[JennaH]

i'll be getting a 40R tank for x-mas and i am planning on getting the hagen T5HO fixture. i was thinking of the 36" 2x39 watt, http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3733+19759&pcatid=19759&r=2 but now im wondering if since they are T5HO this may be too much light.. would the 1x39watt be better? looking forward to input from all you geniuses thx

 

[Hoppy]

If you hang that light above the tank you can adjust the intensity to suit the plants you want to grow just by raising or lowering it. If you set it on the top of the tank you will have high light intensity and be forced to use pressurized CO2 plus lots of careful maintenance to avoid algae problems galore. But a single tube light might not cover the whole tank with enough uniformity to suit you.

 

[JennaH]

hmm.. well i would prefer a fixture that mounts on the tank, what about this one: says 1 bulb is 10k, other is th50- does that sound right? http://www.lnt.com/product/light-fi...0k-daylight-+-1x39-watt-freshwater-t5ho-.html not sure i want to hassle w/ hanging it. any suggestions??

 

[Hoppy]

Hanging a light fixture can be done very easily, except for unusual space limited installations. You just need to make "bent conduit" brackets that attach to the back of the tank stand, and hang the fixture from those. If you don't want to fool with bending conduit, you can use the pre-made conduit elbows very effectively. It is well worth that effort.

 

[JennaH]

hmm.. yea thats true. ok thanks for your help hoppy