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bstuver 
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Joined: April 17 2006
Location: Provo
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 Topic: How many bulbs
Posted: May 18 2013 at 1:46pm |
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I am debating on going with a t5ho set up on my tank it's the zeroedge tank and measures 30" long 18" front to back and 12" high.
Would you go with a 4 or 6 bulb unit? I also plan to build a floating type canopy to hide the fixture and want to add probably 2 445nm/Magenta panorama pros to get the pop I like.
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Jackie Stuver
"wait these aren't the happy Hawaiians oompa doompa godly heaven on your face zoas? I dont want them then. lol!" Ksmart
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Mark Peterson
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Joined: June 19 2002
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Posted: May 18 2013 at 5:17pm |
Aloha Jackie, My thinking is that, with only 12" depth and where I seem to recall a recent post where you indicated you're steering away from SPS in this tank, 4 tubes would be sufficient. Of course (you know I have to say this  ), the closer this tank sits to sunlight, the less artificial light it needs. Have fun, Mark 
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badfinger
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Posted: May 18 2013 at 5:30pm |
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If you plan on putting 2 led strips also, 4 bulbs would be more then fine. But more color options if you go with 6. Its all up to you
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bur01014
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Posted: May 18 2013 at 6:36pm |
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tough choice, reason being- your tank is somewhat shallow, I think a 6 bulb would have to hang quite high, I'd probably do the 4 bulb, especially if you supplementing with leds.
I had my sunpower 18 inches above one of my old tanks (12 inches shallow) in order not to bleach corals, it was a 6 bulb.
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bstuver
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Posted: May 18 2013 at 6:58pm |
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It does have to hang pretty high because otherwise it doesn't look good and you can't see in the tank well.
If anyone has a fixture to borrow for a day or two so I can see if I like the look that would be great.
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Jackie Stuver
"wait these aren't the happy Hawaiians oompa doompa godly heaven on your face zoas? I dont want them then. lol!" Ksmart
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Akira
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Posted: May 19 2013 at 3:44am |
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Jackie I currently have a 30l x 24w x 24 tall tank and I have an ATI 8x24 w dimmable. I also have a light bar with with 3 420 nm true lumen leds for night lights. With only 4 tubes you are very limited with color choices. A 4 tube fixture is plenty IMO but if you can afford a dimmable 6 tube I would do it.....Especially if you plan on SPS , besides you can place the fixture high and ramp it up. I currently have mine about 12 " above the water surface and run at 80% of max power with no issues . But I do focus mainly on SPS but all my sand dwellers do great!
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