30" tank lighting opitions

[Dr_Doom2]

Hey guys I have a 30x18x18 tank. 30" fixtures are a little harder to find. If I were going to use a 24" or 36" fixture which one is better? I'd like to use a 36" light and flip the legs to make it mount correctly. Has anyone used this method before? Does the extra light "spilling" on the outside of the tank look bad or is it not enough to worry about?

Thanks!!

 

[melosu58]

Moved to General Hardware and equipment discussion.

 

[fort384]

I would suggest the 24" fixture. If it has a good reflector, it will still get light to all corners of your tank.

I have a NOVA extreme T5HO 30" fixture on my 29G planted tank. While the fixture is 30" wide, the bulbs are the 24" T5HO bulbs. It seems to do well, and I have medium and high light plants growing even in the corners of the tank.

I would think a wider fixture would look kind of funky hanging over/lighting the sides of thank... but of course I guess it depends on what you place there.