Decisions, Decisions

[GreyHawk1968]

OK
My better half is going to let me get another tank. at first it was going to be another 75, then she saw my brothers 125 and thought it was nice. So she said I could get one. Tonight she saw a ad for a 150 in the Flyer for 450 and asked if that was a good deal,,, duh,, of couse I said yes.
Now comes the hard part. I really want a tank that measures 24 inches from the front to the back. Sooooooooo .,, 180..... mebbe.
I am planning on LPS in the tank. I have 4 brains already and several Euphillya( i spell that right?). My main concern is lighting. How much is it going to take to be adequate for a tank of this size with what I plan on keeping?
I really don't want her to have a heart attack when she sees the electric bill ,, I'm kinda attached to her.
I'm thinkin roses , dinner and a movie. Ladies,,any suggestions?

 

[boydx6]

If you get a 120 you can use 4 ft bulbs. 48X24X24 I think,T-5's and maybe 2 MH if you feel the need.

 

[Gimplar]

if you are wanting a 180, with the standard dimensions of 72x24x24, T5's maybe the best solution if you're looking for a low wattage system. you could get 4 5' T5's or whatever size you want, they are the lowest with the highest output in my opinion. you have to have appropriate reflectors though and I believe john at FAOIS has 5' bulbs, i dont know the exact wattage but i know if you are going to overdrive them with a icecap 660 ballast that you can only run 2 of them. So you may need to buy two ballasts.

If you want the ultimate low energy consumption lights, you may want to invest into the solaris LED lighting system...the only problem is that they are around $2000+

hope this helps.

-Nelson

 

[GreyHawk1968]

hmmmm,, dang ,, sometimes I hate this hobby,,, lol

 

[Gimplar]

if you want to do it cheap, then i would just be patient and slowly collect used goods from people off this forum. I know hotreeferSRT4 was selling a 150 with stand and canopy. May want to message him?

edited: Oh and also, you may want to consider tearing down one tank. I've had 6 tanks up at once before and it's not fun LoL. I have a 125 reef and a 30 FOWLR/Saltwater plant tank, and it is enough maintenance as it is.

 

[GreyHawk1968]

Yeah the 29 will come down. Don't want anymore than 2 tanks going at once. Got all kinds of thoughts going throught the old gray matter now. My 75 is a thrown together last minute I want a reef kinda tank. This time I want to plan it out and get it right.

 

[Gimplar]

yeah, definitely, if this is your first large project, i would really take my time and not even start building everything for another month and a half atleast, but that's just my opinion and from my personal experience, because i am very impatient and i love to rush into things and i've learned the hard way.