Question about the watts per gallon formula - Page 8 - Aquarium Advice

InfernoST · 07-01-2009, 11:07 AM

Coooool, that's great info, Thanx. Do they make 60" T5HO lamps? I haven't seen to many places that carry them. It's easy enough to stagger the smaller lamps. I'll check out ballast wise and get back to you. I'm going to order both MH & T5HO for versatility.

**ccCapt** · 07-01-2009, 11:47 AM

They do make them, but I'm not sure what kind of bulb selection they have or what ballast you would need to run them.
I think the 48" will work fine. That's only 6" short on each side. I don't think you will even notice it.

InfernoST · 07-01-2009, 01:42 PM

Good point, what do you think about 6 T5HO with 2 250 MH?

**ccCapt** · 07-01-2009, 02:13 PM

That's alot of light. It will definitely work, but if you get those Lumenarc reflectors I linked to previously, you can get away with 2 250w MH and 2 T5HO for supplemental lighting. Even tho T5's are thin, using them with individual reflectors at 2" wide each, they will take up some space. 6 bulbs x 2" each = 12" for the T5 setup....leaving you a 6" opening for the MH's if you mount the T5's 3 in front and 3 in back.

InfernoST · 07-02-2009, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ccCapt

That's alot of light. It will definitely work, but if you get those Lumenarc reflectors I linked to previously, you can get away with 2 250w MH and 2 T5HO for supplemental lighting. Even tho T5's are thin, using them with individual reflectors at 2" wide each, they will take up some space. 6 bulbs x 2" each = 12" for the T5 setup....leaving you a 6" opening for the MH's if you mount the T5's 3 in front and 3 in back.

This is what I ordered, 4-48" T5HO reflectors and waterproof , 2-250w MH Parabolic HQI reflector w/lens (Lumenarc Mini 2 xpensive at this point), 2-Phoenix MH 250W 14,000K lamps (Innovator recommended), 1-1,2,3 or 4 lamp Ballastwise DXE4H05U T5HO Ballast max output 232w, and 2-MH 250w ballasts also from ballastwise. This should be a good start. I'll add moonlight stuff later. I'll get everything wired up and installed then I'll find out which lamps to get for the T5HO.
Thanks for everyones help on this crazy topic.