Help W/ 180gal Bowfront Lighting

[NUBIANTANGLOVER]

Okay Guys,

I simply Love my 180 Oceanic Bowfront. It is 72" long and of course, has much depth. It has not been up in running for about a year, as I broke it down to remodel and I am ready to restablish it.
Now, I am in the process of getting a custom oak stand and canopy for it---as I am very tired of the black plastic cap for a hood, which has limited my abilty to have Metal Halides. My lighting was very nice with 4 six foot VHOs (160 watts each).

I would like a lighting system that includes Metal Halides, Lunar Lighting for night and of course Actinic lighting. Could you all Please help me select a nice set-up. I have looked at some All-in-one systems with all of these. But, I'm not sure how they are installed. Do I simply hang the system in my canopy, install it over my canopy or go with something totally different. My canopy will be constructed of wood, of course and at least 12" tall. Thanks Guys in advance.

 

[mflamb]

Does it have a center brace?
What livestock do you have in there?
What do you plan for the future?

 

[NUBIANTANGLOVER]

I don't have any livestock currently. It is empty again---from my remodeling of my home. The custom stand will have a brace. I plan to do a full reef with LPS and SPS. I have a 45 gallon sump that worked excellent!

 

[NUBIANTANGLOVER]

Any Advice Guys?

 

[mflamb]

I meant does the aquarium have a center brace or is the whole top open? The reason I was asking about your stocking plans is to determine whether I would suggest MHs or not.

If you have plans for SPS/Clams, I would use MH's, two if the tank has a center brace, three if it does not.
You could supplement with VHO actinic or T-5 actinic for color.

 

[NUBIANTANGLOVER]

Okay. My take has 2 center braces. It is 72" in lenght and the previous lighting set-up included 6 foot VHO strips. I do plan on implementing SPS/Clams. It was suggested a while back that I could do 3 MHs units. I'm sure I can get the best advice here! You all made my 1st system so successful. My tank is a Oceanic Bowfront. It is All Glass.