Best lighting for RR 75g?

[MichaelJ]

Was wondering what type of lighting system to go with my 75g? I've seen so much in the forums it's abit confusing.... I am going to have some LR and some Corals (not a whole lot) but enough for a newbie to handle. Will start off with one or two fish (when the time is right). I don't want to go cheap as I don't want to have to upgrade in a month.

Appreciate the info....

 

[ReeferDude]

well there are 2 really good light choices thee are powercompacts that limit you on houseing coral and clams but fish do well under these or there are t5 that ar good for corals and fish and there also metal halide that are the best the most expensive is the metal halide since your a newbie i thnik definetly spend some cahs and geta metalhalide

 

[TomD]

lighting

I diagree with PC and would not go that route at all. If you want to keep softies, LPS, and eventually an SPS up top T5 or VHO is good.

There are alot of choices for metal halide. Retro kits save you money. 2 175's MH would also be nice and you could keep a lot of corals.

Try hellolights.com

 

[Scott G]

In my 75 I have 2 17w 10k MHs, my corals are growing fantastic.

 

[smcnally]

In my 75 I have 2 17w 10k MHs, my corals are growing fantastic.

17W??

 

[MichaelJ]

Mh

I think I will spend the cash for MH lights. Retrofitted? What does this mean?
and I assume that 2-175's are sufficient for the 75g?

Lost in SW LaLa Land....

 

[ReeferDude]

yes pcs arent the best but if thats all you cann aford at the time its a good choice

I wish i found this site before i started it would have saved me alot of money i went with power compacts becasue thats what tropical isle suggested well ive had very bad times there and theve sold me alot of faulty things in the past now i just upgraded and all my corals are doing fine.

 

[Scott G]

17W??

Whoops! 175w I mean

 

[smcnally]

I would actually recommend two 250's. I had two 175's in my 75 and I had a real hard time with SPS.

 

[Moe_K]

I would actually recommend two 250's.

Agreed. Is there much price difference between 175 and 250?

 

[TomD]

Yes but T5 is not much more but anyway...

You can get a couple of pendants/ballasts/bulbs and hang them or build them in a high canopy with fans.

Make sure you check out the equip. forum on here because good deals are always up if you are patient.

 

[smcnally]

yes pcs arent the best but if thats all you cann aford at the time its a good choice

PCs are actually more expensive (and less efficient) than T-5. They need to be replaced more often too. I've run PC, VHO, and T-5 and I feel T-5 is the best value and best output overall.

 

[smcnally]

Agreed. Is there much price difference between 175 and 250?

Nope...just the electric bill.

 

[MichaelJ]

Lights

2-250's.... Having a hard time is what I would like to avoid once this is set up. Do these have to be hung from the ceiling?

******* ******

 

[Scott G]

Sometimes, I have my MH hood sitting on 2 pieces of wood on my tank.

 

[TomD]

250's would be good but I would hang them I think 6-8" (not positive) so heat would not be an issue.

 

[MichaelJ]

Hanging

Just wanted to be sure.... I don't want the wife to hang me for putting holes in the ceiling.

 

[TomD]

You could build a stand with wood that comes over the tank and hang it.

 

[Scott G]

Here is my 75

 

[MichaelJ]

Is there a place to go that has stand plans? I wouldn't want to build one that wasn't set up for the weight of a 75g. If not the slap a bunch of 4X4's together and call it a day?