T5 fixture longer than tank??

[Devilutionz]

Greetings
I have a 110g tall tank with an unusual length, about 40in. So it's kinda tough finding a fixture with the right length for my tank. I went with a 4 bulbs t5 fixture, it's shorter than my tank but I manage to build a lid and put it on top. However, I'm adding corals to my tank and would like to upgrade the lightning system. I wanted a 8 bulbs system, but they do not come in 36", only 48".
So what I am asking is, is it okay to use a fixture with bulbs that is longer than my tank? Is it gonna look weird or affect my tank in anyway? The 48" fixture will approximately have 4" longer on each side of the tank.
Another option is I can go with MH fixture with 2x150w & 4 T5 bulbs with almost 2x the money which I don't want to spend. And I also don't want to have to spend money on a chiller if I use MH.
Thanks

 

[MechaSamurai]

Have you considered...

A. Running two fixtures.

B. Finding/building a canopy and making your own system

C. looking at the actual bulb length/placement and determining if that overhangs your tank. The actual bulb length from pin to pin is usually 45.75"

D. Would you be happy with 6 bulbs? I've see several 36" fixtures with 6 bulbs. http://www.marineandreef.com/Nova_Extreme_Pro_T5_36_inch_Current_USA_p/rcu01080.htm

 

[Devilutionz]

Thanks Adam
I'm most interested in choice D. But I don't know if 6 bulbs will be enough light for my 110g tank. Dimensions are 40"lengx29"widex35"tall. I will be having assorted corals including sps and other softies. If 6x39w is enough for my tank, I'd go with it. BTW, that was a really good deal on the link you gave me. Thanks again.

 

[coral diver]

You could consider also a 36" T5 retro in the canopy and stager the lay out or a 36" fixture that can be hanged.

 

[Devilutionz]

You could consider also a 36" T5 retro in the canopy and stager the lay out or a 36" fixture that can be hanged.

Jojo
My tank doesn't have a canopy/hood. And the tank was actually in my fiance's house so I don't want to drill any hole

 

[MechaSamurai]

Thanks Adam
I'm most interested in choice D. But I don't know if 6 bulbs will be enough light for my 110g tank. Dimensions are 40"lengx29"widex35"tall. I will be having assorted corals including sps and other softies. If 6x39w is enough for my tank, I'd go with it. BTW, that was a really good deal on the link you gave me. Thanks again.

Happy to help but I have no idea about the amount of light you will need, sorry. The link I posted was actually just one of the first things that came up when I did a Google search to see how long the bulbs are, I have no personal buying experience from that site. Good luck.

 

[nahtanoj]

i would do a 48" 8 bulb t5 personally. the overhang will be minimum. as mentioned before, you could also do 2 fixtures with 4 bulbs each sitting side by side.

 

[hogall]

Don't know what your budget is. But ATI powermodule have 6, 8, 10 - t5s light bulbs for 36" HTH

Dennis