Update

Changed the MH to PL. However, observed that Bleeding Heart still hiding. They are extra active in the morning though. Probably not caused by the extra bright light.

Boraras are swimming already with MH or without MH. They are probably shocked by bright light initially.

How about High Output T5 tubes? Not many players using HO T5 locally. I've been using T5s tube for 4 months now. I find them more efficient and light spread is better than PLs. Check out the supposed durability of T5s tubes too, don't play play

Some info for those interested to DIY:
HO T5 tube 4 feet - 54w - Aquaz 6500K for RM50, JBL 4000 or 9000K for RM90
55w e-ballast for Rm20
HO T5 tubes are also available in 5 feet - 80w.

Personally, I am mixing Aquaz and JBL tubes for better spectrum coverage for my plants. Arcadia makes some nice ones too but they were not available in msia when i bought them. Overall, HO T5s - emitt less heat, better light spread (as opposed to concentrated light in MH), can penerate deeper than PL.

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Isaac Goh©

Moss: Singapore, Taiwan, Weeping, Spiky, Erect, Xmas.

Pellia: Coral pellia, Normal pellia, Medium pellia?, Wild mini pellia.

Yes, this is something else that we need to try out in the planted tank world.

Would you mind posting more details on where to get this stuff? Maybe your setup and DIY pictures?

Is there any size for shorter tanks, like 2 ft or even 1 ft?

In fact HO T5 tubes are not new in the planted tank world, it's been there for 2 years or more.

Aquaz: I believe Roger(deep_end) used to sell them. I got mine from him.
JBL: CTY carries them. Just contact your friendly neighbourhood LFS to order from CTY because I ordered through a friend from their JBL catalogue.
Arcadia: Qianhu brings them in, try petsafari or petfamily. I contacted them before I got my JBL but they didn't have stock then. They said they were going to bring them in.

Personaly, I would recommend arcadia tubes, or you can mix the cheaper ones with the expensive ones like arcadia which yields very good results. They are probably the king in the flourescent tubes for planted tank.

I believe HO T5 tubes come in various sizes, you can check up arcadia or Jbl website (www.jbl.de) for the sizes. The only problem is whether the local supplier stocks them. Another thing, remember to check if your tube is HO or normal tube because there's a lot of shops selling 'ciplak' made in china T5 tubes which runs on lower wattages, those are normal output(NO) T5s which is like 29w for 4 feet as compared to 54w HO T5 for 4 feet.

DIY steps? It's just like any other e-ballast setup for your PLs. where to get 54w e-ballast? Top-lite in Puchong.

I'm sorry that I don't post much pictures because i'm not good at taking pics(it's also an excuse for being lazY!). I know picture is worth a thousand words and bla bla bla....

Anyway, not to dissapoint you here's an example of a tank running on T5, winner of the AGA 2004 large tank category.

http://www.pbase.com/plantella/130cm_tank

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Isaac Goh©

Moss: Singapore, Taiwan, Weeping, Spiky, Erect, Xmas.

Pellia: Coral pellia, Normal pellia, Medium pellia?, Wild mini pellia.

actually if you try out the 70W mh, i'd say the mh has more light than T5 HO. T5 VHO comes close to the efficiency of MH. but the effects and colour are different. I'd say the MH is cheaper to run in the long run and at 70W per bulb there's more room for error than a 150W MH. this is what i was looking for...

certainly is matter of preference if you like the softer light of FL's or PL/PC's.

i'd say as anyone here to mix them so that you get a good range. i'd be mixing those with a little more warmth to counter the blue of the MH.[blue really downs orange colours]
other options include some filter gel strips can tape to the MH to get a tint...

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So many aquascapes, so little time...http://www.my-mac.net/forum/

T5 tubes have a better light spread than MH but MH is most suitable when you want an open top tank. Not to forget, MH is harder to mount(ceiling), so I opted for an easy way out.

I would be great to post the plant growth result of your 70w MH and venture bulbs because I was told that not all plants grow well in MH because of the spectrum unless you buy expensive ones like arcadia bulbs.

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Isaac Goh©

Moss: Singapore, Taiwan, Weeping, Spiky, Erect, Xmas.

Pellia: Coral pellia, Normal pellia, Medium pellia?, Wild mini pellia.

you're right about the mounting. that's a bee to figure out. maybe a c-stand...haha

actually i'm happy if there's fairly good growth and looks great colourwise. grows fine...even those daylight phillips pl light grows plants.[pearling at 2wpg, but colour is tad warm]

cj has said his plants pearl with these MH and needs my humble opinion... i will dismantle my 3X2X2 tank light to do a test.[220W of FL there] replace that with one mh and keep one 60W bank light. [save 90W wor!]

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So many aquascapes, so little time...http://www.my-mac.net/forum/

Yes, they pearl, sure they do. But some plants don't grow well with it. Color and growth wise it's not as good as PLs.

I did help to get 2 MH(150w) for Jake(wishb) long time ago for his office tank and it was really tough getting it mounted on the wall. Growth wise it's not splendid, we bought those cheap rm50 bucks bulbs that claims to be from Germany. Don't like the result, so I opted for T5s instead.

Well, I must agree with MH, the ripple effect is really cool!! but as highlighted, the bulb is very important particularly for MH. Fishes and plants can look drab in some cases.

Stan,
I like your DIY and trial/error attitude, unfortunately, I can only afford 1 tank in my house. I used to keep about 20 cichlids tanks at home. Now it's only 1.

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Isaac Goh©

Moss: Singapore, Taiwan, Weeping, Spiky, Erect, Xmas.

Pellia: Coral pellia, Normal pellia, Medium pellia?, Wild mini pellia.

Isaac, do you have the address of Top-Lite in Puchong? Or maybe some directions to get there? Tried the online yellow pages but no luck...

I would like to try out T5 HO especially if it dissipates less heat and is able to produce a more intense light.

Thanks.

Hi Ruslan,

Top-lite is just next to Tesco in Puchong. Corner shop facing main road Jln Puchong. They actually sell the cheapest lightings(fancy ones) i know. Just go in ask them for the 55w e-ballast.

Btw...just to share with you another tank I saw with T5s mounted but I suspect that it is a Normal Output T5 fittings(because of the number of tubes used). I like the cool casing mounted on the ceiling, wished there are cheap DIY casing for T5 available. JBL carries a nice one but it's too expensive for my budget.

http://www.aquaticplantcentral.com/f...ad.php?t=11276

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Isaac Goh©

Moss: Singapore, Taiwan, Weeping, Spiky, Erect, Xmas.

Pellia: Coral pellia, Normal pellia, Medium pellia?, Wild mini pellia.