lighting a 60x24x29

[Tbone675]

well we did it! we got a new oceanic 178gal. it was not the tank we planned on but it was a good price so i did it. now my question is will 250 watt halide penetrate the 29 inch depth? i was told they are only good for a 25inch depth and under. i was also told that t5s are good for up to a 30 inch depth is this true? if i went t5s only how many 60 inch 80watt should i retro fit? (mixed reef tank) i do like the shimmer of halide though would i need 400 watters?

[niteshado]

I have a 130 that is 24 inches deep. I use an 8 light T5 5 foot fixture over the tank. I get good grouth on montiporas, leathers, and some easy SPS. I have onoly a two inch sand bed for looks. You could easily keep a mixed reef witht he T% in the upper portions of the tank but I am uncertain if it will provide enough light for the 29 inch depth you are looking at. My SPS are in the top 12 inches of the tank. good luck Larry

[laud]

I have been asking the same questions. I was concerned about the lack of bulb choices for 60" t5's.

It was my understanding that MH250's will go deeper than 30".

I'll be following this.

Thanks

[carlso63]

Ive got (3) 250s on my 30" deep 225g tank:

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc244/carlso63/225TankPics5-04002-1.jpg


No supplemental lighting either... Pheonix 14Ks on both ends and a 20K in the middle.

Its a mixed Reef so I figure I'll keep most of the high light stuff (SPS, anenomes, clams) in the top 20" or so of the tank.

Although my big 6" Crocea is on the sandbed and seems to be quite happy with the amount of light it is getting there - you can see him in the bottom right hand corner of the tank...

I'd say 250s will be plenty on your 178 unless you want to cover the sandbed in acro or milli frags :lol:

[Tbone675]

any other opinions?

[Tbone675]

2x250 halide and 6x80 watt t5s. what do you think? good or not?
also where can i find the best prices?
250 halides (http://www.aquacave.com/icecap-250w-double-endedbrhqi-metal-halide-retro-kit-1204.html)
80 watt t5s (http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5_Fluorescent/IceCap/SLR_Retrofit_Kits/60_inch__3x80W_SLR_T5_Very_High-Output_Retrofit_Kit_w!_Bulbs_by_IceCap)

[Willi]

I am planning a similar tank of 60Lx24Dx30H as a mixed reef. I am planning to use 2 400w 20k Ushio in lumenarc mini's. If you go to 400w but decrease intensity you can maximize PPFD factor and color of corals. I have been told that LPS should be fine in the lower portions of a tank this deep. Plus you can always up the PPFD factor by going to 14K or 10K later. Just an idea.

[Tbone675]

i was planning on going 10k on the 250s. i guess 6 in one, half dozen in the other.