fresno tang
New member
I've noticed that in the 72" range....the t-5 light set ups come with sets of 3' bulbs, wouldn't 6' footers be better or is their some type of cost efficiency with the shorter bulbs?
t-5 bulb length?
- Thread starter fresno tang
- Start date
redfishsc
New member
72" is just a nasty number for T5 lighted tanks.
I don't know if anyone makes a 72" T5 bulb. I've only seen them up to 60".
Personally if I had to light a 72" tank, I'd use a 60" light fixture.
Sure, there will be a slightly dim spot on the sides, but you can easily put lower-light corals in those spots. Caulastrea, mushrooms, leathers, ricordea, ect.....
I light a 20g (30") with a 24" fixture. There is a 3" gap on each end, but with the light on, you CANNOT tell the light is shorter.
I would be willing to bet that the 6" gap that a 60" fixture over a 72" tank would be fairly negligible, especially toward the bottom.
True parabolic reflectors would be a requirement for sure though.
As a side note, if you want more light distribution on a 72" tank, I'd personally be tempted to use a 3X250 MH light with two 60" T5's.
I don't know if anyone makes a 72" T5 bulb. I've only seen them up to 60".
Personally if I had to light a 72" tank, I'd use a 60" light fixture.
Sure, there will be a slightly dim spot on the sides, but you can easily put lower-light corals in those spots. Caulastrea, mushrooms, leathers, ricordea, ect.....
I light a 20g (30") with a 24" fixture. There is a 3" gap on each end, but with the light on, you CANNOT tell the light is shorter.
I would be willing to bet that the 6" gap that a 60" fixture over a 72" tank would be fairly negligible, especially toward the bottom.
True parabolic reflectors would be a requirement for sure though.
As a side note, if you want more light distribution on a 72" tank, I'd personally be tempted to use a 3X250 MH light with two 60" T5's.
hey there,
I have a 72" tank with T5's, right now I have six 48" bulbs staggered, 3 to one side 3 to the other. In the center of the tank I have sps that are coloring up nicely and growing well. On the edges I have lps , that are doing well. I would hate to think that I would have to run twelve 36" bulbs, that would be a killer to replace bulbs let alone buy reflectors and endcaps. SO , they do make a 60" bulb which I am goig to try next. I have a good feeling that if I stagger the 60" bulbs I will get better coverage, if this does not work, hello halides
I have a 72" tank with T5's, right now I have six 48" bulbs staggered, 3 to one side 3 to the other. In the center of the tank I have sps that are coloring up nicely and growing well. On the edges I have lps , that are doing well. I would hate to think that I would have to run twelve 36" bulbs, that would be a killer to replace bulbs let alone buy reflectors and endcaps. SO , they do make a 60" bulb which I am goig to try next. I have a good feeling that if I stagger the 60" bulbs I will get better coverage, if this does not work, hello halides
fresno tang
New member
ok i got ya....thanks
doublejesus
bring on the price cuts!
I just finished buying a 8 bulb 5' retro kit for my 72" 180gal that is still in the setup stages and hope it's gonna be ok.
I'm currently running 36" bulbs on a 4' 90gal just fine, have a pink bird's nest about 6" from the end of the tank (edge of the lights) and it is growing well with nice color.
I'm currently running 36" bulbs on a 4' 90gal just fine, have a pink bird's nest about 6" from the end of the tank (edge of the lights) and it is growing well with nice color.
I would like to add that part of the equation is the cost of shipping 60" bulbs - which is a lot. They incur an oversize penalty which 36" bulbs don't have.
I have seen an Aquactinics 72" fixture with 36" bulbs on a friends tanks and it is really nice. I would much rather have 36" myself than 60"
I have seen an Aquactinics 72" fixture with 36" bulbs on a friends tanks and it is really nice. I would much rather have 36" myself than 60"
doublejesus
bring on the price cuts!
reefgeek has good shipping prices on 60" bulbs, I think I paid $10 to ship my retrofit package... not sure if they give you the discount on only a couple bulbs though.
