60" VHO retro question

[Ploppers]

I have a 60" wide tank. I just put 2 250W 10K XM halides in the hood. Now I'm looking to supplement them with some VHO actinics. How wide would a 60" retro be from end cap to endcap. Are they exactly 60"? I think I have about 59 1/2" inside the canopy. Would it just be better to go with 48" tubes?

 

[Entropy]

You could run T5 actinics. Not as good as VHO IMO but close. The bulbs are 59.5 long I think and the endcaps add about another inch. On my VHO setup the bulbs are 47.5 and the whole setup comes out a bit under 49 total.

http://www.reefgeek.com/products/categories/lighting/104695.html 58.75" x 5.0" x 2.75" (L x W x H)

 

[Waylander]

One more time on the edit button....

http://www.coralreefecosystems.com/ltg_bulbs-VHOSS.asp

VHO space saver.

 

[Entropy]

Nice link! I didn't even know coralife made 5 foot VHO bulbs. I also default the URI for vho, especially actinic.

 

[Ploppers]

NICE! Thanks for the link.

 

[AZDesertRat]

End cap to end cap URIs are 60". I just measured mine.

 

[clown2be]

just use 48" and stager the front one to the left and back one to the right. Save money to.

 

[Ploppers]

I did a little more measuring the other day. If I mount the lights above the canopy lip, which is about 2" tall in the front and 3 1/2" in the back, I have about 60 1/8". Maybe I will go with the 60" VHO setup.
Thanks

 

[AZDesertRat]

60" should just fit. You don't need any room on the ends since the 3 piece endcaps come apart and the bulbs drop straight out.