Hello all question on Lighting.

[akunochi]

Hi there,

I've really enjoyed this forum so far and you guys are great. Especially the deals on here. I do have a new question though.

I am setting up my Fiancee's reef tank. She has wanted one for awhile and I came across a 55 gallon tall tank for free. I have the sump done and substrate down, but realized I need better lighting. The tank measurments are 36Lx18wx24T. So being 24 tall I need T-5 or MH. Can a pendant cover this? I really don't want to spend more than a few hundred on the lighting right now as we will probably be upgrading in the year or so. Any suggestions are appreciated.

Thanks

Seth

 

[returnofsid]

A single MH pendant would cover "most" of the tank. If hung over the center, you'd have lower light on the ends. This would allow you to keep the high light demanding corals in the center 2' of the tank and you'd have about 6" on either side for lower light species.

Oh and Welcome to Reef Frontiers!!!

 

[akunochi]

Thank you. Any recommendation on a MH wattage for that depth of water?

 

[windwaterwaves]

Or just put it towards one end and have that be shady for non-photosynths or lower light. The problem with T-5 is it covers the whole tank so you can't add mh.

 

[returnofsid]

To penetrate 24" of water, you'd need 250 watt MH lighting or T5HO. A quality 36" T5HO fixture with 6 bulbs would also allow you to keep anything in the tank. The highest light demanding corals would be better off in the upper 2/3s of the tank, but this would be true with 250W MH lights as well.

Yes, a T5 Fixture would cover the entire tank, making it impossible to add MH lighting, but with T5HO, you don't need MH.

 

[akunochi]

Thanks for all the help guys. I am looking around now. If I can find something used for around 200 or so it would be ideal.

 

[returnofsid]

Not sure if it's still available, but I think it might be. This would be a great deal and work very well for you!!
http://www.reeffrontiers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=42623