Lighting & Filter Advice Please

[yabadaba]

Hi guys, I've just ordered a 5ft ND Aquatics tank (60" x 24" x 24"), which is scheduled to arrive in approx 6 weeks. I included the optional lighting in the order, which comprises 2 x 58w 60" T8 Arcadia tubes, 2 x starters and 2 x 60" reflectors, but do have some time to cancel that if I choose to buy and install the lighting separately. I'm no expert on lighting, but from what I've read it seems that T5 may be preferable....but I'm not sure why! I will be having live plants if that makes a difference. Any thoughts on this?

Also, I'll need to be buying an external filter. I've only just started researching this area, but the first decision I've made is that I'd prefer to spend a little more if it really does buy more reliability, usability and/or efficiency. With that in mind, it looks to me like the Eheim range are pretty well respected and I was contemplating the Professionel II 2028 (yes they seem to spell it with an 'e'). Does anyone have any experience with that model? Would you recommend I look at any others in the range or any other makes?

Any advice is much appreciated as the only experience I have had so far in this hobby is with a much smaller 60cm tank with an internal filter and the supplied lighting.

 

[yabadaba]

Thinking of the Eheim Professional 3e 2078 now. It's quoted as being for tanks up to 700 litres, which is at least 200 more than I'll have. Seems very user-friendly and flexible (easily adjustable flow rates, etc). Has anyone got any views on this filter?

I note that a number of people here recommend running two external filters - is that the way I should be heading?

 

[jmkgreen]

If you go 2078 you'll want two of them for decent filtration.

2080 Would be better - two for excellent filtration - some might argue only "adequate" filtration particularly if you plan on cichlids.

As for lights you may want to consider T5 - will light the substrate much better than T8 as they penetrate deeper.

I've got a 48x24x24 ND tank with a single 2075 for the time being but it's currently cycling. I'll be adding another filter in the weeks to come.

 

[yabadaba]

If you go 2078 you'll want two of them for decent filtration.

2080 Would be better - two for excellent filtration - some might argue only "adequate" filtration particularly if you plan on cichlids.

As for lights you may want to consider T5 - will light the substrate much better than T8 as they penetrate deeper.

I've got a 48x24x24 ND tank with a single 2075 for the time being but it's currently cycling. I'll be adding another filter in the weeks to come.

Thanks for that. I haven't really decided what I'll be stocking the tank with yet, but I definitely don't want inadequate or just borderline filtration. So, as you suggest, I'll now start looking into the 2080 or maybe running 2 filters. Can I just ask how much the pipes add to the overall height of your filter, which I believe is quoted as being 500mm? I'm trying to gauge whether something like the 2078 or 2080 will actually fit inside the cabinet. ND Aquatics told me that the internal height I'd have is 645mm, so with the 2080 coming in at 567mm (which I presume is without pipes) I want to get a feel for whether one would fit ok with everything connected up.