Lighting help for a 60" reef tank

[mikieaggie99]

I'd like to do some upgrades to my 60" reef tank. Right now I have PC's at about 4watts/gal, but it's really messy. I've looked at MH but I really need some guidance on which ones/how many.

The dimensions of the tank are 60 X 18 X 24. I could hang from the ceiling if I need to.

 

[125G Reefer]

3 Halides of 250w ( 14k Lamps ). IMO. That does the best if you ask me. And it does not matter which ones you get, all the parts come from the same place. JMO, I would get em from E-Bay. I got my DYI on there. 3 Halide system, 3 lamps, 3 ballasts and 3 mogul sockets for less than $200. But, there are quite a bunch to choose from. You realy can't go wrong.

 

[mikieaggie99]

How are they mounted? Do they need a canopy?

 

[pmrossetti]

2 250s with spider light reflectors would cover the 5 feet. T5s would be a good supplement. But don't know your setup. Canopy, etc

 

[gasman059]

I have a 60 incher hamilton 3x250 with t5's and LED's that would do the trick.( BTW 4 sale lol)

On the other hand on my open top I currently run 3 lumenbrights that are well above anything in the market-400 watters. hth

 

[mikieaggie99]

I don't have a canopy over the tank currently. The current fixtures (no pun intended) sit above the tank.

If you are interested in selling, send me the details, gasman. michael@dfwnetworking.com

 

[pmrossetti]

I'd look into T5 fixtures.

 

[walkthedog]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15587930#post15587930 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by pmrossetti
I'd look into T5 fixtures.

Good luck finding a 60 inch t5 fixture. 48 is the best you can do with t5.

 

[gasman059]

email sent

 

[captainandy]

So three fixtures will cover the 8 foot tank, retrofitted into a 14 inch canopy?

 

[Lowredranger]

I would go with T-5's you can get a really sleek all t-5 fixture and yes they do have 60" bulbs, they are 80w a piece since I have 10 of them over my tank right now. I would maybe do a 6 bulb ATI Sunpower fixture but there are a ton of option out there and the t-5's will use less wattage than the mh.

Here is a picture right after I set mine up with the ATI 10x80w which are 60" bulbs over my 280g 72x36x25

 

[bigsittingrock]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15587393#post15587393 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 125G Reefer
And it does not matter which ones you get, all the parts come from the same place. You realy can't go wrong.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15590851#post15590851 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by walkthedog
Good luck finding a 60 inch t5 fixture. 48 is the best you can do with t5.

Wikipedia is the best thing ever. Anyone in the world can write anything they want about any subject, so you know you are getting the best possible information: Michael Scott.