Lighting Question

[betiuminside]

I am planning to upgrade from 100gl to 180 gal.
So I would like to upgrade lighting as well. But I have no idea about how .
I will get the 18" canopy.

I am planning to get this set up.

6ft 3x150 HQI Coralife aqualight pro

Question #1.

Would be cheaper to build it myself? Buying everything separate?

Question #2.

If the answer is YES, would somebody be able to teach me how?

Question #3.

Is 3x150 HQI good? Suggestions?

[brewercm]

Depends on what you plan on keeping. If you aren't keeping SPS or Clams the 150s will be fine, if you plan on clams in the bottom and SPS spread throughout I'd go 400s. If you want to put in lower light bottom and higher light specimens towards the top you can go with 250s (this would be my choice).

[fishcrazy]

I have a 135 gal. that is 6' long and I bought a pre made lighting system that kicks butt. It has 3x150 mh and 4x96 dual attintic, but if I was to do it over again I would have built it myself and used 250 watt mh instead. It would be much cheaper! The unit I bought was $900. Someone on this site can give you instuctions on how to build it.

[hobogato]

alberto - if you have me build the canopy for you (we have already talked about this a little), ill install the lights into the canopy for you if you bring them with you when you come to pick it up. i would go with 250 watt lights if i were you - assuming you are planning SPS. the 150 watters may not be bright enough at the bottom 2/3 of the tank for stoneys. 400 watters will give you more of a heat issue than you want - unless you plan on running a chiller. talk to frederick at coralreefbazaar.com, he will give you a great deal on retrofit kits that will fasten directly to the inside of the canopy.

[betiuminside]

Thanks for your quick responce.

Ok, the plan will be 250 watt lights

Ace,

I am going to get the tank, stand and canopy form the same guy. Thanks for the offer.

How much do you guys think am I going to spend on the light system ? 250 watt ?? with actinics?

[hobogato]

talk to frederick - he will give you a great deal.

http://www.coralreefbazaar.com/?osCsid=4b29b2266e95daf134ab7713c8c916a8

[brewercm]

Depends on the ballast, bulbs, reflectors etc. that you want to use. Here's a place that I've bought from in the past and thought the prices were great, they are also one of our sponsors.

http://oceanencounter.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=OE&Category_Co de=D

I think that the 250s will be a great choice also keeping the heat issues under control.

[betiuminside]

Thanks!

I think I found a good site with the info that I need to learn.

http://www.aquarium-lighting-guide.com/metal-halide

I will check both websites!!
*********
I am going to hijack my own topic.

Sand Bed or Bare-Bottom Tank???

I think I am going to do BB

What would you guys do? if you have a chance to start a 180 gal RR tank?