lighting a tank?

[sharkboy]

What kind of lighting suggestions are out there for a tank that measures 56"x36"x31"? I plan on keeping sps/lps/clams, etc.

[brewercm]

Not sure how the spread would work out but you could try a couple of 400 watt halides on the Luminarc pendants and supplement with some T5 or VHO actinic.

[Bill S]

Is the 36" depth or width? In either case, as noted above, you should probably consider 400w-ers.

[sharkboy]

36" is the width...I am also planning on hanging the lighting from the ceiling vs a canopy. it will also be open above the tank and will not be enclosed. Any lighting out there that has a sleek design where it wouldn't be so unsightly?

[LoneStar]

Lumenarcs are offered in pendants too; so it will not look like a simple reflector. Combine that with some simple wires for placement, it will look as sleek as halides can!

http://www.reefexotics.com/lumenarc_.jpg
http://www.reefexotics.com/lumenarc.htm

I think the coolest fixtures for a aquarium without a canopy, is the T-5 fixtures. Sleek and very modern.

[Bill S]

If you want some 400w DE Pendants, I have 3 or 4 that I'll be looking to get rid of here fairly soon. CHEAP. It looks like this:

http://i1.ebayimg.com/02/i/04/44/66/2a_1_b.JPG

[sharkboy]

How could I incorporate the metal halides with vho/actinics for support? Again, I don't want wires all over the place. Any other options? I heard that Giesemann made some good quality lights? Would T5s be sufficient? Would 250watters work?

[LoneStar]

Giesemann makes some excellent lights and reflectors. If you looking at getting actinic support with your halide, you can look into those nice (but expensive) fixtures that have the t-5 actinics and DE halides all in one fixture. It will still look sleek and will only show a few cords (that can hide easily).

It just comes down to how much you want to spend and how long you want to wait for it :)

[RayAllen]

I would think something like this except 400watts

http://www.hellolights.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=1378

[caferacermike]

Or Sunlight Supply Maristar. One of the nicest all in ones I've ever seen. I made my own fixture that looks exactly the above but it cost about as much as prefab.

[sharkboy]

If I go with the retrofit look, will a 48" fixture be sufficient to cover the tank since it is 56" in length. It will also be 36" deep so will I have to use multiple fixtures. Am I better off getting two of the 36" fixtures and place sideways?

[edawgm]

I don't know if this will help much at this point but I found this the other night.

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

[sharkboy]

Thanks for the link....unfortunately I am not very savvy as a do it yourselfer...On another note I forgot to ask if 250 watt bulbs are sufficient for a 31" tall tank....I have not seen any 400 watt/T5 combos out there..

[Bill S]

With SPS, unless you are planning on only keeping them at the top, I'd consider 400w... On my 29" tank, I can't keep most SPS deeper than about 15-18", and I have 400w.

[sharkboy]

Does anyone make a 400w/t5 or vho all in one system?

[FireWater]

Length does not match up and I have no idea of price, but here ya go...
http://www.captiveoceans.com/Photon.htm

[sharkboy]

Anyone ever used those photon lights? Also, the website presently doesn't show pricing...any ideas how much?

[FireWater]

rThe website says that their online store is unavailable due to maintenance. I have no idea of pricing. Just looking at them I would say the price of an arm and part of your leg. Just a guess though