36" T5s for a 48" Tank?

agsprat

New member
This might be a stupid questions but I have a 75 gal tank I'm setting up and I plan on putting in 2 150W MH + 2 36" T5s. Is 36" the length of the bulb or bulb + end caps? I didn't chose 48" T5s because I thought the would be too long with ends caps. Haven't bought them yet so still time to change. Thanks.
 
If you buy the 4 bulb icecap setup that can overdrive the bulbs to 60watts, then I wouldnt see a problem with it, you would just keep softies on the ends, it may be cheaper to go with MH though.

icecap 4 bulb T5

http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5..._Retrofit_Kit_w!_Ballast_(No_Bulbs)_by_IceCap

Greg thanks for the input. I forgot to mention I have the MHs already. They are over my 55 gal right now. Moving up to the 75 gal. I never considered 4 T5s particularly because of space issues. I want to put the 2 MHs down the middle with a T5 on either side. I don't see fitting four like the link you suggested under the hood. If I could get 2 on each side that would work.
 
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there are 48" bulbs for normal use and 46.5" bulbs for aquariums

most of the aqaurium T5 48" are 46.5", but some manufacturers make both

the T12 VHO's are both 48 and 46.5 and you have to specify
 
there are 48" bulbs for normal use and 46.5" bulbs for aquariums

most of the aqaurium T5 48" are 46.5", but some manufacturers make both

the T12 VHO's are both 48 and 46.5 and you have to specify

Thanks for the heads up. Though I'm trying to look at T5 lamps on helloligths.com and all I see is 48" with no other options.
 
Thanks for the heads up. Though I'm trying to look at T5 lamps on helloligths.com and all I see is 48" with no other options.


check the vendor website to be 100% sure. I went through this same thing when retrofitting my hood. some bulbs that say they are 48" are 46.5", and other that say they are 48" are 48", and some are sold as 46.5"

again many if not most all of the T5 48" bulbs made for aquairiums are 46.5"
I'm almost positive all the UVL's T5's are 46.5 even though some say 48"

I even checked in the store two tubes of UVL's; one said 48 and the other 46.5, and both were 46.5

now the UVL T12 does come in both
 
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