Question about a lighting for a prop tank.

[littleguy]

I am building a propagation setup like this one on garf and was wanting to know what you guys recommend for lighting. I saw this setup w/ VHOs but felt like it would melt my Yumas and Zoanthids. My top two tanks are only 5 inches deep and my bottom tank is 10 inches deep. I planned to propagate Yumas in the top Zoanthids in the middle and Xenia in the bottom. I really want to keep the setup versatile and need to know do yall recommend VHOs, t5s, or standard NO fluorescents (or any other lights or configurations). And how many bulbs and the ratio of actinics to 10k etc. Any advice?

Here are the links I was looking at:
http://www.garf.org/news30p2.html#unit
http://www.garf.org/news25p1.html

As a side note would you recommend one of the 5 inch aquariums used for grow out while using the other to add color.

 

[jake levi]

I would make each unit independent, standard flos or VHOs at the most, Xenia will do very well under 40 W Flos if near the top of the water, use the lower levels for zoos and mushrooms,

a 4' tank is good, easy to work with, I think people get too into making recirculating systems, overkill. A 75 gal tank is a stable tank ifnot overloaded. I have done xenia throughout a 75 with one double lamp shoplite plus another single lamp strip, ample light throughout the tank for all the xenia. Making these just two tier makes them easier to work in, if you want a large prop vat go visit Tropicorium and see how a proven design works.