What kind of lighting?

[ZeroHour]

Have a 36x18x24 tank that I am setting up. I have only done smaller tanks and FOWL larger tanks.

What do I need to have some Clams, some sticks etc.

I see this set up in the for sale section.

Dual 400 watt mh (kraloy ballast) with mogul and reflector

Is this too much and or waht else would I need. I am a total newb when it comes to this stuff on larger tanks.

I have only done PC, T5, and LED set ups etc on my other tanks.

Fast help would be great lol want to capitalize on those lights if they will work

If not what kind of t5 set up would I need?

[Europhyllia]

your tank is only 24" deep. 400w MH would be such a waste. You might even end up needing a chiller.
Personally I think any MH would be a waste of energy but 250w MH should be enough in a tank like that for sure.
I've had fantastic growth of my maxima clams under T5s only

[ZeroHour]

How many bulb t5 should I run to get good color? Want to make sure I can make the colors pop. I kinda thought Halide was a waste as well. Would I need a 6 bulb t5 set up or would a 2 or 4 bulb cover it. Just never dealt with a large tank and I was running 115 watts of PC on my 12 eclipse. Was able to grow anything I wanted in that tank lol

[txg8gxp]

My tank is 18 deep w/ a 6 bulb t5 and I love it.

[ZeroHour]

I found a 4 bulb on craigslist for cheap I just emailed on, should I look for a 2 bulb fixture to compliment it? or run a 150 halide along with it?

[FireWater]

4 will get you by. I run a 4 bulb 24 watt fixture over my Finnex 30g and everything grows. A 6 light fixture would be better because you can get a better color mix. But, that is just preference.

[txg8gxp]

I guess alot of it comes down to what you want in the tank. For me, it would be a 6x39 t5 or a mh/t5 combo hood.

[Europhyllia]

be careful with t5 fixtures. There really are quality differences. I know because I sold my 4-bulb t5 fixture on craiglist... ;)
going from a generic t5 to an ATI 6 bulb t5 was like night and day. look for a fixture with cooling fans and check on how the bulbs are plugged in. The loose wire thing is a pain. I love the turn-and-click mounts for t5s

[ZeroHour]

hmm ill have to ck on the set up I emailed on then. I know what I want but just dont want to swing 400 for lights at the moment lol

[FireWater]

More is always better. If you can get a good deal on the lights you are looking at it will get you by for now. Or, don't waste the money and buy bigger now.

There are going to be a bunch of differing opinions - that is what makes it fun - what works for me may not work for you. txg8gxp is running a great Tek fixture over his tank now. As a matter of fact that is what I will probably run next. It is reasonable on price, good quality, and effecient. The Finnex fixture over my tank is, unfortunately, like the rest of the tank and not great quality so it will be upgraded in the near future.

[txg8gxp]

Yes, not all t5's are created equal...big difference in reflectors and ballasts. I'm useing to older tek fixture, and for the price I love it. I would like a ATI powermodule, just alittle too much money.

[ZeroHour]

http://cgi.ebay.com/36-Metal-Halide-T5-Lighting-Aquarium-Marine-Reef-406W-/110543269130?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item19bce46d0a

or

this one i like but the price is a bit steep

http://cgi.ebay.com/36-T5-HO-Aquarium-Light-6X-39-w-Moon-/350361331870?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item519329a89e

[FireWater]

hmm ill have to ck on the set up I emailed on then. I know what I want but just dont want to swing 400 for lights at the moment lol

What Karin said is great advice. You will pay for quality and that is the difference w/ t-5s. You might not have to go for top of the top but, you do get what you pay for. I like active cooling as it does make a difference but, Tek fixtures just recently added active cooling and their fixtures have always ranked at the top. ATI is beyond great and runs active cooling. Look for quality things such as good end caps (water proof and sealed), individual reflectors, and named ballasts.

[ZeroHour]

or lol

too many choices if this guy would come pick up this guitar he called on id be set lol

http://cgi.ebay.com/36-Metal-Halide-150-HQI-T5-HO-Aquarium-Light-Fixture-/180502796126?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2a06ce175e

[txg8gxp]

Well, I guess first off...what kind of coral are you planning on keeping?

[alton]

I use this method 12" Tank = 4 T5HO's, 18" Tank = 6 T5HO's, and 24" Tank 8 T5HO's. Something nice maybe 1 - 175w MH and 4 T5HO's in a hood with two fans to cool it down.

[ZeroHour]

not lookin to go nuts but some birdsnests maybe a few acans, I had the super mix tank before with all the things that "cant" be together and it went well. Id really love to have some nice acans and soem sticks though.

Maybe a chalice lol I really am not 100% on exactly what I want but I would rather have the lighting that will allow me to adapt.

(joke goal: kenyas and GSP)

[txg8gxp]

I have nothing but alot of acans and sps, and the 6 bulb t5 is working great. From what I have learned, dont cheap out on the lighting or the pumps...or you will replace them.

[Europhyllia]

or

this one i like but the price is a bit steep

http://cgi.ebay.com/36-T5-HO-Aquarium-Light-6X-39-w-Moon-/350361331870?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item519329a89e

actually that's the same manufacturer I had before I upgraded to ATI Sunpower. Terrible plug in end thingies and no fan cooling.
Sunpower is the aluminum/lower cost ATI. Powermodule is the stainless higher priced ATI line.
Even the Sunpower will be a lot more than the cheapo fixture you found on Ebay.
If money is really tight then maybe get second hand right now and then upgrade to something good later?
I resold that ebay fixture for 50% off to a freshwater guy.
Back to craiglist... ;)

[ZeroHour]

What about Current USA anygood?

[allan]

Just wanted to add my two cents.

I have 190 gallon about 25" deep and have at last count over 23 sps and your typical smattering of zoas, lps and a few softies like mushrooms and toads.

All of my sps show really good encrusting (rather than reaching for the light) and good growth.

I run two 36", and eight 48" T5s across 4'x3' of surface area.

I don't run a chiller but I do have a rather noisy fan running through the canopy.

[Europhyllia]

Oh I have a fan called a Vornado in the room aimed at the tank and on only during light hours. You can not hear it. Highly recommend.