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View Full Version : Which Lighting for Wide Tank?


StripestheEel
10/07/2008, 02:28 AM
Hi all,

I'm currently planning a new tank which is to be a room divider.

It wont have a canopy so it will be open top.

I will be utilising solartubes as a source of lighting but will obviously need another alternate source to provide the majority of it during cloudy days etc.

As it is open top I will need to purchase all in one units as they look neat and tidy. (Under parents orders)

QUESTION IS T5 or MH?

Tank dimension is 7 foot long x 5 foot wide x 2.2 foot tall.

If I use MH (250w) I will use two 6 foot all in one units for EXAMPLE (http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewItem.aspx?category=6ft_Maristar_High_Output_HQI_T5_Combo_Fixture_w__Galaxy_Dual_250w_and_Sing le_250w_Electronic_Ballast_Saltwater_Aquarium_Supplies_Lighting_Fixtures_Metal_Halide_72in_Units_Dou ble_Ended_MH_MH_With_T5&vendor=Sunlight_Supply_Inc&SearchStr=&action=view&idProduct=SL2545&idCategory=FILTFIMHSTDET5).

These are generally x3 250w.

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j45/toxikxr/lighting1.jpg

If I use T5 I will use four 3 foot pendants for EXAMPLE (http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewItem~category~36_inch_6x39W_Sunlight_Supply_Tek_Light_High_Output_Fluorescent_Lighting_Fixtur e_36in_Units~vendor~Sunlight_Supply_Inc~SearchStr~~action~view~idProduct~SL2115~idCategory~FILTFIT56 U.html).

These are generally x6 39w

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j45/toxikxr/lighting2.jpg

What do you think will provide the best aesthetically and intensity wise?

I will be going down the SPS road eventually when the tank settles in so do not want to choose something I need to change later down the track.

EnderG60
10/07/2008, 05:51 AM
If you want to use solatubes I would do 2x250's or 2x400's(depending on what you want to keep) with some t5's one the sides.

if it were my tank though I would do two lumin arc 1's(they look like metal umbrella's an will cover a 4'x4' area wonderfully) with 1000w halides and some T5's around the edges.

sunlight looks like pee.

StripestheEel
10/07/2008, 08:04 AM
Unfortunately need to stay away from the retrofit stuff.

Thus the all in one units. Thanks for the reply though.

The Grim Reefer
10/07/2008, 08:38 AM
Your options are really limited to the two halide fixtures or Aquactinics makes a good 6 foot long T5 fixture, two of those would work too. Aquarium Specialty from the sponsors page sells those.