72" light fixture vs. 2 36" light fixtures

[jimmy40741]

I am looking at a used 72" tank and my current 48" light won't fit on it. If you were in my position and needed to buy new lights would you go for one 72" or two 36" fixtures and why?

 

[scsinet]

72.
I'm assuming you are looking at a T5 fixture...
A 36" T5 lamp may cost about $23 or so, a 72" may cost about 28. A 4 lamp, 72" fixture will cost you $112 to relamp. (2) 36" 4 lamp fixtures will cost $184.

 

[ameno]

I went with a 72" fixture, it has two rows of 36" lamps. reasons being, the cost for a 72" fixture was a lot cheaper then two 36" fixtures, also the switches for the 72" work the whole fixture were as two seperate fixtures would have two seperate sets of switches. The bad is that it is bulky to handle, it take two people to remove it from the canopy, but that is not required very often.

 

[prime311]

I actually found 2 36" fixtures a lot cheaper then a 72". Although I bought mine used, and used 36" fixtures are much more common. Also, if I ever decide to upgrade, it'll be easier to sell 2 36's.