T5 Lighting Question

[Davey_8313]

I'm going to be getting a 225g 6x2.5x2t tank and was wondering if I should get two of these, http://www.aquarium-supply.biz/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=RES58009&click=2 and spread them out of if one of these, http://www.aquacave.com/48-aqualight-t-5-doublebr-strip-fixture-790.html might be enough for it? On a tight budget right now or I would get one of the nicer fixtures. I've never seen a T5 fixture used in person so i don't know how bright they are really...

 

[invisyblegypsey]

mite look on this site too i built mine T5x4 x6'
http://www.championlighting.com/home.php

 

[Davey_8313]

thanks man, i'll check it out.

 

[Toodleypops]

t5's are amazing lights and as such they have a nice tag with them.
they great for planted tanks especially

 

[Vincent Fu]

The ends of the tank will be dim if you use the 48" light. I would get two twin-bulb 36" fixtures. This is what I have on my 72x18 tanks. It just depends on how bright you want your tank to be. I would be afraid that a single tube light will be too dim.

You should shop around too. Try bigalsonline.com.

 

[Lightbringer]

I have 3 24" T5's on two different tanks. They are both twin bulb arrangements from Coralife. Very nice lights. Standard output are bright enough to adequately light my 24" deep tank. They also come in HO (high output) models. They don't get crazy hot, but they are significantly warmer than old fashioned fluorescents. There are a lot of different color temperatures to choose from as well.

 

[Davey_8313]

The ends of the tank will be dim if you use the 48" light. I would get two twin-bulb 36" fixtures. This is what I have on my 72x18 tanks. It just depends on how bright you want your tank to be. I would be afraid that a single tube light will be too dim.

You should shop around too. Try bigalsonline.com.

Thanks man. I was going to get two of the single tubes and spread them about a foot apart.

Got any pics?

 

[NOLAGT]

Try aquacave.com they have some nice retro t5 HO setups and you will also get free shipping!

 

[Davey_8313]

Thanks, I'll check there. Doesn't anyone have pics of their tank w/ T5 lights?

 

[Lightbringer]

That's a 48"x18"x24" tank lit by two 24" standard output T5 fixtures (two bulbs per fixture). If I remember correctly the bulb's color temperature is 6500 Kelvin.