T5 Light Spread
 

I was just wondering what kind if linear light spread comes off T5's moving away from the end caps? I'm setting up a 7' tank and it's going to be primarily LED lighting but i'd like to add some T5's to give it a bit more pop. I'm just trying to determine if I should go with 2 banks of 36" bulbs for a total of 6' spread evenly or if I can get away with one bank if 60" bulbs. Thanks for your help.

I would think you could get away with the 5 foot unit. That leaves 12 inches on each side. I currently run a 4 foot ATI over a 5 foot tank and my spread is great. I would think you'd be able to get away with 12 inches. You'd have lower par at the corners, but as long as you are smart about coral placement you should be good.

And if you're using LED's as your primary and T5 just as supplemental, you definitely won't have a problem.

My t5's run 4" short on each end, by looking at the tank you would never know it, light spread on mine are grrrreat!

I just realized that they don't make dimmable ballasts for the 60" bulbs, unless I'm mistaken, so the point is moot. Too bad. 4 60" bulbs would've been a lot cheaper than 8 36" bulbs.

Might be possible with icecap 660 but there isn't a traditional ballast for dimming 80W T5s

Any recommendations for the cheapest place to order DIY T5 lighting equipment without sacrificing quality?

do they make 6 foot bulbs? the way I would do it is find out whats going to cost less for bulb replacement and go that way.

Steve

5ft is the biggest but not dimmable. I know I'm being anal but the rest of the setup is dimmable and it would drive me nuts if these weren't.

or you could just have them come on when the intensity of the LEDs is bright enough that you wouldn't really notice them.

Steve

They probably wouldn't be on for very long then which wouldn't make them that effective don't ya think?