T5 HO Lighting for a Nepenthes bicalcarata Closet Grow

Choosing and Using a 4‑Foot 2‑Lamp T5 Fixture

Both the HTG Supply and Sunblaze 8‑lamp units deliver ~10,000 lumens—over 3× a T8. For a 10‑gallon tank:

• Use 6500K (daylight) bulbs for vegetative growth.
• Mount on the tank rim; no need to hang.
• Keep 6–12 inches above plants (T5s run hotter than T8s).

Current T8 Setup Adjustments

• Stagger chains: lower one side for tall Heliamphora, higher for sundews/Cephalotus.
• Sundews want 3 inches from tubes; Cephalotus tolerates 8–12 inches.
• T8s are cool enough to be 3 inches from Heliamphora.

Watch leaf color—red/purple = good light; pale green = too dim.