what type of lights on a 380?

[moneytank]

I am setting up a 380 gallon tank for thee wife and kids. That way they can put whatever they want in it. No more telling them no, that will eat my corals or something else. Since there is not much telling what might end up in this tank im not sure what type of lights to put over it. I know its going to have live rock and fish, but it also will most likely have some corals in it, just no sps for sure. My concern is the tank is acrylic and has four openings. The actuall tank is 120"Long x 24"wide x 31" tall, plus external overflows on the ends making it almost 12feet long. Its in its own fish room so you only see the front and that opening is only 8feet wide, want room for the fish to hide out of site. Tank also has a fake concrete type wall on the back. I was planning on running four 250w metal halides, one over each opening, plus I already have them...but...

I was wondering if anyone else has any suggestions.

The tank is up and running now, a month with just rock, then another month now with a few fish. Still working on getting it completly enclosed but it got put on hold due to a broken hand. I know everyone likes to see pictures so I will try in a little while.

[RayAllen]

With this basically being a FOWLR you can go VHO and it will provide plenty of light and still be bright enough and pleasent to view. Even in a 380 you cant just put anything you want in it and expect no problems so id try to have some since of order when buying and introducing them. You can have a great tank for you wife and kids without letting them pick just anything that looks pretty or cool. Good luck convincing them though, lol.

[moneytank]

Thanks. Yea, I meant anything within reason.......
Will the VHOs cause any problem with the acrylic top? Never had an acrylic tank before.

[aquasport24]

They should not cause any problem as long as the lights not touching it. Mounting cooling fans on canopy should help with the heating too.

[RayAllen]

VHO are the simply VeryHigh Output Florescents so they wont generate too much heat.

[Fish4life]

IMO VHO are a thing of the past. Go t5's. Cheaper to run, cheaper to buy, more par, cooler..... what more could you ask for? If you want that VHO look go with the UVL Atintic.

Cheers,

kurt

[moneytank]

hopefully this works.....


the backside from fishroom


the 180 a little farther along

the 180 backside from fishroom


yes the fishroom is a mess, was all done in a hurry

[RayAllen]

Wow Im impressed even with it being done in a hurry. Great job!

[RayAllen]

IMO VHO are a thing of the past. Go t5's. Cheaper to run, cheaper to buy, more par, cooler..... what more could you ask for? If you want that VHO look go with the UVL Atintic.

Cheers,

kurt

I dont agree with saying VHO are a thing of the past. To me that would be like not using MH because of the new LED fixtures. One of the best tanks on the board is ran with MH and VHO and looks absolutely amazing. I do agree that T5s are awesome but be prepared to put a lot more bulbs over the tank.

[moneytank]

thanks again.
I have few older 2,3, and 4 foot VHOs, and a couple of ice caps. I might try the four footers on one side just to see how it looks. Right now it just has 2-250 MHs over the center two openings. Once the pull the pins from my hand I might try moving the MHs around also.