After reducing my T5's down to 2 lamps for 8 hours a day with one bulb only on for 5, I still experiencing algae problems despite the addition of Co2 via reactor and Excel for my 100g tank. The lamps are slightly elevated perhaps 5" from the water line but it would seem that I am going to have to bite the bullet and figure out some sort of hanging fixture to elevate them higher.
The question I have assuming I would want to stay with T5, is what length fixture do I want? The tank is 60" long but because of the spread when the light is hung above the tank, could I get away with a 48" fixture which would save me some cash as compared to the cost of a 60" unit? I see a lot of tanks with smaller than length hoods so I'm guessing there is some ratio to this.
As I've already put out for two 60" T5 retros and lamps, I'm trying to save if I can. I thought about a DIY hood, but the tank is in a main area of the house so it needs to look presentable. People sell lamps like crazy, but not hoods alone. drats....
Thanks!
The question I have assuming I would want to stay with T5, is what length fixture do I want? The tank is 60" long but because of the spread when the light is hung above the tank, could I get away with a 48" fixture which would save me some cash as compared to the cost of a 60" unit? I see a lot of tanks with smaller than length hoods so I'm guessing there is some ratio to this.
As I've already put out for two 60" T5 retros and lamps, I'm trying to save if I can. I thought about a DIY hood, but the tank is in a main area of the house so it needs to look presentable. People sell lamps like crazy, but not hoods alone. drats....
Thanks!
(A hood maker was found, Catalina agreed to install my existing retro's and moonlight into a 60" long hood saving me a considerable amount of change)