How Many T5's?

[ben1987]

Ive seen a T5 light fitting going cheap that takes 2 x 3' 39w bulbs. one blue one white. What corals do you think would be ok under this light?
cheers

 

[SkiFletch]

How deep (top to bottom) is the tank?

 

[ben1987]

not sure yet. havent actually got it. Getting two 3' tanks off a mate one as sump and one as display.
Just i saw that set going cheap and wondered. But ive seen tanks with lines and lines of bulbs. 2 didnt sound much

 

[ben1987]

just read that i can use normal metal halide (sp?) light fittings and then maybe a blue t5 aswel is this true? Obvioulsy would need to change the bulbs to the ones meant for fish tanks. I get a discount in on of the big DIY chains so i could get normal ones dirt cheap then maybe build them into a hood with a fan.
Would they get too hot? would only get 150w ones. possibly 2 x 150w
is there much difference between the real ones and doing it this way?

 

[@ombomb]

maybe a slight difference in the relectors, but a bulb is a bulb

 

[SkiFletch]

maybe a slight difference in the relectors, but a bulb is a bulb

Agreed

 

[Musho3210]

but a ballast is not a "ballast".

 

[ben1987]

so does that mean i can or i cant?
if it will give me enough light for a few corals and they will be healthy then il go for it. Just dont get the "ballast is not a ballast bit"

 

[Musho3210]

yeah its good enough for your application, just saying its probably not the best T5 fixture.

 

[ben1987]

ok thanks