5ft T5HO vs 3ft T5HO for 6ft tank

**Heckel** · 11th Feb 2006, 13:56

Hi,

Having some headaches deciding on which to choose.

I am now currently having a 6(l)x2(w)x1.5(h) tank. Thinking of whether to upgrade to 6 tubes of 39w 3ft tubes or just 4tubes of 80w 5ft tubes. Which will have better coverage as I plan suspend the lights slightly above tank level.

Can folks out there please advise? Thanks!

**BFG** · 11th Feb 2006, 20:04

If you plan to suspend it, I go with the 5ft tubes. Just an opinion though. The rest is up to you.

**XnSdVd** · 11th Feb 2006, 22:16

I'm agreeing with that

**Heckel** · 12th Feb 2006, 02:26

So will 4 tubes of 80w be enough for my tank?

**grey_fox** · 12th Feb 2006, 02:46

Hey Heckel, monster tank you have there....

I have a 5 x 1.5 x 2 ft tank and am using 8 x T5HO 54W tubes at the moment. I actually have 6 turned on and the plants are pearling like mad already... but as advised by the gurus here, more light might equate to more algae problems (correct me if I am wrong - happens to be true for me). If I have 8 turned on, that would equate to 4.03W/Gallon, 6 would be 3.02W/Gallon which is more than sufficient for my tank.

Think 4 x 80W should be more than enough (320W).

Please do correct me if I am wrong. Just wanna lend a hand also

**Heckel** · 12th Feb 2006, 04:42

Originally Posted by grey_fox

Hey Heckel, monster tank you have there....

I have a 5 x 1.5 x 2 ft tank and am using 8 x T5HO 54W tubes at the moment. I actually have 6 turned on and the plants are pearling like mad already... but as advised by the gurus here, more light might equate to more algae problems (correct me if I am wrong - happens to be true for me). If I have 8 turned on, that would equate to 4.03W/Gallon, 6 would be 3.02W/Gallon which is more than sufficient for my tank.

Think 4 x 80W should be more than enough (320W).

Please do correct me if I am wrong. Just wanna lend a hand also

Thanks a lot for your info bro. I am considering if to choose 6x 39w setup or 4x 80w setup. Still thinking which to use for now.

Anyway would love to pay your setups a visit if i ever have the chance.

**solonavi** · 15th Feb 2006, 10:48

Some things to ponder,

- T5HO penetration is not so strong. Thus if u are hanging them, take note of the height.
- T5HO 5ft's tube are not easy to find
- Using a 3ft tube over a 6ft length, u'll be getting some dark spots at both edges.

JC

**mordrake** · 15th Feb 2006, 11:12

if you have centre bracing, i'd recommend you to get 6x39W t5s

it's easier to find 3ft t5 tubes and cheaper too.
coverage wise, with good reflectors, the 3ft tubes will give u enough coverage. wpg wise n penetration no prob since your tank is only 1.5ft in ht.
less off the gravel, ht further reduced.

**solonavi** · 15th Feb 2006, 11:28

A T5 reflector can cover the width of the tank but do little help on the length. This is what happened to my setup using 2ft and 3ft fixtures. See teh dark spot on the top of the tank.

Juz to share my experience.
JC

**mordrake** · 15th Feb 2006, 16:07

the dark spots probably due to the bracing.
with 6x39w T5, 3 tubes on each side of the centre bracing would be like having 3x78W 6ft t5

**solonavi** · 15th Feb 2006, 16:40

Actually, its not. Its due to the fixture and end cap. U'll definitely have a gap inbetween the two fixtures cos there is no way u can hook up two tubes in linear without have any gap.

Cheers
JC

**Heckel** · 15th Feb 2006, 17:56

Thanks for all the respond. I plan to suspend the lights abt 6-8'' off the surface of the water. Still pondering on which to select for now.

**solonavi** · 15th Feb 2006, 18:00

If its only 6-8" off the top, u'll not have to worry abt the penetration den. Cos my tank is 2.5ft high and the lights are ~4" away the surface and I'm still getting pretty gd lights on the base.

JC

**mordrake** · 15th Feb 2006, 18:24

Originally Posted by solonavi

Actually, its not. Its due to the fixture and end cap. U'll definitely have a gap inbetween the two fixtures cos there is no way u can hook up two tubes in linear without have any gap.

Cheers
JC

ah yes, can't have the best of both worlds i guess

**Rupert** · 15th Feb 2006, 21:40

Why not consider getting 4 or 5 units of 2ft T5HO and then use them across the tank? This is a bit different, but you might get more flexibility, the difficulty will be in suspending them all same level... anyway just a thought as when I bought 2 4ft T5 HO units it was cheaper to get 4 2ft units and now wonder if I should have tried it?

**Goondoo** · 15th Feb 2006, 21:49

Originally Posted by Rupert

Why not consider getting 4 or 5 units of 2ft T5HO and then use them across the tank? This is a bit different, but you might get more flexibility, the difficulty will be in suspending them all same level... anyway just a thought as when I bought 2 4ft T5 HO units it was cheaper to get 4 2ft units and now wonder if I should have tried it?

Y dun simply consider getting 3 x pendant type MH instead? Just hang them higher if you are worried about the heat. I hung 2x150 over my 4x2x2 about 30cm away above the water, running only an AC fan 24/7 and my average temperature is between 26-26.8....

**Heckel** · 16th Feb 2006, 05:38

Thanks for all the wonderful inputs. Will work out something and later share how i manage to solve my lightings problem.

**vratenza** · 21st Feb 2006, 02:09

just to share...... bot 2x 3ft set of 4x39w HO T5 (total: 8x 39w) from Aquamarin for my 622.... got it for its sleek & clean design & flippable stands.
have not set it up yet cos still waiting 4 my tank/cabinet to arrive....haha!
from my estimate .... the coverage will still be better than 5ft T5....
will post pict when i set it up!

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