Lighting Question

[OUBrook]

Yes, double post. I'm going to class and thought I would start a new thread for it to get more replies.

I want better lights for my 37 cube (I only have PCs). Chris has been trying very hard to make a way for me to get T-5s or something great. But I thought I would help him out by getting various opinions. The dimensions are about 18.25 x 20.25. And it is like 24 tall.

What would you all do?

 

[tstone]

I had a 250 MH over my nano at one time.

I would say though that T-5 would be my choice.

 

[pwhitby]

Brook, in the very near future we will be auctioning off the 3 175w MH pendants from the UCO tank. They are the bell type pendants. They would be ideal to hang over the tank.

Not much heat and not a great deal of light spill.

just an idea.

 

[captbunzo]

I agree with pwhitby on the 175W Metal Halide approach. As much as I love and promote T5s, they are very tough on VERY short tanks. For my 47g tall tank, which is the same footprint as your 37, I ended up with a 250W MH as nothing fluorescent would really work out.

So pick up one of the UCO tank lights for a good price and you'll be good.

Whatever you do, I wouldn't go more then 175W of MH for that tank. I think anything else would be overkill....

 

[OUBrook]

What problems did you have with getting T5s for your 47? Just that the bulbs are too long? Did you find any that would work?

 

[captbunzo]

Yes, they are too long. The shortest I can find are 24 inches, including the end caps. And with a tank that is 20 inches wide, that just doesn't really work out. Otherwise, I am sure it would have been fine. I actually wondered if I could light the tank from the side, but decided that was too weird.

 

[JimmyS]

Brook I have the same tank as you and I run a 250w MH. As Paul T said you will have a hard time finding flourscent lighting that will fit over your tank. The 175 sound lke a good deal.

 

[OUBrook]

Thanks guys!