One Long t5 or two short t5.. That is the question

wnehez · 04/20/2011, 11:29 AM

I have a 75g tank with a divided top. Each hald I would think is 24". I asked previously if I should get one long 48" t5 or two 24"t5 and someone told me to get the long one because splitting it into two will cause a dark spot. Isnt this dar spot kind of inevitable since I have the divided top? What would you guys do? I can save money getting the one long but I feel that two short would be better looking and maybe provide more light. Some advice please...

laredo300c · 04/20/2011, 11:37 AM

I have a 120 gallon 48x24x24 with a 48" t5 fixture and would definitely do one fixture , I don't have any dark spots, save yourself the headache of two fixtures.

rtparty · 04/20/2011, 04:17 PM

Don't go with 2 - 24" bulbs. You will need 12 bulbs that way to light your tank. 12*$25=$300! It will cost you that in bulb replacements each year.

T5's are not like MH or any other "point-source" lighting. Chances are you won't even see where your center brace is. t Fluorescent lighting bounces all over the place in a tank. The center brace won't cause much of a shadow, if any at all.

Jsin · 04/20/2011, 06:07 PM

Go with one long or a 48" light. I have a 90 gallon which is 48" also and you cannot see where the center brace is with the light on. I believe you will get more light (Par) from a 48" bulb opposed to two 24" bulbs, someone correct me if I am wrong.

wnehez · 04/21/2011, 07:24 AM

thanks! My buddy is actually hooking me up with a pretty good deal(I think) He is selling me his old lighting system which consists of 2 250W halides with 2 110W VHO for $75. He said that will be more than enough for corals and other things. I am going to run the actnic blue in the VHO. Good deal?

capecoral · 04/22/2011, 06:20 AM

Wow great price.

04/20/2011, 11:29 AM	#1
wnehez Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Ringtown, PA Posts: 351	One Long t5 or two short t5.. That is the question I have a 75g tank with a divided top. Each hald I would think is 24". I asked previously if I should get one long 48" t5 or two 24"t5 and someone told me to get the long one because splitting it into two will cause a dark spot. Isnt this dar spot kind of inevitable since I have the divided top? What would you guys do? I can save money getting the one long but I feel that two short would be better looking and maybe provide more light. Some advice please...

04/20/2011, 04:17 PM	#3
rtparty Raise The Reef! Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Utah Posts: 7,404	Don't go with 2 - 24" bulbs. You will need 12 bulbs that way to light your tank. 12*$25=$300! It will cost you that in bulb replacements each year. T5's are not like MH or any other "point-source" lighting. Chances are you won't even see where your center brace is. t Fluorescent lighting bounces all over the place in a tank. The center brace won't cause much of a shadow, if any at all. __________________ Ryan Click on my user name and check out my homepage! Current Tank Info: 50g Cadlights/Giesemann Spectra (250w Radium, 2 ATI Blue Plus, 2 ATI Actinic)/2 x Vortech MP10wQD/Skimz SN123/Eheim Compact 3000+

04/20/2011, 06:07 PM	#4
Jsin Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 223	Go with one long or a 48" light. I have a 90 gallon which is 48" also and you cannot see where the center brace is with the light on. I believe you will get more light (Par) from a 48" bulb opposed to two 24" bulbs, someone correct me if I am wrong. __________________ -Jsin- Current Tank Info: 45 gallon mixed reef

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04/20/2011, 11:37 AM	#2
laredo300c Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: laredo tx Posts: 646	I have a 120 gallon 48x24x24 with a 48" t5 fixture and would definitely do one fixture , I don't have any dark spots, save yourself the headache of two fixtures.

04/21/2011, 07:24 AM	#5
wnehez Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Ringtown, PA Posts: 351	thanks! My buddy is actually hooking me up with a pretty good deal(I think) He is selling me his old lighting system which consists of 2 250W halides with 2 110W VHO for $75. He said that will be more than enough for corals and other things. I am going to run the actnic blue in the VHO. Good deal?

04/22/2011, 06:20 AM	#6
capecoral Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: cape coral, fl Posts: 396	Wow great price.