6 or 8 lamp fixture?

[tjp123]

(I brought this topic over from the general equipment forum...)

Looking at the Sunlight Supply T5HOs brings some questions to mind. The 8-lamp fixture is 47 x 20 x 2.5. Will that be too large for my 90 gallon tank (48 x 18 x 25)? Will the extra 2-inches matter?

Or should I stick with the 6-lamp fixture which is 47 x 16 x 2.5, and will it be enough light to keep soft corals, sps, and lps thriving and happy?

[crvz]

I probably answered this elsewhere, but 6 lamps should be good. the 2" don't really matter if you don't mind the fixture hanging over the edges of the tank, but I'd likely just stick to the 6 bulb unit.

[Wiskey]

If you wanted to keep high light SPS at the bottom of the tank I'd say it might be worth it for the 8 bulb fixutre, but since your wanting to keep a mixed tank, I think the 6 bulb will be more than enough light

Whiskey

[Loverotties]

I agree with Whiskey and the extra inches is the area of the holders anyway.

[hng]

I'd go for the six bulb fixture as well.

[tjp123]

Thanks for the advice! I think I will go for the 6-lamp fixture and save myself a few bucks.

[tjp123]

Afting doing a little digging, I found this fixture, which includes the 6 bulbs (though apparently they pick them for you) as well as docking legs. $320 sounds like a great price, but I'm wondering about the quality.

What do you guys think?

[crvz]

It doesnt indicate anything about individual reflectors, so I'd figure that out before I bought it.