opinions! :0

110g. (5' length, 19"Ht and width) 8x54w T5 bueno? I've just fish, inverts and some soft corals at the moment. Can I get a way with 4x54w or am I just wasting my $/time with considering 4?

**See my 3rd post below!***

 

Where did you find that tank?

 

lol! I can't answer your question til you answer mine! j/k I've had this tank a long time. It's an old Oceanic tank I've had for years. Man, now you've asked that I can't remember when I got it. I remember I'd had a 55g then upped to this one, but we're prob talking 10+yrs, doh.

 

Yeah, I want to upgrade from a 55 to a 5 footer, maybe 150 gallon. I was just curious, because I never seen a 110 gal 5 footer. Since you can get really good URI T5 bulbs from Tangster, I'd say that's fine and should be plenty bright. What other watts do they come in for 54"? 18" deep in a 55 gallon is OK for T5's, so I don't see a big problem with just 1 more inch for T5's for your tank. See if you can't find a 6 bulb fixture. I'll be looking for lighting for a 5 footer when I do my upgrade too, so I'll be keeping a close eye on this thread.

 

I've a 4x65w pc w/lunar light set up now. What bites is I just got this not even a month ago and THEN stumble upon threads here concerning lighting...derrr. So I'm out $200.

These are my options:

1. the LFS I got it from said he'd credit me the $200 towards a Nova Extreme 8x54w that he sells for $499 (I know it's high compared to what I've seen on the 'net. So I'd be looking at shelling out another $300.

2. Keep this PC setup I've got and add a MH (haven't looked into what yet)

3. Try to sell this PC setup on this site or elsewhere and buy the 8x54w system at Dr.s Foster/Smith who are selling it for $365 (minus shipping).

This site is propelling me into this hobby further, so I hope some 'light' minded folks have some good advice!

 

Buy a new T5 fixture and don't use that LFS anymore unless you have to, use the PC's over a refugium or a smaller tank, trust me you'll end up with a 2nd one lol

 

Well I have the same 4x65w pc fixture (current orbit) that you have, only mine is 6 months old now.
I was thinking about making my own hood for the bigger tank and ripping apart the pc fixture I have. I'll change all 4 65 watt bulbs to 420nm actinic and stagger the bulbs in the hood with their own individual reflectors, that's if that ballast is no good for the 30" bulbs. If the ballasts for the 24" bulbs are good for 30" bulbs, I could buy them and not even have to stagger the actinic lighting.

I might also just keep that light fixture as-is, and build my own hood using T5 actinics with MH lighting. It would be the better option, I think. The only fixture I found so far for 60" with MH is 2x150w with pc actinics. I don't think the wattage is high enough and don't like the price either.

 

Here's where I saw that one:
Outer Orbit with 2 x 150W HQI-MH. 6 Lunar Lights & 2 Actinic Lamps - 60 in.

 

i'm using 4 54watt t's on a 55 gallon tank so if you have a 110 and plan on using t5 then i'd use 8.6 might work but 8 for sure would be ok for softies and lps maybe sps

 

If you get that nova, I have 6x54 watt on a 75gal and I have clams, sps, and lps. Zoas grow fast anywhere in the tank. Bottom, 20 inches from the light, mine is on the legs. Everything grows like crazy. My new zoas always take time to get used to the light. Go with the 8 bulb and you won't regrete it. I agree keep the light, is going to be hard to get rid of. May have a fuge later. The DYI mh would be TOO much money and time, IMO. Get the credit and buy it, or online.