t5 lighting

ps3 · 07/17/2009, 04:26 AM

looking to replace my pc's with a 6 to 8 bulb home made t5 lighting. i currently have a standard 75 gallon tank and am wondering how high the lamps should be above the water level.

Lightsluvr · 07/17/2009, 04:28 AM

\\\A good move for you...

I'd recommend 6-8" to minimize splash on the bulbs and reflectors... if you're going T5, invest in a good reflector for your bulbs...

JMHO

LL

JRechcygl · 07/17/2009, 06:17 AM

On my retro, the edges of the SLRs are less than 2" from my center brace, and well, the water must be a couple inches down from there. I had some staining and salt creep on the SLRs but that was a fluke do to the interim sump running low and blowing air into the tank. If that never happend the height would've been fine.

I wanted the SLRs to be as close as possible to maximize light but wanted a little space from the brace to prevent shadow.

Tek SLRs are 3" but the Aquactinics are 2", on your 75 I would shoot personally for 6 Aquactinics. You will have plenty of lamps but will have run on top, if you need to access the tank or if you want to add more, which I doubt you will need.

Don't forget good lamps as well!!

07/17/2009, 04:26 AM	#1
ps3 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Spartanburg, SC Posts: 237	t5 lighting looking to replace my pc's with a 6 to 8 bulb home made t5 lighting. i currently have a standard 75 gallon tank and am wondering how high the lamps should be above the water level.

07/17/2009, 04:28 AM	#2
Lightsluvr Tangaroa to 500 gallons Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Edmond, OK Posts: 5,855	\\\A good move for you... I'd recommend 6-8" to minimize splash on the bulbs and reflectors... if you're going T5, invest in a good reflector for your bulbs... JMHO LL __________________ Click on my username and select "Lightsluvr's Home Page" for a recap of our build thread - AGE Hybrid Tank in a 500G system with dedicated fish room. (Takes a few minutes for photos to load) Leave a note if you stop by... Current Tank Info: 350G AGE Hybrid reef tank. 500G+ total water volume. Three sumps for filtration. Barracuda Gold return and Hammerhead Gold closed loop pumps. DIY T5 light system on rails. MP40W x3 to supplement closed loop. 130G Water management system.

07/17/2009, 06:17 AM	#3
JRechcygl Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Somewhere playing with lamps Posts: 449	On my retro, the edges of the SLRs are less than 2" from my center brace, and well, the water must be a couple inches down from there. I had some staining and salt creep on the SLRs but that was a fluke do to the interim sump running low and blowing air into the tank. If that never happend the height would've been fine. I wanted the SLRs to be as close as possible to maximize light but wanted a little space from the brace to prevent shadow. Tek SLRs are 3" but the Aquactinics are 2", on your 75 I would shoot personally for 6 Aquactinics. You will have plenty of lamps but will have run on top, if you need to access the tank or if you want to add more, which I doubt you will need. Don't forget good lamps as well!! __________________ Rechcygl...Yeah only one vowel AKA Dr.Fragenstein Big Glass tank lit by thin glass bulbs Current Tank Info: Propane, 180 reef