Lighting a 150 gallon 2x2x5

eros · 03/06/2009, 07:55 PM

I'm in the early stages of planning my 150 gallon tank upgrade. I'm trying to figure out how to light the tank. I plan to keep mostly SPS and LPS corals. Right now I have an Icecap 660 with 4 48" T5's and 2 175watt Metal Halides. All my lighting is retrofit and could be mounted in the top of my future canopy. What would the the ideal way to light the tank? dual 250's? I was thinking I could use the 175's and T5's together. I am trying to setup an aquarium that will not need a chiller but I'm not sure if that will even be possible. Any advice?

eros · 03/06/2009, 08:03 PM

Ok after doing some research I realized they make 60 inch T5's, I didn't know that. So would I could use my Icecap to drive 3 60" T5's. I have another Icecap that needs repair so I could send that in and get another 3 T5's so I'd be running 6 T5's at a total of 600 watts. Would that be better than running dual 250 halides? I will be keeping SPS. From what I've read each halide is good for 2'x2', I would have an additional foot that needs to be lit. Could I get away with just 2 250's, I guess I could keep the bulbs closer together and let the sides of the tank get a little less light and keep my LPS in that area? Sorry if I sound like a Noob, I just want to start accumulating my equipment now so I will have most of the equipment by the time I am ready to set the tank up.

crvz · 03/07/2009, 09:11 AM

I just run a pair of icecap 660s firing eight 48" bulbs over my 150 (also a 5x2x2). I have them centered over the tank, and then 6" on each side is just a bit less potent with light. You could use your current hardware, though the 175s probably won't penetrate as well as 250s.

SNAKEMANVET · 03/07/2009, 09:18 AM

I am with crvz,you could run 8 or 10 t5s.That should be plenty of light.

crvz · 03/07/2009, 09:48 AM

10 bulbs with individual reflectors won't fit over the tank, but 8 should be fine.

KMP · 03/07/2009, 09:58 AM

my buddy has a 150 same dimensions. runs a 48" tek t5 fixture with 8 bulbs. it's a garden reef but with lots of sps - tank is incredible.

03/06/2009, 07:55 PM	#1
eros Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Reno, Nevada Posts: 878	Lighting a 150 gallon 2x2x5 I'm in the early stages of planning my 150 gallon tank upgrade. I'm trying to figure out how to light the tank. I plan to keep mostly SPS and LPS corals. Right now I have an Icecap 660 with 4 48" T5's and 2 175watt Metal Halides. All my lighting is retrofit and could be mounted in the top of my future canopy. What would the the ideal way to light the tank? dual 250's? I was thinking I could use the 175's and T5's together. I am trying to setup an aquarium that will not need a chiller but I'm not sure if that will even be possible. Any advice?

03/07/2009, 09:11 AM	#3
crvz Team RC Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: houstonia Posts: 7,989	I just run a pair of icecap 660s firing eight 48" bulbs over my 150 (also a 5x2x2). I have them centered over the tank, and then 6" on each side is just a bit less potent with light. You could use your current hardware, though the 175s probably won't penetrate as well as 250s. __________________ -Chris- You don't win friends with salad. "Look! They're trying to learn for free!" ... "Use your phony guns as clubs!" Current Tank Info: rectangluar? wet?

03/07/2009, 09:48 AM	#5
crvz Team RC Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: houstonia Posts: 7,989	10 bulbs with individual reflectors won't fit over the tank, but 8 should be fine. __________________ -Chris- You don't win friends with salad. "Look! They're trying to learn for free!" ... "Use your phony guns as clubs!" Current Tank Info: rectangluar? wet?

03/07/2009, 09:58 AM	#6
KMP Wag More; Bark Less Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: NorCal Posts: 3,602	my buddy has a 150 same dimensions. runs a 48" tek t5 fixture with 8 bulbs. it's a garden reef but with lots of sps - tank is incredible. __________________ Kenny Current Tank Info: 70g Shallow Reef [Home]; 15g Starfire Cube [Office]

03/06/2009, 08:03 PM	#2
eros Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Reno, Nevada Posts: 878	Ok after doing some research I realized they make 60 inch T5's, I didn't know that. So would I could use my Icecap to drive 3 60" T5's. I have another Icecap that needs repair so I could send that in and get another 3 T5's so I'd be running 6 T5's at a total of 600 watts. Would that be better than running dual 250 halides? I will be keeping SPS. From what I've read each halide is good for 2'x2', I would have an additional foot that needs to be lit. Could I get away with just 2 250's, I guess I could keep the bulbs closer together and let the sides of the tank get a little less light and keep my LPS in that area? Sorry if I sound like a Noob, I just want to start accumulating my equipment now so I will have most of the equipment by the time I am ready to set the tank up.

03/07/2009, 09:18 AM	#4
SNAKEMANVET PREMIUM MEMBER Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: TRENTON Tn Posts: 4,486	I am with crvz,you could run 8 or 10 t5s.That should be plenty of light.