Need to upgrade my lights!

On that particular tank I would do a 150watt pendant with 2 24" T5 actinic supplementals. I have seen people do 250s on a tank that small like breeder tanks and the like but not worth it. Why not compromise and get a 175w mogol based pendant or something.
A retro is the way to go but can be cumbersome to deal with.
Are T5s out of the question?

Remember you need a lot less light then people think, and as far as heat you wouldn't believe what fans and evaporative cooling can do.

Happy lighting!

 

I would love T5s, but my tank is shaped like a quarter-circle. I would have the same problems with the T5s as i do with the PCs i have now. The only part of the tank that is lit is a strip under the lights. The corners and front have no usable light.

 

I have 5' T5s over a 6' tank.... No issue with the 6" on both side that is not covered by lights....

If you are concerned I would do a Pendant...

Actually, what is the width of the tank before it start bowing, I mean what are the length of the straight sides?

 

straight sides are 2 feet

 

The more I think about the dimensions and shape of the tank the more I would recommend MH over T5 which is odd as I love T5!! I think it would work out for the best with a single pendent with some actinic or blue supplementation. Now you just need to find a nice pendent and figure out how you want to mount it same with the supplementals, since you don't have a canopy.

Good luck!

 

Thanks! I think i will go with the 150 wt hamilton with 2x24 wt T5s. I will probably hang it over the tank, as it is difficult to get anything mounted on top of the tank. Does hamilton make pretty good stuff?