t-5 light sitting on tank

[riche]

Lighting question. I just picked up a 36x24 tank that's 19" high. I want to use a 6 bulb t-5, and the issue is my wife wants it to sit right on top of the tank so it doesn't shine over the sides when we are down there watching tv. So will that be ok and also since the timer doesnt work, can I have all 6 bulbs on at once or will that be bad for the corals?

I really dont want to build a canopy LOL

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

yer gonna build a canopy.

and yea thats a LOT of light.

Im building mine out of curtain and parts from ikea.
Im Guessing the fixture is the same size as the tank. imagine four curtains hanging down.

 

[riche]

I have the legs that come with the fixture and I tried them last night and the light doesn't spill out like I would have thought.

So with that being said would a 6 bulb fixture sitting on legs be ok on a tank that's 19" deep?

 

[themcnertney]

I had a 4 bulb t5 sit right on top of the tank with a tight fitting canopy that went over top of the light. I ran this tank for five years like that.

 

[riche]

So I should be ok if its sitting on the legs or even directly on the tank?

 

[miyags]

If your light comes with 2 power cords, use 2 timers. 6 bulbs all day is too much. You should be fine with the light sitting on the tank. If its to much light you can use a glass lid to help diffuse the light.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

A single t5 gives off about 40 to 45,ooo lux at 4- 6 inches. combined it should run 50 to 80,000 lux at the top of the tank. that's around 1200 to 1600 par assuming good tubes.
Its a LOT of light.
at the bottom of the 19 in tank its likely 250 to to 400 par

 

[riche]

So if I put it on the legs that it came with, I should be ok?

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

So if I put it on the legs that it came with, I should be ok?

how tall? Just be aware. its a lot of light.

 

[riche]

how tall? Just be aware. its a lot of light.

The legs will raise it about 4 inches.

Would I be better using the 4 bulb light with the legs?

With it being 24" frt to back I want to make sure I have enough coverage

 

[smh254]

I'm on the 4th floor

 

[smh254]

Oops wrong place

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

The legs will raise it about 4 inches.

Would I be better using the 4 bulb light with the legs?

With it being 24" frt to back I want to make sure I have enough coverage

yea that's better. easy to work and feed too, plus heat ll wear the bulbs out.
Yea Im a coverage guy too. 4 will give it a pretty good spread and shuoldnt smoke the corals.

Im one of the LUX light meter guys. Id check into that to see how much your getting from the tubes before you turn them all on. 4 t5 on a shallow than should be plenty for anything.
Now that my t5 are on Im pulling 30,000 k lux at 4 inches so around 600 par ( +/- 50) just from the ATI coral plus.

 

[luke33]

To me it totally depends on what your trying to grow, depends on the light fixture, the cooling method and depends on the bulbs. I run a 5x36' aquatinics fixture over a 12" tall tank 8" off the surface with all 5 ati bulb's on for 9hrs per day, but i use it on a frag tank for sps. I pull around 350par through most of the tank. I have used a crappy ebay special fixture in the past and with 6x36" ati bulbs and it only pulled around 215 par in the same spot. So it just depends on what your trying to accomplish. My guess is off brand bulbs on an ebay special 6x36" fixture you'll be lucky if you hit 125 par on the bottom of a 19" tank 4" above the waterline.

I would use all 6 bulb's and the legs if it was me. It also sounds like you have an ebay special fixture, which is fine, so i don't believe you'll fry anything.