6' Tank and T5's

[yello tang]

Hey everyone! I am thinking about upgrading my lighting to T5's My question is would you put 2 sets of 36inch VHO or would you go with 60inch VHO and stagger them? They will be retro kits to go inside the canopy I just built. How many of each do you think?
I plan on making it a mixed reef with sps,lps and clams.

 

[scsinet]

Decisions descisions.
3' lamps will give you more even coverage without darker spots on each end. However, your lamp replacement costs will be much higher.
6' lamps are harder to find though...
I guess it's personal choice.

 

[travis89]

I went with 2 sets of 3' bulbs on mine because they have better coverage. I'll probably have 6 on each side of my 180 gal.

 

[reefraff]

Advantage of 80 watt lamps
Less costly to set up
Less costly to replace lamps
Uses a little less power
Advantage of 39 watt lamps
3 seperate circuits
Better coverage end to end and more intensity
Greater selection of lamps
Better reflectors available
The 80 watt lamps will work fine for a mixed reef (I've done it)
If you want a lot of SPS or anemones/clams the 39 watt lamps are better

 

[yello tang]

Thanks!! If i go with 8 x39 watt 4 and 4. What would I be able to keep?

 

[nycbob]

with individual reflectors, anything if ur tank is less than 24 inches deep.

 

[andy51632]

why don't you mix them? put 2 or 4 39 watts in the front then stagger 80 watts to the back. that way your viewing zone wiil not have dark spots

.

 

[andy51632]

or just buy a 8ft. tank then you will have to go with all 54watts

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