What lighting for a 180g Reef Tank?

[SteveJakubiec]

That would let me support any corals. Could you please post some links to some websites that offer the fixtures. Also, how many fixtures would I need? Would It be possible to get it in all one fixture? I was thinking Metal Halide w/T-5 Supplementation, but not sure if that is good, what type of fixture/lights, their kelvin rating, etc.



Thanks,
Steve

 

[kenbow19]

Steve, you should do your own research and you will be a better reefer for it. If you have a hood a retro kit would be more affordable than a single or double fixture. Debbie @ DIYREEF.com is very helpful and great to deal with. Here is a helpful lighting site to help you narrow your search a bit.
http://www.reeflightinginfo.arvixe.com/#

 

[jthao]

well, for a 55g tank, you'll need 48" lighting fixture. there's many many different types out there. any t-5 or mh fixture will let you grow anything you want. it's price that will narrow you down to exactly what you want. if price is not a factor, then I'd go with an elos or something like that.

 

[SteveJakubiec]

I have a nice T-5 Fixture on my 55, but I was wondering for the 180g I"m planning on.

 

[BurntOutReefer]

IMO...400w MH pendants....

 

[HaywoodJafragit]

I'm planning to upgrade to a 180 by Christmas and I'm thinking 3 x 250w 15000K halides, T-5 actinics optional.

I have 2 x 250 15000K XM bulbs on my 100 gallon tank (48x24x20) and couldn't find any significant difference with or without my 2 x T-5 54w actinics, so I'm currently runing a 7 hour halide photoperiod only.

 

[JamesJR]

It really depends on what you have in mind that you want to keep. If you want LPS/softies you could probably get away with less.
I personally would use at least 3X250 watt mh and maybe use supplemental t-5. But the intensity of MH really depends on the bulbs you use. I used a ushio 10,000K 250 watt fixture and it was one of the brightest bulbs I ever used and I switched to a 14,000 k bulb and it was a huge difference.

If you want to go nuts with sps you may go with 400's.