T5 Lighting

[JustinK]

Hi everyone,

Am thinking of changing my current lighting setup to a better one. Currently using 2 x 36W 10000K PLs (1 white, 1 actinic) for my 2 ft tank. But am thinking of upgrading to T5s. Got a few questions below that i hope can help to be answered

1. What is the best configuration i should have? 3 tubes or 2 tubes? I saw in eaqua that they sell arcadia set for twin tubes of 24W. Is it enough? or should i go 39 W?

2. I need a 2 ft ballast with mounting bracket, where is the cheapest place to get? or anyone DIY?

Anyone can help me?

[FuEl]

2 ft T5s are 24W....36W T5s are 3 ft in length. Pm dr evil...he does customizations.

[Michael Young]

Parts for DIY T5s are now readily available:

1. IP67 waterproof end caps can be bought at Octopus Bay

2. Reflectors from ATI, Deltec, Arcadia etc are also available locally.

3. Osram T5 e-ballast can be bought at local lighting shops

[JustinK]

hmm... thanks for the info, so does that mean that 2x24W T5 is enough for a 2 feet? or should i aim to get 2 white and 1 actinic blue?

compared to a config of 2x36W PL, is it brighter than the 24W T5?

sorry, me quite blur when it comes to lighting, so asking so many questions...

[Creetin]

2x24w t5 confirm brighter than 2x36w pl

[hwcheong]

How about for 3 feet tank?

[JustinK]

So am i right to say that 2x24W T5 is good enough for my 2 feet tank? its 1.5ft in depth... anyone? Thanks!

[[P]owder Blue]

I think it will be better if you can go for 4

[danano]

So am i right to say that 2x24W T5 is good enough for my 2 feet tank? its 1.5ft in depth... anyone? Thanks! 

It all depends on what you intend on keeping in your tank...

IMO, T5's are ideal for 2ft setups for most intents and purposes. As far as the number of tubes, that depends on the live stock you plan on keeping.

[kouz]

Bro Danano,

3 x 24watt ATI aquablue Special are suitable to keep what kind of clam??

Thanks