Help!!!!!!!!!!

[dwdenny]

Ok once again I need some feedback. I have shrunk my lighting choices down to three choices here. This will be going on my 45g breeder 36"X18"X16"

1. http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem.asp?idproduct=CU01040

2. http://www.reefgeek.com/products/categories/lighting/104188.html

3. http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem.asp?idproduct=AQ1811

The reason I put the aquamedic 3rd is that this will really be just an LPS and Zoas tank and 250w seems like a lot. But as most know you will eventually get the great urge to get something more demanding but by then I will probably setup an entire new tank. Please help especially those with experience with these lighting products.

[Ed]

The TEK light gets my vote. Their reflectors are awesome. (I'm a little biased, though as I have T5s on my tank :skeezy).

[dwdenny]

20kk with T5 that would be pretty darm blue wouldn't it. Or just go with a single 250w 20kk like the aqua medic ocean light. I was just worried about the tank being dark on the edges and corals only having good coloration on one side.

[dwdenny]

anyone else. have opionions. I was under the imprssion that corals need the 420nm spike but I am not sure. I was hoping to got with a 150w HQI 10KK and have PC for supplemental actinic lighting. Just not sure if the 24" outer orbit will have enough light spread to cover 36"X18"X16"

[gjuarez]

I dont think the orbit would be a good lighting setup for your 45 gallon doug. 150 watts of metal haldie is pretty weak, but if you only want to keep zoos and lps it might be good. I would go with the third option only because I think sooner or later I think you will want to go the sps route. You might even want to keep a clam, trust me, you will want one sooner or later, they are beatuiful. It is easier to upgrade lighting than to setup another tank. It is cheaper too.

[Pacman]

I'd say straight up VHO. Of course I'm biased too... I've got a 45 g and all I've got is VHO. I got the ballast + endcaps for about $80 on ebay, and then with the lamps my total was less than $200 for a great LPS setup.

Matt

[dwdenny]

Joshua No center brace so single pendant is not a problem. I was just thinking of LPS and zoas that 250 might be a little too much please don't rag on me for that comment.

Pacman I was looking for more of an open top tank so I really don't want to build a canopy for it. Something that I could hang from the ceiling.

[Pacman]

Anyway, The LPS all looked great so I decided to add a clam myself. So far he looks pretty happy but time will tell.

I think 285 watts of VHO gives you a lot of room to play with, and even if some high light corals don't grow as fast as in some tanks, they should still be happy and healthy.

Matt

[Pacman]

oops, posted at same time. Well, if you decide you want a canopy give VHO a thought!

[dwdenny]

nice photos Pacman.

[gjuarez]

Doug, it would probably be cheaper to get a pendant. Joshuas 14k idea sounds good. I think the lps and zoos will love the halides, in my opinion i dont think its too much. From my experience, my zoos lost a lot of color when i moved them from metal halides to power compacts.

[dwdenny]

the outer orbit is 150w DE and PC.