Need some help with ideas on lighting.

Well after some more reading and some comparisons i seen online i am set on the t-5 fixtures. Now i have a few in mind and would like some opinions on them.

This one fits the bill perfect as the tank is 20" wide.

Current USA Nova Extreme Pro T5 Aquarium Lighting Fixture, 6X18 Watt, 20 inch

I am also looking at these 24" fixtures. Im not sure if i am wasting alot of usable light by having it hange over by 2" on each side. However i think it would be better as the 2" will cover the extra dimensions of the bulb ends and bulb housing maybe putting more usable light into the tank, even though its less watts (less bulbs).

AquaticLife T5 High Output Lights | Pet Solutions

Besides i like the timer and the lunar light.

If anyone has any other suggestions i am open to them. Thanks

 

Out of those two I would go with the current USA.

 

I was leaning towards that but i havent found a good selection of t-5 bulbs at any of the LFS in 18". I can get them online but last time i ordered bulbs online UPS destroyed them and wouldnt refund the money (insured) they said it happened after delivery. The box looked like someone ran it over with a forklift.

I am liking the aquaticlife due to the one plug setup, the built in timer and the lunar lights. And they are the same price. If i can find a good dealer for 18" T-5's then i will go with the Nova.

 

Not many "good" brands make 18"ers...

I take it this is for a 10 gal or similar sized tank? If so 6 lamps would be a far amount of light for that tank...

 

No a 45 gallon tall tank its 20"x20"x32". Its about 3 times the lighting that it has now and we are fairing very well with some light level corals, if i have to i will up with a small MH to supplement higher light corals.

 

Just looking around, it appears as if ATI, KZ, and geisseman does not even make them in 18" sizes.

Hopefully I am wrong, as the current bulbs are not very good.

If you went witha 24" fixture, you would have about 2" overhang on each end, which would put a little light out over the ends of the tank. You could simply make a non see through light shield to block that "spill over" light. At least with 24" t5ho bulbs, you can get all the "good" bulbs in that size easily.

 

That was my biggest issue was the lack of bulbs in the 18" range. Im not to worried about the light spill over as the bulbs on the 24" fixture are 22" total and you figure about 3/4" on each side lost to the pins and bulb end. So i will have all the light (minus the 1" or so of bulb) going into the tank.

 

What if i was to supplement the light with a white LED strip to help get more light output. Something like this.

Store Lighting Supplies LED Lighting

Im going to see if i can get some wattage and output specs on something like this.

 

Can anyone tell me anything about this fixture, i am willing to sacrifice the timer and lunar lights for the 2 extra bulbs, that would be great for output. I know my biggest issue is the tank depth and not size at this point but this would effectively quadropple my output that i have now.

Catalina Aquarium

 

Anyone have any comment planning on buying something this Friday. I also found that the Catalina Aquariums place has an 8 bulb 24"t-5 light bringing my total wattage to 192 watts and 4.3 WPG. Does anyone have any comments or complaints about this company or light setup. Or if this power is enough for my tank. I would like to use the 6 bulb if i can based on price.