[weimers75]

I just found out a friend is giving me a 180 (tank only), so I'm slowly buying equipment. As you know, I'm a huge fan of t-5 lighting because of the bulb versatility...but know this might not work on a 6 foot tank. What are your recommendations? My tank is nearly all sps so I need a good amount of light.

 

[dputt88]

there is a 180 teardown thread in the selling forum, maybe pick their brain and look at their equipment. i know nothing about lighting for tanks that size though.

 

[Jessemac]

I would think T5's would still work just fine. You could either buy shorter ones and have more sets but that would mean more ballest and or more endcaps. Or buy enough of the right size and stager them so that the bulbs are overlap. How long is the tank going to be. btw, congrats!

 

[weimers75]

I know there are big tank owners out there - help me out

As far as t-5's, they don't make 72" t-5's, which means I'd have to have two sets of 36" bulbs, and when you talk about buying between 14-16 of them at $25 bucks a piece each year that adds up!

 

[cpak240]

I'm using a 3x250 MH with 4 rows of T5's on my 180 gallon tank. It's a Current fixture. I'm happy with it. I only have a few pieces of SPS, and they are growing fairly well.

 

[Snyd09]

I just bought a 180 last night from a guy and I think Im going to go LED just so I dont have to replace the bulbs every year. In the long run you will save money going with LEDS

 

[tvoydan]

As far as t-5's, they don't make 72" t-5's, which means I'd have to have two sets of 36" bulbs, and when you talk about buying between 14-16 of them at $25 bucks a piece each year that adds up!

But they do make 60" T5 bulbs. I ran several 60" T5 retro kits staggered on my 180. Worked out well. That way you only have to buy so mnay bulbs.

80W - 60IN ATI Purple Plus T5 HO Fluorescent Bulb - English