48 or 60" ATI for 60" tank?

[ReefSlice]

I'm ready to order my lighting for my new sca 150 (5x2x2), and cannot decide between a 48 or 60" ATI 8 bulb sunpower. The tank will be SPS dominant so I want as much light as possible, but I do plan on having zoa's and LPS around too, so having some medium light areas wouldn't be a terrible thing. I also plan on adding reefbrites in the future. The 60" bulbs seem to be harder to find and the reefbrites would be an extra $150 each, so I'm leaning towards the 48, but will this be enough to grow SPS throughout the entire tank? (8 bulb 48" fixture 4 blue+ 4 coral +, 2 reefbrite xho actinic strips)

 

[scuzy]

I would say go full 60"

 

[Bpb]

If you’re buying it then get the 60”. May as well get end to end coverage. I am setting up the same tank and already have a 48” 8 bulb sunpower and am just using that. Either way you’ll have about the same par with each. Just possibly a hair less dropout on the ends.

Consider this. The 8 bulb fixture is 18” wide. Leaving a 3” air gap front and back and that’s not going to create any more problem than the 6” gap on the ends will. People light a 150 gallon tank with a few soda can sized lights. If you went with the 48” you’d be fine....but get the 60 if you don’t already have anything

 

[Robbiesamp1]

Here for the tag along. I’m setting up a 60x20x24 tank and have a 48in ati I might just use

 

[ReefSlice]

Anyone have a 60" fixture and have trouble finding bulbs ever? I plan on running a pretty simple bulb setup but I just want to be sure I won't be searching every year.

 

[reefndude]

I used a 60" fixture over a 72" tank for many years. Sps dominate. I didnt keep sps at the far ends so was not an issue. As far as bulbs brs and marine depot always had them in stock

 

[DesertReefT4r]

Get the 60".