Lights setup for 43'' deep tank.

[ribak]

Hopefully I will get some help with my first aquarium setup. I was reading a lot about the lights over the net, but not many topics include deep tanks.

the tank dimensions are quite specific:
length = 67''
width= 20''
height= 43''

As I learnt the PAR is very important for coral grow. It will be mixed reef tank. There is huge marketing for Kessil or Radion g5 lights which are quite expensive. Especially because for such a big tank you need couple of them. In addition, if I am not wrong, Kessil lights are not good for deep tanks.

Then we have Hybrid lights. What is advantage of T5 for deep tanks? Shall I go into that direction?

 

[Anchor]

First off ---- WELCOME TO REEF2REEF!

Kessil does make a narrow beam light too, the 360 NE.

That is deeper than I would consider for a reef.. Kessil also makes a focusing lens as well.. BRS recently did a vid on these. Not something you would usually see on a reef tank.. Something about being able to mount lights as high as 3 to 4 feet off the tank without room spill so might work for you.

I dont think most reef lights will fill the bill for you without some way to concentrate the light beam.

Full 8 or more banks of t5 might do the trick too., I have never seen a tank that deep without some heavy duty lighting.. Metal halides and the like.

Due to the tank depth, you could raise your base rocks up high enough to get within 30 inches from the top. that could help get much of what you want to keep into a more manageable light.

Then there is mounting your lights really close to the water level..

I think you are looking at banks of lights to get enough par for some corals.. though if you stick to softies and LPS you might do fine.

You could then do NPS type corals near the bottom.., But they will need some way to feed them..


You could go Fish only as well

I am sure someone has an answer for you.. It does sound like cost may be a factor for you?

@ReefSquad Let's see if I can get you some help.