t5 retro kit question

After alot of questions asked andanswered on 3reef( thank you all) and back and forth on my part i have decided to forgo getting a new t5 fixture and just build a canopy to retrofit in t5s. im gonna go with the icecap kit as I have never heard anyone say a bad thing about it.

my question is this.

If I have a 48" tank, and build the canopy to fit right to the out side edge is a 48" kit going to kit. If the bulbs are already 48" there wont be any room for the sockets, will there. for 4ft tank shouldI be looking at getting a 3 foot kit and hanging it in the middle.

Advice from someone who has done this kind of build would be fantastic

Thanks again

 

48" bulbs are actually like 46.5" but once the endcaps are on its close to 48"

wait til you have the bulbs,endcaps,ballast in hand before you build the hood.

 

+1 Night-Rida on all statements.

You might want to consider building the canopy so the inside edge of the canopy touches the outside edge of your trim ring. Just screw stops on the inside to keep it from sliding down.

 

Very cool. I planned to order the lighting prior to building, but wanted to make sure I shouldnt be ordering somethign completely differant than I was looking at.
thanks All