What lighting should i get for a 36x18x16 tank?

[Nirvana]

What lighting would you guys recommend i get for my 40 gallon tank? The dimensions are 36x18x16. I was think about going with retrofit kid with 1 MH 150w and 2 t5 bulbs, but would this be to powerful? I want to have the option of adding in SPS in the future and i know they need stong lights.

[sostoudt]

that would be fine for a 40 just watch your temperature in the summer. i have a 150 over a 15 gallon nano(with a foot of clearance though).

[Nirvana]

yeah the summers are what scare me the most about the MH, and also since the MH will be in a closed canopy it will only have about 7 to 8 inch clearance.

[BrianH]

Do you have a center brace? That would be another consideration>

[Nirvana]

No i do not have a center brace, but i do have that calfo overflow that bean built. I installed one of those into the back of my tank. So that tanks up a big part of my tank on the back side.

[BrianH]

I would go with 2 X 150 DE MH. This is because with only 7" of clearance, I don't think you will get good light coverage through the 36" width. I suggest the DE because the reflectors usually come with the glass shield which will also be a requirement due to the close proximity to the water surface. You could go with 1 150 but that will limit your coral placement in the center of the tank.

[Nirvana]

This is a newbie questions but what does DE mean? Double ended is my guess. Also Brian what part of Northern Jersey do you live in. I just moved from Franklin Lakes to Orange County new york. I was wondering if you know any good fish places in north jersey.

[macreefster]

my tank is 36x24x20.... so it's a simular sized tank and i use two 250w HQI's with 4 geismann true actinic t-5 HO's. i have a lot of sps corals and clams, so you wouldnt need that much light if you're doing mostly softies, but i would think two 150watters would work well for you.

yes... DE means double ended.

[bdare]

I have a single 250W halide and 2x39w T5s on my tank. I LOVE it.

[Mark426]

Why not go with all T-5's ? IMHO...MH is so old school. Just too many negatives for medium to smaller sized tanks. I would guess that in a few years the MH will be almost gone, except for a few specialized or very deep tanks.

By the way, I am a long time MH user...but only for two more weeks, my new T-5 tank is almost ready. I have seen the light...so too speak.

[Nirvana]

I wold love to go with all t-5's because it it would produce less heat and the tank is currently in my bedroom, so i dont want to be sweating every time I step into my room. Could All t-5 handle softies and if so what t-5's would i have to get?

[Mark426]

T-5's with individual reflectors can handle ANY type of coral. If your going to put it in a hood look at these:
http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5_...Retrofit_Kits/

or

For a fixture: (TEK is very nice, ATI is the ultimate)
http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5_Fluorescent/

Also...read through the lighting sub-forum about T-5 lights. Lots of info.

And last... here just one example of an all T-5 tank. Think softies will grow under T-5's ? (grin)

[Nirvana]

wow! beautiful tank. love the look of it.

[Spikehs]

I had a36x18x18 tank and used the 6bulb tek fixture... seemed to work well for me, although I didn't have any sps in there at the time.

[Nirvana]

How many t-5s would i need for my tank. I am building a canopy so they will be housed in a canopy. Also what kind of bulbs should i get and how should the order be set up in the hood from front to back?

[Nirvana]

Grim Reaper said i need tek 4's. What are these and where can i get them. Also what does the tek stand for?

[BrianH]

Originally posted by Mark426
Why not go with all T-5's ? IMHO...MH is so old school. Just too many negatives for medium to smaller sized tanks. I would guess that in a few years the MH will be almost gone, except for a few specialized or very deep tanks.

By the way, I am a long time MH user...but only for two more weeks, my new T-5 tank is almost ready. I have seen the light...so too speak.

What are the "too many negatives" for medium to smaller tanks?

[BrianH]

Originally posted by Nirvana
This is a newbie questions but what does DE mean? Double ended is my guess. Also Brian what part of Northern Jersey do you live in. I just moved from Franklin Lakes to Orange County new york. I was wondering if you know any good fish places in north jersey.

I'm in Oakland.

My two favorite shops in North Jersey are:
FISH Town USA in Ramsey
http://www.fishtownusa.net/home.nxg

Absolutely Fish
http://www.absolutelyfish.com/

[Nirvana]

yea fish town usa is my usualy pet shop i go to

[bane]

Originally posted by Nirvana
Grim Reaper said i need tek 4's. What are these and where can i get them. Also what does the tek stand for?

Tec is a light fixture 4 would be the number of bulbs, Reef geek is a good site that is where i will be geting my t5 retro's