T5 4 vs 6 bulb

[paddyob]

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

[bignose]

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

[fencer]

6

[carnut]

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:

[blacknife]

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

[Doug]

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

[The Grizz]

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.

[Blue World Aquariums]

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 (http://www.blueworldaquariums.com/ati_powermodule_ho_t5_fixture.php) fixtures.

[Slick Fork]

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!