T5 light fixture choice -- opinions requested!

[heavensabvus1]

I currently have a T5 6x54w fixture that I was planning to put on my new 120 gallon (4x2x2) aquarium. It allows you to run 2 or 4 bulbs at a time and I was planning to run 4. This is something that I had used for plants. However, it is incredibly unwieldy....great spread over the tank, but very hard to get into the tank with it on top and quite heavy. Since I can't mount it to the ceiling, I was going to find a way to prop it up as it has no legs.

But, I've decided to sell it and replacing it with proper aquarium fixtures with legs so I can access the tank better. So I'm looking for 4x54w and have seen two different fixtures that would make up the total wattage: A 4x54w (about 7.5" wide) or two 2x54w (about 4.5" wide each).

Would you buy the one 216w fixture or 2 108w fixtures to be able to spread the light out a little more? Thanks for your opinions!

Beverly

 

[Gerryd]

Hi Beverly,

I would use two fixtures if possible...Spread is a nice thing to have. Note that with mult bulbs per fixture that you can remove one or two to dim sections of the tank to nice effect...

I also think you can do with less light overall but is dependant on your goals for growth

I now use 8xt8 on my 180.

I use closet shelving to mount the lights. The shelving is adjustable and the fixtures simply lay across the arms instead of the shelf..

Cost < $10 and easy to install. I screwed my brackets into the studs since the fixtures are 72" and I had the space. The brackets may not be evenly spaced with the tank, but.....it works great and easy to adjust the light up or down. I use a longer adjustment so that during maintenance I can raise high so it is out of the way. Plus, you can simply push the fixtures more towards the back. Just get the 24" arms to extend out over the tank from the wall.

The arms are very thin so you lose no light at all.

I have pics if you don't know what I mean.....