T5 Question

[TreyK]

I recently started my tank and am currently running a Odyssea 24" 130W Power Compact Light Fixture Advance, on my 29 gallon tank. This puts a little more than 4 watts per gallon which I was told by my LFS would be enough to grow just about anything. I now know that I was misinformed lol.

I personally dont like the look of most SPS, so this tank will be mostly for zoos, softies, and lps.

So heres my dilemma, a 29 gallon tank is approx 30 inches I believe, correct me if im wrong. I really like the current nova extreme pro t5 fixtures, but they only come in either 20 inch or 36 inch. Can anyone reccommend a comparable fixture that comes in a 30" size, or should I just deal with the over hang?

 

[TreyK]

No advice?? anyone

 

[JonnyD91]

I have a 50 Gallon 30" tank. I use a 24" tek light over it. Gives a little shade for some of the lower light stuff on each side.

 

[TreyK]

Ok but if I ran that I would only have 96 watts. as opposed to the 130 Im running now. So I dont see how that would benefit me at all. And how are you running only 96 watts on a 50 gallon?thats less than 2 watts per gallon.

 

[TreyK]

OOO its a 6x24.. I ran a search and couldnt find any of those???

 

[JonnyD91]

Hmm thats interesting. Maybe they dont make that anymore. Give reefgeek a call thets where i got it from. I actually moved up to an ATI fixture for my new 90 gallon build.

they make a 24" model too.



its prob 200.00 more expensive then the tek light though.

not sure what your budget is. But this fixture is prob in the top 4 as far as T5's are concerned

ATI light

 

[addicted2reefin]

4x24 watt t5s will be fine in ur tank. 96 watts of t5s will put more light in ur tank than 130 watt pc. the bulbs themselves, are a little brighter watt for watt, but the reflectrs make the biggest difference. makesure the fixture u get has individual reflectors. slrs put between 25-40 % more light in the tank. in my 20L 12" high vs urs is 18" high, i had 2 nova extremes at 2x24 watt, one had slrs and the one had a single reflector, and i could grow sps in that tank w/ lighting.

 

[Dead_Head_Reefr]

Hey Treyk not too sound mean or anything. But measuring watts to gallons isn't the best way to gauge how many lights or what not to get. I know that's how they used to do I guess back in the day, But from what I know being in the hobby that technique is often dissregarded ime. HOpe that helps.