30" fixture for low-tech 37-gallon (tall!)

strawtarget · 06-13-2011, 05:36 PM

My tank is 22" tall. (It's the same footprint as a 29 gallon, but 4 inches taller.)

After reviewing the PAR vs distance charts, it looks like I want either a single T5HO or dual T5NO for low/medium light. (I will be placing my fixture directly on top of the tank.)

I want a low-tech setup... no CO2 injection. I'm happy to use some Flourish, though.

There are one or two online sources which claim "in stock" for the discontinued Coralife dual T5NO that lauraleellbp uses on her planted 29. It looks like she's had very good luck with that fixture, but my tank is 4" taller. Hmm.

A single T5HO concerns me, too, because the bulbs are only 24" wide and I would prefer full-width illumination at the top of the tank.

Can anyone give me a nudge in the right direction? Are there any other 30" fixture options I'm not aware of?

Thanks!!

reybie · 06-13-2011, 06:54 PM

I recently bought one of the Coralife aqualight dual T5NO. I'm not sure if it's the same fixture that you are referring to. If it is, I think it's suitable for low light setup, anubias, ferns and mosses. Maybe some marsilea for ground cover, but that might get leggy.

I got mine from amazon.

strawtarget · 06-14-2011, 05:40 PM

Thanks for the info. It seems to be the go-to fixture for low-tech planted tanks. Shame that it looks like it's being phased out.

petroica · 06-14-2011, 06:06 PM

Is there any concern that 30" T5NO bulbs may be harder to find in the future since this fixture seemed to be the only one that used them? (I have this fixture as well.)

reybie · 06-14-2011, 06:36 PM

Hmm, not sure, have not thought that far LOL. If it is, maybe it's a good time to buy a couple bulbs. I just use it for a shrimp tank so decreased intensity is not too much of a problem.

rhstranger · 06-14-2011, 11:32 PM

I have the coralife 30" t5 NO, and found out that Big Al's seems to be the only place I can find replacement bulbs for it. I looked locally up here in SW Ontario (petsmarts, paulmacs, Hagen pets, LFS Homedepot,Lowes...) but 30" T5 NO's seem impossible to find anywhere else. 24" yes, 36" yes, 30", no.

06-13-2011, 05:36 PM	#1
strawtarget Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 5	30" fixture for low-tech 37-gallon (tall!) My tank is 22" tall. (It's the same footprint as a 29 gallon, but 4 inches taller.) After reviewing the PAR vs distance charts, it looks like I want either a single T5HO or dual T5NO for low/medium light. (I will be placing my fixture directly on top of the tank.) I want a low-tech setup... no CO2 injection. I'm happy to use some Flourish, though. There are one or two online sources which claim "in stock" for the discontinued Coralife dual T5NO that lauraleellbp uses on her planted 29. It looks like she's had very good luck with that fixture, but my tank is 4" taller. Hmm. A single T5HO concerns me, too, because the bulbs are only 24" wide and I would prefer full-width illumination at the top of the tank. Can anyone give me a nudge in the right direction? Are there any other 30" fixture options I'm not aware of? Thanks!!

06-13-2011, 06:54 PM	#2
reybie Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (51/100%) Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Hotrizona Posts: 974	I recently bought one of the Coralife aqualight dual T5NO. I'm not sure if it's the same fixture that you are referring to. If it is, I think it's suitable for low light setup, anubias, ferns and mosses. Maybe some marsilea for ground cover, but that might get leggy. I got mine from amazon. __________________ 16 Gal Low Tech (sort of) Arizona Aquatic Plant Enthusiasts

06-14-2011, 06:36 PM	#5
reybie Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (51/100%) Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Hotrizona Posts: 974	Hmm, not sure, have not thought that far LOL. If it is, maybe it's a good time to buy a couple bulbs. I just use it for a shrimp tank so decreased intensity is not too much of a problem. __________________ 16 Gal Low Tech (sort of) Arizona Aquatic Plant Enthusiasts

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06-14-2011, 05:40 PM	#3
strawtarget Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 5	Thanks for the info. It seems to be the go-to fixture for low-tech planted tanks. Shame that it looks like it's being phased out.

06-14-2011, 06:06 PM	#4
petroica Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (7/100%) Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 107	Is there any concern that 30" T5NO bulbs may be harder to find in the future since this fixture seemed to be the only one that used them? (I have this fixture as well.)

06-14-2011, 11:32 PM	#6
rhstranger Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 60	I have the coralife 30" t5 NO, and found out that Big Al's seems to be the only place I can find replacement bulbs for it. I looked locally up here in SW Ontario (petsmarts, paulmacs, Hagen pets, LFS Homedepot,Lowes...) but 30" T5 NO's seem impossible to find anywhere else. 24" yes, 36" yes, 30", no.