Looking for 36" T5's online or in Calgary

[kwirky]

Originally Posted by JOSH

thanks for all the opinions. The tank I'm considering building will only be 12" deep, 36" long and 16" wide. I doubt i'll require the lighting strength of MH. I would prefer to use T5 as as I understand it they are cheaper to run, bulbs last a long time and the bulbs are cheap to replace. I would like to keep mainly lps and some sps.

thanks again for your help

Hey Josh,

For your application, I would suggest starting with a two bulb HO T5 setup for your application. Trust me, T5's are BRIGHT.

I have 4 bulbs per foot and it's so powerful I can't keep corals in the top 6" of my tank. If your tank's only 12" deep, I'd suggest way fewer bulbs.

Sunlight supply DOES make a 3', 2 bulb, T5 Tek retrofit fixture that'd be round $130. I think that would be almost perfect in build quality and price. Ask around at the LFS's if they'd order you one, or e-mail jlaquatics.com and ask if they'd special order one.

Start with two HO bulbs with individual parabolic reflectors, and it'd be fine for what you're starting off with, then upgrade down the road if needed. I can pretty much assure you you won't have to upgrade though

btw how come most T5 threads get SO heated?

[Ruth]

Well, the lord hates a coward, as the saying goes, so I might as well wade in here just a little bit.
I think that Fishytime asks a very pertinent question of Josh - what is your intent as far as keeping coral? If you are going for an SPS dominated tank then you will probably have to look at the more expensive T5 lighting systems or........you can just skip that particular buy and go direct to Metal Halide lighting. There are often good quality used MH lights for sale on this and other boards and so very often I have seen people posting similar question to the one that Josh has posted about PC or VHO or various combo's thereof and then a few months later you see them with a post looking for a used MH light or posing a question on what kind of MH light to buy.
Just something else to consider Josh. Really think about where you want to take your tank down the road in a year or so and plan accordingly. Don't do like I (and a few others) have done and spend way more $ than you have to constantly upgrading one step at a time. It will really save you $ in the long run.