Lighting my new tank

[tyson256031]

so im thinking about getting a cube tank thats either 36X36X36" tall or 36"x36"x24" for the 24" tall tank i would do a 250 watt with a ultra large lumen bright reflector, add 1-2 T5's on each side for actinic's then a strip of the new ice cap LED's between the T-5's and the MH setup, for the 36"tall tank i was thinking about doing the same but with a 400watt MH instead of a 250watt.

do you think this would be enough lighting to reach all the way to the bottom without melting the coral on the to LOL. or should i just use a 250 on either one?

 

[trido]

I was always happy with the 400s over my 30" deep tank. No, you won't melt the SPS near the top.

 

[mal1099]

yeah my 150 is 30 deep and my 400s have no problem doing the job

 

[tyson256031]

Do they melt zoos and lps right under them and closer to the surface like within the top 8-12 in below the water surface.

 

[206REEFer]

Do they melt zoos and lps right under them and closer to the surface like within the top 8-12 in below the water surface.

yeah same question? i have a 400watt along with 4 96 watt pc's on my 90 and my zoas are about 12in below the surface. the lighting is about 12in above the water level

 

[thatguy559]

yeah same question? i have a 400watt along with 4 96 watt pc's on my 90 and my zoas are about 12in below the surface. the lighting is about 12in above the water level

well are yours melting. seems like you have them in the same spot as the question being asked:badgrin:

 

[mfinn]

Do they melt zoos and lps right under them and closer to the surface like within the top 8-12 in below the water surface.

Corals will not melt if they are acclimated to the light properly.
Having said that, there are some corals that will do better lower in the tank.
I use 3x 250 watt mh on my 25" tall soft coral tank and 1x250watt mh on my 20" tall zoanthid tank.