BETTER LIGHTING FOR A 120 xt

ddavila06 · Post by **ddavila06** » Thu Sep 04, 2008 11:29 pm

5 feet loing, 120 gls extra tall with so far very simple plants and only 60sometihng watts of output

.....what would you suggest??? please use simple words and no abbreviations please

im too new to know about this stuff...

ingg · Post by **ingg** » Thu Sep 04, 2008 11:33 pm

5 footers are an issue, odd length for bulbs.

Catalina Aquarium makes retro kits....

Too bad, I have a 4' fixture to sell soon. Wrong size, right light.

ddavila06 · Post by **ddavila06** » Thu Sep 04, 2008 11:37 pm

HOWEVER MOST 5 FOOTERS DO HAVE A FIVE FEET FIXTURE WITH A FOUR FEET BULB...AT LEAST FOR REGULAR ONES, NOW THE SPENSIVE T5s AND STUFF ARE LIKE TWO FEET LONG STANDARD, RIGHT? LET ME SEE, READ, WHAT YOU HAVE. I GUESS IT COUNTS MENTIONING THAT IM ON A BIG BUDGET AND MAKING TIME GO BY COUNTING MY WIFE'S CONTRACTIONS AS I MIGHT BECOME A FATHER OVERNIGHT

ingg · Post by **ingg** » Thu Sep 04, 2008 11:52 pm

Ahh, grats on the baby!

catalinaaquarium.com

They are one of the few that make a true 5' T5 system - problem is, it is limiting on bulbs.

I'd almost build a retro system if I were you, and alternate 2' and 3' bulbs.... any good at woodworking to make yourself a hood or pendant to put retro kits in?

If you aren't familiar - retro kits are a kit of the wiring, ballasts, reflectors, and you install it into your own housing.

ddavila06 · Post by **ddavila06** » Fri Sep 05, 2008 12:05 am

those retro kits sound interesting, i have the resourses to build one, i use to work doing handyman services, i just need the direccions to follow

Aaron · Post by **Aaron** » Fri Sep 05, 2008 8:04 am

The retrofit kits come with directions and they're pretty simple. If you can hang a light fixture in your house you can put one together.

Something like this kit would work if you staggered the reflectors every other one. http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5_Flu ... ght_Supply

I realize it's expensive, but that's a large tank to light up. There just aren't any good ways to do it cheap and well.

ddavila06 · Post by **ddavila06** » Fri Sep 05, 2008 8:43 am

i guess i'll have to give up some of my ferns then, thanks for all the info

Aaron · Post by **Aaron** » Fri Sep 05, 2008 11:03 am

If looks aren't an issue you can always go old-school and mount some cheap shoplights over the tank. Two 2 x 32 watt fixtures with ZooMed T8 bulbs would certainly be a huge improvement. It'd cost you about $20.00 for the two shoplights from HD and another $40-$50 for the bulbs.

It won't be beautiful, but it would certainly grow any ferns, Anubias, Crypts or mosses you could put in there.

BETTER LIGHTING FOR A 120 xt

BETTER LIGHTING FOR A 120 xt

Sponsors