T5 lighting question??

[StupidsReef]

Ok, I'm working on setting up a new 240 gallon wide RR tank. I've decided to go with T5's this time instead of my MH's. The tank I am ordering is 72" x 30" x 25". I had found a few months back a site that had 72" T5 retro kit and the bulbs were actually 72" not 2 set's of 36" bulbs. I can't find that site now. That's question #1 who has them that are true 72" bulbs. Next question is this: Should I go with 8 bulbs, 6 bulbs or 4 bulbs?? I was going to order the one that had 8 T5 bulbs that were I think like 80 watts per bulb. How do I know how many bulbs that I should go with on this tank?? I'm a bit confused on the T5's compared to the MH.

Thanks for the help.

Stupid.

 

[chadscamaro]

Unless they are new, I beleive the biggest t5 bulbs are 60".

 

[JxMetal]

80 watt bulbs are 60" long

 

[JxMetal]

but then I found this

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...tToStoreCat&refwidgettype=cross_promot_widget

 

[latazyo]

I have 6 bulbs on my 24x18 tank

for your 240 I'd say to go with as many bulbs as you can fit

if you can fit the 8 bulb, then go for it


PS: by 8 bulbs, you actually mean SIXTEEN 36" bulbs right?

if they only make 60" then go 8x60"

 

[JxMetal]

I take it you don't want to stagger 8 - 60" bulbs?

 

[Im Lon 2]

Are the 60" bulbs truly 60" with end caps or are they bigger than that with the end caps?

We were talking about Tanks today and I Think it would be cooler to have a 5'x3'x24"tall That way he can go with 60" T5's but he is going to need more than 8 on a 3' front to back tank.

 

[JxMetal]

they're like 57.5" or something like that. 60" w/ endcaps

 

[sirreal63]

One thing to note about that fixture...the reflectors are not the correct W shaped reflector, that negates the benefit of T5's I have yet to find 6' T5 bulbs and yes the 80 watt HO bulbs are 5' bulbs. You will also note he has no replacement 6' bulbs...they don't exist. The fixture he is showing does not represent the fixture he is advertising. They would have to be offset 5' bulbs.

 

[Im Lon 2]

How High do you run T5's from the water?

 

[sirreal63]

When I had them on the 58 they were about 4" from surface of water to bulb and I had the acrylic splash guard in place.

 

[latazyo]

mine are also about 4" off the surface

 

[akrimmel]

i would go with as many as i can fit,,

what is the average height you folks keep them off the surface?

 

[Im Lon 2]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8777531#post8777531 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by akrimmel
what is the average height you folks keep them off the surface?

Look at the 2 post prior to yours :lol:

 

[sirreal63]

That may be asking a lot from someone who has corn misspelled, with a backwards R and tattoo'd into his arm.


I think he was looking for more input.

 

[akrimmel]

DEE DAH DEE!!

okay i was looking for other folks as well not the last two KORN NUTS!!

 

[JxMetal]

mine are about an inch. they melted some mushrooms at first, but have since dimmed down a little I guess.

 

[DARKSILENTTYPE]

72 inch fixture
http://www.aquauniverse.com/compone.../category_id,51/option,com_phpshop/Itemid,31/

 

[sirreal63]

And these are the bulbs that go in it. 80 Watt T5 10000k or Actinic Replacement bulb 59.5'' The bulbs are offset which is ok but as of yet we don't have 72" bulbs available.

http://www.aquauniverse.com/compone.../category_id,37/option,com_phpshop/Itemid,31/

 

[StupidsReef]

Ok, well what Sirreal is saying might very well be what the case was with the 72" bulbs I had seen. And I can't find them anymore none the less, after some thought and agreement with Naircheecks (aka Lonnie) & Nairsack (aka Rich1972) I've decided to go with a tank that's 5'x3'x24"tall which should be like 215 gallons give or take. The 60" bulbs would now hopefully work perfecting. With the tank being 36 inches in width/depth I'm hoping I might be able to install possibly two of the 8 bulb 60" light set ups with in the canopy. If not then I'll just retro fit 12 bulbs into the canopy. And thanks again Sirreal for pointing out that "the reflectors are not the correct W shaped reflector, that negates the benefit of T5's". Until you stated such I had failed to notice it. Thank you everyone for your input and help on the subject.


One more question if I may, Does anyone who runs T5's also run MH lights with them?? If so Why and what benefits do you feel you are receiving and if not, then once again why not??