to rubberband or glue?

I've never used the rubberband method, always glued. But if that's the route you'd like to take, I've seen the cheap plastic cable ties being used, more sturdy and easier to attach, plus easy to remove too. If I'm sticking something down that won't hold while the epoxy is drying, using the cable ties over night while it dries is useful.

 

I use superglue gel..... I have never rubberbanded anything... Yet that is, but with this hobby there is always something else to try....

 

it can all depends on your lights. I know you have a t5 fixture so it wont be as drastic as MH... but you will still have to let it on your sand bed for a few days to a week, then move up a few inches every couple of days until you reach the final placement

 

to add, if it turns darker or brown then move it back down a little and get some flow on it and always watch for it starting to bleach...