36 inch fixture on a 4 foot tank?

[E.intheC]

Is it a bad idea to put a 36 inch 6x T5 Tek Light on a 4 ft long 72 bow?

There are a few great deals on the 36inch fixtures but not too many 48 inch ones out there right now.

I know there will be about 6 inches of space on either side of the tank, but it should spread out a bit I would imagine.

Your thoughts?

 

[pecan2phat]

How will you place the light, canopy or cable suspension? If you hang the light, it will look funny due to the 3 ft length above a 4 ft tank. You'll have shaded ends which might and might not bother you. Also, the 6 bulb Tek fixture is too deep for a 72 bow tank.
How good is the deal for the 3 ft Tek that you would consider over a 4 footer?

 

[pecan2phat]

This is a 6ft light on a 8 ft tank but you get the idea:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1708083

 

[E.intheC]

How will you place the light, canopy or cable suspension? If you hang the light, it will look funny due to the 3 ft length above a 4 ft tank. You'll have shaded ends which might and might not bother you. Also, the 6 bulb Tek fixture is too deep for a 72 bow tank.
How good is the deal for the 3 ft Tek that you would consider over a 4 footer?

It's a good deal ($260 with ATI and Geisemann bulbs) but it's more about the lack of options for used 4ft fixtures at affordable prices.

I didn't think about the 6 bulb Tek being too deep for the bow. You mean front to back depth, not top to bottom depth though, right?

thanks for the help

 

[pecan2phat]

Yes front to back. The Tek 6-bulb fixture measures 16" front to back. Go with a TX5, it is only 9.75" front to back and has a cooling fan which the Tek's do not incorporate into their fixtures.

 

[4Fish]

I buy most of my equipment from Dr. Fosters Smith, they are having a sale on 35 inch compact floresent lighting, by coral life.

 

[dubs]

i think u should just get a little more money and get the right fixture that u need if not a few months down u proly have buy the right one ne way so u be spending twice ... just my op

 

[E.intheC]

i think u should just get a little more money and get the right fixture that u need if not a few months down u proly have buy the right one ne way so u be spending twice ... just my op

Yes, that's really a good point. Thank you. Now I just have to decide which fixture to go with