Lighting options for 72" long tank (150 gal)

CookieJar · 04/25/2006, 02:30 PM

I'm researching which types of lights to buy for a 72" x 18" wide x 28" deep tank. Since T5s aren't made that long are my options:
1. Metal Hallide only
2. Metal Hallide with VHO or PC combo
3. Two 36" T5 light fixtures
Anything else?

I'm ready to buy a tank and want to nail down which lighting systems work for the 150 gal tank and which system is best for what I want to do (mostly softies & SPS, maybe LPS & clams) and hopefully not requiring a chiller.
Any thoughts/ links would be appreciated.

20 20 · 04/25/2006, 02:36 PM

60" T5 retrofit kit: http://www.reefgeek.com/products/cat...ng/104439.html

Just stagger the lights. That link is to a 6 bulb retrofit, you could also get a 2 bulb, a 4 bulb, or an 8 bulb kit.

trenity · 04/25/2006, 02:38 PM

Although I just posted that I am confused on what lighting I will be using I will give it a crack.

I would go MH/VHO. I am not sure but I believe you would have to have something like 4 sets of 36" T5's (8 total bulbs - 4 rows of lights)
I think that would be more expensive than the MH/VHO.
If I had the room under my canopy I would go MH. Take all that with a grain of salt though... this comes from someone who is confused to you know what about lighting right now.

EDIT: I take that back, Icecap retro 8 - 36" kit is only $700
LOOK HERE
I priced a MH/VHO setup at $820 2 x 250w MH and 2 x 110w 48" vho.

04/25/2006, 02:30 PM	#1
CookieJar Premium Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Mountain View, CA Posts: 545	Lighting options for 72" long tank (150 gal) I'm researching which types of lights to buy for a 72" x 18" wide x 28" deep tank. Since T5s aren't made that long are my options: 1. Metal Hallide only 2. Metal Hallide with VHO or PC combo 3. Two 36" T5 light fixtures Anything else? I'm ready to buy a tank and want to nail down which lighting systems work for the 150 gal tank and which system is best for what I want to do (mostly softies & SPS, maybe LPS & clams) and hopefully not requiring a chiller. Any thoughts/ links would be appreciated.

04/25/2006, 02:36 PM	#2
20 20 Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Stewartstown, PA Posts: 1,246	60" T5 retrofit kit: http://www.reefgeek.com/products/cat...ng/104439.html Just stagger the lights. That link is to a 6 bulb retrofit, you could also get a 2 bulb, a 4 bulb, or an 8 bulb kit.

04/25/2006, 02:38 PM	#3
trenity Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Indiana Posts: 16	Although I just posted that I am confused on what lighting I will be using I will give it a crack. I would go MH/VHO. I am not sure but I believe you would have to have something like 4 sets of 36" T5's (8 total bulbs - 4 rows of lights) I think that would be more expensive than the MH/VHO. If I had the room under my canopy I would go MH. Take all that with a grain of salt though... this comes from someone who is confused to you know what about lighting right now. EDIT: I take that back, Icecap retro 8 - 36" kit is only $700 LOOK HERE I priced a MH/VHO setup at $820 2 x 250w MH and 2 x 110w 48" vho.