New Build about to start - need lighting help

[sgresham]

Hey guys,

I've been out of the hobby for quite awhile, but as it always seems to happen, the reef bug bit me again. I've ordered an aquarium that I should be receiving in a little less than a month, and I've gotten just about everything nailed down except the lighting. I really need some help on this.

The tank is 96"(l)x40"(w)x36"(h), and will be steel framed with external overflows. The size is a bit strange, because this is the space my wife wants to fill, and it will be in the wall, with all of the equipment in a fish room that is being built out in the garage.

When I left the hobby, LEDs were just beginning, but most SPS tanks were still using MH or T5s. At first, I thought about using a bank of maybe 8 radios to light this aquarium, but after reading some posts about radions, it seems to me that LEDs still might not be what I should use on this tank, as I want to house SPS predominately. If I want to place acros near the bottom of the tank, I want to have the freedom to do it, and it looks like I might have a problem getting LEDs to punch that deep.

I am begging for the experience of you guys to help me out with this decision. Should I go for LEDs on this tank, or should I stick with the old method of MH with possible T5 supplementation. I was thinking maybe 4 Lumenbright pendants with 400 watt radiums, and possibly 8 48" T5s for supplementation.

What say you guys? Thanks so much, in advance, for the help.

 

[Ike]

Personally, I would probably run 4 x 400w radiums and strongly consider an additional 3 x 250w or 400w radiums depending on how the worked coverage wise. A close second choice would be 4 x 400w and then 2 x coral+ and 2 x blue+ on each side.

I've tried LED's twice, they're not quite there yet for SPS for me. If you're willing to compromise on color and appearance for energy efficiency then they pretty good.

 

[sgresham]

Personally, I would probably run 4 x 400w radiums and strongly consider an additional 3 x 250w or 400w radiums depending on how the worked coverage wise. A close second choice would be 4 x 400w and then 2 x coral+ and 2 x blue+ on each side.

I've tried LED's twice, they're not quite there yet for SPS for me. If you're willing to compromise on color and appearance for energy efficiency then they pretty good.

Thanks so much for the response and help Ike! It sounds like your experience is echoing my thoughts. I just don't think LEDs are going to give me the punch that I need at 36 inches, and I'm not even sure they are that great at coloration and growth, from what i have seen.

Everything else for the new tank is coming along well, and I should have this lighting dilemma sorted out in the next day or so. I'm stoked I was able to get this ordered last week. My dream sump...