Tagging along for this one, as I'm in the same predicament.
Have a 30" T8 fixture with an 18W bulb in it just dying to be converted to T5...
Have a 30" T8 fixture with an 18W bulb in it just dying to be converted to T5...
exactly, which is why you can do a DIY project with the 39W bulb on this 30" tank with only 2 inches of overhang on each side. you wont have much spill off because about the last inch and a half is the connecting pins and the part of the bulb that doesnt put off light. if you do it right you will have almost no spill off and if you put a bottom cover on the end 2 inches that hang off the 30" long tank then you will have no spill off.well if you didnt know, T5's only come in 24" or 36", obviously the 36" wont work so your stuck with a 24" bulb in a 30" tank. I was a little surprised by that length they gave also, but it may be correct? EDIT: actualy the 24" bulbs appear to be ~22" long from the specs on that sight, which would be about right as all bulbs are a little shorter than the mentioned spec(like 48" bulbs are not truly 48").
Right thats T5NO, not HO, which I'm not sure you will be able to find anyone selling a reflector for. So buy the Coralife fixture(cheap as building your own).I was planning to go with T5 18W which looks just about perfect at 29"
If I could just find the other parts to fit ;-)
I agree completely. I have used one of those fixtures for my 20Long as a low tech tank. I'm switching to a 29g with injected CO2 and EI ferts, and I bought a second fixture to raise the lighting. This will also give better coverage since I can spread the fixtures apart so ensure the front and back are well lit.IMO yes b/c its the best lighting coverage for a 30" tank, that coralife fixture is just fine and the only one with 30" bulbs.
If you ever want to get CO2 and higher tech then just buy another fixture to double your light and your set.