lights for a 72 X24 X40

[ketch22]

came up on a larg tank and would like to make it a reef tank before the wife sees how much i spent to get it running

ok it measures 72 X 24 X 40 tall yeah its deep and i want to keep softys
some say : i need 8 w per gal
depends on what type of coarl
depends how deep the tank is
depends where you place the coarl

lights are not cheep and i just want to buy the rite ones the first time
can anyone help Thanks

Hobby Experience: 3 yrs 300 gal
Current Tanks: 300 gal

 

[Jflip2002]

On a tank that deep, if you only want softies you can probably do 250w halides. WPG isnt as important as a bulb/ballast combo's PAR. 400w halides would be optimal if you eventuall want to keep SPS and/or clams though. So any fixture with (3) 250 or 400w halides will be fine IMO.

 

[ketch22]

Thanks for the info
i think ill go with the 400w so i can have upgrades for my tank without replacing the lights

 

[cxr133]

please share some pics of large tanks lighting so my friend ketch22 can get some ideas...

now that he believes me that he needs 3 400 watt fixtures

Thanks