Help me pick the lighting for my new build!

[Cherokee_Dude]

What would you put over a 48l x30h x18w tank? ~110g tank.

Both Halides would be individual reflectors {x2} for coverage.

 

[Cherokee_Dude]

I plan on going with Clams, SPS, and LPS. Zoas/Palys with be scattered here and there also but not a big feature of the tank.

 

[stingythingy45]

Definitely go for the 2 -250 watt,T5 set up.

 

[jayman10134]

54 watt t5 or 65 watt pc?

 

[SteveDola]

definitely go with T5 over Pc actinics

 

[SteveDola]

btw 175 for a 30" deep tank would be a bad idea for sps-just not enough light IMO. Infact, if Id heavily consider 400w MH for a 30" depth B/C youll need to run a pair of Par monster bulbs for anything on the sandbed if you go with 250s.

 

[jayman10134]

definitely go with T5 over Pc actinics

my question was is there such thing as a 4 foot t5 65 watt bulb?

 

[JayM]

t5 bulbs are 54 watts

overdriving blue/actinic bulbs doesn't buy you anything but a higher electric bill and bulbs that are burnt out sooner.

you will get much more PAR onto your tank with individual reflectors and T5 bulbs than anything made with PC bulbs.

 

[SteveDola]

jayman, no, there is no such thing to my knowledge.

 

[Cherokee_Dude]

Sorry guys, had the wattage wrong. Here is the actual fixture;
2x250w HQI
2x54w 460nm Actinic T5HO
2x54w 420nm Actinic T5HO

http://www.petblvd.com/cgi-bin/pb/CUS01077.html?mv_pc=froogle

Which DE bulbs are the best? I like the color of my Iwasaki 15K's with VHO actinics now.

 

[nicks387]

Thats a nice fixture Antwon, but if it was me I would go with 2 Lumenark Reflectors and a dual 250w sunlight supply bluewave 7 ballast with Radiums......$500 (New)....... Done.

My tank is 27" deep and I have no problem keeping all my lps and zoos and clams and chalices on the sand, I even have some sps that low with this same set up exept 3 reflectors for 6 feet, my tank is twice as deep front to back as yours is so you would get more light and way better light spread.

 

[nicks387]

That light you are thinking of will be just as good and if you cant hide large reflectors its gonna be a better bet but its also twice the cash....

 

[Liam]

i would go with just T5,my tank is 31 deep and i have clams on the sandbed i also have sps just off the sandbed that have no issue with color.
So anyone that says you cannot keep sps and clams in a deep tank is talking out of their you know what

 

[bonerac]

i have the nova extreeme 8 lamp fixture on my 110 gal. i like the look of the T-5's. i have no problems with any of my corals or my clam. good luck with your choice.

 

[Cherokee_Dude]

Thanks everyone! I'm going with the 250's since the tank is only 18w, my only real concern was light spread and coverage. Although the 175 Iwasaki's are PAR BEASTS and are costly anyhow, Getting the best DE bulbs are pretty much a wash $$$-wise.

I've seem some awesome tanks with T5HO's so I know they can handle Clams. I just prefer the shimmery look and to never let my wife pay the electric bill

 

[SteveDola]

how many bulbs Liam?

not sure how many bulbs you can fit 18"wide...prolly 6. is that enough at 31" depth? I think for that depth its' recommended to have 8 but Im a total believer in T5s and their amazing color+growth.

 

[Liam]

how many bulbs Liam?

not sure how many bulbs you can fit 18"wide...prolly 6. is that enough at 31" depth? I think for that depth its' recommended to have 8 but Im a total believer in T5s and their amazing color+growth.

6 would fit, i only have an eight bulb fixture in the center of my tank and it is 36 front to back.Granted i do not have corals right against the front or back of the tank but it reaches the bottom no problem under the fixture

If the shimmer is wanted then halides are the right choice,i would say 250's