How would you light this?

[WarDaddy]

I am dreaming of a day where I will have a basement with a fishroom and a home theater. I would love to build a 360 gallon FOWLR that would be 96x36x24. I am wondering how I would light it.

I am thinking 3 x 150 watt like these:

Sumlight fixture

there would not be optimal light on the edges, but it should still be nice, I would also mount them a little on the high side to allow more spread.

I do not need intense light, Maybe have some low light corals, shrooms, zoos, xenia hig on rock, stuff like that, but no LPS, or SPS.

I am hoping to have a couple triggers, tangs, angles, sting ray, puffer, lion, classic bigger fish tank.

I may pus the tank to 30 inches deep from 24 as well, but I am concened about reaching the bottom of a 30" deep tank.

I also want a Tunze wavebox, I think that would look real nice, and help keep the sand clean.

What you think?

 

[®eefer]

Dude you have a basement? I'll tell you that the luminarc (almost same as lumen max) are huge reflectors, they're no joke and they have an awesome spread. I just installed a pair on my 150. They're about 20" square and the way they blast light you should be able to space them at least 8 to 10" away from eachother and not loose light in the middle.

 

[WarDaddy]

Once i sell my house and move to Atlanta, I will have a basement.

 

[gcarroll]

Bryan, the reflector that you linked to will not work with a 150 watt DE bulb. If I were to choose lighting I would go with:
3 - SLS lumenmax reflectors
3 - 175 watt Icecap electronic ballasts
3 - 175 watt Iwasaki 15K bulbs

This system will probably give you the best bang for the buck. The Iwasaki 15K has the intensity of most 10K 250 watt bulbs. And the electronic ballasts run these bulbs better than any other ballasts

 

[TearDrop]

Your tank will be too deep for a 150 watt. I would just spend a little more and get 250's. Also, I think you 4 lights for a tank that is 96". Otherwise, it will look dark at the ends. If it's your dream tank then don't skimp out on some minor stuff....at least that's what I told my wife...lol/

Also, some of your fish choices probably won't work with zoos and polyps. Good luck.

 

[®eefer]

I also have the iwasaki 175w 15k Aqua2 bulbs, I can atest to those as well. Seriously they're bright, especailly with the luminarc III's. I dont think you'll need 4 x 250s for a fish only tank. My tank is 24" deep and I get good growth and color from sps even on the bottom of my tank.

 

[WarDaddy]

Thanks Greg, that is exactly what I was looking for.

Thanks everyone!