Need Help with lights?

[aquasport24]

20k, you have to see these things in person, it hard to judge it from pics.

[JimD]

Since you would like to keep a variety of of stuff, I would suggest a single 250w 10k single ended bulb using an electronic ballast and the actinics of your choice, 420nm, vho or T-5, Im not a fan of PC's.

[mario]

If $ is there I would go with 400w with some actincs.good luck.I too am dealing with the same problem but $ is a problem if i rush it. my tank is 150g 72x18x29 I only want to keep soft corals , just keep it simple.could I get away with ho t5 lights if so how many could I go with. I was planning on going with 39in on each side a total of 6 to 8 bulbs 3 or 4 10,000k on each side and 3 or 4 420 and 460 actinics on each side. do you think that would work for me.

[Mr Cob]

this is what i have in my RSM now but i would like some SPS

If you want SPS in that thing, you'll definitely have to ditch the Xenia, it will own up on the SPS.

[CoryDude]

IMO, 250W would be perfect for that tank. Ballasts and bulbs are a little less $$$, the light is sufficient for most anything, and they put off a little less heat than 400W. 14K bulbs with actinics will give your tank a nice crisp blue color.

[jlh81]

Looks like everyone is like me half on 400hm and the other half on 250hm with some actinics

[wkada]

Several comments, and please correct me if I am wrong. First, if your tank is 36x18x24, then it is a 65g, exact same as mine. if it has a center brace, then I do not think you would be happy with a single halide in the middle (with or w/o T5s) since it would cast a big shadow, so you would have to go with two halides, one on each side of the center brace. I think 250w would be fine and you could grow anything. If you could retrofit a T5 bulb front and back for actinics, it would look great. That was my original plan until I decided to go all T5 on my tank. If you go with the halides, you wil likely have heat issues as well.

[jlh81]

Yeah i think its a 65g too but any way there is no center bar. It is all open, but i think a 400w 20k would look really nice. And it would be a little cheaper then the 250 with some actinics

[mario]

Several comments, and please correct me if I am wrong. First, if your tank is 36x18x24, then it is a 65g, exact same as mine. if it has a center brace, then I do not think you would be happy with a single halide in the middle (with or w/o T5s) since it would cast a big shadow, so you would have to go with two halides, one on each side of the center brace. I think 250w would be fine and you could grow anything. If you could retrofit a T5 bulb front and back for actinics, it would look great. That was my original plan until I decided to go all T5 on my tank. If you go with the halides, you wil likely have heat issues as well.

THE TANK IS 72X18X29 THAT WOULD MAKE IT A 150GAL I THINK

[Troutmasters02]

Several comments, and please correct me if I am wrong. First, if your tank is 36x18x24, then it is a 65g, exact same as mine. if it has a center brace, then I do not think you would be happy with a single halide in the middle (with or w/o T5s) since it would cast a big shadow, so you would have to go with two halides, one on each side of the center brace. I think 250w would be fine and you could grow anything. If you could retrofit a T5 bulb front and back for actinics, it would look great. That was my original plan until I decided to go all T5 on my tank. If you go with the halides, you wil likely have heat issues as well.

He is right. I too have a 65 gallon with two 150w Metal halides with X 14k DE bulbs and two 39w actinic t5s. Lighting is a nice color and everything is growing well.