Wife wants to buy me Lights

[chevmaro]

I have been slowly building a new reef tank. It's a 65 gallon seaclear. I need lights and the wife said she would buy some but here is the catch, they have to fit in the canopy. I don't like canopy's specially on rimless tanks but I need lights and she is willing to pitch in on this reef. Problem is the canopy is only 3 3/4" from top of the tank. Water line is about 1 1/2" from top of tank. Can I fit a T5 retrofit in here? What are other options? I have about $300.

Thanks for help.

Some stuff i'm looking at:
Two of these:
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=27873


Two of these:
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=28127


This one:
http://www.hellolights.com/Hellolig...archPage=1&searchRank=salesrank&searchSize=12

Two of these:
http://www.hellolights.com/48-Inch-...archPage=1&searchRank=salesrank&searchSize=12

THANKS,

 

[booyaa138]

Look at Build My Led. Very low profile light that can sit on the top of the tank.
They are a sponsor on this forum.

Here is a pic of my tank with one light. I just ordered another

 

[chevmaro]

Look at Build My Led. Very low profile light that can sit on the top of the tank.
They are a sponsor on this forum.

Here is a pic of my tank with one light. I just ordered another

I like your Ford Truck. Nice tank too!

Is one enough or would I need to add another later? My tank measures 48x15x20 but it has a built in sump in the back so the view able area is only 48x10.5 inside the tank.

 

[alton]

I have a BML 20k XB on my 65 (36 x 18 x 24" tall. I keep lps half way up and mushrooms on the sand. For Sps I know I would need a second but the tank looks great with one

 

[moondoggy4]

If you want to go T-5 get the Let Lighting they can be found at BRS they are a sponsor here.

 

[jayball]

I like your Ford Truck. Nice tank too!

Is one enough or would I need to add another later? My tank measures 48x15x20 but it has a built in sump in the back so the view able area is only 48x10.5 inside the tank.

You will be good with one xb strip with only 11 inches front to back. I would recommend the multi channel with the controller but a xb 14k or 20k will work if you do not need sunrise/sunset. 14k has a bluer appearance while the 20k has a slightly warmer appearance with violet undertone. (I like the 20k personally, I have 2 over my 90)

 

[booyaa138]

I like your Ford Truck. Nice tank too!

Is one enough or would I need to add another later? My tank measures 48x15x20 but it has a built in sump in the back so the view able area is only 48x10.5 inside the tank.

Thanks! I just finished restoring it last year. It took me almost 8 years to finish it!

I think 1 light would work great for your tank.You could grow softies and some Lps. You might be able to grow some Sps up high.
The pic of my tank above is 1 20k MC fixture from them.

 

[kurt_n]

Another fan of Build My LED. One will work for general lighting, but if you want anything other than low-light corals, I'd highly recommend budgeting for two fixtures. The coverage from front to back will be a little sparse with just one fixture. I have two (one 12k and one Super Actinic) fixtures on my 36" wide tank and kick myself for not doing it sooner. Had them for a year and half now and have never looked back!

 

[jayball]

Another fan of Build My LED. One will work for general lighting, but if you want anything other than low-light corals, I'd highly recommend budgeting for two fixtures. The coverage from front to back will be a little sparse with just one fixture. I have two (one 12k and one Super Actinic) fixtures on my 36" wide tank and kick myself for not doing it sooner. Had them for a year and half now and have never looked back!

The tank is only 11 inches front to back. He only needs one.