Lighting for a 220g 29" tall?

[andyman159]

I'm sure it's in the mess of info on RC somewhere, but I'd like to hear what lightning people are using on larger tanks. I just picked up a 220 Gal. 72x24x29 tank and need to figure out my lighting. Any recommendations would help. Thanks!!

[pwhitby]

I really like T5 lighting.

My tank is 30 inches dep and I run only T5s and have seen great growth as well as very nice color. The only downside is the loss of the shimmer in the water.

The upside is that they are relatively cheap, come in a vast array of spectrum and do not impart nearly as much heat to the system as MH.

Hope this helps,

Paul.

[andyman159]

I thought t5 couldn't put out enough for that deep of a tank? I'm runnin t5 on my 100 gal. 18" tall, and they work great. I was thinking I'd have to go with at least 3 250w halides.

[boz151]

I've seen both VHO T12 and T5 lighting run 30" deep tanks quite well. It is, IMHO opinion, all what you prefer in terms of look of the tank. Again, just my $.02.

[clevengergl]

Love my 12 x 80W T5 retrofit fixture on my 220....coral growth is crazy!!!