Advice : New Tank Setup

[Dino]

Hey you guys. I need help for a new tank I'm planning on starting. I have a cabinet that's 75 cm in length so was thinking of getting a custom 75x30x36 tank done. I want to try carpeting HC using the DSM. My worry now is the lighting. I've not been able to find a 75cm light the ones that are around are 60cm extendable to 80cm. 2 options i was able to find. The up aqua pro or the beamswork hi lumen 60 for plants. I have CO2 from my previous tank setup.
1. Should i get the custom tank done and settle for a 60-80 light or
2. Should i get a 60 cm tank and have the light spread evenly across the entire tank ?

Need your advice. Thanks in advance.
Dean

[vinz]

You can still do custom length. For lights, your options are:
1. Make sure the tank has a center brace, then you get two 30cm lights.
2. Use 3 to 4 pendant lights.
3. Use 3 to 4 clamp on lights.

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[Dino]

Hi Vincent. Thanks a lot for the suggestions. Never thought of the center brace.

I'm not too keen on the multiple pendent or clamp on lights as there will be wires hanging from behind the tank

I've read a little about T5 lights. Could you tell me what's so special about them? Also do they come in LEDs ?

[vinz]

Actually, there's no rule nor reason why a planted tank needs to be uniformly lighted. You can simply plant less light demanding plants in the dimmer areas.

T5 High Output (T5HO) are fluorescent light tubes. They are brighter per length than normal T5 & T8 tubes. That means we can use less tubes to get the same amount of light.

There are LED tubes to replace T5 and T5HO tubes. These are made for people who want to upgrade to their T5/T5HO sets to LEDs, but do not want to buy brand new LED sets. Varieties are limited.

If you decide on LEDs, just get LEDs sets.

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[Orcishwarrior]

Dino. You may need to do more study on LED and its spectrum.
Don't buy any LED off the shelves without doing your homework.
Its a common mistakes made by many hobbyists.
Instead of asking what are the brands to acquire, do understand the options by properly reading "LED for planted tank"

[skytan]

And also those length 60cm lights doesn't really meant it only covers 60cm. There are certainly some side ways spread not alot thou and maybe not as intense vs directly under.

For example Zetlights and MaxSpect their lights for 3 feet tanks are just 70+cm or so.