48" light on a 60" tank?

[Jamie]

The 150 I'm about to purchase has the option of coming with combing instead of cross braces for support at the top of the tank. I haven't actually seen this but have been advised to get it (the combing). From what I understand, it will protrude inward all along the sides of the tank. It was recommended to do this so that no light will be obstructed at the center of the tank. But I am concerned that it may be obstructed on the sides where the combing is. Off topic- the LFS recommended that I use a 48" lighting set up on my 60" long tank. She said that "she didn't think" that the tank would suffer any dark spots. Does anyone have anything to add to this?

PS I intend on planting in this aquarium

[NJ Devils Fan]

Honestly, I would get a 24" and a 36" freshwater aqualight (http://www.esuweb.com/new_site/ccc_53112) compact flourscent fixture. I don't think that a 48" fixture would really get the sides too well.

[carpguy]

Sorry, can't really picture it.

Some sort of rigid screening? What's it made of? Does it run the lengths or also the sides? Completely opaque or more like eggcrate?

How much light do you eventually want in there?

Is this for an acrylic tank?

[Godslayer]

In my experience if the striplight is shorter than the tank the plants at the sides will grow at an angle, rather than straight up to get more direct exposure to the light. It will look bad, you need to get a fixture that runs the entire length of the tank.