TEK 6x54w or 8x54w for 110G Tall?

[bongarone]

I'm setting up a 110 tall (48 x 18.5 x 31.5). I'll be doing a 2-island aquascape, 12" tall on the left, 20"-24" tall on the right. There will be LPS throughout and SPS only on the top of the taller island.

The TEK 6-bulb T5 fixture seems to fit the bill. The 8-bulb T5 isn't much more $$$, but it's wider than the tank (20").

Which one would you recommend? Thanks.

[rtparty]

For that deep of a tank you really need an ATI fixture IMO. The Tek fixtures aren't going to provide enough penetration for that tall of a tank. A 6 bulb fixture is your best bet because like you said, an 8 bulb is too wide.

[TimeConsumer]

For that deep of a tank you really need an ATI fixture IMO. The Tek fixtures aren't going to provide enough penetration for that tall of a tank. A 6 bulb fixture is your best bet because like you said, an 8 bulb is too wide.

Agreed. That's a pretty deep tank.

Or go with halides.

[bongarone]

Thanks for the replies.

I'm planning to aquascape the tank in a minimalistic fashion, similar to THIS (http://www.pbase.com/nnicot/image/118446315/large.jpg).

The front/back/sides will be fairly open. If I go with an ATI Sunpower, should I bite the bullet with a 6x54, or can I get way with a 6x39 or maybe even a 4x54?

[TimeConsumer]

Thanks for the replies.

I'm planning to aquascape the tank in a minimalistic fashion, similar to THIS (http://www.pbase.com/nnicot/image/118446315/large.jpg).

The front/back/sides will be fairly open. If I go with an ATI Sunpower, should I bite the bullet with a 6x54, or can I get way with a 6x39 or maybe even a 4x54?

Wow, that's a beautiful tank.

My thoughts would be to get the 6x54w. But wait to see what Ryan has to say, he knows a lot about T5.

[rtparty]

Thanks for the replies.

I'm planning to aquascape the tank in a minimalistic fashion, similar to THIS (http://www.pbase.com/nnicot/image/118446315/large.jpg).

The front/back/sides will be fairly open. If I go with an ATI Sunpower, should I bite the bullet with a 6x54, or can I get way with a 6x39 or maybe even a 4x54?

You could get by with the 6x39w Sunpower if you don't plan on any high light corals on the last 6" of each end. I would still be concerned with the height though. If it were my tank I would want the 6x54w. Minimalist aquascape or not, 31" is a lot for T5s to penetrate.

[zeeter]

Just so you know, the ATI 8-bulb fixture is 17.5" wide compared to 19" for the Tek. That gives you a half inch to spare. It's around $100 more than the 6-bulb fixture.