Planted aquarium lighting

I started off with 4 t8 30w tubes in my 2m planted tank. The plant did okay but did not really grow as fast and as good as I wanted them to. So I changed to 2 30w and 2 50w led flood lights. They worked fine and growth was much better. But one morning the one 30w just stopped working. So I put back 2 of the t8 tubes and added diy co2. Plants loved it and where growing much faster. But about 2 days ago the other 30w also stopped working. I contacted the supplier but he said they only have a 3month warranty. Well that was that I am now over the led thing and want to try t5s.

My plan is to use 4 x 80w HO t5 tubes just not sure what tubes will be the best and most economical. I know that the rating of the tubes need to be between 6000 and 8000 k. I had a look on the lamp house website and saw some tubes there with this rating but the where no specifically recommended for plants. Will they be fine? Or should I get the ones that they recommend for plants? I am working on a very tight budget so need to get something that will work but wont cost me an arm and a leg. I also thought of leaving the 2 50w leds in and just adding the t5s or will this be to much light.

Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

 

So much for 50000hrs lifespan for the LED.
I guess that only applies if they aren't ever switched on -LOL

6500 Kelvin is ideal for plants and you could also get yourself a Sylvania Grolux (8000K, pinkish colour) from Lamphouse or other outlets, that light is definitely recommended for aquatic plants.
It is one of my favourite bulbs and also used by many members of the parallel forum.

 

Some photos of my tank now

 

I have recently finished my diy led lights.
What I've done is run 17 3w led in parallel with another 17.
As the driver is constant current 650ma I thought it best to split it as will therefore have longer life on leds.
Remember that the floodlights you got probably runs at the max amps all the time therefore wont last as long.
I decided to go this way because if one led blows it wont cost me an arm and a leg to replace.
Currently I pay something like R3.50 each.
Maybe you should think of trying something similar.

 

Thumbs ups for your tank really looks nice.

ive got 5x T8 in my 1500 tank but my tank being 600mm deep I intend to get insufficient light to the bottom for plants that requires more light. Otherwise all good. The 5 lights is 2x Jebo super light that's really bright. Blue marine/biolux red/ 10000k. Got them now running for 3 weeks 10 hours a day and there isn't really any difference in algae growth so I assume they all good.

Buying normal tube lights you need to check the nm (wavelengths) of the tube some lights promotes more algea growth then it really helps your plants to grow. Just ask google back when I where looking for tubes I've found many websites that explains witch type and colour lights with best wavelenghts to use for plant growth. If I remember correct 400-450nm and then 600-650 is the ideal range. The green light between 450-600nm is the range that promotes algea growth. But just double check it's been more then a year back I've done research.

I've also read in another thread that LED lights can be sensitive to unbalanced electricity supply so with load shedding going on and off you don't get a balanced supply of Electricty and that intends to give the LED's a hard time.
@crashrun can you maybe start a thread with pictures and details of your LED lights. My lights is 200w combined and looking for a alternative to save on power. And buying a proper LED lights setup is to expensive.

 

Nice. Looking tank