Lighting Upgrade help

[ryno368]

im looking to upgrade my lighting in the next few weeks from the regular old aquarium hoods to a t5/HO hood.
the tank length is 59 inches 18 inches wide
would it be better to get 2x 24 inch light fixture which is looking to cost me 150.00 and i can sit on the tank lip
or
1x 48" light fixture which is around 120.00 and i can also sit on the lip
or
hang the 2x 24 or 1x 48 about 10 inches above the aquarium?

 

[jstdv8]

is it a fish only tank? because those fixtures sound really inexpensive

 

[ryno368]

Zoo Med Aquasun T5HO 24" - (2 x 24 Watt) $67.38
Zoo Med Aquasun T5HO 48" - (2 x 54 Watt) $116.17
i want to put some corals but not ones that require a high amount of light. the corals that require low to medium, or meduim light

 

[teresaq]

you really need a 60 inch light to cover your tank. you also should get at least a 4 bulb fixture even for soft corals like mushrooms and leathers.
T

 

[ryno368]

thanks T, but i cannot seem to find a 60" fixture anyway you could point me in the right direction, or tell me where to get one?

 

[teresaq]

hum I just googled 60 inch t5 fixture and quite a few came up.
check ,
60 Inch 4x54 Watt AquaticLife T5 HO Light Fixture W/ 4 Lunar LEDs
60 Inch 4x80W Sunlight Supply Tek Light High Output Fluorescent Lighting Fixture

 

[ryno368]

i think i might get this one T
60 Inch 4x54 Watt AquaticLife T5 HO Light Fixture W/ 4 Lunar LEDs
thanks for your help

 

[nycbob]

if the length is 5 feet, u should get a 30 inch (2x24w or 4x24w) fixture on each side.

 

[ryno368]

well i suggested that at the begining of the thread any reason why 2 30 inch lights would be better then 1 60 inch anyone
or maybe give me the pros and cons

 

[nycbob]

with 2 24w on each side, u r actually getting more light into the tank. and with 4 bulbs total, u can play around with the colors. u still havent mentioned whether u r planning a fowlr or reef.

 

[ryno368]

the plan is reef. the 60 " light has moonlight LEDS and internal timer and only 1 cord lol

 

[killer whale]

Originally Posted by Ryno368
http:///forum/post/3245090
im looking to upgrade my lighting in the next few weeks from the regular old aquarium hoods to a t5/HO hood.
the tank length is 59 inches 18 inches wide
would it be better to get 2x 24 inch light fixture which is looking to cost me 150.00 and i can sit on the tank lip
or
1x 48" light fixture which is around 120.00 and i can also sit on the lip
or
hang the 2x 24 or 1x 48 about 10 inches above the aquarium?
recommended watts for reef should be 5Watts per gallon , but I've heard of people having success using 3Watts per gallon. Id say it depends on your choice of livestock