Newb lighting question

[reinharn]

I'm new to aquascaping and recently started a standard 55 gallon freshwater with undemanding plants. So far everything is going fine, but my plants aren't really thriving. At the moment I only have 30 watts on the entire tank, so I'm definitiely looking to upgrade. I found this fixture Odyssea T5 High Output Lighting which I really like. The price is reasonable and I read some decent reviews on the company. With this fixture I will have about 216 watts which will take me up to about 4 wpg. I'm looking to do mostly moderate light plants, but do you think this will be enough lighting for something like baby tears which I know prefers high light? My other question is that it comes with 2 12000k bulbs and 2 actinic, would these suit my needs or should I consider getting 4 6500 k bulbs? I have searched this forum and all that I found is that 12000 might wash out the plants and actinic is "wasted light", is this true?

Thank you!

[Carolina]

Originally Posted by reinharn

I'm new to aquascaping and recently started a standard 55 gallon freshwater with undemanding plants. So far everything is going fine, but my plants aren't really thriving. At the moment I only have 30 watts on the entire tank,

I am still experimenting with lighting. Working on getting plants to show color with 40 watts over a 29 gallon tank. Thought I'd share info with you that I have gathered.

Here is some info I have collected.
WPG is gallons divided by watts. It is based on the output of T12, thus the smaller the bulb the more light you get.

8wpg of T5 = 2.34wpg of T12
8wpg of T5 = 2wpg of T8
8wpg of T5 = 2.34wpg of T12
8wpg of T5 = 2wpg of T8
T12 lamps typically give out between 60 and 85 lumens per watt. T5HO typically puts out around 100 or just under as T8.

LIGHTS

Barreport shows plants can grow with any light here.

Have you had the plants long?
I would check your gh and kh to decide which nutrients you need.

How about a picture?

[Crispino Ramos]

I would go with 4 6700K or 2 6700K and 2 Planta.