Comment by Keith the Aquatard on August 18, 2011 at 12:07pm

I guess it would depend on a lot of factors.  I had purchased a t5 fixture for my 29 gallon, before the 29 was set up.  I put it on my 20 long and it was overkill due to it having low light requirement plants in it.  On the 29 which is full of plants that like more light it is fine.  My fixture was like 90 dollars at a large local fish store.  I got it there rather than ordering online because I personally have issues with purchasing items like that I cant see in person first.  Mine only has 2 bulbs x24watts.  You may want to go with that 4 light fixture since your tank is a lot deeper.  The fixture I purchased is made by "Aquaticlife" and I have been happy with it thus far.  This is the first heavily planted tank I have done, and my first t5 fixture, so I really dont have anything to compare it to, but for me and my tank it has worked just fine.  It has legs that rest on the top of the tank, so the fixture actually sits an extra 4 or 5 inches above the top of the tank.  My tank is only 18 inches tall with about 3 inches of substrate, so basically the light rests 20 inches above the substrate surface.  Depending on how deep your tank is, you may want to go with the 4 fixture unit to get more light down to the bottom.  I hope that helps in some way, obviously I have limited knowledge on the matter, but my 2 fixture t5 is just fine for my needs. 

Comment by Christian on August 19, 2011 at 12:39pm

I ofcourse plan to scape the tank according to the ligting, the tank is due for a refit, and i fon't think the huge anubias in the background would appreciate hight lighting. :)

The tank is 25 inches tall (70cm), but the water level isn't all the way up, due to some water hyacinth floating plants. I do however plan on filling the tank all the way, if i get a non enclosing light fixture.

 

Thanks for responding! :)

Still hope to hear from others who has some experience with the odyssea brand! :)

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