I posted about my low-tech tank a while back and I'm finally getting around to the lighting.I have a new question about this project.

My tank is a 150 gal.( 72x18x28 ) and Tom told me that 4 T5HO's would provide enough light for my plans.So here is my new question(s).

Can I use standard T5 bulbs?I found a great deal on some T5 ballasts but unfortunatly they are not HO ballasts.I was thinking of 8 standard T5's that would give me a greater amount of lumens and about the same number of watts,but I am unsure if the standard bulbs will penetrate to my tank depth 28".Any information would be very helpful.

All light penetrates equally well when we are talking about typical aquarium depths. Clean, clear water doesn't attenuate light much at all over a 28" depth. So, if you have enough light for a typical 18" depth, for example, you have enough for a 28" depth too. But, high output (HO) lights are higher wattage than standard bulbs and ballasts, so if 4 HO bulbs are just enough, then 4 standard bulbs won't be. Just basic reasoning.

I re-read my post and I relised I didnt specify clearly what my intentions were.I wanted to know if I could use 8 standard T5's instead of 4 HO's.