T5 Bulb length for 72" tank

[newsalt]

What length bulb do 72" tank owners use in T5?

 

[noboddi]

2 36" T5 bulbs side by side

 

[jh2pizza]

We have 7- 60" over our 180 and love it.

 

[scooter86]

+1 on the dual 36". I have 2 -8x36" Tek fixtures.

 

[newsalt]

I've started looking at the 72" Aquactinics Constellation fixture.

 

[newsalt]

What if I used two 36" Icecap Pre-Wired T5 Retro kits. That would be 8-39W bulbs totaling 312W. Would that be enough for an SPS reef 24" deep?

 

[kkris]

60" is fine. Same watts as the 2 x 39 and less heat. You'll spend half the money in bulbs/
If you're near NNJ shoot me a PM and check mine out.

 

[sjm817]

I use 6 x 60" bulbs and 2 x IC 660 ballasts over a 180. Fewer bulbs, endcaps, wires, ballasts and lower cost than doubling up 36" bulbs. This is a good retrofit setup. If you are going for ready made fixtures, 2 x 36" is not a bad way to go.

 

[sminker]

BUY THE 60"!!!!

I wasted money with buying 39 watt kits on my 125.

with the 60" you get more PAR and less heat. And not to mention half the money on bulbs

 

[BigJay]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14973052#post14973052 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sjm817
I use 6 x 60" bulbs and 2 x IC 660 ballasts over a 180. Fewer bulbs, endcaps, wires, ballasts and lower cost than doubling up 36" bulbs. This is a good retrofit setup. If you are going for ready made fixtures, 2 x 36" is not a bad way to go.

Do you have any issues with coverage of the extra six inches on each side of the bulbs?

 

[newsalt]

That's what I would be concerned about. If I had my choice, I'd also like a fixture or some pre-wired retro kit . I'm tired of all the wiring.

I'd be interested in seeing some pics of 72" tanks w/60" T5 bulbs.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14975171#post14975171 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by BigJay
Do you have any issues with coverage of the extra six inches on each side of the bulbs?

 

[NVTE]

I would go with 8x80W one. Look into ATI Powermodule.
I have 60" tank 48" fixture. they are look great . You don't see much different in 6"zone at each end, so 60" fixture should do the same for 72" tank.

 

[jh2pizza]

Pics of ours. Excuse the tank. Took most of the coral out. headed toward sps. This is with 6- 60" on Ice caps. THe 7th is not on. Wired it wrong.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1631274