My tank is 62 (length), 18 (wide) and 26 (deep) and 120 gallons. I currently have a few fish and live rock. i want to get a lighting system to support inverts and coral. I do not want to have to use a chiller and would like a lighting system that has fans built in. I would also pefer to mount it to my tank if possible (as opposed to hanging it). I ahve read alot but it is still confusing. I am reading thta the best would be a combination of compact floresent and metal halide. could someone advise on exactly what type/style light i would need to accomplish my ideal tank. I do not want to purchase lghting online without knowing the right info
reef lighting help
- Thread starter ll62883
- Start date
derick2724
In Memoriam
if your tank is 26 Height then I recommend you go with 2x250w metal halide but you have to go with chiller in the summer if not use chiller just try to make your sump long so more air cool intake underneath your tank, if your tank was 24 height like everybody else tank then you can just run 4xt5's and never worry about chiller at all. good luck
atrain5851
In Memoriam
or you could get a pfo solaris depending on how much you want to spend... no chiller needed...comes with mounts and hanging hardware.. led lighting system no heat has the same light intensity as metal halides... it is a pretty sweet system!!!
freedominco
New member
Very nice lights......but at over 2 grand they better be. What do you want to have in the tank? If you are just doing soft corals you could get away with compact fluorescent but I would look in to getting a quality set of t-5 lights since you want to stay away from the MH's
Metal halide with actinic supplementation via vho actinic is going to give you the most satisfying results in terms of color and growth ,in my opinion. Check out hamilton technologies. The hamilton fixtures can be hung above the tank or placed right on top. They are tall enopugh so the light bulb sits 4 to 5 inches above the tank top. They have powerfull fans. They do generatae heat. I use them and don't have a chiller but I live in Buffalo and my home is on central air in the summer. I also run an extra fan across the open water in the sump in the summer time.
