RedForeman ©® wandered in from the void and babbled something like:

i've decided to go with T8 bulbs, seeing as how I've got several laying
around....but how many?

Anyone got some recommendations on T8 bulbs??? what kelvin rating?

I use T-8s on my 75 gal. Four would be a 'medium light' arrangement.
You might even get some red out of a few plant towards the top of the
tank. Six would grow most plants.

Go to your local industrial lighting supplier and get a few Phillips
ALTO F032T8/TL850 bulbs. They run about $3.25 each. 5000K,
Tri-phosphor, long life bulbs. Use a couple Sylvania Quicktronic
ballasts. Instant start. They have one that runs two tubes, and one
that runs four. You might even throw in a couple daylights (6500K) to
bring out the blues in Neons/Cardinals and such.

Greg