SCA 150g and LED lights

[Navyreefguy]

Hello everyone,

This is my first post here so trust me, any help is greatly appreciated. Ill probably post 999 questions then on question 1000 ill start to answer everyone elses questions.

I wish to pick up a SCA 150 gallon 60x24x24. So my question is the lighting setup that I will need. This seems to be what is nagging at me most. I cant figure it out. So my goals are to keep a LPS tank only with fish. My aquascape that will support corals will be about 5 inches from left and 5 inches from right parts of side glass. So I guess the lights would have to cover 50in length of glass.

I would like to keep costs to at $1100 max.

Do these options work?

1 x Maxspect X R5 300W or

1 x ATI 48in 8x54W Dimmable Sunppower T5 HO fixture w controller or

3 x Kessil A360NE

If the lighting will go over around the 1000 dollar mark, I dont know. I may have to go down in tank size a bit.

All input is appreciated.

Cheers reefers from Brett S.

 

[hijinks7]

I would go 3 kessil 360we

The wide will cover about 2 feet per unit which should be ok for LPS. the NE is generally for deep water tanks to penetrate the water to get down 30+ inches.

 

[madweazl]

Three will work (I'd go with the WE model as well) for a largely LPS display but will be trickier with SPS; they will need to be placed pretty high up to have any success if you only go with three. Something like the Aquatic Life T5/Hybrid might be your best bet; your initial budget will be blown but your long term success will more than make up for it. Lighting is an investment (to success), to cut corners here.

The eight bulb T5 fixture is an outstanding alternative and will allow you to keep anything you want. I have no first hand experience with the other option you listed.