Lights and pump suggestions???

[Dalmerjd]

Hi Folks,

I have a 220 72 x 24 x 30 deep.
I am using a 180 for a sump in the basement.
There is 12 feet of verticle lift and 40 feet of horizontal run.
What kind/size of pump should I use?
Lighting...huge topic...
I do not want to limit myself, I may want to do all types of corals, not sure yet. I don't want to buy lights now then later buy again cause my interests changed.
What should I buy? I want an all in one hood, that I do know.

All help and suggestions are appreciated.

[Boyman]

Hmm, perhaps you can learn from my mistakes. I thought I was going to do LPS/Softies so I ended up purchasing a t-5 fixture. I am about to switch over to Halides. (Wasted $!) I would go ahead and get halides if I were you. Since you have a hood, you can do set up retros

[Dalmerjd]

Thanks Boyman.
I don't have any lights yet or a canopy.
I have an empty tank...
I don't want a full size canopy...they are too big.
I like the sleek and tidy look of the all in one types, just not sure what or how big or what color I should fill it with.

[grigsy]

If you dont want to limit yourself as you state, I would definitely go metal halide if I were you.

If you are looking for an all in one hood - my suggestion - 3 x 250 watt & 2-165 VHO or 3 x 400 watt & 2-165W VHO. IMO, MH + VHO is the BEST lighting combination out there.

[Dalmerjd]

Thanks fro your help. I ended up buying a hood with 3 x 400 halides and 320 watts of T5's and moon leds. I think 250's would have been enough. I find the tank too much in your face bright. I actually managed to burn a Kenya tree! Since I moved it to a second 180 tankwith 250 halides it has been doing better.
Thanks again. Any suggestions for a skimmer on a 580 gallon system?