T5 4 vs 6 bulb
 

I am setting up my 70 gallon and was going to put 6 bulb-48" T5s on it.... I was told 4 bulbs will do everything a 6 bulb can.

Anyone have any thoughts on this?

Maybe 4 bulb is good enough for a 70?

Is there a clear benefit to 6 bulbs?



Thanks,

Patrick

A 6 bulb is better. 4 for daylight and 2 for supplement light.
With a 4 bulb I would go all daylight bulbs

6

a good 4 bulb light is better than a cheap 6 bulb. If you plan to upgrade it's cheaper to buy the best now instead of the second time. But yes 6 is better than 4.

Comming from someone on the third lighting upgrade. ATI all the way:mrgreen:

i got 6 on my 40b.. seems bright enough for that shallow of a tank

I would go 4 bulb with a 12in. tank, 6 bulb with an 18in. tank, and 8 bulb with a 24in. tank.

I would say 6 is the way to go, because if you find it is to much light and get the right fixture with individual switch you can always turn 1 set off. Can't turn and extra set with a 4 bulb if it's not there.:lol:

But who am I to say what is right or wrong, I have 8 bulbs per 4' of tank that is 18" deep.

There are huge differences in performance of T5 fixtures. Even more important than the number of bulbs is active cooling, reflectors, and ballasts. I echo carnut and highly recommend ATI T5 fixtures.

As previously mentioned, the width of your t5 fixture depends on the front to back depth of your tank

+1 on a good 4 bulb being WAY better than a cheap 6 bulb!