Lighting Question

[Europian]

I would like to which lighting option would be best for my tank.

It's a 48 x 15 x 20h tank (62ish gallons), with a wooden canopy and stand. I am not 100% sure if a 48" retrofit kit will fit in - as inside the canopy the dimension is 48" max. So I've been looking at 36" retrofit kits, and it seems I have a choice of either:

1 x 96watt CFL or 2 x 39watt T5

I only want to grow easy low light plants, so would 78w of T5 be enough - or would the 96w CFL be better.

If the 48" retrofit kits are 48" max - if someone could measure one, that would be great, I have a different choice of:

2 x 54w of T5 or 2 x 55w of CFL ?

So any advice would be good, thanks

Ian

 

[Yoemen]

Not sure. Depends on how many you are going with. If you are looking at an ahsupply 55 watt kit, I have 4 of em in my canopy on my 75 gallon 48" aquarium.

It is a little deeper so there is more room, but length wise it is fine.

They are about 22 inches long for each 55 watt kit.

The 96 watt one might be more economical, but as was explained to me when I decided to go with the 4 x55. It won't equally distribute light to the whole tank. It is made for shorter tanks or larger ones with multiple fixtures.

 

[Star_Rider]

the only one i would have ?? with is the T-5.. the bulb length with end caps may be the issue .

you could go shorter bulbs with staggered line up to get coverage. with cfl you can do the same..

 

[SubRosa]

Don't be fooled by comparing wattage directly between PC and T5HO. The 78 watts of T5 will give better lighting than 96 watts of PC, the bulbs will last longer, and it will cost about the same or a little less to replace both T5s as the one PC.

 

[Europian]

Ok, sound like T5 is the way to go, Thanks.