Need Input for lighting on New 65 gallon

[nater]

Hi all , I am going to be upgrading from a 28 nano hqi to a 65 gallon tall 36X18X24 rr setup. I want to go with halide with t5 or florescent supplementing. Would like to venture into more chalice and other LPS . Advice for skimmers is also welcome and sump design. I just want to add up as much info before starting a tank build. Thanks for your time all . Happy reefing

 

[BHAMR6]

I use 2x250 watts metal halide on my 65g ive had it 2 plus yrs with that set up and love it. I have never had heat problems i use a 9 in 3 speed fan in the canopy it came from target 11 bucks.

I did just swap from spider reflectors to a better reflector last night so the fan wouldnt fit so i'm using a smaller one now

 

[nater]

really , 2 x250 ? thats seems a little in access to me. are you growing lps or sps? i want to go with more of an lps tank.

 

[oceanparadise1]

He might also have the four foot version of your tank, i would do 2x175 or 2x150 with 2 t5hos for blue

 

[inactive]

He might also have the four foot version of your tank, i would do 2x175 or 2x150 with 2 t5hos for blue

Agreed.

I personally would deck it out with T5s

 

[nivram]

I have the same dimensions without a center brace. I run 1 250 MH and 2 powerbrites for actinics. I have no problem keeping LPS and SPS. I keep more light demanding stuff directly under the light or higher up in the tank.

If I were to do it all over again. I would probably try all t5s or maybe 2 175s + 2 or 4 t5s.

 

[xmjxflipx]

6 bulb powermodule would be sweet if your willing to pay a premium........goo big

 

[BHAMR6]

I have the 36x24x18 i have both sps and lps. The lights are 11 in off the water never had heat issue until i put the new relectors but i have that fixed now.

You can go under our local forum on here and see pics of the tank central alabama forum.

Also to another local reefer has the same tank and he had 2x175 and didnt like them wasnt getiing enough par at the bottem. But thats just hear say i didnt see it.

Someone told me that sanjay says tanks 24in and over depth needed 250watts

Also to i just seen you are wanting to suppliment i dont i just use the halides so that might make a diff. for you

 

[BHAMR6]

Sorry for so many post but i keep thinking of things to say.

Here is a 65g just like ours http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-09/totm/index.php he is on a couple of websites but he has the same tank as us w/th 2x250 watt mh w/th actinic supplement total of 800 watts

I know you want lps but it still will give you a idea

 

[mevstheworld]

I use a 4 bulb retro on my 40g 36x16x18. Overdriven gives me around 240w and I keep everything. Total mixed reef with around 15+ SPS that have been doing great for almost a year now. Some of my LPS can't handle it and have to be under some overhangs. If did it again I would use a 6 bulb not overdriven and have a sick bulb combo to grow everything. Good luck with whatever you use.

 

[nater]

thanks for all your posts , i am actually going to go with a 90 gallon that i found for a great deal , so i am going to start a new thread on that. thanks again.