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· Fresh Fish Freak
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If you're retrofitting a hood, you need to be careful about sticking full fixtures in there, as many will overheat unless you also boost air circulation by adding in some computer fans or something along those lines. Retrofit kits don't tend to be cheap, but would probably be the safer way to go?

If you want to stick with low tech (at least for now lol) then I think 2x 21 watt (which would be T5NO rather than T5HO) would be a good choice.
 

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Discussion Starter · #22 ·
Do u think heat can be an issue? It is part of the reason I was thinking led but didn't think heat would be a major problem. I made the hood around 10" deep and the back is completely open. Any issues and I can always add a fan.
 

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The old WPG guidelines really only apply to the older T8 and CF fixtures that aren't used nearly as much these days. A T5HO fixture with a decent reflector behind the bulbs can easily produce almost 2x the usable light at substrate level as those older fixtures.

Have you already purchased the Odyssea? If so, you can probably work with that and not need CO2, if you take other steps to reduce the light- such as suspending the fixture higher up off the tank or using something to obstruct some of the light, such as mesh, floating plants, etc.

If you haven't purchased the fixture yet, and want the option of possibly going high tech with your tank down the road, then I'd encourage you to consider three bulb fixtures with the bulbs on different switches (giving you the option of running any combo of 1, 2, or 3 bulbs at a time). Not sure what all is on the market with three bulbs ATM, but I know Catalina will custom make one for you for a very reasonable price (I happen to really like these fixtures, personally... I have no affiliation with the company, however lol): http://www.catalinaaquarium.com/store/index.php?cPath=71_136&&page=1

I'm not a big fan of Odyssea brand... but I do hear they've gotten better quality than they were back when the ballasts used to constanty go on the fritz?
The Odyssea brand lights are still having MAJOR issues with the ballasts. I replaced 7 in one years time, between 4 different fixtures. I junked them all out, and went with Catalina Aquarium lights. MUCH BETTER!!
 

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Discussion Starter · #24 ·
Well I've narrowed it down a bit. Coralife t5no. Deep blue t5no. The deep blue has the moon lights but I'm not sure if that's a deciding factor or not. Any opinions on these 2. Never owned either brand before.
I still like the current sat+ but if u guys say don't, then I'll get it out of my head. (And save some money)
 

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Discussion Starter · #25 ·
I'm sure everyone is on pins and needles waiting for an update so here it is; went with the 36" finnex planted +. After hours of reading and going back and forth, bla bla.
I hope it does well. Just got it so I can only comment on visual for now which is awesome. My tank is actually bright. So that's a plus.
Thanks for everyone's input.
 
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