Lighting Suggestions on a FO

[blfuller123]

I am setting up a fish only tank that measures 72x28x36 high. I was planning on using 3 175 watt bulbs with the lumenarc reflectors and the reflectors about 10 inches off the water. I am considering using 2 250 watt or even 2 400 watt bulbs instead of the 3 175. Will there be alot of dark areas if I go with just the 2 bulbs?

[tsouth]

Hm I don't think it is really necessary to implement halides on a FO tank unless it is for aesthetic purposes (Shimmer) but even then, LED's incorporated into a fixture give a shimmer also. To reduce any dark area's, have you thought about using t5's or pc's instead? This will give you spectrum over the full tank instead of just a point source.

[billdogg]

if it were me, for a FO tank i would use t5's or VHO's - anything more is just using more electric, producing more heat - fish don't need the super bright light like corals do. save the money and use it on a good skimmer, etc.........

[blfuller123]

I do still want the shimmer, but with the 36 inch height, I want the light to penetrate down.