Choose a tank size based on lighting

[salmon alley]

I'm planning my next tank which will be 48" in length and 24-30" in width.

I'm fairly certain I will go with a 2 x 150W MH + 4 x 54W T5 setup. I like the color and punch that T5s give you, but I can't do without my glitter lines..

Assuming I will be keeping primarily SPS corals in this tank, with the possibility of an anemome and/or clams, and likely either BB or a shallow crushed coral substrate... would you suggest a 20" high tank or a 24" high tank?

Would the lighting be too much in a 20"? Enough for a 24"?

Thanks all!

SA

[hahnmeister]

So something like a 120g? 4'x2'x2'?... maybe a little wider or something? I would still use 250wattDE halides. Equipment-wise (bulb, reflector, ballast) they cost the same, so 250s are the better deal. Also, for the extra 100watts, most have 2x the output! And with 4 rows of T5, you might find the 150s outshined by too large a margin and your 'glitter lines' go bye-bye.

I know a few people now local to me that have dual 250wattDEs and 4x54wattT5s on their 120s. Its an awesome combo that produces the best growing and looking corals I have ever seen. There is prolly enough light to make the tank 30" wide as well if you want. If you need more, you can just add another 2x54wattT5s... easy enough.

Oh, and PMing me was just fine RC-style

[jeffbrig]

You can easily go 30" wide with 4 T5s and a row of MHs down the center. And, if you chose 250w DE MHs, you can go as much as 30" deep, pretty much whatever you want.

[salmon alley]

Thanks for the feedback!

If I were to go with the 250W + T5s as suggested, do you think that would be too much light over a 20" high tank (as opposed to a 24")? When does one start to worry about photoinhibition?

Its an awesome combo that produces the best growing and looking corals I have ever seen

Do you happen to know the exact MH bulb and T5 combo that these individuals were using?

Thanks again!