8 Daylight tubes from your lighting store for about $6-8 each.
these are what I use and the plants do well with them.
Though I'm sure that there are better around,but for the price of trying them they can't be beat.

[2LOUD2OLD]

well after doing some phoning around of a few stores I have realised that they are way expensive. cheapest was $315 from Coburg, too much for me. So I have decided to take the gamble and have ordered the 4ft 3x54W T5 from Guppy's, hopefully all goes well.

[shanus]

Hey mate,
How did you go with the T5?

[2LOUD2OLD]

hey, well I went the Guppy's 3x54W, came well packaged with 3x 14000K globes
Not knowing anything aabout lights it looked good to me, I have been running it for a good 3 months now without any sign of problems. I have it running for about 10 hours a day using a timer. Not much more to say really other than so far so good

[Marc]

I'm just going to add to this, and say that last week one of these lights in my relatives house decided to blow up. It filled the whole house with toxic smoke and started a very small contained fire before the houses safety switch kicked in and shut everything down.

To my knowledge these lights are NOT Australian compliant despite what they may claim. Buyer beware.

[domsriltz123]

Hey mate,
How did you go with the T5?