t5 inside a canopy help?

I have a 120 gallons tank and right now I have t12 vho and I have been debating on what to do with my lights. For a while I was going to convert my t12 to t8 because t8's are easier to find locally but now after thinking more I am gonna switch to t5's for the reason that there is more bulb option.

My question is that I have a conopy on my tank and those t5 's bulb are 48" and I only have space for 47". what should I do?
If I go with 36" bulb are they less whattage? my tank is 2' deep.
Does anyone have any idea?
would the 36" work .
I am planning on having 8 bulbs.

Thanks for any help

 

what kind of corals do you have?

 

Right now I have none I am waiting to switch my lights. But would like softie and clams

 

A "48"" T5 bulb is really 46.5" long. They're telling what length fixture it will fit into.

 

Good, I had bought the t8' s at first and those are really 48" and would not fit so I thought the t5's were the same. Good to know thanks guys

 

I would look at a 6 bulb fixture if you want to have a clam in a 120. I have a clam about 6 inches below the water in my 75 on a 4 bulb T5.. Look at marine depot. I recommend an aquatic life fixture as I have used them without a hitch.