Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Im looking to build a system similar to the one seen here:
http://kstp.com/article/stories/S3395784.shtml

The issue im running into (and cant seem to find the answer anywhere) is the optimal spacing for a t5 fixture to cover my beds. The beds ive drawn up are 18ftX2ft, how wide of a fixture (number of bulbs and dimension) is optimal for this bed? I can also resize it to better fit a fixture (make it wider).

I keep reading that fluorescents only cover the space directly below them, then other sources say otherwise. The individual in the above video seems to have a bed wider than his light fixture, and he spaces them apart a about a foot as well by the look of it.

How do i know the best way to build my beds / which fixtures to buy to make sure my plants (Primarily lettuce ) will grow well?

Look your beds are 2' wide, the reflectors should be 2' wide (I would do mylar sheets attached to the sides of the reflectors), the gap between the reflectors should be no more than 4", they should be on a raising lowering system so the reflectors are as close to the plants as they grow.
A high Kelvin or shorter wavelength tube should be used.

A brewery should not be used in this way, its purpose and design is to brew beer. Only imho.