Lighting Help?

[kcinimod]

I have a 135 oceanic that's 6' long. I have an oak stand w/matching top. I'd like to use these lights..

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=19759

My question is what length do I need to get? I'm assuming 2 36" fixtures. Would those two fit or do i need to go smaller to 24"?

 

[FSM]

Do you want the tank to be planted?

hagen GLO fixtures are mega overpriced, and they don't include bulbs.

Nova extreme 2x39W = $80 (on sale, but still much cheaper regular price)
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=16770


4x39W total would be enough for medium, especially if you have a CO2 system. But the bulbs are pretty close together, so the spread of light probably won't be great in your 18" wide tank.

I have an oak stand w/matching top.

Do you mean that the tank has a canopy? If so, you can save some money by getting retrofits, which don't have the housing, but instead can be screwed into the underside of the canopy. Plus, the bulbs can be spread apart farther to light the whole tank more evenly.

 

[kcinimod]

No, not planted.. At least not for now.

Those Nova Extremes look good.. I'm all about going cheaper. Not sure how to retrofit the lights though.

Here's a few pictures of the top. How would I screw the lights on and i'm assuming i'll need balasts also? Where would they go?

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d120/kcinimod/P1370054.jpg

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d120/kcinimod/P1370055.jpg

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d120/kcinimod/P1370056.jpg

 

[kcinimod]

Oh, and it's being used for fresh water.. I doubt i'll ever go the marine route.

 

[FSM]

The retrofits can be screwed into the canopy, it shouldn't be too difficult. They have the ballasts included, those can be mounted in the underside of the canopy too.

2 of the nova extreme fixtures would work well though. Too much light and you will cause algae problems.
You could attach some anubias and java fern to the driftwood, that would look nice.