T5 options for my 55 gallon?

b-baby80

b-baby80

Member
O.K. right now it just has the factory type hood and lights.I'm going to upgrade to probably the t5's.I was thinking about the 24hr ones with the ectinic.Is that right?O.K. here are my questions.
These won't work with the factory hood right?
Do they make them with hoods?
Whats best for the 55 gallon 48in or 2x24in ones?
I have 3 kids so hoods are a have too.How many bulbs do i need?I know they come with 2.So with the 48 it would be 2 48in ones or the 24 would be 4 24in ones.Will those put out enough light?
 
coraljunky

coraljunky

Active Member
4x54w is a good start. It depends on what you want to keep in your tank(reef/fish). Post pics of your new setup. They t5 fixture may fit.
 
b-baby80

b-baby80

Member
Originally Posted by coraljunky
4x54w is a good start. It depends on what you want to keep in your tank(reef/fish). Post pics of your new setup. They t5 fixture may fit.
I would but my camera is broke
Let me see i may have a pic from the guy i just got it from.
 
b-baby80

b-baby80

Member
Originally Posted by reefraff
5 lamp Aquactinics T5 fixture would be best. It can sit right on top of the tank.
But would that leave open spaces.I can't have kids HELPING the fish
 
b-baby80

b-baby80

Member
Originally Posted by coraljunky
How tall does the canopy sit off the tank?
It's not actually a canopy.It's just one of those tops that the fluorescents set on.
 
coraljunky

coraljunky

Active Member
Originally Posted by B-Baby80
It's not actually a canopy.It's just one of those tops that the fluorescents set on.
Glass top?
 
b-baby80

b-baby80

Member
Originally Posted by coraljunky
Glass top?
No it's plastic but i think it's little glass windows the fluorescents set on?
I was thinking the T5's might get to hot to set on their?????
 
coraljunky

coraljunky

Active Member
Well, I'm sure a lfs or pet store has a glass top for your tank instead. Or you would need a actual wood canopy. It depends on your opinion of open top or not. IMO, I'd get a canopy with an open back. Glass becomes a pain to clean, poor gas exchange, and runs the water temp higher.
 
b-baby80

b-baby80

Member
Originally Posted by coraljunky
Well, I'm sure a lfs or pet store has a glass top for your tank instead. Or you would need a actual wood canopy. It depends on your opinion of open top or not. IMO, I'd get a canopy with an open back. Glass becomes a pain to clean, poor gas exchange, and runs the water temp higher.
Really i just need the front of the top covered.So little hands stay out KWIM?
I guess if we just had something covering the very front.We could use one of those that sets on the top of the tank?
 
ibew

ibew

Active Member
coraljunky said:
Well, I'm sure a lfs or pet store has a glass top for your tank instead. Or you would need a actual wood canopy. It depends on your opinion of open top or not. IMO, I'd get a canopy with an open back. Glass becomes a pain to clean, poor gas exchange, and runs the water temp higher.[/QUOTE
great advice
Click to expand...
 
ibew

ibew

Active Member
Originally Posted by B-Baby80
Really i just need the front of the top covered.So little hands stay out KWIM?
I guess if we just had something covering the very front.We could use one of those that sets on the top of the tank?
my daughter is 7 if I had a bullit proof top on my tank she would find a way to break it and get in running an open tank seems easier to keep there hands out because its so easy to get in its not any fun and the curiosity is gone
 
reefraff

reefraff

Active Member
Originally Posted by B-Baby80
But would that leave open spaces.I can't have kids HELPING the fish

48" L x 9.5" W x 4.25" H
Should be enough to keep little hands out of the tank
 
b-baby80

b-baby80

Member
Originally Posted by Ibew
my daughter is 7 if I had a bullit proof top on my tank she would find a way to break it and get in running an open tank seems easier to keep there hands out because its so easy to get in its not any fun and the curiosity is gone

It's not my 8 year old i'm worried about.It's my very curious 3 year old and his step stool
Oh and the 1 year old that follows him around

Do those casing get hot to the touch?
 
ibew

ibew

Active Member
no there warm to the touch but will not burn you on either side the light side has an acrylic sheild. there is room for any of them to put there hands in the tank but like I said kids get into trouble. I like the caution your taking though never can be to careful as long as your not keeping a Dragon eel your in good shape
 
b-baby80

b-baby80

Member
Originally Posted by Ibew
no there warm to the touch but will not burn you on either side the light side has an acrylic sheild. there is room for any of them to put there hands in the tank but like I said kids get into trouble. I like the caution your taking though never can be to careful as long as your not keeping a Dragon eel your in good shape

I'm not worried about the kids.I'm worried about the fish
I'm terrified of a penny or something getting chunked in.I think i'm going to get the T5's in my other post and just get some sort of glass or plexi to put right at the front of the tank./Just so their hands don't get in but the tank can breath etc...
 
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