So I decided to upgrade and got a question on lighting

[Dashiki]

I'm am upgrading my tank from a 30x30 (94 gal) with 2 AI sol blue lights

My new tank will be a Marineland deep dimension 300 - 72x36x27

I have the option to buy an aqua life pro 72" light with it it has 3x150 MH lights and actinic t5's

Is this light sufficient to cover the tank? Most likely not putting anything within 6" of the glass so about 30" of floorspace to cover.

 

[Raggamuffin]

it would be fine for LPS and softies, SPS would be restricted to the top 1/3 of the tank though.

 

[Dashiki]

what size metal halide would i need to do sps in the top half of the tank?

 

[Raggamuffin]

250w would do that np. Please keep in mind I am no expert just passing on my experiences. I had a 150w DE on my 28g biocube and SPS did fine in the top half but at 12 or so inches down (12" under water) I noticed a browning of the corals and slowed growth, with my 40g breeder tank my 250w DE's have no problem reaching the bottom of the tank for SPS which is 16+ inches. and I would bet the same results at 24". Past 30" underwater for SPS I would have to go 400w for SPS to the bottom.