5 foot light 400W?

[Mindcrime121]

Ok gang, I'm underwhelmed with choices here... Don't know wether to go with PC or T5 or what... Most everything I'm finding is 36", 48", or 72", hardly ANY options for 60". I'm undecided on using the canopy that came with the stand, but can do so if absolutely necissary, but would MUCH preffer a 60" fixture that just sits on legs over the tank. I need to run at least 300W, and would LIKE to run 400W if the cost isn't TOO much more. My budget is around $600.


...suggestions?

[Ozymandias]

if you can find it i would go with T5's with individual reflects in general thay produce much more light

[Mindcrime121]

Yah, the "if you can find it" part is what's giving me trouble. I was hoping someone could link me to something suitable for a 5 foot tank that will allow me to put 300 to 400 watts over it, prefferably a setup that has legs and sits atop the tank frame. I know there are members who have purchased high wattage light fixtures for large tanks, and I was hoping those of you in that catagory could point me at least to some websites that sells such fixtures, or better yet, if you can link me directly to such a fixture for sale at such a website, you'd be helping me out a LOT.

[Star_Rider]

you may want to look into retro fit kits. that's a lot of light.
remember the WPG rule does not apply to large tanks.

generally due to the exposed surface to the light and the tank depth.
another option may be MH lights. tho those tend to be pricey to purchase and maintain.

[Cichlidiot420]

"overwhelmed"......i agree with ozzy go with T5's http://buildyouraquarium.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=28&sort=2a&page=2&osCsid=de294b01ed42c857cb3ecec449aa3dd1

[Mindcrime121]

Ok, is this overkill? http://buildyouraquarium.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=28&products_id=75&osCsid=de294b01ed42c857cb3ecec449aa3dd1

60'' Aquarium Light T5 HO 8 x 80 Moon Lunar. It says I can swap out the bulbs for 6500K from the marine bulbs it normally comes with though. Is that good, or do I really need 6700K? I've never bought lights for a tank this big so I don't wanna screw this up.

[Cichlidiot420]

i use 4x 6500k over my 55g and they work just fine. im not sure but i think the only diffrence is the color of the light dont quote me on this though.

[Ozymandias]

you'll be fine with the 6500K alot of people use that spectrum. also if you find out it's to much light you can always take out some bulbs.

[Kashta]

I had the exact same problem finding a fixture that was 60 inches. I finally found one that would fit my tank that gives 322 watts (two 96 watt and two 65 watt dual compact fluorescent bulbs ). It's a low-budget import from China. You'll find mixed reviews on it... but I've had it a while now and I just love it.

You can see the light and mounting legs close up on my tank in this thread. (My tank has enormously wide side braces that wouldn't let the mounting legs fit right. But that got fixed, eventually, with my hacksaw.)

http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=178291

If you like the fixture, here's a link to the website.

http://www.aquatraders.com/60-322W-dual-strip-power-compact-lighting-advance.aspx

[Mgamer20o0]

its just not common..... have you thought about hanging the lights or building a canopy? if you want cheap....
http://www.catalinaaquarium.com/index.php?cPath=71_136&page=2
something like that the 48 inch will be dim on the sides the other option is to make a center brace and go with a 24inch and 36inch set up. how many gallons is this again? why do you want that much light?

[Mindcrime121]

Well, I went with the 60" 8x80W, just ordered it, and the company is swapping out the 10,000K and actinic bulbs for 6700K. I don't know at what point the watts per gallon rule changes or how it changes, but wanted to make absolutely certain that I'm not going to fall short of the required light for a CO2 injected 100 gallon tank. This fixture comes with the bulbs included, as well as the 2" legs, but is well ventilated and can sit directly on the tank top, and has dimable moonlight LEDs for night viewing so we can see inside the tank when the photoperiod is over or before it comes on in the morning, which I like a lot, and if some day I decide to get back in to marine reef in this tank I can just buy the right spectrum bulbs and this thing will have plenty of wattage for the job. I'm really jazzed. The thing only cost a bit over $500 bucks. I went ahead and got a 24" PC 2x65W for my 20g tank while I was at it, which cost just over $100, so I'm really happy with the purchases. Thanks a grip for turning me on to that buildyouraquarium website, Cichlidiot420! Thanks for the other suggestions the rest of you put in as well.

[Cichlidiot420]

no problem glad i could help, good luck with your tank!!

[rocker92]

what kind of plants u going to grow with that much light????? (think of the algae problems.....talk about a nightmare from hell!!!)

[Cichlidiot420]

he could always just remove a few bulbs if needed. or use timers to run different bulbs at diffrent times instead of all at once.

[rocker92]

good point!!!! i wonder how thick that algae would be if he left all lights on all-the-time!!!

[Riiz]

Well, I went with the 60" 8x80W, just ordered it, and the company is swapping out the 10,000K and actinic bulbs for 6700K. I don't know at what point the watts per gallon rule changes or how it changes, but wanted to make absolutely certain that I'm not going to fall short of the required light for a CO2 injected 100 gallon tank. This fixture comes with the bulbs included, as well as the 2" legs, but is well ventilated and can sit directly on the tank top, and has dimable moonlight LEDs for night viewing so we can see inside the tank when the photoperiod is over or before it comes on in the morning, which I like a lot, and if some day I decide to get back in to marine reef in this tank I can just buy the right spectrum bulbs and this thing will have plenty of wattage for the job. I'm really jazzed. The thing only cost a bit over $500 bucks. I went ahead and got a 24" PC 2x65W for my 20g tank while I was at it, which cost just over $100, so I'm really happy with the purchases. Thanks a grip for turning me on to that buildyouraquarium website, Cichlidiot420! Thanks for the other suggestions the rest of you put in as well.

I wouldnt run more than 3-4 bulbs even with the CO2 going full blast. That fixture is meant for reefers and light hungry corals. I dont mean to be rude, but I think you bought more than you needed, imo.

[Mindcrime121]

Yah, I agree that running all bulbs would be more than I need and likely turn this into a 100 gallon algae farm, but I do intend to run timers, so I figure I'll run 3 bulbs at a time, switching to the other 3 at the half way point in the photoperiod until the plants are grown in nice and thick, then give it a shot with 4 at a time with full CO2 and see how that goes when the time comes. No, your comment did not sound rude at all, I posted this asking for advice, and you're giving it, so it's appriciated. :) Some day I may very well go back to doing reef in this tank, so the fact that I will not have to upgrade my lights if and when that day comes is a bonus. As for what types of plants I intend to put in this tank, I'm actually undecided but have some ideas, and just wanted to make sure that what ever I do decide to put in there will never have to lack for it's light requirements. As I understand things, glosso has a pretty high light requirement and that is one thing I was hoping to put in though which had me leaning towards "high light". I'm still not posative how tall this tank is that I'm getting, but I think it's 24".

Anyhow, I got a bunch of other stuff ordered last night, and I think the only thing left to buy is the CO2 system, so as soon as I have it all I'll start a new thread with pics of the setup so everyone can see it come together from the ground up. :)