Lighting for a 75 Gallon

[forced4]

First off, I've searched... And I've read myself to sleep for days...and I still can't decide what I should do. A lot of the things I ready are GREAT information..but I don't understand a lot of it.

The tank is 4ft by 18inches deep. It has a canopy I would like to keep. I feel that MH is out because of heat issues in the canopy. This is open for discussion...

LED's are out. No time or patience for a DIY and the bought solutions seem too expensive. Prove me wrong?

So T5's? But what should I get that will light this tank enough? I hope to start off FOWLR but hope to try some of the easier corals in the long run so I need a little room to grow. I will likely never get coral crazy (that's probably what they all say, right?) but I want to have plenty of light.

I have a Current USA PC light that was on a fish only 55 gallon...but that fixture is only 2x65w. That isn't going to take me places on this setup...

Can anyone take me under their wing so I can sort this out? Thanks! I don't want to spend a ton...and wouldn't mind buying used. So if you have a solution you are trying to sell feel free to PM me about it!

[allsps40]

Im running 2 250w MH on my 75g.

[forced4]

I'm just concerned about the heat from that crammed in a canopy... I won't have quite the distance from light to water surface that you have either.

[sdmarriott1]

Lighting seems to be one of those things that you can do in various ways. What type of livestock/corals do you plan to keep. I have soft corals and run two 175 watt MHs accompanied by a two-bulb T5 fixture. I also run LED moonlights. All of this is enclosed in a canopy with a small fan sucking cool air in. The tank does get up to ~ 80 degrees, so I am considering adding a chiller.

[MidMichiganReef]

I ran the 6 bulb tek fixture over my 75. It was great. As far as heat I would put two output fans on the top of my canopy to blow the hot air out

[forced4]

I am not 100 percent sure what I will have as far as livestock but I know I can't get to the point where a chiller is nescessary so I'm concerned about mh lighting. I think I will try to start with zoas but I'm not sure where I will end up.

I will keep an eye out for a used six bulb tek... But I can't quite swing a new one right now... Was hoping for a cheaper get solution to get going and then maybe upgrade in a couple years.

[Saltwatercoral2]

how about, a LET retro from reefgeek since you got a canopy?

[reef2]

if u go with a tek retro kit u can get a 2 or 4 bulb retro kit and add more kits as u want

[sporto0]

Originally Posted by allsps40

Im running 2 250w MH on my 75g.

+1 on allsps40's recommendation. Canopies & reefs don't mix well in my opinion. If you want to be be able to accommodate all types of corals, go MH, you won't be sorry, & all you other T-5 & LED people can't argue, I said he won't be sorry, not that any other system wouldn't work (sort of) & you can't disagree with that.

[annettoe]

i would go with 4 bulbs retro t5 first.. then add more if you think your corals needs it.

[allsps40]

I have no heat issues tank runs at 78-79 with lights on no fans or chiller right now. Going to set up a fan on my RKL soon as a safety. I have an open top though.

[Rybren]

I have a 4-bulb ATI Sunpower on my mixed reef 75G. It does the trick for me.

[forced4]

I ordered the let miro 6x54 retrofit from reefgeek today with 4 blue plus , 1 purple plus, and a GE 5500k. Excited!! Can't wait to get this installed. Time to save money for all the smaller things I still need... As you all know those add up quick!