TheZachariah
Community Member
Hey guys, so I am looking for some advice as to whether a two bulb t5 ballast placed at the back of my tank (compared to two t5 ballasts ,which i dont like the look of) will provide enough diffused light to avoid the shadow effect that results from led lights. So I have a 55gal shallow tank (48x13x18). For my lights i have two chinese led boxs, 155w each, suspended directly above my tank, as well as two t5 ballasts that hold two bulbs each that are placed at the front and back of my tank, running horizontally. The led is MORE than enough light, but i keep the t5 bc i am afraid of the shadow effect if I just use the leds. With that said, it is a rimless tank and the t5 fixtures sit on top of the tank and make it ugly. The leds are suspended.
I know that t5 bulbs diffuse much better than leds, but i dont know how far the t5 spectrum manages to travel. I would love some input as to whether I could leave the one t5 ballast at the back of the tank and still have the t5s diffuse enough to avoid all of the shadowing.
It is a mixed tank. Most of the back of my tank is the sps, with the front being more euphyllia, zoas, and acans. The tank is only eighteen inches from front to back and only 12 inches deep so it doesnt seem too far for the t5 to have to penetrate?
Thanks for any opinions in advance!
