Lighting suggestions

[gbru316]

Looking for recommendations for lighting 150 long (60x24x25), a 195 - 5 wide (60x30x25) or a 240 - 5 wide (60x36x25) Can't decide between MH, T5 or MH/T5 combo.

Tank will be predominantly SPS.

For MH, I'm leaning towards 2-3 (not sure if 2 would be adequate) 250w Radiums driven by M80 ballasts. Would I need a second row of lights for the 240, since general guidance is 1 MH/2'?

For T5, I'm clueless.

Not interested in LED. I've used them in the past and I'd rather have a "plug and play" lighting system that doesn't need the fine-tuning an LED system requires.

 

[gbru316]

Here's what I'm thinking:

4x 80w T5 and 2x 250w halide for 24" deep tank
6x 80w T5 and 2x 250w halide for 30" deep tank
8x 80w T5 and 2x 250w halide for 36" deep tank

Sound reasonable?

 

[mfinn]

I'm sure the 250 watt mh's will be fine for the 24" and 30" deep tanks, but any thought about going with 400 watt mh's for the 36" tank, and a few less T5's?

 

[gbru316]

I should have said "wide," not deep. All tanks have a water depth of about 24"

 

[mfinn]

I should have said "wide," not deep. All tanks have a water depth of about 24"

ooppps, that does make a difference.

Then I guess it would also depend on what size reflectors you are going to use too.