240 Gallon Reef Tank Lighting Help

Chi Town Reefer · 04/02/2013, 08:48 PM

Ok I know there are a million posts on lighting but I just can't seem to find exactly what I am looking for. I am currently setting up a 240 gallon reef tank 96x24x25 and cannot figure out what lighting to go with. My last tank was a 125 gallon which I had T5's and I loved the colors. On this tank my choices are MH or LED's but I an completely lost. What is everyone running on this size tank. There will be a wide variety of corals in the tank from softies to lps and possible some sps (I have never had sps in the past so still reading up on them). Lighting to me is the most important part of the tank because it makes the tank look so great so I will not take the cheap route and want to do it right the first time. Please let me know what I should be using to get the very best effect and look for the tank. Thanks for the help.

Chi Town Reefer · 04/02/2013, 09:15 PM

Here is a shot in the dark but if I decide to go with 4 x 400W mogul Lumatek MH retro kits, is using all 20k bulbs still going to give me good coral growth or do I need to vary the bulbs or also add additional actinic lights?

Chi Town Reefer · 04/02/2013, 09:55 PM

Or should I go with 5 x 250W 10k bulbs with 8 x D-D Giesemann Powerchrome 48 Inch 54W Pure Actinic T5HO Fluorescent Bulbs to get me the nice blue look?

jvr1102 · 04/02/2013, 10:47 PM

I currently have a 4' tank and am starting a 8' tank like yours and I personally will be going with Reefbreeders/Evergrow LEDS. Great value, nice lights and if done properly can keep some SPS

04/02/2013, 08:48 PM	#1
Chi Town Reefer Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Wauconda, IL Posts: 151	240 Gallon Reef Tank Lighting Help Ok I know there are a million posts on lighting but I just can't seem to find exactly what I am looking for. I am currently setting up a 240 gallon reef tank 96x24x25 and cannot figure out what lighting to go with. My last tank was a 125 gallon which I had T5's and I loved the colors. On this tank my choices are MH or LED's but I an completely lost. What is everyone running on this size tank. There will be a wide variety of corals in the tank from softies to lps and possible some sps (I have never had sps in the past so still reading up on them). Lighting to me is the most important part of the tank because it makes the tank look so great so I will not take the cheap route and want to do it right the first time. Please let me know what I should be using to get the very best effect and look for the tank. Thanks for the help.

04/02/2013, 09:15 PM	#2
Chi Town Reefer Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Wauconda, IL Posts: 151	Here is a shot in the dark but if I decide to go with 4 x 400W mogul Lumatek MH retro kits, is using all 20k bulbs still going to give me good coral growth or do I need to vary the bulbs or also add additional actinic lights?

04/02/2013, 09:55 PM	#3
Chi Town Reefer Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Wauconda, IL Posts: 151	Or should I go with 5 x 250W 10k bulbs with 8 x D-D Giesemann Powerchrome 48 Inch 54W Pure Actinic T5HO Fluorescent Bulbs to get me the nice blue look?

04/02/2013, 10:47 PM	#4
jvr1102 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Chicago Posts: 521	I currently have a 4' tank and am starting a 8' tank like yours and I personally will be going with Reefbreeders/Evergrow LEDS. Great value, nice lights and if done properly can keep some SPS